THE RECEPTION AND INTEGRATION OF REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS IN EUROPE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE FRENCH AND ITALIAN ASYLUM SYSTEM

The 2015 European refugee crisis has gained worldwide attention with diverse policy positions adopted by various European countries. As the crisis evolved, Italy and Franceadopted at the same time distinct and homogenous reception and integration policies, to effectively manage this crisis. However, both countries have undermined some set of obligations elaborated by the 1951 refugees’ convention and the 2013 European reception Directive. Sadly, some refugees and asylum seekers in both countries today, do not have access to accommodation, health facilities, education, and a well-paid job. This thesis examines the French and Italian reception and integration policies put in place by both countries to remedy these various problems. Specifically, the paper carries out a comparative analysis of the reception and integration policies implemented by both countries. The paper addresses the subject from a historical perspective: first, it analyses the various policies put forward by both countries to support the reception and integration of refugees; secondly, it scrutinizes the efficacy of these policies in the promotion of refugee’s human rights and lastly, it proposes some solutions and way forward to guarantee the protection of the rights of refugees and asylum seekers. The arguments in this research paper have been developed through scholarly articles, archival and biographical documents as well as the international and domestic media resources, including European, French, and Italian political statements. Data were equally collected through structured interviews. Our findings indicate that, the reception and integration of refugees and asylum seekers in both countries has been highly politicized and this has negatively influenced the effective implementation of the 1951 refugee convention and the 2013 European reception directives. We equally found that, as concern Italy, the successful application of these legislations has been hindered by the high number of arrivals of refugees on its territory and the huge financial burden of taking them, given its unstable economic situation. This research argues that the effectiveness of these policies is only possible with an increase in the funds allocated by the European Union to economically viable countries such as Italy and the intensification of awareness campaigns through social medias and other platforms, on the miserable social conditions under which several refugees live today in both countries.