The great policy paradox: ambiguous changes in the Lithuanian refugee integration
Author
Bernatonyte, Simona
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2016
Submitted on
2016-08-01
Pages
51
Abstract
This thesis examines why, in the wake of the EU refugee crisis, Lithuania both agreed to take part in the EU relocation scheme and soon after amended its refugee integration policy in a more restrictive direction. The core research question asks how the recent changes to Lithuanian refugee integration policy should be understood. Using a qualitative design, the study proceeds in three parts: (1) a historical account of the emergence of Lithuania’s asylum system, informed by Conditionality Theory, highlighting how external actors encouraged ratification of the Refugee Convention; (2) an analysis of political discourse in the media and public opinion through news coverage and representative surveys, showing that security framings often depict refugees as a potential threat while political solidarity within the EU was a key motive for accepting quotas; and (3) a critical review of the integration policy amendments using policy documents, interviews with NGO staff, and UNHCR comments, partially guided by the What’s the problem represented to be tool. Findings indicate that the government sought to improve external relations by participating in relocation, but the integration changes primarily aimed to cut costs, including reduced individual financial support and tighter time limits. Practitioners warn these shifts may create hardship and offer mere subsistence rather than effective integration. The evidence base includes secondary literature, media and survey data, and interviews; timing effects, including surveys conducted shortly after the Paris attacks, are noted as contextual limitations.
Specialet undersøger, hvorfor Litauen i kølvandet på EU’s flygtningekrise både accepterede EU’s omfordeling af flygtninge og kort efter ændrede sin integrationspolitik i en mere restriktiv retning. Det centrale forskningsspørgsmål er, hvordan de nylige ændringer i den litauiske flygtningeintegrationspolitik skal forstås. Undersøgelsen er kvalitativ og består af tre dele: (1) en historisk gennemgang af asylsystemets tilblivelse i Litauen, informeret af betingethedsteori, som peger på udenlandske aktørers rolle i at fremme ratifikation af Flygtningekonventionen; (2) en analyse af politisk debat i medierne og offentlig opinion via mediedækning og repræsentative spørgeskemaundersøgelser, hvor sikkerhedsdiskurser ofte fremstiller flygtninge som en potentiel trussel, mens politisk solidaritet i EU fremhæves som hovedmotiv for at acceptere kvoter; og (3) en kritisk gennemgang af integrationspolitiske ændringer ved hjælp af policy-dokumenter, interviews med NGO-medarbejdere og UNHCR-kommentarer, delvist informeret af værktøjet What’s the problem represented to be. Resultaterne indikerer, at regeringen søgte at styrke de ydre relationer gennem medvirken i omfordelingen, men at ændringerne i integrationspolitikken primært havde til formål at reducere udgifter, bl.a. via lavere individuel økonomisk støtte og tidsmæssige begrænsninger. Ifølge praktikere kan dette skabe vanskeligheder for flygtninge og give mulighed for blotte eksistensvilkår frem for reel integration. Datagrundlaget omfatter sekundærlitteratur, medie- og surveydata samt interviews; tidsmæssige forhold, herunder meningsmålinger kort efter terrorangreb i Paris, udgør en vigtig kontekstuel begrænsning.
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