France: Minister of Interior Praises Low Recognition Rates as a Success, Visa Cut Back for Maghreb as Punitive Measure, Concern over Dublin Transfers to Bulgaria
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin states that France is doing “better” than its neighbours, citing comparatively low recognition rates. The French government will cut visas for Algerians, Moroccans, and Tunisian nationals as a punitive measure to push the North...
Greece: Mitarakis Rejects Border Monitor Mechanism as New Reports of Abuse Emerge – Greek Facilities Empty Out while People Move Onwards
Amid new reports of abuse, Minister for Migration and Asylum Notis Mitarakis rejects the need for a human rights monitoring mechanism at Greek borders, stating that it would infringe upon national sovereignty. While the number of people in the Greek island hotspots...
Poland: More Deaths at the Border, Poland Extends State Of Emergency, Neither ECtHR nor Commissioner Persuade Poland to End Pushbacks
Two more deaths have been recorded at the Poland-Belarus border, marking six lives lost at the border in a seven-day period. Testimonials of people crossing the border and an investigation from Amnesty International documents Polish border guards conducting pushbacks....
Channel: Arrivals and Interceptions Rise as UK Advocates Illegal Measures to Stop Crossings, UNHCR Slams UK Asylum Overhaul Plans, Evictions in Calais Continue
Recent Channel crossings have brought the total number of people arriving in Britain by sea in September to over 4,600. The UK has responded to the increase by threatening to pull funding to France and advocating illegal pushbacks, which sources say will begin in...
Atlantic Route: Fears About Poor Reception Conditions on Lanzarote, Almost 800 Lives Lost over Eight Months, Increased Arrivals Linked to Instability in Countries of Origin
As arrivals to the Canary Islands continue apace, emergency services, volunteers, and journalists have raised concerns about the lack of reception facilities on Lanzarote. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says almost 800 people lost their lives on...
Med: Commissioner Visits Cyprus, MED5 Declares Pact “Unacceptable”, Rescues and Arrivals Continue as Do Interceptions and Returns
During a visit to Cyprus, European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson stated that the EU will seek ways to stem arrivals from Turkey, but did not offer further details. Italy’s Interior Minister has declared that parts of the European Pact on Migration and...
AIDA Report: Dublin III Implementation in 2020
The latest statistical report by AIDA, managed by ECRE, provides an update on developments in legislation, policy and practice relating to the application of the Dublin III Regulation in 2020. On 23 September 2020, the European Commission tabled its proposal for a...
Greece: Illegal Pushbacks Continue as Arrivals Drop Under “Strict but Fair” Immigration Policy – New “Closed Controlled” Camps Faces Massive Criticism
Against a backdrop of systematic pushbacks, the number of arrivals to the Aegean islands has decreased by almost 80%. Meanwhile, Minister of Migration and Asylum Notis Mitarakis is praising the efficiency of a “strict but fair immigration policy” defined by prevention...