France: Minister Refutes Cruelty of Calais Evictions, “Indirect” Expulsions of Afghans Feared, Channel Crossings and Rescues Continue

22nd October 2021 | News

France’s interior minister has publicly rebuffed a recent NGO report documenting “degrading treatment” of people on the move around Calais. Civil society groups are concerned about Dublin transfers of Afghans to other European countries, which they say may result in...

Greece: Government Want to Keep Pushback Investigation In-House, Pushbacks Continue as Reports of Refoulement from Turkey Emerges, Food Provision and Cash Assistance in Shambles

22nd October 2021 | News

The Greek government is considering tasking a transparency body with pushback investigations without including representatives of independent bodies or organisations. Systematic pushbacks from Greece continue as do reports of refoulement from Turkey. 26 NGOs urge...

Malta: Human Rights Commissioner Urges “Immediate Action” to Improve Detention Conditions, Asylum Seekers Detained at Sea Sue Government, Interior Minister Calls for Strengthened Cooperation with Libya

22nd October 2021 | News

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović strongly urges Maltese authorities to take immediate action to improve detention conditions and avoid endangering people in distress at sea. 32 asylum seekers who were detained at sea off Malta in 2020...

Atlantic Route and Spain: More Death as Crisis, Conflict, and Failed EU Policies Drive Canary Island Crossings, Rescues and Fatalities on Western Med, NGOs Welcome Regularisation of Unaccompanied Children

22nd October 2021 | News

Dangerous journeys to the Canary Islands continue to cost lives as migratory movement on the route is driven by economic crisis, conflict and failed EU policies. More deaths, rescues and arrivals are recorded on the Western Mediterranean route. NGOs welcome reform of...

Med: 500 People Await Disembarkation, NGO Acquitted for Refusing Libya Return, Boat-Drivers Scapegoated in Italy, Tragedy off Tunisia and Empty Boats Raise Shipwreck Fears

22nd October 2021 | News

As of 22 October, over 500 people saved from drowning in the Mediterranean are still waiting to be allocated a safe port. Activists celebrate the acquittal of NGO crew members as prosecutors confirm that Libya is not a safe port for return. New analysis of cases...

Balkan Route: Tens of Thousands Pushed Back from Croatia, Evidence of Pushbacks and Border Violence in Romania Presented to UN Rights Body, “Stonewalling” of Asylum Seekers in Serbia Airport

22nd October 2021 | News

More than 30,000 pushbacks were recorded between June 2019 and September 2021 from Croatia, where testimonies reveal “excessive use of violence” and a pattern of “invasive searching” and sexual violence by police. Border Violence Monitoring Network (BVMN) has...

EU Eastern Borders: Eighth Body Found, Thousands Protest Pushbacks, Citizens and NGOs Find Novel Ways to Deliver Aid, Germany Reports Uptick in Border Crossings

22nd October 2021 | News

Life-threatening conditions for people stuck along the EU’s eastern borders have cost the eighth life since the stand-off with Belarus began in August. In Warsaw, protesters have rallied against violent pushbacks by Polish officials. Latvia, Lithuania and Poland...

EU Afghanistan Response: One Billion Euro in Aid Pledged, UN Human Rights Council Adopts EU-led Resolution on Human Rights Situation, High-level Forum on Resettlement

15th October 2021 | News

World leaders met virtually to discuss plans to prevent the collapse of Afghanistan economy and address the unfolding humanitarian disaster in the country. The UN Human Rights Council adopts EU-led resolution on the human rights situation, and the EU organised a...

Poland: Parliament Approves ‘Legalisation’ of Pushbacks, Council of Ministers Adopt Bill to Construct Border Wall, Another Life is Lost at Border with Belarus 

15th October 2021 | News

On 14 October the Polish parliament approved a bill that de facto ‘legalises’ pushbacks and the Council of Ministers adopted a bill for the construction of a border wall at the border with Belarus, where the stand-off between the countries have claimed its seventh...

Lithuania: Frontex Serious Incident Reports Multiply, Stranded People Suffer at the Border, Camps Improved with EU Funding, Twelve States Ask EU to Fund Fences

15th October 2021 | News

Frontex has recorded “almost twenty” incidents of violations of EU law at the Lithuanian border with Belarus. Dire conditions continue for people “pushed around” at the border. Reports suggest facilities housing migrants in Lithuania have improved, partially thanks to...