The EU's inhumane and discriminatory policies in Niger

TLDR

Niger's new government repealed a fundamental EU migration law, exposing the arbitrary and inhumane nature of EU policies. The law had pushed migration underground, causing economic hardship and dangerous conditions for migrants. Despite EU efforts, migration persists, highlighting the need for a more humane and practical approach that addresses root causes and protects migrant rights.

Since the military coup in July, Niger's new ruling government has drastically altered its relationships with Western nations. It expelled French soldiers, repealed a significant EU migration law from 2015, and canceled EU missions that supported Nigerien security forces. The recent revocation of a military cooperation agreement with the United States, potentially forcing 1,000 US troops to leave, further solidifies Niger's shift from Western allies to Russia, echoing similar moves by post-coup governments in Mali and Burkina Faso.
 
The repeal of the 2015 migration law has had tangible effects in Agadez, a key transit point for migrants heading to North Africa and Europe. The EU credits this law with reducing migrant transit, but it had pushed migration underground, causing economic strain in the region. The new policy allows migrants to travel openly to the Libyan border, revitalizing local economies but raising concerns in Europe about increased migration flows.
 
The EU's approach to managing migration through restrictive laws and partnerships with countries like Niger has proven both arbitrary and inhumane. The 2015 law criminalized migration facilitation, causing economic hardships and pushing migrants to take more dangerous routes. The EU's strategy ignored the complex realities of migration, where people continue to move despite legal barriers, often risking their lives in the process. Activists argue that repealing the law offers a chance to better protect migrants by making their journeys safer and more regulated.
 
Despite EU efforts, migration flows have persisted, highlighting the ineffectiveness of these policies. Focusing on restricting migration rather than addressing root causes has led to high financial, human rights, and humanitarian costs. The EU's approach has been criticized for failing to provide real solutions, instead creating arbitrary barriers that do little to stop migration and much to harm migrants.
 
The situation in Niger exemplifies the failure of the EU's migration policies. It underscores the need for a more humane and practical approach that considers the rights and safety of migrants while addressing the underlying factors driving migration. The current strategy perpetuates suffering and fails to control migration effectively.
 
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