text:
ASYLNYTT
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Arkivet har startat om och saknar material från perioden 180119 - 180513
Arkiveringsdatum 190620:
Peru/ UNHCR scales up response as record number of Venezuelans arrive in Peru
Frankrike/ AIDA: Systematic immigration detention further undermines rights
Grekland/ UNHCR om utvecklingen efter Europadomstolens stopp för överföringar
Grekland/ NGO: Why Greece's reception system failed to provide sustainable solutions
Grekland/ Europadomstolen: Minors stayed in conditions unsuited to their age
Nauru/ Professor David Isaacs: Pervasive refusal syndrome and Nauru
Mexiko/ Amnesty: Child death in custody suggests eerie parallels with US policy
Jemen/ UNHCR: Amid worsening conditions in Yemen, Somali refugees opt to return
Europa/ AIDA: Housing out of reach? The reception of asylum seekers in Europe
Europa/ Stop violence and exploitation of migrant children
Ungern/ Europarådet: Commissioner for human rights publishes report on Hungary
Libyen/ Move refugees in Tripoli out of harm's way, urges UNHCR
Turkiet/ AIDA: European Commission publishes latest report on Refugee Facility
Sri Lanka/ HRW: Refugees threatened - Ensure safety of vulnerable since bombings
Libyen/ Detained refugees in Libya moved to safety in second UNHCR relocation
Jemen/ IOM: Deep concern as thousands of migrants rounded up in Yemen
Bangladesh/ UNHCR: Skills project puts Bangladeshi and refugee women first
Frankrike/ AIDA: Nearly 90% of calls to Paris phone registration platform missed
Tyskland/ AIDA 2018 Update: Germany
Tyskland/ The AnkER Centres: ECRE publishes report of visit to Germany
Kroatien/ Two Western Balkan countries still struggle with migration flows
Bosnien, Kroatien/ Europarådet: Balkan countries still struggle with migration flows
Grekland/ Legal Centre Lesvos: Report on Rights Violations and Resistance in Lesvos
Italien/ AIDA 2018 Update: Italy
Europarådet: Young refugees should receive temporary support after the age of 18
Turkiet/ AIDA 2018 Update
Libyen/ UNHCR and others appeal for evacuation of refugees caught in crossfire
Frankrike/ AIDA 2018 Update
Nederländerna/ AIDA 2018 Update
Belgien/ AIDA 2018 Update
Österrike/ AIDA 2018 Update
Ungern/ AIDA 2018 Update
Kroatien/ AIDA 2018 Update: Spain & France
Grekland/ Human Rights Watch: Greece in denial about police detention of lone kids
Grekland/ AIDA 2018 Update
Cypern/ AIDA 2018 Update
Italien/ Ställningstagande om överföring av barnfamiljer enligt Dublinförordningen
Spanien/ AIDA 2018 Update
Brasilien/ Over 5,000 Venezuelans find new homes through relocation programme
Storbritannien/ AIDA 2018 Update
Serbien/ AIDA 2018 Update
Rumänien/ AIDA 2018 Update
Libanon/ UN calls for sustained support to Syrians and the region ahead of conference
Egypten/ UNHCR urges critical support for refugees in Egypt
Europa/ MSF: unsafe situation of migrants increases psychological pain and suffering
Irland/ AIDA 2018 Update
Frankrike/ ECHR: fails to protect an unaccompanied child breached the convention
Belgien/ unsafe situation of migrants increases their psychological pain and suffering
Polen/ AIDA 2018 Update
Schweiz/ AIDA 2018 Update
Ungern/ Migrationsverket stoppar beslut om överföring enligt Dublinförordningen
Slovenien/ AIDA 2018 Update: Slovenia
Serbien/ Report on the Right to Asylum in 2018
Grekland/ ECRE: minors in custody not addressing ill-treatment violates convention
Grekland/ Update of the 2016 FRA Opinion on fundamental rights in the hotspots
Bulgarien/ AIDA 2018 Update: Bulgaria
Italien/ Update of the 2016 FRA Opinion on fundamental rights in the hotspots
Malta/ AIDA 2018 Update
Rwanda/ Amnesty: Police remain free while protesting Congolese refugees face jail
Mexiko/ IOM monitors new caravans of Central American migrants in Mexico
Australien/ Landmark "Medevac" bill passed in parliament, but not without backlash
Australien/ Deterring essential medical transfers risks deadly consequences
Frankrike/ Court orders OFII to improve phone platform for asylum registration
Tyskland/ ECRE: German "AnKER Centres" drawing increasing critique
Bosnien/ People on the Move in B&H in 2018: Stuck in the corridors to the EU
Grekland/ Anti-torture committee criticises poor treatment of detained foreign nationals
Mexiko/ Human Rights Watch: Accommodating asylum-seekers with disabilities
Italien/ Torterad som nekats vård i Itialien ska inte skickas dit igen enligt FN-kommitté
Libyen/ HRW: Nightmarish detention for asylum seekers - Refugees still returned
Brasilien/ IOM carries out first voluntary relocation charter flight for Venezuelans
Europa/ WHO finds migrants and refugees in good general health but at greater risk
Grekland/ ECRE: Greece's treatment of migrant children subject to legal challenge
Grekland/ A Home for Refugees - throughout Asylum procedures and beyound
Italien/ Europarådet: Italy urged to improve protection of children against exploitation
Spanien/ AIDA: Court orders access to reception for Dublin returnees
Internationellt/ Human Rights Watch report on 2018: Leaders stoke fear, ignore rights
Grekland/ Europarådet: Rapporteur urges end to 'inhuman' asylum seekers' conditions
Kenya/ Amnesty: Global Compact must be quickly anchored in national policy
Bangladesh/ UNHCR: Innovation, green tech and sunlight help secure water
Libyen/ UNHCR: Desperate and Dangerous: HR situation of migrants and refugees
Libyen/ UNHCR: First group of refugees evacuated from new departure facility
Belgien/ AIDA: Barriers to registration of asylum applications
Grekland/ AIDA: Asylum seekers left without legal aid on the islands
Grekland/ Amnesty: Greece and the EU must move asylum seekers to safety
Grekland/ IOM Provides Accommodation for 2,500 Migrants from Greek Islands
Italien/ AIDA: Vulnerable Dublin returnees at risk of destitution
Internationellt/ UN: War's Impact on People with Disabilities
Papua/ Amnesty: The bravery of those who speak from Manus will go down in history
Europa/ FRA: Hard migration line continues to feature across the EU
Grekland/ Human Rights Watch: Dire conditions for asylum seekers on Lesbos
Sydkorea/ Amnesty: South Korea must go further to support Yemeni asylum-seekers
Libyen/ Amnesty; Cruel migration policies leave refugees trapped, resettlement needed
Grekland/ Europarådet, rapport: Urgent steps needed in reception and integration
Bulgarien/ ECRE: Bulgaria given formal notice to comply with EU rules on asylum
Italien/ Dublinöverföring till Italien stoppas av FN:s kommitté mot tortyr
USA/ Amnesty: Facts on illegal pushbacks, arbitrary detention and ill treatment
Mexiko/ IOM monitors caravans of American migrants, supports voluntary returns
USA/ Amnesty International: 'You don't have any rights here'
Nauru/ UNHCR urges Australia to evacuate facilities as health situation deteriorates
Mexiko/ Amnesty: Honduran caravan is not a threat but people with human rights
Bangladesh/ IOM: Girls in forced labour largest group of trafficking victims in camps
Australien/ UNHCR: evacuate off-shore facilities as health situation deteriorates
Irland/ Asylum seekers left without accommodation
Ungern/ ECRE: CPT: Persisting ill-treatment during 'push-backs' to Serbia
Grekland/ AIDA: Increase in arrivals and continuing strain on reception
Grekland/ RSA: The "hotspots" experiment: removing human rights from the equation
Grekland/ European Commission releases data on Funds to deal with Migration
Grekland/ Europadomstolen: Förhållandena i tältläger skulle ha tagits upp i Grekland
Libyen/ Läkare utan Gränser: Strider förvärrar situationen för inlåsta flyktingar
Turkiet/ AIDA: UNHCR ends registration of non-Syrian asylum seekers
Curacao/ Authorities are denying protection to people fleeing the crisis in Venezuela
Grekland/ New study finds EU-Turkey deal has pushed Lesvos to its breaking point
Grekland/ UNHCR urges Greece to address overcrowded reception centres
Bangladesh/ UNHCR: Rohingya emergency one year on
Ungern/ Asylum seekers denied food following inadmissibility decisions
Bangladesh/ Human Rights Watch: "Bangladesh Is Not My Country"
Grekland/ Commission supports improving reception conditions with extra €37.5 million
Papua/ Detained Iranian asylum seeker died from lack of medical care
Libyen/ Disputes over rescues put lives at risk
Costa Rica/ UNHCR steps up its response as thousands flee violence in Nicaragua
Bangladesh/ IOM: Thousands at risk of trafficking amid Rohingya refugee crisis
Australien/ Human Rights Watch: Detained asylum seeker died from lack of care
Ungern/ Commission takes further steps in infringement procedures against Hungary
Grekland/ MSF: How a European refugee camp is traumatising people on Lesbos
Libanon/ Refugee rights in lebanon not up for debate
Nauru/ Australia: HRW: New Video on Cruel 'Offshore Processing' Policy
Australien/ UNHCR urges Australia to end separation of refugee families
Europa/ Aida briefing: Survey on withdrawal of reception conditions of asylum seekers
Frankrike/ Human Rights Watch: Arbitrary treatment of unaccompanied children
Frankrike/ AIDA: Immigration detention increase continues
Grekland/ MR-kommissionär: action needed to protect human rights of migrants
Grekland/ Human Rights Watch: Asylum-seeking children deprived of school
Rumänien/ AIDA: Living conditions in reception centres a persisting concern
Jordanien/ Amnesty International: Syrian refugees must not be abandoned
Grekland/ Europarådet: immediate action needed to protect human rights of migrants
Bangladesh/ Plan: Tonårsflickor i Rohingyakrisen lever isolerade i flyktingläger
Bangladesh/ UNHCR: First monsoons sweep refugee settlements
Frankrike/ Access to asylum and detention at borders: ECRE publishes mission report
Grekland/ Human Rights Watch: Asylum-seeking women detained with men
Spanien/ ECRE: Report on immigration detention in 2017
Turkiet/ Europarådet: Rapporteur praises efforts to manage 3.6 million migrants
Libyen/ Reach: Understanding the impact of EU migration measures on refugees
Libyen/ Människor sköts när de flydde från människosmugglare
Grekland/ CPT slams inhuman detention conditions at the border
Cypern/ Joint Statement on the problem of homelessness among asylum-seekers
Spanien/ AIDA: Ombudsman calls for access to asylum in detention
Papua/ Amnesty: Healthcare rollbacks put refugee lives and health at risk
Australien/ Amnesty: Healthcare rollbacks put refugee lives and health at risk
Frankrike/ FARR: Frankrike ett bra val?
Slovenien/ AIDA: Increasing arrivals put a strain on reception conditions
Cypern/ AIDA: Asylum seekers face increasing risks of destitution
Turkiet/ Rapport: Legal employment still inaccessible to refugees in Turkey
Spanien/ AIDA: Sea arrivals met with detention and barriers to legal assistance
Italien/ EASO and Italy sign new Operating Plan
Libyen/ Amnesty: EU governments complicit in horrific abuse of refugees and migrants
Frankrike/ Calais migrants at risk as cold arrives
Ungern/ Commission steps up infringement against Hungary concerning its asylum law
Grekland/ EASO signs new Operating Plan with Greece
Grekland/ Human Rights Watch: Dire risks for women asylum seekers
Grekland/ ECRE: Transfer of asylum seekers from hotspots to mainland continues
Papua/ Immediate action needed to avert further harm and tragedy on Manus Island
Libyen/ African Union-European Union summit - statement on the migrant situation
Libyen/ UNHCR welcomes transit facility to expedite third country solutions
Australien/ Immediate action needed to avert further harm and tragedy on Manus Island
Portugal/ AIDA Country report: Portugal
Grekland/ From Lesvos to Samos: Asylum Seekers speak out
Grekland/ Läkare Utan Gränser: Familjer på gränsen till en humanitär kris
Turkiet/ EU-kommissionen: new contracts signed as more refugees receive support
Europa/ FRA: Migration fundamental rights challenges remain
Grekland/ Aitima: Administrative detention in Greece remains problematic
Italien/ ARCI: Account of a serious violation of the law in the hotspot in Lampedusa
Italien/ ARCI: Statement: Now it's happening in the detention centre in Caltanisseta
Malta/ COE: Step up efforts to enhance protection of women's and migrants' rights
Turkiet/ CPT publishes report on Turkey
Papua/ Amnesty International: Manus Island: Court ruling jeopardizes lives
Libyen/ UNHCR: Migrants and refugees held captive in appalling conditions in Sabratha
Bangladesh/ Human Rights Watch: 10 Principles for Protecting Refugees
Australien/ Manus Island: Court ruling jeopardizes lives
Europa/ Migration situation continues to raise fundamental rights concerns
Frankrike/ ECRE: One year after Calais dismantlement: 70 % in need for protection
Grekland/ UNICEF: Allt fler barn på flykt i Grekland behöver skydd
Papua/ Refugees face unchecked violence
Australien/ Human Rights Watch: Refugees face unchecked violence
Frankrike/ ECRE: One step forward and two steps back for unaccompanied minors
Grekland/ NGOs om hotspots: "Asylum seekers in abysmal conditions on islands"
Thailand/ Amnesty International: Thailand: Between a rock and a hard place
Serbien/ EU announces additional emergency aid to help refugees in Serbia
Grekland/ Anti-torture committee criticises detention of children
Libyen/ UN Security Council: Grave concern over migrants in Libya -sent back to hell?
