ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the impact of the collective securitization of terrorism in the European Union (EU) on the EU’s policy towards asylum-seekers and refugees. It explores the possible securitization of asylum-seekers and refugees through their association with terrorists in the aftermath of 9/11 and discusses this issue in the context of the ‘migration crisis’ and the ‘terrorism crisis’ of 2015–2016. Terrorism had long been viewed as a national security threat in several European countries. Various meetings were held in the EU in the aftermath of 9/11, as the EU considered how to develop internal cooperation on terrorism, as well as external cooperation, in particular with the US. The European ‘migration crisis’ can be traced back to mid-August 2015 when significant numbers of Syrians, Iraqis, Afghans and other potential asylum-seekers left their countries to travel to Europe. The chapter concludes with the British proposal was developed in a political context characterised by heated debates on asylum and migration issues.
