Border surveillance (Eurosur)
Commission proposes 'Fortress 2.0'; skewed approach to immigration misses the point
The European Commission today adopted proposals to set up a new border surveillance system (Eurosur), aimed at tightening border controls and reducing migrant numbers, including setting up new data exchange systems and introducing border surveillance technologies. The Greens believe the focus on tighter border controls is one-sided and counter-productive. Commenting on the proposals, Green migration policy spokesperson Ska Keller said:
"These proposals by the Commission amount to 'Fortress 2.0', using new technologies to close off Europe's borders. This skewed approach to immigration misses the point and it represents cynicism in the extreme to claim that Eurosur will actually help the boatloads of migrants that risk their lives to leave persecution or destitution.
"Eurosur has been driven forward by the Commission, certain EU member states and Frontex, with the sole purpose of shutting off EU borders, in cooperation with north African regimes. In addition to information exchange systems, they foresee spending public funds on developing new technologies, like robots and drones to police Europe's external borders.
"Purely focusing on border controls will do little to reduce the numbers of migrants seeking refuge in Europe. Instead of beefing up border controls, the EU should be addressing the reasons why migrants are forced to migrate and focusing on improving the piecemeal asylum and immigration systems in the EU."