Europa/ Vulnerability in European asylum procedures: New AIDA comparative report
Grekland/ Human Rights Watch: No school for many asylum-seeking kids
Grekland/ ECRE: The other island: Squalid conditions and arbitrary deportation in Crete
Libyen/ Oxfam: Torture, rape and slavery: why migrants must be able to leave this hell
Australien/ Human Rights Watch: Leaked transcript exposes unlawful refugee policy
Frankrike/ Children in Calais face systematic police abuse, says RRDP report
Frankrike/ Human Rights Watch: Calais - Tear gas or pepper spray, abuse is abuse
Ungern/ Hungary: Dublin transfers suspended by Germany
Grekland/ Human Rights Watch mfl: Huge rise in detention of migrant children
Grekland/ EU lanserar ett nytt program för humanitär hjälp och bostäder åt flyktingar
Spanien/ Migrants held in poor conditions - Automatic detention, obstacles to asylum
Australien/ UNHCR calls on Australia to end harmful practice of offshore processing
Frankrike/ HRW: "Like Living in Hell" Police abuses against migrants in Calais
Grekland/ Human Rights Watch: Asylum seekers' silent mental health crisis
Grekland/ Human Rights Watch: Lone migrant children left unprotected
Libyen/ Refugees International: "Hell on earth": Report on abuses against refugees
Libyen/ UNHCR resettles group of vulnerable women refugees from Libya
Libyen/ A perfect storm: The failure of european policies in the Central Mediterranean
Ungern/ Europarådet: Visit to transit zones to evaluate abuse risks faced by children
Uganda/ Läkare i Världen: Världen sviker flyktingarna i Uganda
Europa/ AIDA Briefing: The expansion of detention of asylum seekers
Frankrike/ AIDA: Detention still a primary instrument of migration control
Ungern/ PACE rapporteur urges Hungary to work more closely with NGOs
Turkiet/ Human Rights Watch: Education barriers for asylum seekers
Libanon-Jordanien/ Looming destitution and despair for refugee families
Kenya/ Sida: Oegentligheter upptäckta i flyktingläger i Kenya
Libanon-Jordanien/ UNHCR: Looming destitution and despair for refugee families
Schweiz/ Commissioner welcomes progress, but the most vulnerable need protection
Ungern/ FARR: Asylsökande placeras i containrar - Överföring stoppas från Sverige
Grekland/ HRW: Pressure to minimize numbers of migrants identified as 'vulnerable'
Italien/ Europadomstolen godkänner utvisning till Italien av mor och barn utan bostad
Europa/ AIDA Comparator 2016 Update
Italien/ FRA: Fundamental rights support to Italian authorities in migration hotspots
Turkiet/ AIDA: 2016 asylum statistics in DGMM annual report
Papua/ Amnesty bevisar att soldater avlossade skott rakt in i flyktingförläggning
Australien/ Uppgifter från migrationsdepartementet motbevisade av Amnesty
Ungern/ AIDA: Denmark refugee appeals board suspends transfers to Hungary
Grekland/ Commissioner concerned about ill-treatment by law enforcement officials
Spanien/ Human Rights Watch: LGBT asylum seekers abused in North African enclave
Europa/ FRA: Migrant child protection still a grave concern
Ungern/ UNHCR urges suspension of transfers of asylum-seekers under Dublin
Ungern/ Germany follows UNHCR call for suspension of Dublin transfers to Hungary
Grekland/ New report from Greek ECRE member: Asylum Seekers on Hold
Östeuropa/ Terres des Hommes: EU and Balkan countries stranding children in limbo
Ungern/ ECRE Legal note: Asylum in Hungary damaged beyond repair?
Grekland/ UNHCR: Cooperation crucial to ensure sustainable refugee response
Kroatien/ AIDA Updates Greece, Germany, Ireland, Croatia, Netherlands and Cyprus
Grekland/ AIDA Updates Greece, Germany, Ireland, Croatia, Netherlands and Cyprus
Libyen/ Unicef-rapport: Barnens farliga resa
Europa/ AIDA 2016 Update: Italy, Malta, Spain & Poland
Storbritannien/ AIDA 2016 Update: United Kingdom
Polen/ AIDA 2016 Update: Italy, Malta, Spain & Poland
Grekland/ EU support helps 2,500 refugee and migrant children attend Greek schools
Italien/ AIDA 2016 Update: Italy, Malta, Spain & Poland
Malta/ AIDA 2016 Update: Italy, Malta, Spain & Poland
Spanien/ AIDA 2016 Update: Italy, Malta, Spain & Poland
Libanon/ Call for more solidarity to deal with an 'unsustainable' refugee crisis
Europa/ AIDA 2016 updates on Belgium, Austria, France and Switzerland
Frankrike/ AIDA 2016 updates
Belgien/ AIDA 2016 updates
Schweiz/ AIDA 2016 updates
Grekland/ Commission awards €3.9 million to help improve reception conditions
Bulgarien/ Commission awards €6.1 million to support migration management
Italien/ Italy curtails appeal rights and expands rebranded detention centres
Libyen/ UN chiefs call for international solidarity to address migrant and refugee flows
Ungern/ AIDA 2016 Update: Hungary & Serbia
Serbien/ AIDA 2016 Update: Hungary & Serbia
Grekland/ Don't Forget Us - Voices of young refugees and migrants in Greece
Grekland/ IRR: 'No one accepts responsibility': Thirteen refugees dead in Greece
Bulgarien/ Deportation of family to Bulgaria would violate their rights
Bulgarien/ AIDA 2016 update on access, procedure, reception
Italien/ Anti-trafficking experts urge Italy to better protect unaccompanied children
Italien/ NGOs: Dublin returnees caught between law and reality in the search for safety
Libanon/ UNHCR: Syrian refugees vulnerable and reliant on aid, study shows
Frankrike/ Lone children from Calais left in limbo
Grekland/ EASO to further support Greece: New operating plan for activities in 2017
Italien/ EASO to further enhance its operational support to Italy in 2017
Kroatien/ ECRE: Dublin returns to Croatia lack necessary human rights guarantees
Grekland/ UNHCR: Shelter struggle in Greece, EU urged to speed relocations
Grekland/ AITIMA: Serious problems in Greek asylum system persist, says NGO report
Bulgarien/ UNHCR concerned about expulsions following tensions at reception centre
Ungern/ Anti-torture committee critical of treatment of migrants and refugees
Italien/ CAT: Anmälan om behandling på Lampedusa går inte att pröva utan dokument
Italien/ Europadomstolen tillåter överföring av för tidigt födda tvillingar till Italien
Turkiet/ EU-kommissionen: Facility for Refugees in Turkey: reaching cruising speed
Serbien/ Belgrade NGO: Access to protection a rarity, as bottleneck intensifies
Grekland/ New asylum reform transposing the recast reception conditions directive
Grekland/ Pleiades: Report on refugee mothers - antenatal, perinatal and postnatal care
Italien/ AIDA report: Plans for a uniform reception system
Internationellt/ 67th Session of the Executive Committee of UNHCR's Programme
Grekland/ IOM: Greek schools admit refugee, migrant children
Grekland/ Council admits the EU has failed to respond on key areas
Bulgarien/ ECRE: Migrants and asylum seekers routinely detained, report finds
Italien/ Council admits the EU has failed to respond on key areas
Libanon/ EU-parlamentariker: Funding will not solve the crisis, resettlement needed
Ungern/ Human Rights Watch: Failing to protect vulnerable refugees
Belgien/ Reception of female refugees and asylum seekers - Case Study
Tyskland/ Reception of female refugees and asylum seekers - Case Study
Grekland/ EU announces new €115 million in emergency support for refugees
Libyen/ Amnesty: Through their eyes: refugees' own accounts of abuses in Libya
Jordanien/ Human Rights Watch: Barriers to Education for Syrian Children
Europa/ FRA: Help for migrants with disabilities hampered by screening gaps
Italien/ New OSAR report on reception conditions
UNHCR 19-06-15:
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has sent extra teams to the border between Peru and Ecuador to support the authorities to deal with an unprecedented number of Venezuelan refugees and migrants entering Peru.
Peruvian authorities announced new visa requirements for Venezuelans starting on Saturday 15 June. On Friday, over 8,000 Venezuelans crossed the border at Tumbes, the largest number ever recorded on a single day. Of them, 4,700 lodged asylum claims in Peru, also an unprecedented number.
In total, Peru has received over 280,000 asylum applications by Venezuelan citizens and given temporary residence permits to over 390,000. The total number of Venezuelan refugees and migrants in the country is estimated at some 800,000.
"People are arriving in a more and more vulnerable situation," said Federico Agusti, UNHCR's Representative in Peru. "Some have been walking for 30 or 40 days through various countries in the region. We see people suffering from malnutrition or dehydration and people with medical problems. There are more and more families with children."
Peruvian authorities at the border are working 24 hours a day to process the arrivals. UNHCR and its partners are also working around the clock on the ground, providing humanitarian and health assistance, information and legal support to refugees and migrants on both sides of the border.
Peru's new visa requirements for Venezuelans are also having an impact on Ecuador's northern border with Colombia, through which 8,380 Venezuelans entered yesterday, according to the authorities. UNHCR and its partners are also present there providing much needed humanitarian assistance and protection and supporting the Ecuadorian government and civil society.
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AIDA 19-06-06:
Frankrike/ Systematic immigration detention further undermines rights
France continues to use immigration detention routinely and broadly, according to the annual report published by six civil society organisations present in the country's detention centres.
According to statistics published the organisations, 43,609 people were placed in an administrative detention centre (CRA) in 2018. Of those, 24,912 were detained in mainland France and 18,697 in Mayotte and other overseas territories. Several hundred persons were also placed in a place of administrative detention (LRA), where detention is applied for a maximum of 48 hours.
The main countries of origin of people subject to immigration detention on the mainland were Algeria (3,640), Albania (2,451), Morocco (2,286), Tunisia (2,128), Romania (1,366) and Afghanistan (892)
The detention of children continues to increase, according to the organisations. 1,429 children were detained in 2018, of which 1,221 (85%) in Mayotte, where the authorities unlawfully "attach" children to unrelated adults. In mainland France, 208 children in 114 families were detained for an average period of two days, of which 51 in Metz, 42 in Mesnil-Amelot and 10 in Toulouse.
Detention under the Dublin Regulation was applied to 3,857 persons, most coming from Afghanistan, Sudan and Guinea. As the 2018 reform has permitted the use of detention pending the determination of the Member State responsible for an asylum application, many asylum seekers have been detained for a 15-day period while the Prefectures await the reply from the requested country, prolonged by several weeks to organise the transfer.
Recommendations by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) concerning the execution of judgments by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in the cases of M.S.S. v. Belgium and Greece (Application No. 30696/09, Grand Chamber judgment of 21 January 2011) and of Rahimi v. Greece (Application No. 8687/08, Chamber judgment of 05 April 2011)
"Asylum procedures, reception conditions and child protection have seen uneven improvements in Greece, as a result of multiple challenges and the need to reconcile the demands of developing a comprehensive reception system while at the same time responding to the high number of asylum-seekers and refugees who have arrived since 2015-2016. The building of a sustainable and adequate asylum and reception system in Greece for all asylum-seekers including groups at high risk such as unaccompanied children will be a long-haul process, which will move faster if accompanied by solidarity measures within the EU and sound understanding of the operational and institutional context. "
Läs dokumentet i sin helhet med UNHCR:s rekommendationer (Extern länk)
Refugee Support Aegean 19-06-18:
Grekland/ Why Greece's reception system failed to provide sustainable solutions
As of early summer 2019, the so-called refugee crisis in Greece has been shaped entirely through the status quo put in place by the EU-Turkey Statement of March 2016.
The reality on the ground is mostly a policy-made humanitarian crisis on the Greek island's hot-spots, the Evros Reception and Identification Center (RIC) as well as several of the camps hosting refugees in the mainland. Conditions vary from place to place and show a patchwork approach towards addressing the serious issues that exist in the reception system for refugees and asylum-seekers than a well-constructed mechanism.
On June 6th 2019, there were 16,108 refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants stranded on the Greek islands of Samos, Chios, Lesvos, Leros and Kos. Out of those, 12,628 lived in the hot-spots while the capacity of these centres was for 6,438. The number of refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants staying in the Evros RIC was 366 while its capacity is for 318 people. Meanwhile, an estimated 16,457 refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants were living in 25 refugee camps in Greece's mainland.
While numbers of refugee arrivals in the country have returned to pre-2015 levels, the Greek authorities' response remains that of emergency mode. There is a two-fold reason for this. Greece has mostly devised and implemented a top to bottom strategy and failed to prepare or adapt state structures to the needs resulting from this crisis. This strategy was the product of political processes that reflect broader priorities in the European Union (EU). During the last three years, Greece's response also did not manage to catch up with developments produced by the EU-Turkey statement and the corresponding policies implemented on the islands as well as in the mainland. As a result, the country's reception system constantly adapts to urgent needs. Meanwhile constant lack of adequate hosting capacity in the islands and the mainland and the absence of an accurate timely estimation of flows remains a decisive factor that perpetuates precariousness in systemic planning.
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Europadomstolen 19-06-14:
Grekland/ Unaccompanied migrant minors stayed in conditions unsuited to their age
In today's Chamber judgment in the case of Sh.D. and Others v. Greece, Austria, Croatia, Hungary, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia (application no. 14165/16) concerning the living conditions in Greece of five unaccompanied migrant minors from Afghanistan, the European Court of Human Rights, unanimously:
- declared the complaints against Austria, Croatia, Hungary, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia inadmissible as being manifestly ill-founded;
- declared the complaints against Greece under Articles 3 and 5 § 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights admissible;
- held that there had been:
A violation of Article 3 (prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment) of the European Convention. Firstly, the Court held that the conditions of detention of three of the applicants in various police stations amounted to degrading treatment, observing that being detained in these places was liable to arouse in the persons concerned feelings of isolation from the outside world, with potentially negative repercussions on their physical and mental well-being. Secondly, the Court held that the authorities had not done all that could reasonably be expected of them to fulfil the obligation to provide for and protect four of the applicants, who had lived for a month in the Idomeni camp in an environment unsuitable for adolescents. That obligation was incumbent on the Greek State with regard to persons who were particularly vulnerable because of their age.
A violation of Article 5 § 1 (right to liberty and security) with regard to three applicants. The Court held that the placement of these three applicants in the police stations amounted to a deprivation of liberty as the Greek Government had not explained why the authorities had first placed the applicants in police stations - and in degrading conditions of detention - rather than in alternative temporary accommodation. The detention of those applicants had therefore not been lawful.
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Written submissions on behalf of Statewatch as third party intervener (Extern länk)
Wiley Online Library 19-02-11:
Nauru/ Pervasive refusal syndrome and Nauru
Professor David Isaacs
Fatima was a happy child who loved school and was a top student. She was 11?years old when she took to her bed, stopped eating and drinking, covered her head with the sheet, stopped washing and started wetting the bed. For months, she would not or could not get out of bed and had to be carried to the toilet. She would not speak to her parents or friends. After over 5 years on Nauru, almost half her life, she had lost control of her destiny, had lost all hope and had lost the will to live. When she was transferred to Australia with her mother, she needed nasogastric tube feeding for a week to maintain hydration and needed a walking aid for 2 months to move around. She gradually began to eat, drink, wash and toilet herself and to socialise. She remained a hospital inpatient for 2 months and is expected to need several more months of intensive outpatient treatment.
