Hansen, Lærke Elisabeth Onsberg

Jensen, Mathias Lundskov

Paulsen, Signe Bøtzau

Thomsen, Christoffer Demant Werner

Østerø, Ása Absalonsdóttir

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the ongoing refugee crisis can be handled in an ethically justifiable way based on a rich, democratic country like Denmark. In order to pre- sent a possible solution the paper studies the current political landscape in Denmark, which is partially determined by different international cooperation and agreements. To obtain an ethi- cal perspective on the matter the project introduces four philosophers who take wide stands on the ethics of immigration. By analysing their arguments using theory from Alec Fisher it is established that the current crisis cannot be solved solely on ethical considerations. The paper concludes that in order to solve the crisis it is necessary to implement initiatives that help current refugees but also prevents new ones from appearing. The proposed solution is based on Thomas Gammeltoft-Hansen's carefully considered suggestions presented in his book on the refugee crisis. Firstly the countries of the world need to acknowledge their shared moral responsibility in helping refugees, whether it is in their own or neighbouring countries. Most countries fail to acknowledge their responsibility and effectively violate international laws on human rights that were designed post World War II, in order to exactly prevent humanitarian disasters akin to the one experienced during the war. Countries need to suspend their national self-interests, and realise that the current crisis cannot be solved by keeping refugees from their borders. A more productive approach would be to unify in a redefined international co- operation including a new global distribution system that divides refugees fairly to all the involved countries. It is essential that countries like Denmark adopt a political mind-set which unites rather than alienates refugees from their citizens. Last but not least, pre-emptive initiatives must be implemented in order to prevent future refugee crisis caused by climate changes, poverty and social inequality

The ethics of immigration: An etichal perspective on the current refugee crisis

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