European Migrant Crisis

About

The European Migrant Crisis, spanning 2015-2016, was a period of unprecedented mass migration into Europe. Primarily driven by conflicts in the Middle East, notably the Syrian Civil War, it saw over 1.3 million people seek asylum in Europe. The crisis involved refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, and other countries fleeing war and persecution. Key entry points were Italy and Greece, with many migrants then traveling through the Balkans to reach Western Europe, particularly Germany and Sweden. The crisis highlighted the challenges of the EU's asylum system, including the Dublin Regulation, which assigns asylum processing to the country of first entry. It led to significant political tensions and uneven distribution of refugees among EU states. Despite efforts to relocate asylum seekers, many countries struggled to integrate the newcomers, leading to social and political upheaval. The crisis prompted a mix of humanitarian responses and border control measures, marking a critical moment in European migration policy. It continues to influence contemporary debates on migration and asylum.