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EUROPE: International Border Camps 2002

01 May 2002

Border camps (see Statewatch, vol. 9 no. 5 and vol. 10 no. 3 & 4), which protest against the EU's repressive migration regime and its corresponding racism have become tradition. Activists, human rights and refugee and migrants groups will meet over a period of two months (July-August) in camps in Poland, Finland, Germany, Strasbourg and Slovenia. The concept of the border camp has even reached Australia, where around 1,000 activists met in front of the Woomera detention centre from 27 March until 2 April this year, culminating in the tearing down of the fence, enabling around 50 refugees to flee. Information and links to border camp websites detailing actions, workshops and discussions can be found on www.noborder.org. Central to this year's activities is the Strasbourg camp, which represents the first European-wide border camp as it is being organised by groups from various European countries. The camp, similar to its counterparts, poses the demand for "freedom of movement and settlement for everyone". Strasbourg was chosen because it is home to the headquarters of the Schengen Information System, which is seen by migrant and refugee groups and activists as a key instrument in the implementation of the EU's border regime as it enables the rejection of migrants and refugees at EU borders as well as their deportation.