Pervasive refusal syndrome is a rare psychiatric condition mainly affecting children aged 7-15?years old, girls three times as often as boys, although the youngest child described is 4 years old. The term pervasive refusal was first used by a British child psychiatrist Bryan Lask and his colleagues to describe four girls aged between 9 and 15 with profound and pervasive refusal to eat, drink, walk, talk or care for themselves over a period of several months. Sydney clinicians who also saw cases proposed now widely accepted diagnostic criteria (Table 1). The condition shares features with but differs from other psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, catatonia, selective mutism and chronic fatigue (Fig. 1). Pervasive refusal syndrome is different from anorexia nervosa, where children are delusional about their weight, but both conditions are potentially life?threatening. Death can result from metabolic derangement due to chronic malnutrition and due to re?feeding syndrome. Re?feeding syndrome was first described in prisoners of war after World War I. Potentially fatal shifts in fluids and electrolytes can cause encephalopathy and cardiac arrest.
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Amnesty International 19-05-17:
Mexiko/ Child death in migration custody suggests eerie parallels with US policy
The first known death of a child detained by Mexican migration authorities under the current presidential administration is a sickening tragedy that demands answers from a government that promised to be more humane to migrants and refugees, said Amnesty International today.
"At a time when children are dying in United States migration custody on the other side of the border, President López Obrador's government is overseeing a crackdown on migrants and refugees that is resulting in the careless treatment of human lives. This suggests an alarming parallel with the current approach of the Trump government," said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty International.
On 16 May, Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) announced that a 10-year-old Guatemalan girl died in hospital, where she was transferred after arriving at Mexico City's migration detention centre in the company of her mother two days earlier, complaining of a sore throat. INM had brought her back from the northern border state of Chihuahua via bus, a trip of nearly 20 hours.
Amnesty International has documented at length the grave risks migrants and asylum-seekers are already facing along the US-Mexico border due to the policies of the US and the acquiescence of Mexico. For its part, on 29 January, the US government commenced the "Remain in Mexico" policy, also known as the "migrant protection protocols", under which US authorities have forcibly returned thousands of asylum seekers to Mexico while they await the final adjudication of their asylum claims in the USA. This policy violates international refugee law. The Mexican government did not refuse to cooperate with this policy.
Jemen/ Amid worsening conditions in Yemen, more Somali refugees opt to return
Almost 4,300 Somali refugees have now returned home from Yemen, since the roll-out in 2017 of an Assisted Spontaneous Return (ASR) programme, facilitated by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in cooperation with humanitarian partners and authorities in Yemen and Somalia.
In the latest departure, a boat carrying 125 Somali refugees departed Aden on Wednesday afternoon. The vessel arrived at the Port of Berbera in Somalia yesterday morning, bringing home men, women and children in time for the Islamic holiday of "Eid" next week, which is observed at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
Those who returned home this week include Somalis who had been born in Yemen to refugee parents, and others who were born in Somalia and who fled to Yemen hoping to escape conflict and insecurity.
With Yemen being the world's largest humanitarian crisis and civilians facing life-threatening conditions, the situation for refugees and asylum seekers and migrants has deteriorated significantly.
Somali refugees comprise 90 per cent of Yemen's refugee and asylum seeker population, or some 250,000 people. Refugee movements from Somalia to Yemen have been taking place since the 1980s. They continued following the outbreak of civil war in Somalia, with many fleeing generalized violence and individualized fear of persecution in addition to the consequences of drought and a lack of livelihood opportunities.
As a long-standing refugee host nation and the only country in the Arabian Peninsula signatory to the Refugee Convention and its Additional Protocol, Yemen currently hosts the world's third largest Somali refugee population.
Europa/ Housing out of reach? The reception of refugees and asylum seekers in Europe
A comparative report published by AIDA, managed by ECRE, provides an update to ECRE's analysis of reception systems in Europe following the steady decrease in arrivals of refugees and asylum seekers in the past three years.
While the past years have undoubtedly exposed a low level of preparedness for large numbers of arrivals of refugees and migrants in most countries, reception practice in 2018 confirms that fluctuations in the numbers of arrivals continue to create important challenges for administrations such as inability to offer accommodation to new asylum seekers, and resort to improvised emergency accommodation. This includes cases where countries have prematurely reduced their reception capacity and have become unprepared to deal with recent increases in arrivals or backlogs of pending cases.
For some countries, shortages in reception capacity are a chronic problem, regardless of fluctuations in arrivals of people seeking protection. As detailed in the report, these countries have systematically been unable to accommodate all asylum seekers on their territory and have embedded emergency accommodation as a permanent component of their system, thereby raising questions of systematic non-compliance with EU law.
Those asylum seekers who obtain a protection status face severe barriers to moving out of reception centres and securing accommodation, a right guaranteed by EU law. High rent prices and reluctance of landlords to rent their property to refugees, as well as legal 'catch 22' situations are frequent in practice. As a result of these barriers, status holders often continue to reside in reception facilities for asylum seekers for prolonged periods. In a number of countries, despite a series of measures established by states to ensure accommodation can be found, the above obstacles create real risks of destitution and homelessness for beneficiaries of protection.
Europarådets parlament 19-06-03:
PACE Committee on Migration expressed concern by the serious threats that migrant children face on their way to Europe, and important gaps in the policies and procedures, "which limit the legal opportunities for migration in Europe and put these children at risk of falling in the hands of smugglers and traffickers". It regretted that a number of European signatories to the Convention on the Rights of the Child "continue to violate their obligations by not providing adequate protection to migrant children and safeguarding their rights".
Following the proposals by the rapporteur Rósa Björk Brynjólfsdóttir (Iceland, UEL), the parliamentarians underlined that the member States of the Council of Europe must abide by the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which includes prioritising the child's best interests and ensuring that "a best interests determination procedure is legislated and implemented for each migrant child".
The parliamentarians stated that local and regional authorities bear a major responsibility in providing necessary protection to migrant children at places of arrival, and reiterated its position condemning violent practices such as detaining migrant children and using invasive methods in age assessment procedures.
There is a need, the Committee said, for a common strategy to be adopted by the governments of the members States of the Council of Europe on how to combat violence against migrant children in all its forms and to ensure the broad and comprehensive protection of their human rights. Such a strategy should include proposals on how to ensure safe and legal entry for migrant children into third States to limit the risk of trafficking and abuse.
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Europarådet 19-05-21:
Ungern/ Commissioner for human rights publishes report on Hungary
Hungary should address interconnected human rights issues in refugee protection, civil society space, independence of the judiciary and gender equality
"Human rights violations in Hungary have a negative effect on the whole protection system and the rule of law. They must be addressed as a matter of urgency," says Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatovi?, in a report published today on her visit to Hungary in February 2019. The report focuses on the human rights of asylum seekers and refugees; human rights defenders and civil society, independence of the judiciary; and gender equality and women's rights.
The Commissioner finds that the government's stance against immigration and asylum seekers has resulted in a legislative framework which undermines the reception of asylum seekers and the integration of recognised refugees. The Commissioner calls on the government to repeal the decreed "crisis situation due to mass immigration" which is not justified by the number of asylum seekers currently entering Hungary and the EU and urges the authorities to refrain from using anti-migrant rhetoric and campaigns which fan xenophobic attitudes.
The Commissioner observes that asylum seekers are constrained to exercise their right to apply for international protection in two transit zones along the fenced Hungarian-Serbian border where very few persons are allowed to enter. She urges the government to extend access to the international protection procedure and to ensure that the protection needs of all asylum seekers present on the territory can be assessed. "The government should repeal the new inadmissibility ground for asylum which has resulted in practically systematic rejection of asylum applications. I am also deeply concerned about repeated reports of excessive use of violence by the police during forcible removals of foreign nationals."
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UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is calling for refugees and migrants in detention centres in conflict areas in Tripoli to be immediately evacuated to safety, after an airstrike hit a target less than 100 metres away from Tajoura detention centre, where over 500 refugees and migrants are being detained.
More than 500 people are currently being held in Tajoura, two of whom were injured and required medical assistance. When the hostilities intensified late last night, refugees and migrants were trapped inside and unable to flee to safety.
Given the ongoing violence in Tripoli and the clear risk to lives, it is now more urgent than ever that those responsible for these centres allow the immediate release of people being held there so they can be moved to safety.
"The risks are simply unacceptable at this point," said Vincent Cochetel, UNHCR Special Envoy for the Central Mediterranean. "People inside detention centres in Tripoli are facing ever-increasing dangers, making it vital that we immediately move them out of harm's way."
Since the onset of the conflict in Tripoli last 4 April, UNHCR has relocated over 1,200 persons from high-risk locations to safer areas. However, some 3,460 refugees and migrants remain in detention centres near to conflict-affected areas.
No evacuations have taken place out of Libya since 146 people were relocated to Italy on 29 April. UNHCR urges the international community to come forward with further offers of humanitarian corridors and relocation.
UNHCR is also concerned at the use of detention centres for storing weapons and military equipment. Utilising civilian infrastructure in this manner constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law and must be avoided at all costs.
Turkiet/ European Commission publishes latest report on Refugee Facility
The European Commission has published the third annual report on the EU Facility for Refugees in Turkey, which provides assistance to applicants for international protection and temporary protection beneficiaries mainly in urban areas. This is done through support in areas including education, health care, registration, and cash assistance programmes such as the Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) and the Conditional Cash Transfer for Education (CCTE).
According to the Turkish Red Crescent (Türk Kžzžlay), one of the main actors managing funds under the Facility, ESSN was disbursed to 1,545,674 beneficiaries and CCTE to 487,089 as of February 2019. 88% of beneficiaries of cash assistance were Syrian temporary protection holders. However, in the final report of the audit of the Facility published in November 2018, the European Court of Auditors concluded that it has not been possible to trace the full extent of use of Facility funding in the ESSN and CCTE.
Under a "protection heading", the Commission's report on the Facility mentions that the Directorate General for Migration Management (DGMM) was able to verify the data of 2.6 million refugees in Turkey with support from the Facility. While the data verification process carried out in collaboration with UNHCR led to 96% of the verification target being met in 2018, stakeholders report that, in large cities such as Istanbul, ?anlžurfa and Hatay, only 50 to 60% of Syrian refugees were covered according to their estimates of numbers of people present there.
At the same time, the latest AIDA Turkey report has documented serious challenges in the registration of those seeking protection. In 2018, large provinces such as Istanbul, Hatay and Mardin have de facto stopped registering and granting documents to newly arriving Syrian refugees, with the exception of vulnerable cases. Non-Syrian asylum seekers face even more severe obstacles to access to the procedure after UNHCR terminated its registration activities in September 2018.
Human Rights Watch 19-04-29:
Sri Lanka/ Refugees threatened - Ensure safety of vulnerable since Easter bombings
The Sri Lankan government should take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of South Asian refugees and asylum seekers from violence. Since the April 21, 2019 Easter Sunday bombings by alleged Islamist militants on churches and hotels that killed more than 250 people, angry crowds have threatened and assaulted primarily Muslim South Asian migrants.
Sri Lankan authorities, as part of broader measures to protect Muslims and other minorities from local reprisals, should ensure the safety of at-risk refugees and asylum seekers, Human Rights Watch said. This includes providing adequate protection to mosques, police stations, and other locations where refugees are staying, transferring them to safer areas, and working closely with humanitarian agencies providing assistance.
"Sri Lankan authorities not only have a responsibility to apprehend those responsible for the heinous Easter Sunday attacks, but also to protect all those now at heightened risk," said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director. "This means providing safe and secure shelter for refugees and asylum seekers, but also taking prompt legal action against anyone who threatens them."
Media and local activists reported that nearly a thousand refugees and asylum seekers were displaced after landlords came under local pressure to evict them. Many have sought safety at nearby mosques or at the police station in Negombo, the western coastal town where one of the deadliest church bombings occurred. The authorities were forced to cease efforts to relocate them to suitable neighboring areas with proper facilities because of protests from local communities. Activists reported that on at least four occasions, busloads of frightened migrants, including many children, older people, and others with special needs, traveling to safer areas had to return to the overcrowded Negombo police station.
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UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today relocated another 150 refugees who were detained in the Abu Selim detention centre in south Tripoli to UNHCR's Gathering and Departure Facility (GDF) in the centre of Libya's capital, safe from hostilities.
The Abu Selim detention centre is one of several in Libya that has been impacted by hostilities since clashes erupted in the capital almost a fortnight ago.
Refugees at the centre told UNHCR that they were petrified and traumatised by the fighting, fearing for their lives.
UNHCR staff who were present and organizing the relocation today reported that clashes were around 10 kilometres away from the centre and were clearly audible.
While UNHCR intended to relocate more refugees, due to a rapid escalation of fighting in the area this was not possible. UNHCR hopes to resume this life-saving effort as soon as conditions on the ground allow.
"It is a race against time to move people out of harm's way. Conflict and deteriorating security conditions hamper how much we can do," said UNHCR's Assistant Chief of Mission in Libya, Lucie Gagne.
"We urgently need solutions for people trapped in Libya, including humanitarian evacuations to transfer those most vulnerable out of the country."
Refugees who were relocated today were among those most vulnerable and in need and included women and children. The relocation was conducted with the support of UNHCR's partner, International Medical Corps and the Libyan Ministry of Interior.
This relocation is the second UNHCR-organized transfer since the recent escalation of the conflict in Libya.
Last week UNHCR relocated more than 150 refugees from the Ain Zara detention centre also in south Tripoli to the GDF, bringing the total number of refugees currently hosted at the GDF to more than 400.
UNHCR 19-04-24: UNHCR evacuates hundreds of detained refugees in Libya to safety (Extern länk)
IOM 19-04-26:
Jemen/ Deep concern as thousands of migrants rounded up in Yemen
Authorities have rounded up and arbitrarily detained over 2,000 irregular migrants, predominantly Ethiopian nationals, in Aden, Yemen, since Sunday, creating an acute humanitarian situation, to which aid organizations are rapidly responding.
IOM is deeply concerned about the conditions in which the migrants are being held and is engaging with the authorities to ensure access to the detained migrants.
"The rights of the people being detained should be respected, and alternatives must be considered," said IOM's Director of Operations and Emergencies Mohammed Abdiker.
"We urge the local authorities to work with the humanitarian community to find safer alternatives to detention and to ensure a full spectrum of protection services are available for those detained, particularly the hundreds of children and approximately 60 women, who have been rounded up."
The detainees, including at least 400 children, were held at Al Mansoura Football Stadium in Aden city. Up to 1,000 people are also being detained at a military camp in neighbouring Lahj governorate, roughly a 35-minute drive from the city.
On Thursday night, local youths opened the gates of Al Mansoura stadium, allowing the migrants to escape. The authorities began rounding up the escaped migrants and are now detaining an unknown number at a second football stadium in the city's Sheik Usman area. IOM is seeking further information on the new location in order to respond to the needs of the detained migrants.
Neither open-air stadium is designed to accommodate large numbers people. Among other concerns, holding thousands there will inevitably create a substantial sanitation problem, risking the spread of disease amongst detainees.
