Call for changes in EU policy to address migrant crisis

New study indicates deterrent measures such as anti-smuggling are ineffective and an alternative is needed. The research highlights the need for opening safe and legal routes for those migrating - Findings demonstrate that a deeper understanding of why people migrate is needed A series of proposed changes to EU policy on refugees and migrants has been released by researchers at the University of Warwick. The policy suggestions are the result of an on-going three year project, Crossing the Mediterranean sea by boat: Mapping and documenting migratory journeys and experiences, which is in its first year and is part of the wider £1 million Mediterranean Migration Research Programme, launched by the Economic and Social Research Council in September. Over 3,700 people were believed to have drowned in the Mediterranean during 2015. Alongside these tragic developments, increasing levels of migration along the Balkan route have been met by border closures within the EU, with growing tensions exacerbating humanitarian challenges across the wider region. EU Member States have struggled to adopt a unified approach to handling the issue. The University of Warwick project involves conducting a total of 225 in-depth qualitative's with migrants and refugees.