The willingness of European states and societies to welcome refugees varies, and not only due to     differences between the host countries. Developments since the Spring 2022 escalation of the war in Ukraine reveal that the origin of refugees also influences what kind of help they can expect to receive. In liberal societies, solidarities that are guided by perceived similarity are in need of corrective measures. This is the only way to fulfil the universalist claim of refugee law, which applies to everyone affected by war and persecution

Hack, Alexia

Koloma Beck, Teresa

Wuropulos, Katharina

English

SSOAR - Social Science Open Access Repository 

www.ssoar.infoSolidarity for all? Europe's unequal treatment ofrefugeesWuropulos, Katharina; Koloma Beck, Teresa; Hack, AlexiaVeröffentlichungsversion / Published VersionStellungnahme / commentEmpfohlene Zitierung / Suggested Citation:Wuropulos, K., Koloma Beck, T., & Hack, A. (2023). Solidarity for all? Europe's unequal treatment of refugees. (IFSHPolicy Brief, 01/23). Hamburg: Institut für Friedensforschung und Sicherheitspolitik an der Universität Hamburg (IFSH).https://doi.org/10.25592/ifsh-policy-brief-0123ENutzungsbedingungen:Dieser Text wird unter einer CC BY-ND Lizenz (Namensnennung-Keine Bearbeitung) zur Verfügung gestellt. Nähere Auskünfte zuden CC-Lizenzen finden Sie hier:https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/deed.deTerms of use:This document is made available under a CC BY-ND Licence(Attribution-NoDerivatives). For more Information see:https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0Comparative research shows that solidarity with refugees in Europe is particularly strong when host societies perceive them as “similar” to themselves. This practice, however, contradicts the universalist principles at the core of European identity which are based on the recognition of equal dignity among all human beings. Measures are necessary  ❙  to counteract the unequal treatment of refugees and interrogate  imaginaries of similarity. ❙  to improve the practical application of universalist principles by, for example, systematically identifying gaps in care, and by establishing the right to work for all refugees.  KATHARINA WUROPULOS, TERESA KOLOMA BECK, ALEXIA HACK | 202301|23Solidarity for all?     Europe’s unequal treatment  of refugees IFSH – Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of HamburgThe willingness of European states and societies to welcome refugees varies, and not only due to differences between the host countries. Developments since the Spring 2022 escalation of the war in Ukraine reveal that the origin of refugees also influences what kind of help they can expect to receive. In liberal societies, solidarities that are guided by perceived similarity are in need of cor-rective measures. This is the only way to fulfil the universalist claim of refugee law, which applies to everyone affected by war and persecution.EU DIRECTIVE EASES THE ARRIVAL  OF UKRAINIAN REFUGEESIn March 2022, the Council of the European Union activated, for the first time, its so-called “mass influx directive” for refugees with Ukrainian citizenship. In- stead of restricting refugee movements into European countries, these were now enabled and facilitated. The directive stipulates that asylum applications need not be submitted. The residence permit automatically includes a work permit, and the place of residence can be freely chosen. Mass accommodation centres are only a last resort for those who find no place else-where. Moreover, Ukrainian refugees are entitled to social benefits, and some non-EU member states in Europe have enacted similar regulations as well. The willingness of governments to offer support has been strengthened by civic engagement. In addition to large humanitarian organisations, countless private initiatives became active in national as well as inter-national aid and relief. They provided assistance in finding housing, for example, or organised the trans-port of supplies, goods and people.SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY  OR DISCRIMINATION?For Ukrainian refugees, arrival in Europe was there-fore much easier than for those coming from Syria, Afghanistan and other war-affected countries. They were better positioned legally and faced fewer obsta-cles in everyday societal life. This reality, however, con-tradicts the universalist claim of refugee law, which understands protection from persecution as a human right, equally applicable to everyone. Moreover, it con-tradicts a European cultural identity in which univer-salist principles provide the foundation of a liberal and open society.1 In politics, these differences in welcoming refugees were justified by highlighting a particular responsi-bility towards Ukraine. Human rights organisations, by contrast, perceived them as racist discrimination rooted in Europe’s colonial history. Empirical socio-logical research in everyday life contexts shows, how-ever, that both arguments fall short.READINESS TO TAKE IN  REFUGEES AND PERCEPTIONS  OF SIMILARITYPerceptions and imaginaries of similarity are decisive for the differing treatment of refugees. Who exactly is considered similar, however, is not determined on the basis of supposedly objective criteria such as religion or physical appearance. Instead, social practices and societal entanglements play a pivotal role. In particu- “SOLIDARITY THROUGH SIMILARITY CONTRA-DICTS UNIVERSALIST  PRINCIPLES.”Policy Brief | Solidarity for all? Europe‘s unequal treatment of refugeeslar, when the everyday lives and living conditions of refugees appear familiar, the state of war and emer-gency becomes more tangible in the eyes of (poten-tial) helpers. To the social majority, professional and family