A constructive asylum and refugee policy can by achieved in Europe
In a passionate polemic, Gesine Schwan turns her attention to Europe's failure: the current refugee policy in practice is a disgrace. Europe is walling itself in. On its borders, refugees are left stranded. Very few make it in, and many die along the way. But the states simply look the other way, and blame each other. Fear of xenophobia or populist politics are often the reasons. For a continent that once stood for enlightenment and human rights, this is a shameful state of affairs.
But it doesn't have to be like this. There is another way! Gesine Schwan outlines what needs to be done. She makes concrete suggestions for a European refugee policy which includes local authorities and counter current fears and arguments. Because dealing with refugees is not a peripheral issue within the EU. It reflects the values that Europe stands for.
