The crisis in Ukraine has revealed ingrained structural and systemic inequalities within the European immigration framework. Further magnifying historical perceptions in regards to deserving refugees and legitimate asylum seekers. As homes across Europe welcome Ukrainian refugees – sociopolitical rhetoric points towards a two tier system. Rewind to the 2016 Syrian crisis and the contrast is tangible. The Poland/Belarus border was the staging post for an apocalyptic migration, which was viewed as a destabilising force threatening the very survival of Europe. Syrian refugees were viewed with suspicion and their unceremonious welcome reflected the prevailing paranoia of the time. A concerted push back and repatriation was enforced in response to the crisis. Forward to 2022 and the border guards at the respective border are handing out care packages. Other European nations such as Spain, Greece, Bulgaria and Denmark openly discriminate against non-European refugees, but now welcome the Ukrainians. Poland, who closed their borders to the Syrians; now alongside Hungary, Slovenia, Moldova and Romania, also welcome the Ukrainians with open-arms.
My name is Ejel Khan, and I’m an activist who advocates for asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. I have personally spoken in support of Ukrainian refugees seeking asylum in the UK and called for an immediate cessation to the war. For me the contrast in perception/reception of the respective refugees is reflective of a wider contagion infecting Europe; namely the increasing right-wing domination of politics. Danish MP Marcus Knuth stated he welcomes Ukrainians, unlike Afghans and Syrians, who he views with suspicion. Santiago Abasal of Spain’s Vox Party openly advocates a no-Muslims asylum policy. Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radar states that Europeans seeking asylum are not considered refugees. Dimitris Kairidis of Greece’s New Democracy Party welcomes Ukrainians as fellow white, Christian Europeans. David Hannan (former Conservative MEP) is quoted as saying: “They seem so like us, and that is what is shocking. Ukrainian people watch Netflix, have Instagram accounts.”
Currently Denmark is stripping many Syrian asylum seekers of residency rights, while exempting Ukrainians from any aforementioned processes. An open-door policy is in effect in regards to Ukrainians refugees seeking asylum in Europe. They are viewed as European neighbours in need of sanctuary, in vast contrast to marauding hoards of fake refugees from Muslim majority countries. Double standards are at foot concerning the treatment of said refugees, which paradoxically feeds in to the narrative of the far-right. Growing concerns regarding non-white migration are being stoked by supremacist ideologues; whose populist rhetoric is gaining momentum across the continent. In my home nation of the UK, I have personally witnessed anti-Muslim feeling, particularly in regards to asylum and immigration. The legitimacy of Ukrainian refugees is certainly not in doubt. So why should it not be the case for others who are legitimately applying for asylum, irrespective of their country of origin. The evaluation process should be fair and transparent for all concerned. Political discourse of late further highlights societal biases based on race and religion.
© Ejel Khan, 2022.
ejelkhan 