life in Kharkiv seems less foreign than that of Herat or Idlib. As a result, imaginaries about the con-sequences of war are more concrete, and ideas of shared history reinforce this effect. Perceived similar-ities therefore influence everyday social, political and administrative action.HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL  RELATIONS AS ENGINES  OF SOLIDARITY An important engine for humanitarian aid and soli-darity with refugees from Ukraine are imaginaries of neighbourhood and neighbourliness. These are fed not only by shared histories, but also by shared expe-riences and often by the perception of similar geopo-litical threats. They create a sense of closeness and connectedness, encouraging people to imagine being in the refugees’ place.This sense of familiarity and the solidarity it facilitates is further enhanced by pre-existing familial and pro-fessional ties between the host country and the coun-try of the refugees’ origin. Many people from Ukraine found accommodation with relatives and friends who had emigrated, or they received offers of help via online platforms on which they were active. Global connectedness and experiences of migration in one’s social environment thus facilitate care after arrival. In host societies, the effects of war were felt in family or business relations, when, for example, family visits became impossible or supply chains were interrupted. In this way, war and the disruption of everyday life also became tangible outside the theatres of war.EXCLUSION AND SOLIDARITY  BEYOND STATE INSTITUTIONS Research also shows that even powerful imaginaries of similarity do not prevent the exclusion of certain groups, however. Not all refugees from Ukraine were received with equal enthusiasm. People of colour (PoC), members of the LGBTQI+ community, and Sinti and Roma in particular were often confronted with additional formal and informal hurdles upon their arrival. PoC fleeing Ukraine, for example, were subject to harsher controls when crossing the border. Unlike many other refugees from Ukraine who were accom-modated in private flats or hotels, Sinti and Roma were predominantly housed in mass accommodations. Only a few private initiatives joined forces across coun-tries and showed solidarity towards these groups. Again, they functioned according to the principle of similarity and were supported by diaspora organisa-tions or local NGOs. Movements of support for PoC or LGBTQI+ individuals fleeing Ukraine emerged espe-cially in contexts where well-organised initiatives and networks of these groups already existed. These prac-tices of group-specific solidarity were able to compen-sate for weak official support and ensure basic care. However, these networks could not fill all the gaps. In particular, the transnationally less well-connected were left out. This included older people and impover-ished populations without familial or other connections to the country of arrival, as well as Sinti and Roma. “SIMILARITY-BASED SOLIDARITY IN LIBERAL SOCIETIES NEEDS CORRECTIVE MEASURES.”DOI: https://doi.org/10.25592/ifsh-policy-brief-0123ECopyright Cover Photo: dpa picture alliance / AA | Adri Salido  Text License: Creative Commons CC-BY-ND (Attribution/NoDerivatives/4.0 International). SOLIDARITY BASED ON SIMILARITY:  IN CONTRADICTION  WITH DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLESAs refugees from Ukraine arrived in Europe, imaginar-ies of similarity and familiarity mobilised support at the political level and within civil society. Especially in times of crisis, these imaginaries are an important source of solidarity. However, a commitment with this kind of foundation always runs the risk of undermining universalist principles because it favours that which appears similar over that which appears different.In liberal societies, which are founded on a commit-ment to shared humanity, the momentum of simi-larity-based solidarity cannot be left unchecked. If ABOUT THE INSTITUTEThe Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy (IFSH) researches the conditions for peace and security in Germany, Europe and beyond. The IFSH conducts its research  independently. It is financed by the Free and  Hanseatic City of Hamburg.ABOUT THE AUTHORSKatharina Wuropulos is a researcher at  Helmut Schmidt University/Bundeswehr  University Hamburg.Teresa Koloma Beck is professor of sociology at Helmut Schmidt University/Bundeswehr University Hamburg.Alexia Hack was a researcher at Helmut Schmidt University/Bundeswehr University Hamburg from 2021 to 2022.ABOUT THE PROJECTThe research for this Policy Brief took place within the framework of the research network “Solidarity through Security?” which is  funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (2021–2023).it remains uncorrected, the core of these societies’ liberal identity will be at risk. European solidarity with refugees that is implicitly based on principles of similarity not only endangers the lives of those who are considered different, it also belies the principles of liberal society. Dedication to democratic futures requires strengthening the practical application of universalist commitments – especially in the field of refugee protection.ENDNOTES1  See also: Heins, Volker/Wolff, Frank (2023): Hinter Mauern:  geschlossene Grenzen als Gefahr für die offene Gesellschaft,  Berlin: Suhrkamp.IFSH – Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of HamburgBeim Schlump 83   20144 Hamburg   Germany   Phone +49 40 866077 - 0   ifsh@ifsh.de   www.ifsh.deFunded by: Funded by:

Solidarity for all? Europe's unequal treatment of refugees

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Solidarity for all? Europe's unequal treatment of refugees

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