Distinction between ‘migrants’ and ‘refugees’

25.4.2016

Question for written answer E-003305-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Dominique Martin (ENF)

Since the start of the migration crisis, the EU has seen millions of refugees arrive on its shores, seeking safety and a secure future.

The word used to describe these people has changed over the course of the months, from ‘refugees’ to ‘migrants’, and it may change again.

The changes make us forget one simple thing: at the start of the crisis, people coming to the EU were called ‘refugees’, in other words people fleeing their war-torn countries. Their refugee status justified the aid that the EU gave them.

Today, however, we use the word ‘migrants’, which is vaguer and implies that people are coming to the EU with no intention of ever returning to their country of origin. Using it simply encourages even more people to come.

As things stand, can the Commission even distinguish between ‘political refugees’ and ‘economic migrants’ trying to enter the EU?

The Brussels institutions are calling for the ‘refugees’ to be integrated into society: can the Commission guarantee that future measures will apply only to ‘refugees’ and not to ‘migrants’?