RIDHE's Emergency Education program shares his memories that unfold a tapestry of stories, dreams and struggles.

At a time when Europe is facing complex global challenges — from armed conflicts to climate crises and forced displacement — the European Parliament is preparing to define its position on the reform of the EU return directive. The decision it takes will not be merely technical. It will be, above all, a political statement about the kind of Europe we want to be.

The proposal aims to increase the effectiveness of return procedures, an issue that has long been central to European migration debates. Yet beneath this seemingly pragmatic objective lies a troubling shift: the gradual normalization of measures that strain, if not undermine, fundamental rights.

The European Parliament itself acknowledges that the reform raises questions about the balance between efficiency and respect for fundamental rights.

The question is unavoidable: how far is Europe willing to go in the name of efficiency?

Among the most controversial provisions is the expansion of detention, including for children, as well as the possibility of deporting individuals to so-called “safe third countries” with which they have no meaningful connection. These measures not only raise serious legal concerns but also challenge core principles of international law, such as the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to places where their lives or freedoms may be at risk.

But the impact of these policies extends far beyond the legal sphere. It reaches into the daily lives of thousands of people. Increased controls and expanded detention powers create a climate of fear that affects entire communities. The result is a silent erosion of social cohesion, limiting access to essential services such as healthcare and education, and weakening trust in public institutions.

This tightening of migration policies does not occur in a vacuum. It is unfolding in a political context marked by the rise of xenophobic narratives and growing pressure to respond to migration through control and securitization. In such a context, there is a real risk that Europe will adopt policies that, rather than addressing the root causes of migration, deepen exclusion and inequality.

European history has shown that rights are never guaranteed — they are defended or they are lost. And their erosion often begins at the margins, through decisions that appear exceptional but gradually become normalized.

Return policies are part of migration management. This is not in dispute. But they must always remain subordinate to the protection of human rights. Efficiency cannot become a shortcut that justifies the erosion of fundamental principles.

Today, the European Parliament has the opportunity to look at itself in the mirror and decide which values it truly stands for. If it chooses to prioritize control over dignity, it will be sending a message that goes far beyond migration policy — it will be redefining the European project itself.

Because what is at stake is not just a directive. It is the very idea of Europe.

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