IOM is coordinating the humanitarian community's response and focusing on critical needs, providing basic health care, food and water, and sanitation.
Bangladesh/ Skills project in Cox's Bazar puts Bangladeshi and refugee women first
A new training project in southeast Bangladesh to promote self-reliance among women in communities hosting refugees as well as among Rohingya refugee women has become operational in Cox's Bazar. The project is potentially a game-changer for women in these communities. It is being supported by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
UNHCR has teamed up with the Ayesha Abed Foundation (AAF) - the humanitarian arm of our NGO partner BRAC - to support a programme designed to provide income opportunities by developing skills in craft production.
The project formally began in February. It is now being scaled up. At the main, recently opened, training facility centre in Ukhiya, local Bangladeshi women are taught silk screen, block printing and tailoring. Eighteen sub-centres are being opened in other areas of Cox's Bazar as well as in the refugee camps where refugee women will produce different designs of hand embroidery.
By the end of the first year, the goal is to train 500 women - half of whom are refugees. The ambition is that, if the project is successful, it could expand to train hundreds more. The women receive a small stipend during the six-month training period. UNHCR is funding the programme, but it is hoped the project can break even in the future.
The items that will be produced include embroidery pieces hand-sewn by refugees, and children's, women's and menswear, and household items. The finished products will be sold in one of Bangladesh's best known retail outlets - Aarong - a social enterprise launched by BRAC more than forty years ago to provide income sources to rural women.
In this project Aarong provides the raw materials and designs to the Ayesha Abed Foundation. Half of any profits are transferred to BRAC for its development work, while the remainder is used for investment and employment growth.
Frankrike/ Nearly 90% of calls to Paris phone registration platform missed
The registration of asylum applications in France continues to face severe obstacles, as illustrated by recent statistics on the operation of the telephone registration platform set up by the Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII) in the Ile-de-France region.
Since its launch on 2 May 2018 and until 31 December 2018, the telephone platform answered 61,957 calls and granted 46,139 appointments for registration. The telephone appointment with OFII does not substitute the existing procedural stage prior to registration with Prefectures in France, whereby asylum seekers obtain an appointment with an orientation platform (plateforme d'accueil de demandeurs d'asile, PADA), which then gives them an appointment to appear before the "single desk" (guichet unique de demandeur d'asile, GUDA) at the Prefecture to register their claim.
However, figures ("chiffres noirs") recently made available by the Prefecture of Ile-de-France reveal much higher numbers of calls made to the platform. The number of "eligible calls" received by the telephone service was as high as 571,115 during this period. Numbers of calls increased particularly during the last months of the year: 91,772 in October, 100,713 in November and 84,844 in December.
According to La Cimade, these figures indicate that nearly 90% of calls made to the OFII telephone service until the end of 2018 were unsuccessful. In an order issued in February 2019, the Administrative Court of Paris warned about the risks of "virtual queues" of asylum seekers being created due to the insufficient capacity of the authorities to promptly register their claims.
The updated Country Report on Germany provides a detailed overview of developments in the asylum procedure, reception conditions and detention, as well as content of international protection. The political agreement of 12 March 2018 between German federal coalition partners CDU, CSU and SPD announced plans for a restructuring of the asylum procedure in March 2018. According to the coalition agreement, all asylum seekers should spend the first phase of their procedures in so-called "Arrival, Decision and Return" (AnkER) centres. However, most Federal States refused to implement the concept, claiming that existing institutions (especially the "arrival centres") already fulfilled the purposes that had been set out in the coalition agreement. At the end of 2018, only three Federal States (Bavaria, Saxony and Saarland) had agreed to establish AnkER centres, in most cases just by renaming their existing facilities. Asylum seekers may be required to stay for up to 24 months in AnkER centres if their applications are rejected as manifestly unfounded or inadmissible, with limitations on freedom of movement and no access to the labour market. AnKER centres are drawing important criticism from refugee associations, NGO's and other local actors.
Other key developments in Germany are outlined below:
Applications and decisions: The number of first asylum applications dropped to 161,931 from 198,317 in 2017. In particular, fewer applicants were registered for several of the most important countries of origin of asylum seekers, such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Eritrea. About 35% of decisions resulted in a protection status for applicants, but an exceptionally high number of asylum procedures were abandoned without an examination of the substance of the case (either because the application was considered "inadmissibile" or because the procedure was discontinued for other reasons). If only those procedures in which a decision on the substance of the asylum claim took place are taken into account, the overall recognition rate was at 50.2% in 2018.
ECRE 19-04-26:
In a report published today, ECRE presents the findings of a fact-finding visit to Germany from 1 to 5 April 2019.
This report analyses the model for Arrival, Decision and Municipal Distribution or Return ("AnkER") centres implemented in the Federal State of Bavaria since August 2018. The AnkER approach developed was launched with the aim of increasing efficiency by concentrating all actors involved in the processing of asylum applications at locations where asylum seekers are accommodated. The premise of AnkER centres is that by keeping applicants at the disposal of the asylum authorities the process will be speeded up and result in fast decision-making and clarity on people's perspectives: integration in German society or return to the country of origin or to the another EU country under the Dublin system.
However, the findings of this report suggest that certain aspects of the AnkER approach risk undermining asylum seekers' access to a quality asylum procedure and adequate reception conditions. This results mainly from the increasing linkage between asylum and return from the outset of the procedure. The approach is liable to hinder the provision of guarantees such as access to independent, timely and individual counselling. Its impact on the quality of decision-making is not yet clear, but statistics so far indicate risks that asylum seekers face more restrictive assessments of international protection needs in AnkER centres compared to the rest of Germany. Also, the linkage between asylum and return results in mainstreaming punitive measures which reduce reception conditions available to all residents, and in a dangerous expansion of detention well beyond last resort use in exceptional circumstances.
Europarådets mr-kommissionär 19-04-24:
Commending Bosnia and Herzegovina in its effort to provide shelter and basic services to the high number of arrivals of migrants and refugees, the Secretary General's Special Representative on migration and refugees Tomás Bocek, stressed in a report published today, that access to asylum procedures and support services were limited while adapted accommodation and effective guardianship for unaccompanied children remained a challenge.
"With shelter and basic services provided by different stakeholders, the authorities should better coordinate assistance to migrants and refugees and implement standards for adapted and safe reception facilities for women and children, especially unaccompanied children in Bosnia and Herzegovina", said the Special Representative.
In 2018, Bosnia and Herzegovina became the preferred transit country for migration flows in the Western Balkans with over 24,000 arrivals, which is twenty times more than the year before. In order to cope with the high number of arrivals, new reception facilities were put in place with the financial support of the Council of Europe Development bank (CEB) and the European Union. An estimated 4,000-5,000 people are still in the country waiting for an opportunity to cross the border into Croatia.
Croatia, responsible for the European Union external border, has also registered an increase in arrivals with a total of over 7,500 people registered in 2018, from which only 352 asylum seekers remained in the country.
In 2018, Croatia has focused on policies and measures to prevent unauthorised crossing of the border, and to deter access to its territory. The implementation of these policies and measures has coincided with the emergence of reports of pushbacks.
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Bosnien, Kroatien/ Two Western Balkan countries still struggle with migration flows
AYS 19-04-17: How do the EU Commission's funds manage to bypass those in need? (Extern länk)
Legal Centre Lesvos 19-04-17:
Grekland/ April 2019 Report on Rights Violations and Resistance in Lesvos
Last week, it was reported that in response to criticism the director of the notorious Reception and Identification Centre outside Moria village in Lesvos stated that "anyone who thinks they can do better than us is welcome to try."
What he misses is that it is actually an obligation of the State to provide adequate reception facilities for asylum seekers. It is also an obligation of the state to respect, protect, and ensure the enjoyment of human rights for all residing in its jurisdiction, including all migrants and refugees.
Three years after the EU-Turkey Statement, time has shown that the Greek state, and the European Union in its role implementing European migration policies, have utterly failed to meet these obligations. The horrible conditions and systematic procedural violations are not only morally, but legally unacceptable.
The practices we have documented in the first quarter of 2019 demonstrate a continued policy of dehumanization, discrimination, and structural violence against migrants entering Europe via Lesvos. Below is just a sampling of the continuing violation of migrants we have repeatedly reported on.
/Rapporten innehåller följande avsnitt med analys och fallstudier/
1. Bureaucratic Obstacles to Realizing Rights
2. Identification documents denied to individuals granted status
3. Increased scrutiny of claims under Dublin III delay and deny family reunification
4. Arbitrary Detention Practices and Collective Punishment of Detainees
+ Resistance and Organizing in Greece 3 Years after EU-Turkey Statement
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The updated Country Report on Italy provides a detailed analysis of legislative developments introduced by Decree Law 113/2018, implemented by L 132/2018, as well as practice relating to asylum procedures, reception conditions, detention and content of protection.
Among other elements, the 2018 reform has codified the concept of internal protection alternative for the first time in Italian law. In addition, the humanitarian protection status, frequently granted before the 2018 law reform, has been abolished. The Territorial Commissions may only refer the applicant to the Ministry of Interior for certain national statuses.
Asylum procedure
The 2018 reform has established a border procedure applicable at border areas and in transit zones, which applies to persons apprehended after evading or attempting to evade border controls and to persons coming from a safe country of origin. Several elements of the procedure appear to be incompatible with the recast Asylum Procedures Directive.
It has also introduced an "immediate procedure" for persons under criminal investigation where grounds for detention apply, or for persons subject to a non-definitive conviction for crimes involving acts which may trigger exclusion from international protection. During appeals in the immediate procedure, suspensive effect is not granted, nor can it be requested. Therefore the procedure appears to be incompatible with the recast Asylum Procedures Directive.
Moreover, the 2018 reform has removed the possibility to obtain suspensive effect in appeals against the rejection of subsequent applications. It has also introduced the possibility of automatically declaring inadmissible a subsequent application made "during the execution phase of a removal procedure". This has led to subsequent applications being automatically dismissed by Territorial Commissions but also directly by Questure.
Young refugees should receive temporary support after the age of 18
Recommendation of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers to member states
The Council of Europe member States should provide to young refugees additional temporary support after the age of 18 to enable them to access their rights, advocates the Committee of Ministers in the recommendation on supporting young refugees in transition to adulthood adopted today.
This recommendation was adopted in the broader context of the Council of Europe Action Plan on Protecting Refugee and Migrant Children in Europe (2017-2019) and of its "Youth for Democracy" programme.
The Special Representative of the Secretary General on migration and refugees, Tomás Bocek, said: "It is in the best interest of all of us to enhance the social inclusion of young refugees to make sure they are active members of society and contribute to the improvement of their own situations and those of their host communities. I am pleased to have contributed to the first Council of Europe recommendation in assisting young refugees in their transition to adulthood. It is an effective way of tackling radicalisation and building inclusive societies".
In this recommendation, the Committee of Ministers expressed its deep concern about the young refugees who are among the most vulnerable groups facing continuing risk of violation of their human rights and fundamental freedoms. This situation is particularly difficult for those who are not accompanied or have been separated from their families, and for young refugee women.
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The updated AIDA Country Report on Turkey offers a comprehensive analysis of legislative, policy and practice developments relating to the asylum procedure, reception conditions, detention of asylum seekers, and content of international protection. The report draws on field visits and information collected from stakeholders and legal practitioners in Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Konya, Hatay, Gaziantep, ?anlžurfa, Kayseri, Afyon, Antalya and Mu?la.
Following the inauguration of Turkey's presidential system in 2018, several changes have been made to the authorities in charge of migration and asylum. The role and responsibilities of the Directorate General for Migration Management (DGMM) have been specified a Presidential Decree.
Moreover, the derogation from the principle of non-refoulement for reasons such as public order, security and terrorism, introduced by way of emergency decree in October 2016, was consolidated by law in February 2018. Removal decisions against Syrian and non-Syrian nationals have increasingly been used on these grounds in 2018. The Constitutional Court delivered a pilot judgment in the case of Y.T., on 12 June 2018, launching the pilot procedure to examine whether requests for interim measures it has received stem from a structural problem to protection from refoulement and, if so, what measures can be taken. From the entry into force of the decree until June 2018, the Constitutional Court had received 866 individual applications with requests for interim measures against deportation. Of those, the Court granted interim measures in 784 cases. The Constitutional Court has continued to grant interim measures to prevent deportation of persons in cases involving public order or security, although these were often valid only for several days.
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Libyen/ UNHCR issues appeal for evacuation of detained refugees caught in crossfire
In light of the dramatically worsening security situation in Libya's capital, Tripoli, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is urgently calling for the immediate release of refugees and migrants from places of detention. Many of these facilities are in areas where there is ongoing fighting.
Since the escalation of the conflict in Libya last week, more than 9,500 people have been forced to flee their homes. However, more than 1,500 refugees and migrants are believed to be trapped in detention centres where hostilities are raging.
"These are people in the most vulnerable and dangerous of circumstances. They have fled conflict or persecution in their own countries only to be trapped as conflict engulfs them again," said the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.
"The risks to their lives are growing by the hour. They must be urgently brought to safety. Simply put, this is a matter of life or death."
Detention centres that are in proximity to the fighting include the Ain Zara, Qasr Bin Ghasheer and the Abu Sleim facilities, all located south of Tripoli.
This week, UNHCR has been trying to secure the transfer of vulnerable detained refugees from these centres to safer locations, including to our Gathering and Departure Facility (GDF) in the centre of Tripoli.
To date, only one UNHCR-facilitated relocation of 150 vulnerable refugees from the Ain Zara detention centre to the GDF has been possible.
UNHCR's efforts to secure additional transfers of vulnerable refugees from other detention centres have been frustrated by access and security challenges.
Fighting is hampering movements while the volatile security situation means it is difficult to access refugees in conflict-affected facilities, as well as to arrange their transportation to safer locations.
AYS 19-04-10: 19 600 people remain trapped in Libyan detention center as fighting continues (Extern länk)
Läkare utan Gränser 19-04-11: Trapped refugees must be released and granted safety from Tripoli fighting (Extern länk)
IOM 19-04-05: IOM expresses alarm for safety of libyan civilians and migrants in detention (Extern länk)
IOM 19-04-09: IOM Libya Continues its Emergency Operations (Extern länk)
UNHCR 19-04-09: Amid Libya clashes, UNHCR relocates detained refugees to safety (Extern länk)
The updated AIDA Country Reports on Spain and France document developments in the two countries' asylum systems, against the backdrop of increasing numbers of asylum applications. A total of 55,570 asylum seekers registered applications in Spain, while 139,330 were registered in France.
