The Weaponization of Bodies in European Politics
Throughout history, various objects have been weaponized, often without any inherent danger. Items as innocuous as a vase or a car, and alarmingly, the human body—especially the bodies of others—have been repurposed as tools for coercion and pressure. Certain states exploit what can be termed the 'other body' to exert influence over rival nations, compelling them to make concessions. This strategy has proven effective; many societies are conditioned to perceive these 'other bodies' as perpetual threats that must be managed or eliminated. This phenomenon, known as 'weaponized migration,' represents a calculated and state-sanctioned approach that utilizes refugees and migrants as instruments in a form of hybrid warfare.
Historically, countries like Russia, Belarus, and Turkey have employed this tactic at the borders of the European Union. Recently, however, Morocco has emerged as a focal point in this particular strategy. In late July, tens of thousands of individuals crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, resulting in the tragic drowning of at least 140 people in the Mediterranean Sea. Most survivors returned shortly after, without applying for asylum. This surge triggered widespread panic within the media and political circles, with rhetoric quickly escalating to terms like 'invasion,' 'onslaught,' and 'migration crisis.' Italy temporarily suspended the Schengen Agreement with Spain and instituted border controls, while Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker placed blame on Spain's leftist government for allegedly incentivizing illegal migration by allowing undocumented migrants to legalize their status.
The Political Implications of Migration Control
According to Stocker, this policy acted as an additional lure for illegal migration. In response to the crisis, EU interior ministers convened for an emergency conference, speculating about the causes behind this 'onslaught.' Theories ranged from misinformation on social media to Morocco's intent to teach Spain a lesson regarding its policies in North Africa by deploying thousands of migrants. The human body, thus, becomes a weapon.
In a thought-provoking commentary in the magazine Republik, social scientist Kiri Santer argues that this manipulation is largely self-inflicted. Her research focuses on the European Union's externalization of migration control, the surrounding discourses, and practices related to rescue at sea, as well as the extraterritorial application of human rights. Santer notes that when the EU delegates its border controls to a government like Morocco—an entity lacking accountability—it shares responsibility when that government subsequently uses migration as a bargaining chip. For years, countries like Morocco have received technical and financial support from EU states to prevent migrants and refugees from continuing their journey to Europe. The methods employed by these nations are secondary.
The border controllers operate far beyond the reach of EU jurisdiction and territorial responsibility. In simple terms, the deal is money for containment. The stronger the EU relies on such agreements, the more individuals become political currency. This expansion of latitude for partner nations to exploit this logic ultimately leads to the instrumentalization of human lives, as explained by Santer. The dehumanized individual becomes a faceless bargaining mass whose desperation transforms into a ticking time bomb, potentially washing up on the shores of Europe—alive, nonetheless. This is a scenario that Europe should indeed fear: a desperate individual is the most dangerous weapon in any state's arsenal.
As reported by datum.at.
