Evaluation of Aegean islands migrant camps in terms of biopolitics and human security

Human migrations movements have been occurring for centuries; however they have increased in recent years, factors such as wars, economic hardships, human rights violations, environmental factors, political instability, discrimination, job opportunities, educational prospects, social networks, and ease of communication, along with increasing globalization and technological advancements, have led to an increase in migration. Mass migrations following both World Wars shifted to Western countries originating from Middle East and North African countries especially Europe, with the effect of the Arab Spring that started in 2011. In response to this intense mobility, the European Union (EU) has adopted an anti-immigrant policy by securitizing immigrants. As a result of these anti-immigrant policies, migrant camps were established on the Greek Aegean islands, located at the eastern borders of Europe, to provide temporary shelter for migrants and irregular migrants without entering the mainland. These camps aimed to offer a secure space where migrants' right to live would be ensured. However, over time, these migrant camps have transformed into places where migrants are held under strict security measures, resembling detainees under prolonged surveillance and imprisonment, with violations of basic human rights as a common occurrence. Additionally, as migrants attempted to reach the islands, pushbacks occurred along the Mediterranean coast, effectively punishing them for trying to reach Europe. These migrant camps were utilized as instruments of biopolitics against migrants. Yet, the EU, since its establishment, had acceded to agreements aimed at protecting fundamental human rights, including the right to asylum, and has implemented legal regulations with the participation of member states. The migrant camps established in the Greek Aegean islands that surrounded by advanced technology and heightened military-level security measures, are also located in remote areas. The EU and its member state, Greece, allocate substantial resources from their budgets to establish these camp areas, utilizing them as instruments of biopolitics. The pushback practices and lethal border policies employed by EU member countries, turning the Mediterranean into a sea of death, become more evident and tangible through the migrant camps established on the Aegean islands. Keywords: Mediterranean, European Union, biopolitics, Aegean islands, migrant camps, human security, Greece