Key developments in France
Asylum reform: Law n. 2018-778 of 10 September 2018 brought a significant number of changes to the Ceseda. Asylum procedure
Access to the territory: The practice of systematic refusal of entry of persons arriving at the Italian land border continues, despite widespread criticism and condemnation by Administrative Courts. The Border Police has implemented similar measures of push backs on the Spanish land border in the course of 2018. Following the 2018 reform, the right to a "full day" (jour franc) protecting the person against removal can no longer be claimed at land borders.
Accelerated procedure: Applicants under accelerated procedure on grounds of safe country of origin, subsequent application or threat to public order lose their right to remain on French territory from the moment of notification of a negative decision from OFPRA. They may nevertheless request suspensive effect before the Administrative Court for their appeal before the CNDA.
Freedom of movement: Asylum seekers must report to and remain in the region allocated to them by OFII, even if no housing is granted to them. Asylum seekers will automatically lose their reception conditions in case they do not report to or remain in that region, or if they do not abide by the requests of the authorities.
Duration of detention: A person can remain in administrative detention for a maximum of 90 days, up from 45 days prior to the reform.
The updated AIDA reports on Belgium and the Netherlands document the latest developments and practice relating to the reception and treatment of people seeking international protection. Access to the asylum procedure was a particular concern in both countries, as Belgium had introduced a quota for asylum applications and the rest and preparation period currently takes around 12 months in the Netherlands.
Key developments in the Netherlands
Access to the asylum procedure: The rest and preparation period should take maximum 6 days before the regular asylum procedure starts. However, due to capacity problems within the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), the rest and preparation period currently takes around 12 months and thus substantially delays the start of the asylum procedure.
Supervised reception centres: As of 2019, minors that are at least 16 years old can be transferred to the Extra Guidance and Supervision Locations (Extra begeleiding en toezichtlocaties, EBTL). These are special and restricted reception centres for asylum seekers who have caused tensions or any form of nuisance at an AZC, e.g. by bullying other inhabitants, destroying material, being aggressive or violating the house rules of the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA).
Detention centres: During the last months of 2018, there has been a drastic reorganisation of the three detention centres. As of 2019, most immigration detention will take place in Rotterdam. The Dutch Council for Refugees has therefore started providing consulting services to asylum seekers in the Rotterdam detention centre, along with the ones that already existed at the Schiphol detention centre.
Key developments in Belgium
Access to the asylum procedure: In November 2018 the Belgian Aliens Office introduced a quota allowing the registration of no more than 50 asylum seekers per day at the "Petit-Château" / "Klein Kasteeltje" in central Brussels. As a result, more than one hundred people, including families with children, were queuing outside the facility every day, many of them unsuccessfully. Civil-society organisations challenged the measure before the Council of State. On 20 December 2018, the latter concluded that the contested measure was a barrier to the effective exercise of the fundamental right to make an asylum application, as enshrined in the 1951 Geneva Convention and national law. It therefore suspended the measure introducing a cap on the number of asylum applications.
Following the judgment of the Council of State, the authorities did not manage to provide access to the asylum procedure to all applicants on their first day at the Aliens Office. During a couple of weeks, the access to the asylum procedure was therefore automatically refused almost one day per week, during the weekend, or during a holiday period. Asylum applicants, particularly single men, who were refused access were requested to come back the next day and were not accommodated for the night.
The updated Country Report on Austria provides a detailed overview of developments in the asylum procedure, reception conditions and detention, as well as content of international protection.
Length of procedures: The 20-day period for the admissibility procedure was deleted and the in-merit procedure can be carried out during the admissibility procedure. Moreover, the extension of the decision period from 6 to 15 months for the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum (BFA) and to 12 months for the Federal Administrative Court (BVwG) has expired on 31 May 2018. However, it still applies to proceedings that were pending in first instance or in Court at that time.
Appeal: In 2018, the appeal period had been shortened to 2 weeks for accelerated procedures and in cases in which the application for international protection has been refused and a return decision, along with an order to leave the territory, has been issued. However, the Constitutional Court recently overturned the shortening of the appeal period in several decisions, on the ground that it would be disproportionate to extend the decision-taking period of the authorities beyond 6 months, while asylum seekers can only make an appeal within 1 or 2 weeks.
Suspensive effect: An appeal has no suspensive effect in cases where an asylum seeker has attempted to mislead the Federal Office by providing false information or documents, by concealing important information or by withholding documents about his/her identity or nationality.
Detention of asylum seekers
The updated Country Report on Hungary provides a detailed overview of developments in the asylum procedure, reception conditions and detention, as well as content of international protection.
A quasi-state of exception introduced into Hungarian law in September 2015, entitled as the "state of crisis due to mass migration", was again prolonged until 9 March 2019. During this state of crisis special rules apply to third-country nationals irregularly entering and/or staying in Hungary and to those seeking asylum, and certain provisions of Asylum Act are suspended.
A new inadmissibility ground was introduced into the Asylum Act in July 2018, consisting of a hybrid between the safe third country and first country of asylum concepts. Compliance of such a ground with the recast Asylum Procedures Directive was raised in a preliminary reference by the Metropolitan Court, while it also led the European Commission to start an infringement procedure. There is no automatic suspensive effect of the appeals against the inadmissible decision based on the new ground. All asylum seekers applying for asylum after July 2018 have received inadmissible decisions, except for the former Prime Minister of North Macedonia who was granted refugee status.
In 2018, no transfers to Hungary were implemented under the Dublin Regulation. With regard to outgoing Dublin procedures, improvements were noted in the efforts of the Immigration and Asylum Office (IAO) to organise transfers to other countries.
Reception conditions
No major changes occurred. Still very few asylum seekers reside in open reception centres. By the end of 2018, only 3 persons were accommodated at the open reception centres, as the majority of asylum seekers continued to be de facto detained in transit zones.
The updated AIDA Country Report on Croatia details legislative and practice-related developments in asylum procedures, reception conditions, detention of asylum seekers and content of international protection.
Reports of refoulement or push backs at the border have continued in 2018. The Ombudswoman requested an investigation but was denied access to data and information. Non-governmental organisations Are you Syrious and the Centre for Peace Studies, as well as attorneys, accused the Ministry of Interior of putting pressure on human rights organisations and lawyers with the aim of diverting public attention from an investigation into the death of a six-year-old Afghan girl, Madina Hosseini, who died in 2017 after her family was pushed back to Serbia from Croatian territory. The case M.H. v. Croatia was brought by the family of Madina Hosseini before the European Court of Human Rights and was communicated on 11 May 2018.
A new Protocol on the treatment of unaccompanied children was adopted. The protocol establishes am Interdepartmental Commission for the protection of unaccompanied children.
In July 2018, the Ministry of Interior's Independent Sector for Schengen Coordination and EU Funds decided to allocate funding for the implementation of the project Establishing Infrastructure and Capacity Building of the Reception Centre for Asylum Seekers in Mala Gorica within the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund . In accordance with this decision, the Government of the Republic of Croatia plans to build a Reception Centre for asylum seekers near Petrinja, in the place of Mala Gorica.
Access to health care remained a persistent issue for asylum seekers. Mental health has also been highlighted as a key concern.
Grekland/ Greece in denial about police detention of lone kids
Athens fails to act on European Court ruling against detaining migrant kids
The European Court of Human Rights recently confirmed what many have long known: that Greece's practice of locking up unaccompanied migrant and asylum-seeking children in police cells and detention centers leads to serious rights abuses.
But despite that ruling, as of March 30, 82 unaccompanied children were still detained in so-called "protective custody," held in police station cells or immigrant detention centers across the country.
Human Rights Watch has found that detained children are forced to live in unsanitary conditions, often alongside adults they do not know, and can be abused and ill-treated by police. Detention can also have a serious long-term impact on these children, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, memory loss, and harm to their development.
To make things worse, because they are in detention, these kids - who may have suffered horrific experiences while escaping from war zones - are often unable to receive medical treatment, psychological counselling, or legal aid. Few even know the reasons for their detention or how long they will be behind bars.
That's what happened to the nine unaccompanied children - six from Syria, two from Iraq, and one from Morocco, aged between 14 and 17 - who brought a case, protesting both their detention and the conditions of it, to the European Court in 2016.
The court has now finally ruled and found that the children's detention violated their right to liberty and the conditions in the various police stations exposed them to degrading treatment. It rejected the argument that the detention was necessary to protect the children. And it ruled that Greece had violated the kids' right to challenge their detention and seek a remedy for the detention conditions in the police stations.
The updated AIDA Country Report on Greece tracks numerous legislative, policy and practice developments relating to the asylum procedure, reception conditions, detention of asylum seekers, and content of international protection.
Substantial asylum reforms, driven by the implementation of the EU-Turkey statement, took place in 2018. Law 4540/2018 provided the possibility of participation of Greek-speaking EASO personnel in in the regular procedure, and transposed the recast Reception Conditions Directive.
Following an increasing number of cases of alleged push backs at the Greek-Turkish border of Evros in 2017, cases of alleged push backs have been systematically reported in 2018. The persisting practice of alleged push backs has been decried inter alia by UNHCR, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) and the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, the National Commission for Human Rights and civil society organisations.
Access to asylum on the mainland continued to be problematic throughout 2018. Access to the asylum procedure for persons detained in pre-removal centres is also a matter of concern. The average period between pre-registration and full registration was 42 days in 2018.
The average processing time at first instance is reported at about 8.5 months in 2018 Out of the total number of 58,793 applications pending as of the end of 2018, in 80.5% the interview had not taken place. Thus, the backlog of cases pending for prolonged periods is likely to increase in the future.
The updated AIDA Country Report on Cyprus tracks developments in the areas of asylum procedures, reception conditions, detention of asylum seekers and content of international protection, against the backdrop of a significant increase in the number of people seeking asylum in the country.
The number of asylum applications has significantly increased in recent years with 2,871 in 2016, 4,459 in 2017, and 7,761 in 2018, bringing Cyprus first in the per capita number of applications among the 28 EU Member States. The upward trend has continued in early 2019 with 1,090 persons applying in January 2019 compared to 440 in January 2018.
The law on the establishment and operation of the International Protection Administrative Court (IPAC) was enacted in 2018. The new Court is expected to start operating in May 2019 and will take over from the Administrative Court. It has yet to be clarified if the existing backlog of the Administrative Court, which is reported at the end of 2018 to be 555 cases, will be transferred on to the new Court; as had happened in 2016 when the backlog of asylum cases was transferred from the Supreme Court to the Administrative Court, which hampered the speedy examination of asylum cases. If the backlog is indeed transferred it is expected to have similar results.
The Refugee Reviewing Authority remains in operation and continues to receive new cases, with a backlog of 1,490 cases, despite a significantly low number of staff. There is no indication as to when it will cease to receive new cases.
Migrationsverket 19-03-25:
Europadomstolen har tidigare i ett mål avseende överföring av en barnfamilj till Italien enligt Dublinförordningen ansett att den överförande staten måste inhämta individuella garantier om att barnfamiljen kommer att tas om hand på ett sätt som är anpassat till barnens ålder och som beaktade familjens enhet. I ett senare mål ansåg Europadomstolen att de generella utfästelser som Italien gjort var tillräckliga. Inhämtande av individuella garantier behövde därför inte ske.
Italien har i nytt cirkulär till medlemsstaterna lämnat nya generella garantier avseende mottagandet av barnfamiljer som överförs enligt Dublinförordningen. Det är Migrationsverkets uppfattning att dessa garantier är tillräckliga för att överföringar av barnfamiljer enligt Dublinförordningen kan göras utan att individuella garantier inhämtas.
Hämta ställningstagandet (Extern länk)
Key developments in Spain
Access to the territory: In order to respond to the increasing number of arrivals, during 2018 the new Spanish Government started putting in place new resources in order to manage arrivals and to carry out the identification of persons' vulnerabilities in the first days of arrival. Specific facilities for emergency and referral have been created: these are referred to as Centres for the Temporary Reception of Foreigners (Centros de Acogida Temporal de Extranjeros, CATE) and Centres for Emergency Reception and Referral (Centros de Acogida de Emergencia y Derivación, CAED).
Differential treatment of specific nationalities: At the end of 2018, the number of pending claims by Venezuelan nationals was 28,547. On 5 March 2019, the authorities announced a policy granting one-year renewable residence permits "on humanitarian grounds of international protection" to Venezuelan nationals whose asylum applications have been rejected between January 2014 and February 2019.
Over 5,000 Venezuelans have been relocated from Brazil's northern state of Roraima to 17 other states in the country, thanks to an innovative internal relocation programme supported by UNHCR, the UN Refugee agency, civil society and other UN agencies such as IOM, UNFPA and UNDP.
According to official figures, Brazil has received more than 200,000 Venezuelans since 2017. Some 85,000 of them have lodged asylum claims, while some 40,000 have received temporary resident visas.
Venezuelans have left hyperinflation, shortages and political instability and sought safety in Brazil, most making the crossing by land. The flights aim to reduce the floating population in border regions, where many Venezuelans have lived on the streets and in hostels, with limited opportunities.
On Wednesday (March 13), an aircraft from the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) took off with 225 Venezuelans from Boa Vista (the capital of the State of Roraima, some 200 kilometres from the border with Venezuela). The refugees and migrants chose to go to 13 different cities in Brazil and air transport was organized accordingly. More flights are scheduled over the next weeks.
The voluntary relocation initiative began in April 2018 and now involves 50 different cities all over Brazil. It was designed to reduce the pressure on host communities in the north of Brazil, where refugees and migrants have been arriving from Venezuela, compelled to flee their country due the difficult socio-economic, human rights and political situation.
UNHCR plays a key role in the implementation and coordination of Brazil's internal relocation programme notably by identifying eligible beneficiaries among the residents of temporary shelter sites in Boa Vista and ensuring that people have the required documentation for travel.
AIDA 19-03- 14:
The updated Country Report on the United Kingdom provides a detailed account of developments in the area of asylum procedures, reception conditions, detention and content of protection.
Two new policies were introduced in relation to unaccompanied children brought by the UK government from other EU Member States. The first states that children transferred under Section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 ('Dubs Amendment') would be granted leave even if they do not qualify for refugee or subsidiary protection. The second provides for similar leave to be granted to children transferred here when the Calais camp was cleared in October 2016.
Revised guidance in relation to inadmissibility, including the safe third country concept, policy and practice was published in October 2018. The Home Office also published updated guidance on the registration of asylum applications.
The Upper Tribunal found in the case of SM that the situation of a particularly vulnerable person warranted suspension of a Dublin transfer to Italy, as circumstances were "markedly different" from established High Court case law on transfers to Italy.
There are no substantive differences in relation to the overall support available to asylum seekers, although significant developments include a successful legal challenge to the level of financial support given to people who are recognised as likely victims of modern slavery (trafficking).
