1 October 2024, Tuesday

12.30-14.00

Istanbul Bilgi University

santralistanbul Campus, Seyfi Arkan Building SA-107

Asylum Claims and Push-backs in Europe: Spain and Lithuania

Pedro Martins, PhD, Autonomous University of Barcelona

Abstract

The study explores the intricate dynamics of asylum-seeking processes at the European borders, focusing on Spain and Lithuania. The research, conducted during a residency in Vilnius, Lithuania, involved direct engagement with Sienos Group, a grassroots organization supporting refugees crossing the Belarus-Lithuania border. This experience provided first-hand insights into the challenges of migration management, the rise of push-back policies, and the role of local activism in offering essential support for migrants, particularly those from South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. The study also draws on comparative fieldwork from Spain, where similar challenges exist concerning the treatment of asylum seekers and the push-back policies enacted at the southern borders with North Africa. By analyzing Lithuania’s post-Soviet integration into the EU and NATO, the seminar delves into how historical legacies and contemporary EU policies impact asylum processes in these regions.

Biographical note

Pedro Martins holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, specializing in migration, gender, sexuality, and diversity. His doctoral research, "Global South Cosmopolitans Creating a Home: Stories of Migration from Brazil to Portugal and Spain", explored the challenges and empowerment strategies of migrants, focusing on mobility, xenophobia, and community-building. Pedro has extensive experience delivering Training of Trainers (TOT) programs for organizations such as GIZ, ITCILO, IIEP UNESCO, and IOM, with a focus on digital education, TVET, and migration governance. He has worked across Africa, Latin America, and Central Asia, designing and implementing training programs that address social inclusion, education quality, and safe migration. Pedro was also a visiting researcher at Vilnius University in Lithuania, where he collaborated with grassroots NGOs supporting refugees at the Belarus border. Combining academic expertise and practical fieldwork, he is dedicated to developing inclusive educational strategies that foster social cohesion and community development.

Notice: Participants to enter the santralistanbul Campus should use the Visitors' Gate (Ziyaretçi Girişi) located at the end of the parking lot. 

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