Full video from the webinar “THE BORDERS FROM WITHIN: The EU external borders – a mirror to European migration policies”
The webinar took place on 27 November 2024, hosted by “Center for legal aid – Voice in Bulgaria”.
The event itself is organized with the support of the Bulgarian Women Fund within the project “Building an Inclusive Resilient Democratic Society in Bulgaria” (BIRDS in BG), implemented in partnership with the Bulgarian Centre for Not-for-Profit Law (BCNL) and Impact Drive Foundation (IDF), with the financial support of the European Union (EU).
Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the Bulgarian Fund for Women, the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency. Neither BFW, nor the EU or EACEA can be held responsible for them.
The four speakers of the event are representatives of four countries from the expanded Balkan region (Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece and Turkey), placed at both sides of the EU border, internal and external, both very much alike affected by the current shifting EU policies.
EU external borders have become the most discussed topic in regard to migration management during the last decade, absorbing majority of focus, legislative amendments, human resources and funding. Situation at the borders demonstrate with biggest clarity the radical shift in EU and national migration policies such as restriction of irregular migration, forcible returns and externalization, which prevail way over the needs of protection, solidarity in crisis, humanitarian mobilization and integration.
The first speaker, Desislava Todorova covers the situation in Bulgaria. Desislava has been working with “Center for legal aid -Voice in Bulgaria” since 2017. She has extensive experience as a lawyer and an advocacy expert on issues of asylum and migration in Bulgaria. She has academic and professional experience from Germany, UK and Israel.
Presenting the situation in Bulgaria, with the experience of implemented Pilot project with European Commission, current implementation of Cooperation Framework on border and migration management and future creation of its national plan for implementation of the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum, Bulgaria remains very much a hot spot and blind spot at the same time for human rights violations. The country needs an urgent emphasis on monitoring for human rights violations with redress mechanism, support for proper functioning of the asylum procedure and emphasis on the rights of the people on the move.
The second part focuses on the Bulgarian-Serbian border, very much overlooked in terms of policies, practices and legal trends. Mrs. Milica Svabic, a lawyer from the Serbian NGO “Klikactiv”, shared her insights and analysis on the Serbian jurisdiction. For years, “Klikaktiv”is committed to directly support people on the move and asylum seekers.
Serbia, as non-EU, non-Schengen country, has been used for years as a dumping zone by EU, with very dynamic changes going on in narratives and practices. Mrs. Milica Svabic emphasises the importance that everywhere official statistic of people on the move does not reflect realities, but just impose invisibility. Violations at borders are with increase danger, prise and criminal activities.
Third speaker is Mrs. Juliette Malfaisan, founder and director of the Greek organization “Equal Legal Aid”. She shares insights and strategic case law concerning Greece. Equal Legal Aid is a nonprofit, providing pro bono legal assistance to asylum seekers and migrants, including through representation before Greek courts and strategic litigation. The experience of Greece is vital as in many aspects it serves as a base of the new EU Pact.
Mrs. Juliette Malfaisan additionally emphasises the importance of access of al asylum seekers and migrants to legal aid not just as a guarantee for the functioning of the asylum procedure, but as a a core characteristic of democracy in one society and balance in the system, a basis of good governance.
Last but not least, our final panellist is Mrs. Öykü Tümer Esen – the director of Refugee Rights Türkiye. She holds a BA degree in political science and an MA degree in sociology, working in the asylum and migration field for 13 years. Mrs Öykü shares insights, challenges and current trends in Turkey, especially in light of externalization policies.
Turkey is in a very different position and situation, but with much common challenges with the rest of the countries represented in the discussion in regard to migration and asylum management. Mrs. Öykü Tümer Esen emphasises that securitization of borders might be efficient in short term, but definitely not efficient for long term management. Proper analysis on part of EU in terms of efficiency of externalization policies towards third countries is much needed.
Following discussion revealed that questions are beyond our answers and that this topic will be further followed and developed.