Serbien/ AIDA 2018 Update: Romania & Serbia
The updated AIDA reports on Romania and Serbia track legislative developments and practice relating to the treatment of people in need of international protection. Access to the territory remains a critical regional problem, as successive push backs continue to be reported at the borders of the two countries, as well as others such as Bulgaria.
Läs mer och hämta rapporterna (Extern länk)
Rumänien/ AIDA 2018 Update: Romania & Serbia
On the eve of the foreign ministers' meeting at the third Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region, three UN Principals today warned that the Syria crisis is not yet over and called for sustained and large-scale support to vulnerable Syrians, refugees and the communities hosting them.
As the crisis enters its ninth year, humanitarian needs inside Syria remain at record levels with 11.7 million people in need of some form of humanitarian aid and protection. Some 6.2 million people are internally displaced and more than 2 million boys and girls are out of school in Syria. An estimated 83 percent of Syrians live below the poverty line, and people are increasingly vulnerable due to the loss or lack of sustained livelihoods.
"Without an immediate and substantial injection of funds, life-saving provisions of food, water, health care, shelter and protection services will likely be interrupted," said UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock. "It is vital that the international community remains by the side of every woman, man, girl and boy in Syria who need our help to meet the very basic requirements of a dignified life. If donors provide the funding, we can implement the plans to help achieve that."
The situation is also driving the largest refugee crisis in the world. There are over 5.6 million Syrian refugees and up to 3.9 million impacted members of host communities in the neighbouring countries.
The UN is therefore urgently seeking increased funding to help people in need through a US$3.3 billion appeal for the response inside Syria, and a $5.5 billion refugee and resilience plan for the neighbouring countries.
UNHCR 19-03-09: UN High Commissioner for Refugees calls for continued support for Lebanon (Extern länk)
Support for refugees in Egypt is under severe pressure due to increased arrivals and inadequate resources, warned UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today.
Ongoing conflicts in Yemen and in Sub-Saharan Africa have forced more people to flee to Egypt. Over the past two years the number of registered refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt has increased by 24 per cent.
Meanwhile, current refugee programmes in Egypt which are meant to assist and protect a quarter of a million refugees, more than half of whom are Syrian with others from Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan and Yemen, are just four per cent funded.
The surge in the refugee population coupled with funding shortfalls are leaving many refugees without critical support and protection.
"I am deeply troubled by the fact that eight out of 10 refugees in Egypt are living in desperate humanitarian conditions. They cannot meet even their most basic needs. Putting bread on the table is a daily challenge," said the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.
"These refugees require timely and adequate humanitarian assistance. Yet, right now we are unable to provide them with the bare essentials or maintain our core refugee protection programmes in this country".
Two months into 2019, UNHCR is operating with only a fraction of its annual USD104.2 million budget to support and protect refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt.
Despite Egypt's hospitality and support to refugees, including through the provision of free education and access to health care on an equal footing with Egyptians, many refugees struggle to feed their families, to send their children to school and to keep themselves sheltered. Many are rapidly sinking into debt and poverty, forcing them to resort to most desperate measures to survive, including child labour, early marriages, or are being forced to turn to the streets.
MSF / ECRE 19-03-01
Europa/ unsafe situation of migrants increases their psychological pain and suffering
A Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) report demonstrates that the poor living conditions and the insecure situation in which migrants and asylum seekers find themselves in Belgium and Europe damages their mental health.
All 47 migrants and asylum seekers interviewed for the report have witnessed or were victims of violence in their country of origin and/or on their way to Europe and/or in Europe and 25 per cent stated that their mental health problems continue to worsen and is directly linked to their situation in Europe and in Belgium. The mental health of the migrants interviewed is negatively affected by a combination of fear of Dublin transfers and police interventions, inhumane living and reception conditions, discrimination and violence, and the lack of opportunities and support.
The interviewed migrants and asylum seekers have no or limited contact with the outside world, there is a lack of trust towards governmental agencies and other organisations, and they do not have access to information on their rights or the asylum procedure nor access to medical and mental health care. With deterrence policies and lack of support they find themselves in what MSF calls "an endless escape". One of the estimated 700 migrants residing around the Maximillian Park and at the Brussels Northern Train Station states: "I just want to find a place where I will be treated as a human being, regardless of its location."
Irland/ AIDA 2018 Update: Ireland
The updated AIDA Country Report on Ireland tracks the latest developments and challenges faced by the Irish asylum system in the procedure and reception, months after the first-ever transposition of the recast Reception Conditions Directive into domestic law.
The International Protection Office continues to deal with cases lodged prior to the International Protection Act 2015 commencement, in addition to steadily increasing new arrivals. According to most recent official data, due to the transitional case backlog, persons who made an application after January 2017 and whose cases fall outside of the prioritisation criteria will likely be waiting at least 18-20 months before they receive a date for their substantive interview. However, in the experience of the Irish Refugee Council's casework, applicants who successfully request prioritisation have been granted an interview within two to six months.
Ireland transposed the recast Reception Conditions Directive into Irish law through the enactment of the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018. While the Regulations provide a new statutory basis for Direct Provision, in many respects, the transposition of the Reception Conditions Directive has not changed the existing structure of reception in Ireland. That being said, the Regulations do provide for a number of legislative guarantees that did not previously exist in the Irish reception context, such vulnerability assessments; appeals related to reception conditions; provisions for withdrawal and restriction of reception conditions; and provisions on detention conditions. The extent to which these provisions are being effectively implemented as of early 2019 appears to be limited in the experience of Irish Refugee Council casework.
Frankrike/ fails to protect an unaccompanied child breached article 3 of the convention
On 28 February, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in case Khan v. France (application no. 12267/16) that the failure of the French authorities to provide care for an unaccompanied minor in the Calais refugee camp was in breach of Article 3 of the Convention.
The applicant, an Afghan national, had left his country to seek asylum in Europe and arrived in Calais, France, where he remained hoping to reach the United Kingdom. In 2015, following pressure from a number of NGOs, the Lille Administrative Court ordered the Pas-de-Calais Prefect to determine the number of unaccompanied minors in distress and to co-operate with the Pas-de-Calais Department in placing them in care. Additionally, an NGO also lodged an application for a provisional care order on behalf of the applicant with the Children's Judge, who granted the request. The authorities, however, did not act on the aforementioned two orders.
The applicant complained before the ECtHR that the authorities' failure to comply with the orders to provide provisional care amounted to a violation of the duty to protect under Article 3 of the Convention. The Court rejected the French government's contention that the domestic remedies had not been exhausted, emphasising the domestic authorities' automatic obligation to protect with regard to unaccompanied children under Article 3 of the Convention. Noting the particularly difficult conditions in which the child had found himself and the NGO's move to request an order, the Court concluded that the applicant did what could reasonably be expected of him in the light of the requirements of exhaustion of remedies.
The updated AIDA country report on Poland maps the latest developments in the asylum procedure, reception conditions, detention and status of persons obtaining international protection in Poland.
Access to the territory and to the asylum procedure remains problematic at the Terespol border crossing border point between Poland and Belarus. Notwithstanding several interim measures imposed by the ECHR on the Polish authorities prohibiting removal where the applicant expressed an intention to apply for asylum, this practice continued in 2018 and the Commissioner for Human Rights as well as NGOs continued to challenge this practice. A May 2018 judgment of the Supreme Administrative Court, dismissing Border Guard practice whereby only a memo instead of a full protocol is issued concerning interviews to establish the purpose of stay, is ignored by the Polish authorities on the basis that this is not required under the Schengen Borders Code.
In 2018 asylum seekers continued to face obstacles in accessing state funded free legal aid, while lack of funding for NGOs further undermined their capacity to provide legal assistance.
Schweiz/ AIDA 2018 Update: Switzerland
The updated AIDA Country Report on Switzerland documents the latest developments in policy and practice, as the country is preparing for transition to a large-scale restructuring of its asylum procedure of 1 March 2019.
In April 2018, as part of the restructuring of the asylum system, the state Secretariat for Migration (SEM) launched a second test phase of the accelerated procedure - following on from the first test phase in Zurich - in the federal centres of Boudry and Chevrilles, both located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. The accelerated procedure itself is conducted in Boudry while the purpose of the centre of Chevrilles is to accommodate asylum seekers while they are waiting either for a decision or for their return to the Dublin State responsible or to their country of origin
The Federal Administrative Court confirmed the Swiss practice of determining age assessment by mostly relying on medical procedures such as wrist, collarbone and teeth X-rays even if such an approach is not entirely respondent to international best practices.
The first specific centre for uncooperative asylum seekers opened its doors in Les Verrières, Canton of Neuchâtel on 3 December 2018. The SEM has indicated that only men would be placed in such centres. As it is still too early to learn from the experience currently underway in Les Verrières, it will be necessary to carefully examine whether adequate access to legal assistance and adequate residence conditions are ensured in centres which are geographically isolated.6
Content of international protection
In 2018, SEM launched a project to review the temporary admission of 3,400 Eritrean nationals. This project follows a significant tightening of the practice of both SEM and Federal Administrative Court with regard to asylum applications submitted by Eritreans.
Asylnytt 19-03-18:
Överföringar till Ungern har i praktiken inte verkställts på länge. Enligt en rättslig kommentar från 2017 kunde beslut fattas om överföring men besluten verkställdes inte på grund av förhållandena som rådde för asylsökande i Ungern. Redan dessförinnan hade verkställigheter stoppats på grund av att Ungern inte tog emot. Detta har lett till att asylsökande som rest in i EU via Ungern eller kommit med ungersk visering har fått vänta minst sex månader innan de fått söka asyl i Sverige. Enligt Migrationsverkets nya kommentar så är Dublinförordningens klausul om "systematiska brister i asylförfarandet och i mottagningsvillkoren för asylsökande" tillämplig på Ungern. Det är sådana brister att den som skickas till Ungern riskerar omänsklig eller förnedrande behandling enligt EU:s rättighetsstadga. Bakom bedömningen ligger både förhållandena i Ungerns transitzoner och Ungerns rättsprocess som i praktiken hindrar prövning för asylsökande som passerat Serbien. Ungern har fällts i flera internationella instanser och det pågår ett stort antal mål.
Hämta kommentaren, SR 06/2019 (Extern länk)
The updated AIDA Country Report on Slovenia provides the latest developments in the country concerning the asylum procedure, reception conditions, detention and content of international protection.
In 2018 no legislative changes were made, however the increase of asylum seekers in Slovenia affected the asylum system in all areas. During the large increase of arrivals asylum seekers in average waited up to 7 days to lodge their applications. While waiting to lodge their application, they were de facto detained on the premises of the Asylum Home or its branch.
The number of persons being processed in the accelerated procedure in which their applications were rejected as manifestly unfounded also rose. Most of the applicants processed in the accelerated procedure were from Algeria and Morocco.
The increase of asylum seekers affected the pre-reception conditions: the lack of capacities in case of a large number of arrivals resulted in lower hygienic standards and health risks which were one of the main problems in the first half of 2018.
Due to the large increase of the number of arrivals the number of persons detained also rose. As mantioned above de facto detention of persons waiting to lodge their application was also one of the main challenges in 2018.
The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) has published the seventh annual report on the right to asylum in the Republic of Serbia, containing an overview and analysis of the protection of refugees in the country in 2018.
The report is based on information the BCHR team collected while providing advice to asylum-seekers and has been published with the support of the UN Refugee Agency. It summarizes relevant figures and offers analyses of access to asylum for children, the application of the 'Safe Third Country' concept and material reception conditions in Serbia.
Sonja To?kovi?, Director of the BCHR, points out, the most important development in 2018 was the adoption of new laws on Asylum and Temporary Protection, on Foreigners and on Border Control. The endorsement of the Asylum and Temporary Protection law has given persons under subsidiary protection the same rights as those with refugee status, the report says.
The BCHR, which made proposals for the drafting of the new legislation, finds that the new laws have achieved an improvement of the asylum system. However, they note that most of the actions taken by the government in the field of refugee protection are focused on humanitarian aid and accommodation, whereas structural solutions and clear migration policies have not been implemented. The NGO has also recently published the Human Rights in Serbia 2018 report.
From January to November 2018, 7.651 persons lodged an asylum application in the Republic of Serbia. The highest number of people seeking asylum or transiting the country in 2018 originated from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. The number of people from Iran increased due to changes in the visa regime between both countries.
Hämta rapporten (Extern länk)
Grekland/ violated convention by placing minors in custody not addressing ill-treatment
On 28 February, the European Court of Human Rights delivered its judgment in the H.A. and others case v. Greece (application no. 19951/16), regarding the detention conditions of unaccompanied minors in police stations.
The case concerned nine unaccompanied minors of Syrian, Moroccan and Iraqi nationalities who were apprehended at Greece's borders and were placed under protective custody in police stations in Northern Greece, before being transferred to the Diavata refugee camp. The applicants complained under Artic les 3, 5 and 13 that the detention conditions and ill-treatment by police officers, as well as the lack of effective remedy, violated the Convention.
With regard to the applicants' placement under protective custody, the Court analysed its relevant jurisprudence on immigration detention in police stations, as well as the general standards set by the CoE Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), and concluded that their detention in police stations violated Article 3 of the Convention. In this respect, the Court noted that the applicants were detained for prolonged periods of time in police cells that were entirely inappropriate for minors. It further observed that the problem of protective custody is persistent in Greece due to the absence of appropriate facilities and underlined the CPT's findings on the lack of psychosocial support in that context. On the implication of Article 13, the Court noted that the absence of an administrative report on the protective custody measure meant that the applicants had no way of knowing when their detention would end and whether the measure imposed was unreasonable. Consequently, the administrative procedure, as well as the quick dismissal of the case by the Prosecutor, led the Court to find a violation of Article 13 in conjunction with Article 3.
FRA 19-03-11:
In November 2016, FRA formulated 21 individual opinions to address the fundamental rights shortcomings identified in the implementation of the hotspot approach in Greece and Italy. Despite genuine efforts to improve the situation since November 2016, many of the suggestions contained in the 21 opinions FRA formulated at the time remain valid.
Taking the situation in both EU Member States together, FRA finds that only three issues were properly addressed. On eight opinions, there have been developments without resulting in significant improvements on the ground. In 10 out of 21 opinions, there was no significant progress.
More specifically, the main changes and/or persisting challenges in the five areas FRA highlighted in 2016 are:
+ International protection
+ Child protection
+ Identification of vulnerable people
+ Security
+ Return and readmissions
Hämta dokumentet (Extern länk)
The updated AIDA Country Report on Bulgaria provides the latest developments and persisting gaps in the asylum procedure, reception conditions, detention and content of protection in Bulgaria.
