The fundamental question for me is when does a refugee become an economic migrant? For the sake of brevity here I will stick to those fleeing from Syria, although the principle equally applies to others coming from, for example, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, and Somalia.
When those fleeing the war in Syria escaped to Turkey, Jordan or Lebanon they were genuine refugees seeking a safe haven, and they got it in all three of those countries. When they then decide to move on to other countries they then become - in my head - economic migrants. However those we now see making this step are not content to make an application for migration to other countries from the safe haven country, they CHOOSE to risk their own safety - and worst still their childrens - utilising all sorts of lawless methods, including the use and payment of criminal gangs, to bust their way into Europe and then on to their preferred 'target' state, usually Germany, Sweden, NL and if they have a chance the UK. And when they embark on this journey I am sorry to say, they lose all sympathy from me. Particularly when they choose, for example, to go to Europe instead of the Gulf States where they do speak the same language ... having said that the Saudis, UAE etc. have hardly been rolling out the red carpet for their fellow (islamic) arabs!!
And my heart goes out to the child, and others similarly lost in this rush to economic safety of Europe. As I have said before on other subjects involving children, I can only blame the stupid parents who would risk their children in this way.
Yes Europe should be helping these people in these war zones, or more particularly when they are refugees in neighbouring countries. However, let's not forget Europe is in large part one of the causes of the problem when it has supported war in these countries, supporting one evil side or the other, and often acting militarily, especially the UK ... STAND UP BLAIR/STRAW for Iraq..STAND UP CAMERCON/HAGUE for Libya, Syria leading to new despotic regime of one kind or another in Iraq, Syria, Eygpt, Libya or an equally bad or worst opposition such as ISIL. And this generally allows those neighbouring country's leaders like Reg to believe they can behave in a similar brutal manner.
I could go on, but I need to go and put a cold wet towel on my head, cos this whole bloody mess makes me so angry. Did none of our smart politicians with all their current knee jerk reactions not see this coming from a long, long way off??