archiv.ffm-online

What we are currently witnessing is not a ‘migration’ crisis but a European crisis. Responding to increasing migration movements, especially to those through Greece and the Balkan countries, several EU member states have taken to introduce drastic and brutal deterrence measures. Recently, Denmark used excessive force, though only for a brief spell, to prevent travellers to move on to Sweden. A few days later they realised that they could not prevent people from moving – hundreds just continued to walk on, despite repression, and thereby re-opened the border to Sweden. Then, Germany resurrected internal border control measures last weekend, after days of allowing people into the country. This shameful move was quickly followed by Austria, Slovakia and the Netherlands. Hungary in turn announced that it would further criminalise ‘irregular’ movements into its territory and confirmed that it would extend its razor-wire border fence with Serbia to include parts of its border with Romania. Bulgaria reinforced border control measures to its neighbouring countries Serbia, Macedonia and Turkey. The Greek border fence with Turkey means that people cross the sea, where dozens of lives were lost again this week. The EU and its idea of internal freedom of movement are rapidly falling apart as its member states attempt to seal off their national borders. It is also clear, however, that these deterrence measures are mere attempts which, in reality, cannot and do not stop human movement. Germany’s announcement to resurrect its borders has not led to a halt – every day thousands are still entering the country. Hungary’s decisions has meant that travellers are seeking and finding new routes – many now pass through Croatia. When governments shut down train lines, people started to march instead, occupying highways, breaking through police lines, and thereby enacting their freedom of movement.