Shrinking Protection Space Through Gatekeeping and Fencing Strategies: The impact of EU’s Migration Control on the Protection of Asylum Seekers and Forced Migrants at EU’s External Borders

Abstract

Forced migrants fleeing violent conflict, human rights abuses, persecution and other threats to life and livelihoods are entitled to the protection of their fundamental rights. Although in proportion there are few seeking refuge in the EU their protection space at external borders is shrinking. Starting with an explanation for the growing sophistication and inhumanity of European policies this article seeks to highlight the impact of the European migration control on the protection of forced migrants. It shows how in the complex framework of the European management and control of migration policy, border spaces of un-protection have been created through gatekeeping and fencing strategies at EU external borders.