We have considered the impact of the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, which came into force in May, highlighting the increasing normalisation of surveillance and criminalisation of displaced people across the continent.
A world in trouble
Similarly, we are expecting to see the consequences of the sudden changes that have occurred in Syria. After opposition forces seized the capital and President Assad fled to Russia following 13 years of civil war, many European countries rushed to pause the asylum applications of those who have fled country. On Lesvos, the existing backlog – due to an increase in new arrivals this autumn – is set to worsen, as Greece’s decision impacted around 9,000 Syrians awaiting asylum decisions.
Throughout the past year, the grotesque genocide against Palestinians in Gaza has continued unabated, causing unparalleled suffering for the Palestinian people. Simultaneously, Russia’s warfare against Ukraine persists with significant losses on both sides. In other words, numerous global events have impacted, and will continue to impact, A Drop in the Ocean’s work at Europe’s borders.
However, today we would like to discuss the landmark decision made by the European Court of Justice earlier this year, which ruled that gender and nationality alone are now sufficient grounds on which Afghan women may be granted asylum in the EU.
More women and children
On Lesvos, the demographics of the population of Mavrovouni camp are shifting. In the past month, we have observed that more women and children are arriving at this key entry point for many seeking asylum in Europe. However, while this may reflect the impact of the court’s decision, it also highlights a troubling reality: it has taken far too long for such a ruling to materialize.
In light of the Syria situation, the difference in response is glaring. Undoubtedly, this ruling marked a significant shift in the treatment of Afghan women, acknowledging the harsh realities and unique vulnerabilities they face under Taliban rule. However, the crisis for Afghan women is not just a post-2021 phenomenon. Long before the Taliban took control, Afghan women faced deep-seated discrimination, violence, and a lack of basic human rights. While the situation undoubtedly worsened drastically after the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, with women subjected to increasingly restrictive laws, including bans on education, employment, and movement, we must ask: why has it taken so long for Europe to respond?
In observing the consequences of Syria’s situation, the EU makes it clear that it is able to act swiftly in response to global changes. Many countries have been quick to pause the right to asylum, so why must those fleeing danger be expected to wait so long for their plight to be recognised?
What about climate refugees?
As we reflect on 2024, it is clear that the lessons learned from the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan must shape our response to future displacement crises—especially as the impacts of climate change continue to intensify. This year, COP29 was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, where the Refugees for Climate Action network was launched. This initiative may be seen as a promising step forward in recognising the plight of climate refugees, a category of displaced people who remain largely unrecognized under international law.
Yet, while these conversations are happening, it’s hard to ignore the reality that much of the global response to climate change remains mired in inertia. Holding COP29 in a petrostate like Azerbaijan – an oil-rich nation with a vested interest in maintaining the status quo – underscores the contradictions that continue to hinder meaningful action.
The term ‘climate migrant’ does not yet exist in formal international discourse, and the structural barriers that limit the recognition and protection of this growing population remain. We are left to wonder: how long will it take for governments to recognize the displacement caused by environmental destruction? And what will be the consequences of inaction?
The urgency of protecting Afghan women, and others fleeing conflict, is a stark reminder that the international community must act swiftly and decisively when confronted with the realities of displacement – whether caused by violence or environmental factors or, as is increasingly the case, combination of both.
The recent changes to the protection of Afghan women should serve as a wake-up call: as climate change accelerates, the need for international protection will only grow. It is time to build systems that are prepared to respond to this growing challenge, with the same urgency and compassion that is so long overdue for the people of Afghanistan.
Right to protection – but only theoretically?
Nonetheless, we must take care not to allow these discussions – of ensuring the right to asylum – to obscure the fact that, even when it is a possibility in theory, there remain a lack of safe routes to reach it. Reflecting on last year, we know that 2023 was the deadliest year on record for migrants. The danger of exploitation, trafficking, and violence remains in 2024. Considering again the situation of Afghan women reminds us that the journey to safety is even more treacherous for some, with women traveling alone or with children facing heightened risks.
As we move into 2025, we must ask ourselves: how long will we wait before addressing the true scale of displacement – whether driven by conflict, gender-based violence, or the global climate crisis? We cannot afford to be complacent. Every day of delay – in both recognising the right to protection and ensuring it can be reached safely – will cost lives.
If 2024 has taught us anything, it is that it is time to act, for the planet and displaced people alike.
