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In Pictures: Marching for free movement

The March for Freedom, a protest organised by asylum seekers, crosses borders to protest the EU’s movement laws.

The March for Freedom started in France and ended in Brussels this week.
The March for Freedom started in France and ended in Brussels this week.
By 
Anne Paq
25 Jun 2014
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Brussels, Belgium – Dozens of migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and supporters recently participated in a 500km protest march to highlight restricted movement within the European Union.

The march began in Strasbourg, France, five weeks ago and concluded in Brussels. The participants plan on staying for one week in Brussels to raise awareness of the situation of migrants in Europe, culminating in a protest in front of the European Parliament building.

The march’s participants call for radical changes in European asylum policy and the right to move freely. They also disobeyed Europe’s movement laws by crossing the borders of France, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium.

They hope to call attention to the Dublin II agreements, which stipulate that asylum applications from non-EU migrants must go through an arduous process of approval in the first country of entry. During this process, asylum seekers cannot move freely within the EU. Most have also been denied the right to work.

Over the past decade, European countries have increasingly focused on preventing people from even setting foot in EU territory. European governments often implement policies that spur migrants to take dangerous routes, sometimes with fatal consequences. In the past 20 years, around 20,000 asylum seekers have died en route to Europe. According to Amnesty International, at least 435,000 people sought asylum in the EU, but just 136,000 were allowed in.

“The globe’s self-styled leaders are lagging far behind the developing world when it comes to bearing the burden of the global refugee crisis,” said Sherif Elsayed-Ali, deputy director of global issues at Amnesty International.

The participants - asylum seekers, refugees, undocumented persons, migrants and supporters - came from all over the world to protest the EU(***)s restricted movement policy. 
The participants - asylum seekers, refugees, undocumented persons, migrants and supporters - came from all over the world to protest the EU(***)s restricted movement policy. 
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Wassem, a Palestinian refugee who fled Syria through Egypt to Italy, now lives in Germany. However, he faces deportation back to Italy under the Dublin II agreement.
Wassem, a Palestinian refugee who fled Syria through Egypt to Italy, now lives in Germany. However, he faces deportation back to Italy under the Dublin II agreement.
The 500km march lasted over a month and crossed through Germany, France, Luxembourg and Belgium.
The 500km march lasted over a month and crossed through Germany, France, Luxembourg and Belgium.
The UN refugee agency(***)s annual Global Trends report said that the number of refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced people around the world stood at 51.2 million, up by six million from a year earlier.
The UN refugee agency(***)s annual Global Trends report said that the number of refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced people around the world stood at 51.2 million, up by six million from a year earlier.
Activists carry signs calling for global passports during the final day of the march.
Activists carry signs calling for global passports during the final day of the march.
Only 15,000 Syrian refugees out of the 80,000 who asked for refugee status in Europe were granted asylum.
Only 15,000 Syrian refugees out of the 80,000 who asked for refugee status in Europe were granted asylum.
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Asylum seekers can be detained indefinitely while waiting for their applications to be processed. Some have been held in appalling conditions. 
Asylum seekers can be detained indefinitely while waiting for their applications to be processed. Some have been held in appalling conditions. 
Activists cross their arms as a sign of protest while they walk through Brussels.
Activists cross their arms as a sign of protest while they walk through Brussels.
Participants of the march protest in front of the European Parliament.
Participants of the march protest in front of the European Parliament.
Participants chant slogans such as (***)No border, no nation. Stop deportation!(***) in front of the European Parliament. Another demonstration is scheduled for June 26, during the European Council.
Participants chant slogans such as (***)No border, no nation. Stop deportation!(***) in front of the European Parliament. Another demonstration is scheduled for June 26, during the European Council.

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