The European reception system and its conditions in times of COVID-19: gatopardism and the placebo effect

Encarnación La Spina, profesora e Investigadora Ramón y Cajal, Universidad de Deusto

Este trabajo se inscribe en el marco del Proyecto Programa Aristos 2021 «Impacto de COVID-19 en los derechos de las personas migradas en CAPV y C. Madrid (2020-2022): un análisis de investigación en clínicas jurídicas», ref. ACM2021_04. Proyecto de Apoyo a las actividades de los grupos de investigación reconocidos del sistema universitario vasco, «Derechos humanos y retos socioculturales en un mundo en transformación», ref.: IT1224-19. Proyecto UAL-FEDER, «Control de fronteras y Derechos Humanos en el Mediterráneo». Junta de Andalucía, ref. UAL18-SEJ-C004-R.

Since the COVID-19 health crisis broke out, the EU and its member states have promoted numerous measures to control its impact on the European reception system. Most of the legislative changes proposed at national level have focused largely on addressing the exceptional nature of the situation. Numerous measures have been implemented, and yet the pre-existing and inherent problems and structural deficiencies of the asylum process have been laid bare and remain unsolved. This article proposes a critical normative analysis of reception conditions and the measures specifically implemented at European level from 2020 onwards. It aims to identify trends (gatopardism or changing in order to stay the same/placebo effect) and analyse the missed opportunities in the practical implementation of adequate reception standards to match the circumstances and singularities of each member state.

Keywords: European Union, member states, reception, refugees, asylum seekers, pandemic, COVID-19

How to cite this article:   La Spina, Encarnación. «El sistema europeo de acogida y sus condiciones en tiempos de COVID-19:gatopardismoy efecto placebo». Revista CIDOB d’Afers Internacionals, n.º 129 (diciembre de 2021), p. 155-178. DOI: doi.org/10.24241/rcai.2021.129.3.155

Revista CIDOB d’Afers Internacionals n.º 129, p. 155-177
Quadrimestral (October-December 2021)
ISSN:1133-6595 | E-ISSN:2013-035X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24241/rcai.2021.129.3.155

Reception date: 19.03.21 ; Acceptance date: 06.09.21
 

>> The full text articles are available in Spanish language, although in this issue some of them are also available in English language.