#EU
#Migration
#Frontex
#Children
"…and the European Union has probably rarely communicated in a more disgusting way: inhumane, heartless and shameful."
-And the handcuffs your father might be wearing are perfectly normal. "This will keep him and the others safe," the brochure reassures.
>Frontex children's book: Oh, how beautiful is deportation
-A colorful adventure and an exciting start to a new life. This is how the EU border agency Frontex sells children and young people their deportation in a perfidious brochure. If that doesn't make you shudder with disgust, you have no heart.
A commentary.
-"In 2023, the EU border agency Frontex published a brochure entitled "My Guide to Return," designed to prepare children and young people for their deportation. Until yesterday, the publication remained unknown to the general public. This is surprising.
Because it's a cynical work of contempt for humanity. Using euphemistic words and supposedly child-friendly language, it trivializes the ripping of minors from their lives—in illustrated advice book format.
It's a book full of innocent smiles, but in reality, ice-cold pseudo-humanitarianism, in which the traumatizing deportation is sold as an adventure and a chance for a new beginning. Deportation – but totally nice, totally colorful, totally child-friendly. The book even presents the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Because you should know your rights.
“Excited about this big change”
On page 1, a plane taking off bears the text "This book belongs to: ..." After Mohammed, Tanisha, or Marija have written their names there, deportation is imminent. Of course, that's not what they call it in child-friendly, human rights-based Europe.
“You may have been told that you have to move and live in your family’s home country,” it says, trivializing the uprooting and coercive measure that the child and his family face."
Because:
-" It is not possible for you and your family to stay and live in this country at the moment. Even if you would prefer to stay here, unfortunately that is not possible at the moment. This means that you will have to return to your family's home country. This is a big change for you. You may not remember your family's home country. You may be sad about having to leave your friends or school. [..] Or perhaps you are looking forward to seeing friends and family in your family's home country and are excited about this big change."
-The European Enlightenment continues: information is everything: “The more you know about it, the better prepared you are for this major change in your life.”
"Because soon the big, colorful adventure of returning home begins. But "before you return to your home country with your family, you may stay in a facility with other families waiting to leave. You may be allowed to leave the facility, but you may not be allowed to."
And if you and your family aren't allowed to leave the "facility," then that's what the courteous adults "whose job it is to help you and your family" will definitely say. In the next chapter, "How to Get to the Airport," they are also the friendly but firm face of the country you now, unfortunately, have to leave. "These escorts may be wearing a special vest so you can identify them. They're there to help you. That's their job."
"What color will the vest be," the friendly escorts will be wearing? At the airport, the colorful journey into the unknown continues. "There may be escorts waiting with your family. You can ask them questions. If you need anything, they might be able to help you." But maybe not.
And the handcuffs your father might be wearing are perfectly normal. "This will keep him and the others safe," the brochure reassures.
"You might see someone in handcuffs. That way, he and the others will be safe."
After the flight, it's time to arrive. "When you arrive in your family's home country, your family will get off the plane together." And then, according to Frontex, a new life awaits you in a country where you'll have so much to experience and learn. You don't have to be afraid, because you'll discover delicious new sweets and foods. You'll have nice teachers and friends. And the wonderful new life that the European Union has already prepared you for in such a magical way in its brochure. How wonderful it all is!
Text of the brochure: "In your family's country, you will experience and learn many things that are new and completely different. For example, a new house, a new school, a different language, and different food. Learning new things is always exciting, so don't be afraid to discover new things—perhaps nice new teachers, nice new friends, or delicious new sweets. This new life may also make you sad or angry. Maybe you're worried, too. All of these feelings are normal. You'll need a little time to get used to them. That's normal. But remember: Your family is there and can help you. If you feel like it, talk about your feelings with someone you trust and like."
And as if all that weren't enough, the booklet also contains an encouraging saying that could have come from a fortune cookie: "No one knows what the future holds, but one thing is certain: You shape your own future." In a country you didn't even want to go to. But whatever.
Because you also have the poetry album from the brochure, in which you can have your friends write or draw the flag of your new homeland yourself. There are coloring pictures, a page for new vocabulary, and even a puzzle section. Deportation has never been so colorful...
…and the European Union has probably rarely communicated in a more disgusting way: inhumane, heartless and shameful.
text: “Nobody knows what the future holds, but one thing is certain: you shape your own future."
in German below
https://netzpolitik.org/2025/frontex-kinderbuch-oh-wie-schoen-ist-abschiebung/
