Journey
Where no one sees
By land, sea or air, border externalisation places obstacles in transit countries in order to prevent people from reaching Europe, even putting their lives at risk.
Transit countries along migration routes, far from public view and control mechanisms, have developed systems to prevent arrival in Europe. The lack of access to visas, the absence of other tools, the administrative inefficiency of embassies and consulates, and European funding directed to armies and police forces to block migrants form a network that restricts transnational mobility.
The EU has implemented an expanded border strategy that consists of creating agreements with other states so that they are the ones preventing migrant arrivals into European territory. In exchange for conventions and resource allocation, these states will be responsible for deterring people from reaching the border and arriving on Europe’s doorstep.
Border externalisation
In recent years, the European Union has transferred more than nine billion euros to third countries to prevent the arrival of people from Africa and the Middle East.
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Israel and Palestine
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Israel, Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti and Somalia, Mauritania, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Guinea Bissau, Ghana, Benín, Guinea, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gàmbia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Níger, Txad, Uganda.
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti, Somalia, Mauritania, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Guinea Bissau, Ghana, Benín, Guinea, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gambia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Txad, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Turkey, Georgia, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and India.
The European Union applies the "safe third country" principle, a mechanism that allows authorities to return refugees to the country they came from, even if it is not their country of origin, as long as it is considered a "safe" country. This mechanism violates the rights of refugees by denying them the possibility of applying for asylum in a European country.
Every obstacle along the migration route is designed to prevent people on the move from reaching the borders of the European Union. This strategy not only violates international law but also denies migrants protection and exposes them to new risks in the so-called transit countries deemed "safe."
Not everyone manages to overcome obstacles along the way. Those who do manage to reach the gates of Europe will find the biggest obstacle in front of them: crossing the border.
BORDER
