9th report on relocation and resettlement: Mystification and selective use of data in effort to present a dysfunctional approach as “sustainable”

Abstract:

On 8 February 2017, the Commission produced its ninth report on relocation and resettlement, covering a two-month period from 8 December 2016 to 7 February 2017. It basically offers an update on the figures and developments from the previous report, noting the resettlement of 13,968 people overall under the scheme and 3,813 relocations in the reporting period, viewed as maintaining "the overall positive trend" with December recording the record figure to date (1,926) and bringing the total to 11,966, up from 8,162. Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos noted "progress" on both schemes although the challenge requires that "more needs to be done, and faster", calling on member states to show "political will, commitment and perseverance". As for the 8th previous report, isolating these two aspects enables the portrayal of a situation which is improving while turning attention away from its systemic effects in the frontline states and this approach’s limits in terms of rationality and sustainability.