The shrinking space for solidarity with migrants and refugees

How the European Union and Member States target and criminalize defenders of the rights of people on the move

Europe’s “refugee crisis” triggered a wave of solidarity actions by both civil society organisations and ordinary citizens. Their efforts were part of a wave of compassion, as people organised convoys to refugee reception centers, warmly greeted arrivals at train stations and lined highways to provide food and water to those making the journey from Syria and elsewhere. Just a few years later those same activists are treated as criminals and humanitarian search and rescue missions are criminalised.

Authors
Yasha Maccanico
Ben Hayes
Samuel Kenny
Frank Barat