Male refugees stigmatised across Europe: ‘This kind of stuff really hurts’ | Migration News
Migrants Face Discrimination Amid Shifts in European Asylum Policies
Athen, Greece — Ahmed*, a 14-year-old from Afghanistan, arrived in Germany in 2019 with little more than the clothes on his back and a mobile phone. As a member of the Hazara ethnic minority, he fled the Taliban’s oppressive regime, initially making his way to Turkey before reaching Greece in 2018 and ultimately traveling overland to Germany, where he hoped for a more stable future away from Greece’s economic struggles.
Ahmed is among an estimated 1.2 million individuals who sought asylum in Greece between 2015 and 2020. At the beginning of the European refugee crisis, several nations welcomed those fleeing conflict, particularly from Syria. However, the rise of far-right sentiment across the continent has led to increased discrimination against many asylum seekers, especially lone young men.
A report from the International Organization for Migration released in 2024 indicated that 63 percent of recent arrivals to Europe were single men traveling alone. The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford noted that these males often undertake perilous journeys alone, with families joining them later for safety reasons.
Ahmed described the stigma he faces as a young male refugee, stating, “I experience discrimination simply for being a young refugee man.” He expressed frustration over the assumptions made about refugees, including negative stereotypes regarding job competition and the perception that they are a threat to society.
“Sometimes, when I hear comments implying we should return home or that ‘we’re all the same,’ it’s deeply hurtful. I’m here to build a new life in safety,” he said. Ahmed is currently in his final year of high school in Germany and hopes to attend university next summer.
Ahmed’s experiences highlight a broader trend in Europe, where far-right politicians exploit negative portrayals of migrants. For instance, British activist Tommy Robinson, at a rally in September 2025, claimed that unchecked migration poses a danger to women in the UK.
Camille Le Coz, director of the Migration Policy Institute Europe, remarked that this narrative frames migration as a security threat, despite evidence suggesting no direct connection between increasing migration and local crime rates. A 2025 study by the German research institute Ifo found no correlation between the influx of migrants and crime.
Male migrants, particularly single asylum seekers, often encounter different challenges compared to families. Organizations like Mazi, founded in Athens in 2020, focus on supporting this demographic, which frequently finds itself excluded from housing programs. Co-director Cosmo Murray noted the abrupt transition in perception from “vulnerable boy” to “threatening man” upon reaching adulthood, which has detrimental implications for housing and support services for young male refugees.
The narrative surrounding male asylum seekers is not unique to Greece. Countries across Europe have been accused of scapegoating these individuals as governments tighten immigration policies. The 2024 change in Belgium, halting the reception of single male asylum seekers, exemplifies a broader trend. Although a court ruling overturned this decision, reports suggested that such men continued to face exclusion.
Mazi, which supports male asylum seekers, has illustrated the extent of this issue. Junior*, a 30-year-old from Cameroon, left his country due to threats against his sexual identity. After a year in Mazi’s care, he voiced concerns about the challenges single men face in accessing support compared to families.
“It is very difficult for a single person to find somewhere to rest,” he said, highlighting that men often feel marginalized in refugee services.
Venant*, another asylum seeker from Cameroon, who now resides in France, expressed similar sentiments, explaining that single men often receive inferior treatment in the asylum process.
Meena Masood, a researcher at the University of Manchester, pointed out that prevailing narratives inaccurately assume that men are more equipped to handle challenges without assistance. “In reality, men, like any other group, need support,” she said.
As attitudes shift, many asylum seekers continue to seek safety in Europe, facing stigma and discrimination on their journey to rebuilding their lives.
