THE SECURITIZATION OF MIDDLE EASTERN MIGRANTS IN EUROPE: THE ARAB SPRING AND ITS AFTERMATH

Abstract

The Arab Spring had significant consequences, one of which was the sharp increase in asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants to various European countries. The large influx of migrants from the Middle East, coupled with economic recession in Europe, intensified public reactions. Some European elites attempted to securitize this issue and were successful to a certain extent. This study explores the securitization of Middle Eastern migrants through the discourses of elites in major European countries. It argues that these securitization efforts have influenced mainstream ruling political parties across Europe, leading to practices such as erecting fences, otherizing, and criminalizing migrants, ultimately resulting in stricter migration policies. The study concludes that such securitizations had several consequences, including rising percentage of unfavorable views toward the Muslim population, a rise in Islamophobia and xenophobia, violations of refugee and migrant rights, and declining trust in the EU and its institutions among Europeans during this period.

Keywords

• Arab Spring
• Securitization
• Discourse
• Middle East Migrants
• Energy Equation
• National Security.

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