1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of Study
Migration has long been a defining feature of human history, with individuals and communities moving across borders in search of better economic opportunities, safety, and stability. In recent decades, migration from Africa to Europe has intensified due to socio-economic disparities, political instability, conflicts, and environmental factors (de Haas, 2021). Many African migrants attempt perilous journeys across the Mediterranean or through the Sahara Desert, risking their lives in search of better prospects in Europe. The European Union (EU), in response, has adopted a series of restrictive migration policies aimed at controlling irregular migration while attempting to uphold human rights standards (Geddes & Scholten, 2016).
The EU's migration policies have historically been shaped by a combination of security concerns, economic interests, and international obligations. Following the 2015 migration crisis, in which over one million migrants and refugees arrived in Europe, the EU introduced stricter border control measures, externalized migration management through agreements with African nations, and strengthened Frontex, its border and coast guard agency (Lavenex & Uçarer, 2019). Despite the EU's commitment to international human rights instruments, such as the 1951 Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), many African migrants experience challenges in securing asylum, fair treatment, and legal protection (Goodwin-Gill & McAdam, 2021). The growing tension between security-driven policies and human rights obligations has sparked academic and policy debates, with scholars questioning the effectiveness and morality of Europe's migration governance (Boswell, 2022).
The issue of African migration to Europe has become a major point of discourse in international relations, with the European Union (EU) facing the challenge of balancing security concerns with human rights obligations. As socio-economic disparities, political instability, and conflicts continue to drive migration from Africa, the European Union has implemented restrictive policies aimed at controlling migration flows.
According to Collyer (2016), migration policies within the EU are often framed around security concerns, particularly in response to irregular migration and human trafficking. The introduction of stringent border controls, externalization agreements, and migration partnerships with African nations reflects the EU's priority to enhance security and reduce unauthorized entries (Collyer, 2016).
Guild et al. (2019) stated that, while such measures may achieve short-term security objectives, they have raised ethical and legal concerns, especially regarding the treatment of migrants and asylum seekers. Reports of human rights violations, including unlawful detention, forced deportations, and inadequate protection for asylum seekers, highlight the dilemma faced by European Union policymakers (Guild et al., 2019). Conversely, international conventions and human rights treaties obligate EU member states to ensure the protection and dignity of migrants, regardless of their legal status. The 1951 Refugee Convention, along with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), emphasizes the principle of non-refoulement and the right to seek asylum (Goodwin-Gill & McAdam, 2021). The contradiction between restrictive migration policies and international human rights commitments has led to growing criticism from human rights organizations and scholars. Therefore, this research study examines the EU's migration policies in relation to African migrants, analyzing the complexities of balancing security and human rights.
1.2 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the migration crisis involving African migrants and the European Union (EU) is a complex issue that raises concerns about security, human rights, and international law. African migrants embark on dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean and through the Sahara Desert in search of better opportunities or refuge from conflicts, poverty, and political instability (de Haas, 2021). However, the EU's migration policies, driven by security concerns, have led to stricter border controls, externalization of migration management, and partnerships with African nations to curb irregular migration (Lavenex & Uçarer, 2019).
Additionally, the increasing securitization of EU migration policies is leading to serious human rights violations. Reports from humanitarian organizations highlight instances of forced deportations, inhumane detention conditions, and pushbacks at sea that put African migrants at risk (Guild et al., 2019). Many are stranded in transit countries such as Libya, where they face exploitation, torture, and even enslavement (Boswell, 2022). The EU's reliance on agreements with non-EU countries to manage migration is shifting responsibility away from European nations, making accountability for human rights abuses increasingly difficult to enforce.
Furthermore, the disparity in asylum policies across EU member states is creating inconsistencies in the treatment of African migrants. While the EU claims to uphold human rights principles, the reality is that asylum seekers face numerous bureaucratic obstacles that hinder their access to protection (Goodwin-Gill & McAdam, 2021). The 1951 Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights obligate EU states to provide asylum to those fleeing persecution, yet restrictive migration policies are preventing many African migrants from exercising this right. It is against the backdrop that this study seeks to explore these pressing concerns by analyzing the EU's migration policies and their impact on African migrants.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of this study is to examine the European Union's (EU) migration policies concerning African migrants, with a focus on the challenges of balancing border security and human rights. The objectives of this study include:
- To assess the impact of EU migration policies on the human rights of African migrants, particularly regarding asylum access, detention conditions, and deportation practices.
- To evaluate the policies implemented by the EU in managing African migration and their effectiveness in addressing irregular migration.
- To analyze the role of EU-African partnerships in migration governance and their implications for regional cooperation and accountability.
- To examine the socio-economic and political factors that drive African migration to Europe and how EU policies respond to these underlying causes.
