Ethical Challenge of Discerning Refugees from Economic Migrants: Critical Observations and Conclusions Regarding Slovak Capital Facing Huge Tide of Ukrainian Citizens Nowadays (Case Study)

Abstract

Objective: The aim of our research was to determine the distinction between behavioral patterns of refugees versus economic migrants from Ukraine in order to confute widespread Slovak media image of all incoming Ukrainian citizens as severily suffering from war trauma and being at the edge of their financial or material survival.Design: Case Study from the Capital of Slovakia. Participants: Ukrainian citizens living in Bratislava who entered Slovakia at the beginning of the time of the Russian invasion until today. Methods: Analytical evaluation based on a critical approach to media image confronted with real situations regarding refugees versus economic migrants from Ukraine was applied. To grasp the issue of behavior of incoming persons, firstly, naturalistic observation method has been used. Results: Using sensitive and detailed observation the distinction between Ukrainian refugees and economic migrants can be drawn and should be applied on a common basis. This should be based on their behavioral patterns as seen in praxis. Conclusion: Discerning refugees from economic migrants needs to be done in order to ensure fairness towards incoming persons and also locals. The distinction should be based on objective observation of behavioral patterns of all the incoming Ukrainian citizens and based on that decisions of competent institutions and preparation of relevant legislation should be made. It is inevitable to start to grasp the problem of unjust generalizing approach and also to stop antisocial behavior on the streets, in the city transport, at the shops, in the doctor´s waiting room, etc. of incoming Ukrainian citizens, who do not show any signs of war trauma and are obviously economic migrants, moreover, inadaptable. Continuation of peaceful living of locals should be granted by Slovak government both in the form of issuing proper legislation and by immediate implementation of legislation into practice. The Slovak media image of the current situation concerning this matter needs to be straight reconsidered, revised and by these steps to prevent and protect the community from further demage and overall reduction in the quality of life of all the inhabitants of the capital.