Shortcomings in the Bulgarian asylum system have led to a European Commission letter of formal notice on 8 November 2018 for non-compliance with EU law, raising concerns related to: accommodation and legal representation of unaccompanied children; correct identification and support of vulnerable asylum seekers; provision of adequate legal assistance; and detention of asylum seekers, as well as safeguards in detention procedures
Push backs, violence, robbery and humiliating practices continue to be widespread along the border with Turkey. Low new arrivals figures in Bulgaria in the first half of 2018 and the triple increase in the second half indicate unofficial, though effective, cross-border cooperation between Bulgarian and Turkish governments to fully prevent the access through this external EU border, at least for the duration of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council.
Nationalities from countries such as Turkey, Ukraine, China and Algeria are treated as manifestly unfounded, with 0% recognition rates. The recognition rate of Afghan asylum seekers improved from 1.5% in 2017 to 24% overall in 2018, but still only as a result of litigation before domestic courts, and still far below the average EU rates. Recognition of Iraqi applicants continued to be very low with 12% overall recognition - 3% refugee status and 9% subsidiary protection.
The updated AIDA Country Report on Malta provides the latest developments in the country concerning the asylum procedure, reception conditions, detention and content of international protection.
In 2018, the debate on asylum was dominated by a number of stand-offs between the Malta and Italy over the disembarkation of migrants rescued at sea, following the decision of the new Italian government to no longer accept disembarkation on its territory of persons rescued within the Maltese territorial waters or by the Maltese Armed Forces. Beyond the fact that the safety and health of migrants and ship's crew were put at risk, Maltese NGO's have highlighted several flaws the treatment of the migrants concerned following disembarkation in Malta following ad hoc informal relocation agreements with other EU Member States.
In practice, many asylum seekers were prevented from having access to the asylum procedure in Malta and could not lodge an asylum application. Having no access to the procedure, these potential asylum seekers were systematically detained (at times for prolonged periods of time) and they had limited access to assisting NGOs and lawyers. They also lacked information regarding the rights and obligations of asylum seekers prescribed by Maltese and EU law as well.
Rwanda/ Police officers remain free while protesting Congolese refugees face jail time
Police officers who shot at Congolese refugees protesting cuts to the subsistence allowances and support they received must be investigated and held to account, Amnesty International said, one year after at least 11 refugees were killed in Karongi town and Kiziba refugee camp in western Rwanda.
While no official investigation has been published into the killing of protesters, at least 63 refugees are facing charges in connection with the protests which range from 'participating in and organizing illegal demonstrations' to 'spreading false information with intent to create a hostile international opinion against the Rwandan government'. They are also charged with 'violence against public authorities'.
"Instead of accusing refugees of tarnishing the image of Rwanda, the authorities should investigate how 11 refugees ended up dead during a protest manned by police officers, and hold those responsible for the killings accountable," said Sarah Jackson, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes.
Amnesty International 19-02-22: Investigate Killings of Refugees (Extern länk)
A survey conducted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) between 25-30 January near the border crossing flanked by Tecún Umán (Guatemala) and Suchiate (Mexico) revealed that just over half (51.6%) of approximately 5,000 Central American migrants waiting at that border crossing to receive the humanitarian card of the Mexican government, only left their country as part of the 'migrant caravans'.
Between January 14 and 16, migrants from Honduras and El Salvador left their homes with the hope of reaching Mexico and the United States of America, in the first 'migrant caravans' of 2019.
In response to the situation, the government of Mexico established a migration policy for entry into that country using a card for humanitarian reasons. The survey was applied mostly to people who were waiting for the delivery of this immigration document.
The survey indicates that the main reasons for migration are the search for labour opportunities (68%), education (11.8%) and better living conditions (10%). Additionally, 68.3 per cent of people indicate that in the last 12 months they had to change their residence in their country of origin due to some incident related to violence or insecurity.
The migrants said they needed water, food, clothing, health and accommodation to allow them to continue their journey in decent conditions. The regularization of their immigration status, obtaining a humanitarian visa and access to the refuge or asylum application in Mexico was the last identified need to enable them to continue to their destinations.
Of the people surveyed, 67 per cent said they did not know the procedures and protection requirements in Mexico and 65.3 per cent did not receive information about their rights as migrants. The main nationalities reported are Honduran (72.2%), Guatemalan (12.2%) and Salvadoran (11.7%).
The survey was applied to more than 800 people of this latest migratory flow, using IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) methodology.
The Australian government has suffered a historic defeat, as parliament voted on Monday to pass a bill that will make it easier for doctors to evacuate critically ill refugees from offshore processing centers on Manus and Nauru Island. However, in the same week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said the government will reopen the Christmas Island detention centre in the Indian Ocean.
Australia's ruling Liberal government lost its first substantive vote on the floor of the House of Representatives since 1929, after Labour and the crossbench MPs supported a bill that will give doctors more power to recommend medical transfers of refugees and asylum-seekers confined to off-shore centres on the islands of Nauru and Manus. Having witnessed numerous suicide attempts, untreated illnesses, and cases of resignation syndrome within children, medical professionals said in November the health situation in these facilities was "beyond desperate."
Despite receiving widespread attention and condemnation by some as a risk to national security, in fact the bill is limited in scope- it will reportedly only apply to some 1,000 people who are already on the two islands, but not to any new people arriving by boat. Nor will it mean that those deemed in need of transfer will be free from detention- the legislation says that "any transitory person who is brought to Australia for a temporary purpose must be kept in immigration detention while in Australia".
The bill was passed in Australia's lower house by a vote of 75 to 74. Labor leader Bill Shorten said ensuring that people in offshore detention had access to proper medical treatment was a test of national character; "It is about how we treat sick people in our care." Liberal Scott Morrison argued that the bill would increase the number of deaths at sea by encouraging people to try to reach Australia by boat; "My job now is to do everything within my power, and the power of the government, to ensure that what the Parliament has done to weaken our borders does not result in boats coming to Australia".
Responding to news that the government of Nauru has passed a law severely restricting medical transfers to Australia for refugees and asylum seekers, Meghna Abraham, Director of Global Thematic Issues at Amnesty International, said:
"This move by the Nauru government is a dangerous and callous act that could have deadly consequences for the women, men and children whom Australia has exiled there.
"Nauru has failed to provide refugees with the health care they desperately need. Denying them medical transfers is yet another blow and demonstrates just how far the human rights of refugees have slipped down Nauru and Australia's agendas.
"Australia's offshore detention policy has cost lives. The government's defeat in parliament last week shows that this deadly game is up. The real solution is for Australia to stop these unlawful and inhumane detention techniques, and ensure refugees and asylum seekers held on Nauru and Manus Island can access the health care and sanctuary they are entitled to."
The Administrative Court of Paris issued an order on 14 February 2019, following an urgent action (référé-liberté) brought by several civil society organisations against obstacles to accessing the telephone appointment platform set up by the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII) for the registration of asylum applications in the Ile-de-France region.
OFII inaugurated a telephone appointment system for the Ile-de-France region in May 2018. The telephone appointment with OFII does not substitute the existing procedural stage prior to registration with Prefectures in France, whereby asylum seekers obtain an appointment with an orientation platform (plateforme d'accueil de demandeurs d'asile, PADA), which then gives them an appointment to appear before the "single desk" (guichet unique de demandeur d'asile, GUDA) at the Prefecture to register their claim. The telephone platform only gives applicants an appointment with the PADA via text message. It therefore constitutes an additional administrative layer in an already complex registration process.
NGOs have criticised the telephone platform as inefficient, referring to people unsuccessfully attempting to call several times, or waiting for over half an hour on the phone before speaking to OFII. In addition, despite initial announcements of free-of-charge access, calls to the telephone platform are charged 0.06 € per minute by phone operators. The cost can be exorbitant for asylum seekers given that they have no access to reception conditions before their claim is registered and are often destitute.
The organisations requested interim measures from the Administrative Court to prevent the violation of the right to asylum stemming from the obstacles to access to the asylum procedure. Barriers to asylum seekers' access to registration in Paris have been successfully litigated in previous years.
Tyskland/ German "AnKER Centres" drawing increasing critique
Six months after their creation in August 2018, the so-called German "AnKER centres" are drawing criticism from refugee associations, NGO's and other local actors.
The Bavarian Refugee Council recently described the AnKER centres as "camps with undignified and inhumane living conditions" with reference to asylum seekers not being allowed to cook, to work or to receive visits. Policing, security, privacy and staff violence are further critical issues in the centres, as evidenced by the deployment of 100 policemen and 60 firefighters in the AnkER centre of Bamberg which led to 12 injured on 11 December 2018. Of particular concern are the living conditions in AnKER-Dependancen that due to their isolated locations, are severely hindering freedom of movement as well as integration. Further, issues have been raised about the protection of vulnerable asylum seekers and the availability of or poor quality of German classes. Peter Neher, Director of Caritas Germany, also criticised the length of stay in AnKER centres where persons with a low recognition rate (e.g. nationals of safe countries of origin or applicants whose claims are deemed manifestly unfounded) can be held in AnKER centres for several months - if not for years.
The AnKER centres were established following the coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and the SPD of 7 February 2018 and the "Masterplan on Migration" of 4 July 2018. While the main purpose is to centralise all activities at one location and to shorten the asylum procedure, the immediate consequence has been "a total disregard of the minimum reception conditions to which asylum seekers are entitled to", a member of the Bavarian Refugee Council said.
Artikeln med källor och länkar (Extern länk)
Heinrich Böll Stiftung 19-02-21:
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has been part of the "Balkan route" for smuggling people, arms and drugs for decades, but also a migrant route for people who have been trying to reach Western Europe and the countries of the EU in order to save their lives and secure a future for themselves. While in 2015, when millions of people arrived in Europe over a short period of time, BiH was bypassed by mass movements, the situation started changing after the closure of the EU borders in 2016, and later on, in 2017, with the increase of violence and push backs in Croatia, and other countries at the EU borders. This report offers insight into the situation on the field: is there a system responsible for protection, security, and upholding fundamental human rights? What has the state response been like? What is the role of the international community?
CPT / Europarådet 19-02-18:
The Council of Europe's European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) acknowledges significant on-going challenges that the Greek authorities face to deal with the high number of foreign nationals arriving in the country, but based on a visit in April last year, it received yet more credible allegations of physical ill-treatment by the police, including slaps, punches, kicks and baton blows.
In this new CPT report, published along with a Greek government response, the allegations related primarily to detention places in the Evros region (the Fylakio Pre-removal Centre, Fylakio Reception and Identification Centre (RIC) and Tychero Police and Border Guard Station) and on Lesvos (Moria Pre-removal Centre). The CPT recommends that Greece take "vigorous steps" to stamp out ill-treatment of foreign nationals deprived of their liberty by the police (see also the executive summary of the report).
Läs pressmeddelandet från CPT och hämta rapporten samt Greklands svar (Extern länk)
ECRE 19-02-22: Greece: CPT repeats condemnation of inhuman detention conditions in latest report (Extern länk)
Mexiko/ Accommodating asylum-seekers and migrants with disabilities
Carlos Ríos Espinosa, Senior Researcher and Advocate, Disability Rights Division
"If I stayed in Honduras, I was going to die," said José Medrano (not his real name), a 31-year-old man with a physical disability and a wheelchair user I met last week in a shelter for asylum seekers and migrants in Mexico City. He complained of his home country's lack of rehabilitation services and substandard medical treatment.
José is among hundreds of Central Americans heading to the United States-Mexico border as part of what is being called the first "migrant caravan" of 2019. He is one of many people with disabilities traveling through Mexico to the US.
José told me that although the shelter staff provide him with adequate medication and supplies, he is having difficulty getting food. He has spinal cord and digestive tract injuries resulting from a car accident in 2009 and requires a diet of soft foods. The shelter provides only one meal choice, which regularly includes meat. Sometimes Medrano only ate one meal a day and ate with difficulty.
On his way to the US, José will travel through different cities and stop at numerous shelters to rest and recover from the long walks. When I visited Tijuana in December 2018, I saw firsthand what might await him at these other stops. People with disabilities I encountered in two different shelters in Tijuana faced serious challenges in accessing basic services, including food and sanitary facilities.
Mexico made a commitment under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to protect persons with disabilities in emergency situations, ensuring they have access to services on an equal basis with others. Mexico should ensure it is identifying asylum seekers and migrants with disabilities, to provide them with accessibility and personal assistance.
En utvisning till Italien har stoppats av FN:s kommitté mot tortyr (CAT). Det gäller en etiopier som fängslats 2006-2008 och utsatts för svår tortyr som han fortfarande lider men av. Han släpptes då han var i dålig kondition och flydde för att inte gripas igen. Efter resan genom öknen och över havet fick han vård i Italien för sina skador från resan men inte för tortyrskadorna. Trots att han fick asyl med flyktingstatus bodde han på gatan i tre år. När han sökte asyl i Schweiz fick han psykiatrisk vård under proceduren men när han skickades tillbaka till Italien hamnade han på gatan igen. Samma sak hände när han försökt i Norge. Nu är han tillbaka i Schweiz som åter beslutat om utvisning. Schweiz har framfört att mannen inte riskerar livet eller att utsättas för tortyr samt att rätt till vård inte betyder rätt till specifik vård i ett visst land. Men CAT påpekar att alla regler om non-refoulement innefattar fler risker än tortyr, såsom grym, inhuman eller förnedrande behandling. I italien är asylmottagandet undermåligt och tortyroffer identifieras inte. Den schweiziska staten borde ha tagit reda på hur han som tortyroffer skulle behandlas. CAT bedömer att det skulle bryta mot artiklarna 3, 14 och 16 att utvisa mannen till Italien.
Läs eller hämta beslutet, på franska (Extern länk)
Human Rights Watch 19-01- 21:
Libyen/ Nightmarish detention for migrants, asylum seekers
European Union policies contribute to a cycle of extreme abuse against migrants in Libya, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The EU and Italy's support for the Libyan Coast Guard contributes significantly to the interception of migrants and asylum seekers and their subsequent detention in arbitrary, abusive detention in Libya.
The 70-page report, "'No Escape from Hell': EU Policies Contribute to Abuse of Migrants in Libya," documents severe overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, malnutrition, and lack of adequate health care. Human Rights Watch found violent abuse by guards in four official detention centers in western Libya, including beatings and whippings. Human Rights Watch witnessed large numbers of children, including newborns, detained in grossly unsuitable conditions in three out of the four detention centers. Almost 20 percent of those who reached Europe by sea from Libya in 2018 were children.
"Migrants and asylum seekers detained in Libya, including children, are trapped in a nightmare, and what EU governments are doing perpetuates detention instead of getting people out of these abusive conditions," said Judith Sunderland, associate Europe director at Human Rights Watch. "Fig-leaf efforts to improve conditions and get some people out of detention do not absolve the EU of responsibility for enabling the barbaric detention system in the first place."
In a letter to Human Rights Watch as the report went to print, the European Commission indicated that its dialogue with Libyan authorities has focused on respect for the human rights of migrants and refugees, that the EU's engagement in Libya is of a humanitarian nature, and that concrete improvements have been achieved though challenges remain.
