Do you believe in magic? How European sleight of hand will make migrant boats disappear

Commentary feature. Like all magic, there is a profound complicity between the audience and magician: we don’t want to confront the hopelessness that drives people to embark in risky voyages across the Mediterranean. Until we confront this truth – and resolve to address it – our politicians will continue to wave their wands and shout abracadabra.

Making the boats go away is a magic trick; it is an illusion. The root causes of the migratory flows to European shores will remain and won’t be solved either by bombing boats or outsourcing border controls to neighbouring states. And the people, the vulnerable migrants and refugees, will remain, simply out of sight.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Finding solutions to migratory pressures http://www.europeansources.info/record/finding-solutions-to-migratory-pressures/

ESO: Background information: EU states still at odds over refugee quota http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-states-still-at-odds-over-refugee-quota/

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

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