Abstract

This article explores the responses of Western countries to refugee crises. European countries have been pioneers in articulating frameworks to address the issues of refugees and migration, since World War II. On the other hand, the same European countries are articulating policies to block refugees from reaching their territory, weaponizing and securitizing them for political objectives. This article puts the European outcry for humanitarianism to the test, to display the true objectives behind actions and policies. Furthermore, this research draws on principles and goals of human security and securitization politics, asking how the refugee crisis fits within the debates of those political thoughts.