By: Dr. Vinko Gorenak
Quite a few individuals have asked themselves these days why European Union countries are generous in receiving refugees from Ukraine and why they did not do the same in 2015 with the famous invasion of illegal migrants from the Middle East. Moreover, if you try to explain to them the difference between those fleeing Ukraine and those who came to Europe en masse in 2015, you are immediately attacked and insulted by being a chauvinist, racist, fascist, and more. That is why I take some risks in writing this article, as I will probably experience something similar myself. But I do not give up, I do not agree to any insults, and I want to clearly explain the differences between those fleeing Ukraine and those fleeing the Middle East in 2015.
What the Dictionary of the Slovene Literary Language says
The Dictionary of the Slovene Literary Language says that “a migrant is one who changes his permanent or temporary residence, especially for economic reasons”, and that “a refugee is one who flees from danger or inconvenience”. In practice, this “danger or inconvenience” most often means fleeing war, persecution for political thinking, religion, sexuality, or other circumstances.
So, what is the difference between those fleeing Ukraine and those fleeing the Middle East in 2015?
In the case of those fleeing Ukraine, the matter is perfectly clear. A brutal war is raging in Ukraine, so people from Ukraine tend to flee to the first safe countries in their neighbourhood, namely Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland. Their structure is also quite clear, they are children, women, and the elderly. There are no men between the ages of 18 and 60 among them. They stayed at home in Ukraine and are fighting for their country. Moreover, according to some data, as many as 100,000 men defending the country have returned to Ukraine from temporary work in European countries. In this case, they are classic refugees, who are also obliged to accept and help them in accordance with the legislation of the first safe neighbouring country. It is also important to point out that they come to the border crossings and ask for protection.
In 2015, for those fleeing the Middle East, it was something completely different. As many as 80 percent of them were men between the ages of 18 and 50. There were very few women, children, or the elderly. What kind of men are they that they leave their children, wives, and elderly relatives at home exposed to all dangers and go to Europe on their own? Let me point out one more detail, as a rule, refugees can take refuge in the first safe country – in the case of the people of Ukraine, this is happening today, but in the case of refugees from the Middle East, this has not happened. They had no right to travel five or more safe countries and choose where to go. Therefore, in the case of these people, we cannot talk about refugees, but about classic migrants who wanted to enter an individual European country illegally outside border crossings.
For conclusion
Let me remind you that many countries, especially Hungary and Poland, rejected illegal migrants in 2015, built border fences and the like. They have therefore been severely criticised. It is these same countries that are proving the opposite today, they have accepted, and obviously will continue to accept, all refugees from Ukraine who need help. Therefore, criticism of individuals, especially journalists and left-wing political structures, that individual countries accept refugees from Ukraine today, but seven years ago, in the case of illegal migrants from the Middle East they acted differently, is completely unjustified.
Dr Vinko Gorenak is the State Secretary in the PV Cabinet, a former Member of Parliament and Minister of the Interior, a university professor, and a member of the SDS.