Hungary: Closing in On Itself
As a reaction to the ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in May Hungary closed the controversial transit zones and introduced a new asylum system, according to ECRE member Hungarian Helsinki Committee (HHC) de facto removing the country from...
Greece: 10,000 People Prevented Access, Lockdown Extended, Recognition Rate Increases
Amid mounting evidence of systematic push-backs from Greece, Shipping Minister Ioannis Plakiotakis states that 10,000 people have been prevented access in 2020. Greek authorities have extended the lockdown of all structures hosting refugees and migrants until 15...
Spain: One Dead and Several Injured Following Attempt to Cross the Border of the Melilla Enclave
On 20 August 2020, around 300 people attempted to cross the border fence of the Melilla enclave on the Spain – Morocco border. One man died, after falling from the fence, and eight others were injured in the process. It is unknown whether the man’s death was a result...
Belgium: Legal Challenge of Prolonged COVID Measures Leaving Asylum Seekers Destitute
Several Belgian organisations have initiated legal proceedings against the Belgian state over the lack of immediate provision of shelter to applicants for international protection. Due to prolonged COVID-19 measures access to the asylum procedure and reception system...
Balkans: New Report Details Illegal Pushbacks and Border Violence
The Border Violence Monitoring Network (BVMN) published its monthly report highlighting 21 incidents of illegal pushbacks during July across the Balkan region. The report shares the experience of 389 people and details rights violations occurring at the external...
The implementation of the Dublin III Regulation in 2019 and During COVID-19: Different figures, Same Conclusions
ECRE’s report on the implementation of the Dublin III Regulation in 2019 and the first half of 2020 demonstrates that the European Union’s rules on allocation of responsibility are not functioning in practice, resulting in unnecessary, lengthy, and costly procedures...
Op-ed: Are Most Asylum Seekers Really Not Credible?
By Michala Clante Bendixen, founder of the Danish organisation Refugees Welcome and the information website REFUGEES.DK. ”Rejected asylum seekers must respect the decision and return home” – it sounds plausible enough to be the political consensus. But a prerequisite...
Med: Series of Deadly Shipwrecks While Civilian Search and Rescue Fleet is Blocked
Four shipwrecks off Libya cost the lives of more than 100 people over the last weeks and Alarm phone has reported numerous additional incidents of boats in distress or unaccounted for. After rescuing more than 200 people in 48 hours the crew of Sea Watch 4, currently...