The Interaction Between Securitization of Migration and Asylum: The Political Considerations on the Rights of Asylum-Seekers in the Case of the EU-Turkish Joint Statement

Abstract

Nowadays, hundreds of thousands of people have been trying to migrate to another country including the EU member states, and live a stable life without security concerns. However, the EU has increasingly reduced their opportunity and ability to seek international protection via strict policies. Securitization of migration results in a decrease in the number of asylum applications. The EU has been politically realistic considering its own interests in implementing measures to combat irregular migration with regard to the reduction of asylum applications. In this context, the EU Commission suggested that Turkey and the Western Balkan countries should be adopted as a “safe country of origin” in September 2015. In fact, this move aimed at reducing the number of applications, many of which had already been rejected. Although the persons who were subject to the EU-Turkey Joint Statement dated March 18, 2016, used to flee from the conflict zones in the different corners of the World, the EU treated them like irregular migrants and sent them back to Turkey. The Statement, which is the basis for the return of these persons, presents itself with various difficulties in terms of procedure and implementation.