A Troubling Example for Europe
Belgium recently made headlines by announcing that it will temporarily be unable to receive single male asylum seekers. This decision, which is causing concern across Europe, has been hailed by some as an example to follow. Yet it is essential to take a step back and carefully examine the implications of this measure while thinking critically about the fundamental principles of asylum and human rights.
by: Mahad Hussein
Asylum: A Cornerstone of Democracy and Human Rights
Asylum is a fundamental right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is the cornerstone of democracy and compassion. It embodies solidarity among nations and testifies to the will to protect people fleeing persecution and violence. To revoke this right is tantamount to compromising our deepest human values.
Policy of Double Standards
Belgium's decision reveals a broader problem plaguing the asylum system in Europe. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, we have seen double standards. Ukrainian asylum seekers were treated differently than their counterparts from other parts of the world. This unjust discrimination raises questions about the nature of the asylum system itself.
Have Ukrainians, seeking safety and refuge, inadvertently become pawns in a political game that transcends them? Is their preferential treatment a way for some states to serve their interests while claiming to defend human rights? This partisan approach is a clear example of the failure of the international political system, which leaves the most vulnerable to selfish political agendas.
Discrimination against Single Men
Belgium's decision to specifically reject single male asylum seekers is also disturbing. This amounts to gender discrimination, in direct violation of the principles of equality and non-discrimination. Asylum should be granted based on the threat an individual faces, not gender or marital status.
The Beginning of the End of the Asylum System?
Belgium may be just one example among many to follow, but this highlights a troubling trend. The asylum system, intended as a bulwark against injustice and oppression, is showing signs of weakness. The foundations of this system, which was meant to be an example, are beginning to crumble.
It is essential to remind European states that their duty to humanity and human rights cannot be sacrificed for political or economic interests. Asylum must not be an instrument of imperialist control, but an authentic expression of human solidarity.
Belgium's decision to exclude certain asylum seekers is an alarm signal for Europe
It is time to reaffirm our fundamental values, ensure fair treatment for all asylum seekers, regardless of gender, and preserve the spirit of asylum. The future of our asylum system and, by extension, our commitment to human dignity, depends on our ability to respond to this growing crisis with compassion and justice.
