Prague, June 18 (CTK) – Czech PM Bohuslav Sobotka’s warning against the Schengen area remaining open to economic migrants is rightful and by no means does it amount to his betrayal of the human rights principled upheld by the united EU, Alexandr Mitrofanov writes in daily Pravo Thursday.
All steps Sobotka’s (Social Democrats, CSSD) has taken as prime minister so far prove that he is a supporter of European integration, Mitrofanov writes.
In spite of this, he said on Tuesday that Europe is unable to cope with the current wave of refugees. “If their inflow continued in the months to come, European social systems might collapse. It is impossible to leave the Schengen area open to economic migrants,” Sobotka said, quoted by Mitrofanov.
From outwards, Sobotka’s words may seem to go counter to the principles the united Europe is based on. Refugees are usually humans who suffer, away from their homeland and having nowhere to go or stay. According to the criteria set by European values, if applied formally, the EU should accept the refugees and secure their survival and eventually also livelihood, Mitrofanov writes.
The present disputes over Europe’s and Prague’s approach to the refugee wave might not have even broken out if it had not been for a broad range of experience with the previous acceptance of migrants under far less dramatic circumstances, Mitrofanov continues.
Europe’s previous experience with the integration of immigrants of non-European origin shows that many of them benefit and enrich the majority society. On the other hand, however, a number of others do not want to integrate with Europe. They either remain intentionally isolated or they launch a crusade against European values, with a baseball bat in their hands, in the better case, Mitrofanov writes.
In most EU countries, common citizens seem to have concluded that an unlimited acceptance of refugees is “too much of a good thing,” Mitrofanov continues.
Humans are not always noble beings with an abundant feeling of solidarity and eager to share their comfort and property with those in need. In the moments of danger, atavist instincts re-emerge in people, mainly the instinct to ensure safety for themselves and those close to them, Mitrofanov writes.
The situation is not easy for democratic politicians in the EU. A breakout of atavism would mean their quick fall because democracy would dwindle away, Mitrofanov says.
However, if the politicians only followed the advice to stick to humanism and ideals, they would be soon abandoned by the crowd. Most voters would switch to the heralds of an “animal behaviour,” Mitrofanov writes.
There is a proverb that says “good has to have fists.” Their size and strike force is being discussed now, Mitrofanov concludes, alluding to the debate on ways to stem the inflow of migrants.
