The outcome of the recent election in Sweden has provided fresh evidence that the rise of populism in Europe continues apace. The Sweden Democrats, a far-right party denounced as racist, won some 18 percent of the total vote and now, in a post-election deadlock, could be part of some form of coalition government even though other parties are so far refusing to do deals with them
The Sweden Democrats’ anti-immigration agenda attracted surprising support in a wealthy country defined by its long record of liberalism, equality and generous welfare but which had experienced an unprecedented influx of migrants over the last few years. It seems this raised concerns about the effects on public services and on the nation’s culture and identity as a whole.
Europe continues to be such a magnet for economic migrants and those escaping war and persecution in their own countries that immigration has become the dominant issue on the continent. The European Union is increasingly being engulfed by populism and nationalism, with xenophobia and racism sweeping many of its member states as a result of uncontrolled mass migration to, for example, Hungary, Austria, Poland, Spain and Germany while Italy’s new government is considering deporting migrants in large numbers and preventing new ones from landing. Even in Britain, one of the main issues behind its departure from the EU is public concern about immigration.
Critics dismiss this swing to the right as being driven by intolerance and bigotry. But voters have made clear their collective view that uncontrolled immigration is no longer acceptable. Expression of their concern through the ballot box – termed populism but regarded by many simply as democracy – also indicates a loss of faith in established political parties which tend to dismiss the supposed damaging effects of globalisation and will not face up to the repercussions of migration on a huge scale.
The reaction of the European Commission President in his annual State of the Union speech last week was to call for EU nations to remain tolerant and open in dealing with refugees and to remove new borders that have been reinstated in reaction to the migrant crisis. But this is likely to fall on deaf ears. As well as closing their borders in defiance of the Schengen arrangements, some have refused to accept quotas for dispersing migrants throughout the EU while making clear diktats from Brussels should not override individual national policies.
It is now claimed the current migrant crisis has become one of the most compelling in the world and is the tragedy of our times. Some unofficial figures suggest there could be as many as 60 million displaced people worldwide. Apart from the dangers – only last week again there was further loss of life after another boat capsized in the Mediterranean - it is reported the appalling conditions of squalor, hopelessness and human misery in refugee camps in countries like Greece, Italy and northern France are worsening.
So far, here in The Bahamas we are fortunate to have escaped such a crisis, but there is an ever present potential threat of a mass influx of Haitian migrants seeking a better life, either in this country or on the way to Florida. Unless local conditions improve for Haiti’s ten million citizens, the flow of refugees and economic migrants will run on.
We need to continue to be firm in stopping illegal immigration in order to protect our way of life and prevent us from being overrun by unsustainable numbers. Nonetheless, while continuing with deportations, it is important migrants should be treated fairly, decently and humanely in accordance with our laws as well as with international standards.
This applies in the same way to implementation of the commitment in the FNM’s manifesto to take action about shanty towns. In particular, it is incumbent on officials to distinguish between people living in this country illegally and who have found their way to such places and those who have acquired work permits or citizenship but have chosen for whatever reason to live there. Moreover, if the shanty towns are demolished, satisfactory provision must be made to relocate those affected without creating the sort of horrifyingly dysfunctional camps for displaced people that are now a blot on the reputations of some European countries.
How to rehouse large numbers of people will be a major headache for planners. So we urge the Government to consider a possible solution of rebuilding on existing sites as mentioned in these columns last week.
Comments
Porcupine 5 years, 7 months ago
The entire issue of migration has a definite and achievable solution. While we are quick to highlight and concentrate on the problems associated with migration, we refuse to concentrate on WHY the vast majority of migration takes place. The majority of people in the world would rather stay home where they were born, raise a family and make a decent living. Things have to be pretty bad to risk it all. The majority of refugees are fleeing for their lives, presently mostly from war. Soon, it will be rising sea levels and lack of fresh water and food resources. Had humanity, especially the major world powers, seriously made efforts to end war and to truly assist other countries in achieving their potential, we would not be in this situation now. Turning a blind eye to the war crimes and atrocities and neoliberal economic policies of the US has not furthered the cause for equality and justice in the world. Instead, we bought into the lies and pompous talk, on display for our entire lifetimes no matter how old you are. The world's political structure has now been molded into one of a great game, where people are simply pawns in the game. The massive and growing military industrial complex in the US now has its tentacles in every media outlet, every politician and every think tank in the US. They have left few stones unturned in making sure the rest of the world's leaders understand who is boss. There can be no discussion on this matter, for the evidence is voluminous and unassailable. That we continue to accept the bombing of innocent civilians, a military presence that spans the globe, and a self-serving banking system that literally destroys whole economies is as much a part of this migration problem as the migrants themselves. A simple and honest reading of Haiti's recent history can leave no doubt as to this claim. Why are we blaming Haitians for seeking out a better life when the causes for their misery are there in front of us. And, we continue to buy into the lies of the world's ruling elite. Yes, there are brutal and dishonest people among us. But, we don't have to put them in as leaders of a country. We, the supposedly well-read and educated people. have fallen for the lies of the ruling class for so long that we actually have internalized, and believe them. The US spends enough in one year on weapons, bombs, bullets, high-tech ways of maiming and killing that it takes a moron not to see that the world would be a much, much better place if we had the moral backbone to speak out firmly against this and refused to participate in their immoral worldview. (See AUTEC). War is nothing to be glorified. Those who portray themselves as the educated, civilized people of this world are deluded. Migration is but one clear indication of these failed policies. The same policies and belief systems that we continue to cling to.
Porcupine 5 years, 7 months ago
“I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents.” ― Smedley D. Butler, War is a Racket: The Antiwar Classic by America's Most Decorated Soldier
Porcupine 5 years, 7 months ago
“In the World War, we used propaganda to make the boys accept conscription. They were made to feel ashamed if they didn't join the army. So vicious was this war propaganda that even God was brought into it. With few exceptions our clergymen joined in the clamor to kill, kill, kill. To kill the Germans. God is on our side . . . it is His will that the Germans be killed. And” ― Smedley D. Butler, War Is A Racket!: And Other Essential Reading
banker 5 years, 7 months ago
LOL @ neoliberal economic policies.
Somebody is not putting enough water in the KoolAid.
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