OPEN ACCESS VERSION CoŵŵoŶ ageŶda or Europe’s ageŶda? International protection, human rights and migration from the Horn of Africa Heaven Crawley and Brad K. Blitz Published online: 29 May 2018 To cite this article: Heaven Crawley and Brad K. Blitz (2018) CoŵŵoŶ ageŶda or Europes agenda? International protection, human rights and migration from the Horn of Africa, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, DOI: 10.1080/1369183X.2018.1468393 Contact author: Heaven Crawley heaven.crawley@coventry.ac.uk ABSTRACT This article examines the relationship between international protection, human rights and migration in the context of the EU AgeŶda oŶ MigratioŶ ǁhiĐh aiŵs to taĐkle ŵigratioŶ upstreaŵ and reduce arrivals to Europe from the Horn of Africa (HoA) (Eritrea, Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Sudan). This initiative is underpinned by assumptions about the factors associated with migration from the region, including the idea that poverty, rather than political oppression and human rights abuse, is the principal cause. The article draws on interview and survey data with 128 people originating from HoA countries and arriving in Europe between March 2011 and October 2016 to show that conflict, insecurity and human rights abuse in countries of origin and neighbouring countries often drives decisions to move and/or move on. This evidence challenges the underlying premise of the EU Agenda. Moreoǀer, a laĐk of ĐohereŶĐe ďetǁeeŶ Europes ambitions to control irregular migration and co-operation with rights-violating States threatens to create further political destabilisation which may ultimately increase, rather than decrease, outward migration from the region. Agreements between the EU and HoA countries should be re-centred to focus on compliance with international human rights standards rather thaŶ “tates willingness to prevent irregular migration to Europe. KEYWORDS Migration: Horn of Africa; European Union; mobility; partnerships; human rights Introduction The EuropeaŶ UŶioŶs ;EUͿ relatioŶship ǁith deǀelopiŶg countries has, over recent years, ďeeŶ iŶĐreasiŶglLJ driǀeŶ ďLJ the desire to reduĐe irregular ŵigratioŶ to Europe. 1 In the context of unprecedented irregular flows across the Mediterranean in 2015, the EU has sought to strengthen its approach towards countries and regions from which refugees and other migrants originate. Although the political and policy imperative of the European CouŶĐil aŶd Meŵďer “tates reŵaiŶs firŵlLJ fidžed oŶ streŶgtheŶiŶg the EUs edžterŶal borders by dismantling smuggling and trafficking networks and securing agreements for the return of those deemed undeserving of international protection (Palm 2016), the European Agenda on Migration announced in 2015 represents a significant shift of emphasis towards working in partnership with other ĐouŶtries to taĐkle ŵigratioŶ upstreaŵ ;EuropeaŶ Commission 2015, 5). There is more interest than ever before in creating opportunities for the EU and