- To explore alternative migration strategies that promote both security and human rights while fostering sustainable migration management.
- To provide recommendations for a balanced migration approach that aligns with international human rights standards and addresses the concerns of both African migrants and European policymakers.
1.4 Research Questions
Based on the stated objectives, this study seeks to answer the following research questions:
- What are the key policies implemented by the European Union in managing African migration, and how effective are they in addressing irregular migration?
- How do EU migration policies impact the human rights of African migrants, particularly in terms of asylum access, detention conditions, and deportation practices?
- What role do EU-African partnerships play in migration governance, and what are their implications for regional cooperation and accountability?
- What socio-economic and political factors drive African migration to Europe, and how do EU policies address these underlying causes?
- What alternative migration strategies exist that can promote both security and human rights while ensuring sustainable migration management?
1.5 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: The European Union's migration policies do not significantly impact the human rights of African migrants, particularly in terms of asylum access, detention conditions, and deportation practices.
- H1: The European Union's migration policies significantly impact the human rights of African migrants, particularly in terms of asylum access, detention conditions, and deportation practices
Hypothesis Two
- H0: The securitization of EU migration policies do not reduce irregular migration but increases human rights violations against African migrants
- H1: The securitization of EU migration policies reduces irregular migration but increases human rights violations against African migrants
1.6 Significance of Study
The outcome of this research will help policymakers, human rights organizations, and international bodies assess the effectiveness of current EU migration strategies and explore alternative approaches that promote both security and human rights. It will also offer recommendations for more humane migration policies that align with international legal frameworks while addressing the root causes of migration.
This study will also be valuable to scholars and researchers interested in migration governance, international relations, and human rights. It will contribute to academic discussions on the role of regional partnerships in migration management and their implications for global migration trends.
Furthermore, the study will enhance public awareness of the plight of African migrants and the ethical dilemmas surrounding European Union migration policies. It will encourage informed debates on the responsibilities of European and African governments in ensuring fair and just migration practices.
1.7 Scope of Study
The scope of this study will focus on the European Union's migration policies concerning African migrants, with a particular emphasis on their impact on migrants from Nigeria. The study will examine the effectiveness of EU migration measures, including border control policies and asylum procedures, and analyze how these policies affect Nigerian migrants' rights and security.
The study will explore the role of Nigerian governmental institutions, such as the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), in managing migration, as well as Nigeria's interactions with the EU regarding migration governance. It will assess how Nigerian policies align with or conflict with EU migration frameworks and the implications for both Nigerian migrants and the broader migration process.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
The study was constrained by the availability of secondary sources and the reliance on existing literature, which may have been biased or incomplete in representing the full scope of EU-African migration relations. The lack of access to certain official EU policy documents or confidential data further limited the depth of the analysis.
The research study also faced constraints in terms of time and resources, which impacted the ability to conduct more extensive fieldwork or interviews with a broader range of stakeholders, such as EU policymakers, migrants, and NGOs working in the field of migration management.
Lastly, the ever-evolving nature of migration policies and geopolitical developments meant that some of the research study's findings may have been subject to change by the time of publication, limiting the study's long-term relevance in an ever-shifting migration landscape.
1.9 Definition of Terms
European Union (EU): The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states located primarily in Europe. It was established to promote economic cooperation, political stability, and shared values among its members. The EU plays a significant role in shaping policies related to migration, border control, and human rights, particularly through initiatives like the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) and the EU External Border Policy (European Commission, 2020).
African Migrants: African migrants refer to individuals who migrate from the African continent to other regions, including Europe, seeking better opportunities, safety, or refuge. These migrants may be driven by socio-economic challenges, political instability, conflict, or environmental factors, and they often face complex barriers in their migration journey, particularly when attempting to enter the EU (IOM, 2020).
Migration Policies: Migration policies are the laws, regulations, and strategies adopted by governments or regional organizations to manage the flow of migrants across borders. These policies address issues such as border control, asylum procedures, refugee status determination, and the protection of human rights. In the context of the EU, migration policies aim to balance security concerns with humanitarian obligations (EU Migration Policy, 2021).
Human Rights: Human rights are the fundamental rights and freedoms to which all individuals are entitled, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or immigration status. In the context of migration, human rights include the right to seek asylum, protection from arbitrary detention, and access to basic services. These rights are protected by international law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the European Convention on Human Rights (Council of Europe, 1950).
Border Security: Border security refers to the measures taken by states or regional organizations to control and monitor the movement of people across borders. It includes surveillance, enforcement of immigration laws, and measures to prevent illegal immigration. In the EU, border security is tightly regulated through institutions such as Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex, 2020).
…