Hela presmeddelandet (Extern länk)
Hämta rapporten "No Escape from Hell" (Extern länk)
Läkare utan Gränser 19-01-23: Refugees returned to overcrowded Libyan detention centres (Extern länk)
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in coordination with other UN Agencies and the Brazilian Army, organized its first charter flight to relocate 100 Venezuelans. The flight departed from Roraima's capital of Boa Vista on 2 February, to Campo Grande, State of Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil.
The charter flight was part of IOM's support to the 'Operação Acolhida' (Operation "Well Received" or "Welcomed"), a voluntary relocation strategy led by the Brazilian Government, implemented with the support of UN Agencies and civil society.
This strategy began in April 2018 and has relocated over 4,300 Venezuelans from Brazil's northern Roraima State to other Brazilian jurisdictionss. At the beginning of the strategy, transportation was handled exclusively by Air Force aircraft. But as demand and necessity increased, IOM started to provide tickets on commercial flights, assisting 302 Venezuelans in recent months.
This new introduction of charter flights has the potential to scale up the relocation process, which will continue support for voluntary relocation efforts by the Government of Brazil.
This weekend's IOM's charter flight relocated the largest number yet of Venezuelans, who also had been pre-selected for job opportunities outside Roraima. These job vacancies are posted by companies and-after a profile is completed to identify candidates for these vacancies-a selection takes place through interviews and CV analysis, both organized by the Brazilian Army.
"As soon as we were informed by one private company of the opening of 100 vacancies in the city, we began a selection process with more than 300 people. They fulfilled the profile and indicated their interest in those positions. Finally we got the 100 selected," explained Brazilian Army's Colonel Souza Holanda.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released the first report of its kind on the health of refugees and migrants in the WHO European Region, which was developed in partnership with the Italian National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP).
The report concludes that migrants and refugees are likely to have good general health. However, the report found that they are at greater risk of falling ill due to factors, such as the exposure to trauma and infections, lack of access to (continuous) health care and poor living conditions during the migration process as well as conditions of poverty and changes in lifestyle during their stay in the host country.
With regards to infectious diseases, the report explicitly stresses that - despite the widespread myth - there is a very low risk of transmitting communicable disease to the host population, in particular that there are no cases of "new" illnesses that do not already exist in the European Region.
The report concludes that, while progress was made in establishing refugee- and migrant-friendly health systems, more needed to be done, including providing quality and affordable health coverage and social protection regardless of legal status, addressing cultural and linguistic communication barriers and ensuring health-care workers were well equipped, experienced and aware of the particular risks faced by people arriving to the European Region.
The report summarizes more than 13,000 documents and provides an overview of the health status of refugees and migrants as well as health system responses in the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region and by identifying gaps. WHO Regional Office for Europe's Migration and Health programme, aims at assisting Member States in promoting refugee and migrant health and addressing the corresponding public health aspects, in line with its Health 2020 policy framework and the United Nations (UN)'s Sustainable Development Goals.
Artikeln med länkar (Extern länk)
Grekland/ Greece's treatment of migrant children subject to legal challenge
A legal challenge to the violations of migrant children's social rights on mainland Greece and its North Eastern Aegean islands has been lodged before a European body specialised in the protection of social rights at the European level. The legal action, taken in the form of a collective complaint to the European Committee on Social Rights by the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), catalogues the numerous instances of Greece failing its child care and protection obligations towards migrant children by leaving them in conditions of squalor, insecurity and violence.
The complaint to the Committee, an impartial body which oversees the protection of certain economic and social rights by assessing the conformity of domestic law and practice with the European Social Charter, has been supported by the Greek Council for Refugees and includes reports from Médecins Sans Frontières on health and living conditions of migrant children in Lesvos.
Amongst the most blatant infringements of migrant children's rights described in the complaint has been the systematic and ongoing absence of sufficient accommodation facilities and the lack of an effective guardianship system for unaccompanied children in Greece, exposing them to significant protection risks, including homelessness and placement in detention. Such severe deficiencies in basic care facilities has led to dire living conditions which deprive children of their most fundamental rights. Overcrowded, insalubrious and dangerous conditions prevail most obviously on the North Eastern Aegean islands where the standards of human dignity and special protection accorded to children by virtue of their particular status under international human rights law are repeatedly violated.
Läs skrivelsen (Extern länk)
FEANTSA 19-02-01:
FEANTSA and the Greek Network for the Right to Shelter and Housing have released a joint declaration, A Home for Refugees: The Need for Housing Throughout Asylum Procedures and Beyond. The declaration calls upon the European Commission to ensure that housing continuity is provided to all individuals who go through an asylum application.
Having a place that can be called home is a universal need and a human right. Individuals fleeing violence and asking for asylum in the European Union strive to be safe and to rebuild their lives step-by-step in a country they do not know, often separated from the people they love and with little certainty about their future. Housing is therefore the gateway to integration and enjoying adequate living conditions is an essential factor of successful social inclusion.
Hämta uttalandet (Extern länk)
Europarådet 19-01- 25:
Italien/ Italy urged to improve the protection of children against exploitation
Italy urged to improve the protection of migrants and unaccompanied children against human trafficking and exploitation
Italy has taken additional measures to combat trafficking in human beings, according to a new report published today by the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), but a number of issues continue to give rise to concern.
The report assesses developments since the publication of GRETA's first evaluation report on Italy in 2014 as regards the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.
The positive steps taken by the Italian authorities include amendments to the Criminal Code and the adoption of a law strengthening the protection of unaccompanied children, including child victims of trafficking. However, GRETA is concerned that recently adopted legislation excluding asylum seekers from access to reception centres risks leaving possible victims of trafficking without assistance.
Other encouraging developments include the adoption of the first National Action Plan against human trafficking and a "Single programme for the emergence, assistance and social integration of victims of trafficking and exploitation". GRETA welcomes the considerable increase in the budgetary funding allocated to anti-trafficking projects and the setting up of more reception centres for unaccompanied children.
Another positive development is the adoption of guidelines for the identification of victims of trafficking among applicants for international protection and the involvement of specialised NGOs in the victim identification process.
However, there are a number of areas which require urgent action, according to the report.
Spanien/ Court orders access to reception for Dublin returnees
The Superior Court (Tribunal Superior de Justicia, TSJ) of Madrid has ordered the Spanish authorities to ensure that asylum seekers returning to Spain from other European countries under the Dublin Regulation are not excluded from access to the reception system.
The TSJ found that the two appellants' right to judicial protection under Article 24 of the Constitution had been breached as they were denied accommodation in the reception system for asylum seekers upon return to Spain. The Ministry of Labour, Migration and Social Security withdrew reception conditions on the ground that applicants had renounced the right to reception by leaving the country. At least 20 people returned to Spain under the Dublin Regulation have been left destitute in Madrid due to the practice.
To comply with the judgment, the Ministry of Labour, Migration and Social Security has adopted instructions guaranteeing returned asylum seekers' right to re-access the reception system and to benefit from an adequate standard of living. It has amended the Reception Handbook to clarify that reception conditions shall not been withdrawn for reasons of abandonment of the place of residence where the applicant has been returned to Spain under the Dublin Regulation.
Spain has received 7,570 incoming Dublin requests between January and September 2018 according to official statistics. The majority have been issued by France (3,508) and Germany (2,264).
Internationellt/ Leaders stoke fear, ignore rights
Influential leaders in European Union states used migration to stoke fear, justify abusive policies, and block meaningful reform in 2018, even as arrivals at borders decreased, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2019. But during 2018, EU institutions, with backing from some EU states, demonstrated a greater commitment to address attacks on democratic institutions and the rule of law in Hungary and Poland.
In its European Union chapter, Human Rights Watch highlights developments in 10 EU member states and union-wide developments on migration and asylum, discrimination and intolerance, rule of law, terrorism and counterterrorism, and EU foreign policy.
"We saw populist leaders in EU states stoking fear and jettisoning rights during 2018 with little regard for the consequences," said Benjamin Ward, deputy Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Thankfully, we have some EU institutions and states willing to stand up to the populists' dangerous disregard for Europe's core values."
In the 674-page World Report 2019, its 29th edition, Human Rights Watch reviewed human rights practices in more than 100 countries. In his introductory essay, Executive Director Kenneth Roth says that the populists spreading hatred and intolerance in many countries are spawning a resistance. New alliances of rights-respecting governments, often prompted and joined by civic groups and the public, are raising the cost of autocratic excess. Their successes illustrate the possibility of defending human rights - indeed, the responsibility to do so - even in darker times.
The EU decided in September to initiate a political sanctions process on Hungary and pursued the process launched against Poland in December 2017. Those actions and the ongoing legal enforcement action against both states showed the determination of EU institutions - including its Parliament, Commission, and Court of Justice - to defend democratic institutions, rule of law, and human rights inside the EU's borders. EU bodies also raised concerns about the rule of law in Romania.
Human Rights Watch: World Report 2019 (Extern länk)
Grekland/ Rapporteur urges end to 'inhuman' conditions for asylum seekers
"Catastrophic humanitarian standards combined with snowfall and freezing temperatures are again threatening asylum seekers in several Greek refugee camps," said Petra De Sutter (Belgium, SOC), General Rapporteur on reception conditions for refugees and migrants.
"The tragic death yesterday of a refugee from Cameroon housed in a simple tent in camp Moria reminds us that we cannot look away from the misery thousands of asylum seekers have to endure for months while their applications are processed in a lengthy way. Greek authorities must respect the fundamental rights of migrants provided by relevant international treaties, including the European Convention on Human Rights and comply with EU law and standards regarding asylum procedures. They must ensure that applicants are not faced with inhuman accommodation conditions which expose them to severe temperatures, wind and rain," she added.
"At the same time, Europe must do more to prevent that people from Cameroon and other countries are pushed into dangerous journeys over thousands of kilometres across many countries including Turkey, in order to seek asylum in Greece. Far too many human lives are lost on those dangerous routes."
Amnesty International 18-12- 24:
Kenya/ Global Compact on Refugees must be quickly anchored in national policy
By Victor Nyamori, Amnesty International's Refugee Coordinator for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes
The endorsement of the Global Compact on Refugees at the United Nations General Assembly on 17 December will not improve the lives of refugees in Kenya, based on the government's record on the rights of people fleeing conflict and persecution, unless it turns rhetoric into action.
Kenya is renowned for its eagerness to support, draft and sign instruments aimed at protecting the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers, but sadly not for implementing them.
It is now more than 50 years since Kenya ratified the UN Convention on Refugees, which contains the international principles and standards for protecting refugees. However, Kenyan authorities have violated many of these principles, including the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to places where they would be at real risk of serious human rights violations.
In 2016, for example, Kenyan authorities arrested and deported a registered South Sudanese refugee, James Gatdet, spokesperson for the Sudan People's Liberation Army - In Opposition (SPLA-IO), despite warnings that his life would be in danger in South Sudan. Gatdet was arrested on arrival in Juba and sentenced to death by hanging. He was saved from the hangman's noose as a result of international pressure.
Kenya also ratified the African Union Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa in 1993. As a result, thousands of Somalis fleeing war and famine have found refuge in Kenya, but at a high price. They are disproportionately targeted in counter-terror operations and face arbitrary arrest, harassment, extortion, ill-treatment, forcible relocation within Kenya, and even deportation.
Bangladesh/ Innovation, green tech and sunlight help secure safe water for refugees
The first five solar-powered safe water systems - put in operation by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in Cox's Bazar refugee settlements over the past six months - are now delivering at their full capacity. These new systems improve the daily supply of safe, clean drinking water to Rohingya refugees living in crowded sites in southeast Bangladesh.
The project, funded by UNHCR, is part of a broader shift in the humanitarian response towards the expanded use of green and non-polluting technologies.
The new safe water systems run entirely on electricity generated through solar panels. Motorised pumps draw water from newly-installed 70,000 litre chlorinated tanks. The water is then piped to collective taps strategically installed throughout the Kutupalong-Balukhali site. UNHCR's aim is to provide 20 litres of safe and clean water to every single refugee on a daily basis.
More than 900,000 Rohingya refugees live across 36 different locations in Cox's Bazar area. Water is scarce in most locations. During the dry season, for example, the only solution in the Nayapara site is to truck water, which is very costly. It has been challenging to secure adequate water sources for the whole refugee population - most of whom fled to Bangladesh in late 2017. This is why UNHCR and partners have stepped up their efforts throughout 2018 to address the massive water and sanitation needs.
Using solar energy has allowed the humanitarian community to reduce energy costs and emissions. Chlorination is a life-saver in refugee sites of this scale. Recent tests revealed that most contamination to drinking water occurs during collection, transport and storage at the household level.
Chlorinated water is safe for drinking and eliminates risks of spread of diseases. Previous water sources, mainly boreholes fitted with hand pumps were often highly contaminated by waste water penetrating the wells.
Libyen/ Desperate and Dangerous: Human rights situation of migrants and refugees
Migrants and refugees crossing Libya subjected to "unimaginable horrors" - UN
GENEVA/TRIPOLI (20 December 2018) - Migrants and refugees are being subjected to "unimaginable horrors" from the moment they enter Libya, throughout their stay in the country and - if they make it that far -- during their subsequent attempts to cross the Mediterranean sea, according to a UN report released on Thursday.
The 61-page report, published jointly by the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the UN Human Rights Office, covers a 20-month period up to August 2018, and details a terrible litany of violations and abuses committed by a range of State officials, armed groups, smugglers and traffickers against migrants and refugees. These include unlawful killings, torture, arbitrary detention, gang rape, slavery, forced labour and extortion.
Based on 1,300 first-hand accounts gathered by UN human rights staff in Libya itself, as well from migrants who have returned to Nigeria or reached Italy, the report traces the entire journey of migrants and refugees from Libya's southern border, across the desert to the northern coast - a journey "marred by considerable risk of serious human rights violations and abuses every step of the way."
The climate of lawlessness in Libya provides fertile ground for thriving illicit activities, such as trafficking in human beings and criminal smuggling, and leaves migrants and refugees "at the mercy of countless predators who view them as commodities to be exploited and extorted," the report says.
Libyen/ First group of refugees evacuated from new departure facility in Libya
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in coordination with Libyan authorities, evacuated 133 refugees from Libya to Niger today after hosting them at a Gathering and Departure Facility (GDF) in Tripoli which opened on Tuesday.
Most evacuees, including 81 women and children, were previously detained in Libya. After securing their release from five detention centres across Libya, including in Tripoli and areas as far as 180 kilometres from the capital, they were sheltered at the GDF until the arrangements for their evacuation were concluded.
The GDF is the first centre of its kind in Libya and is intended to bring vulnerable refugees to a safe environment while solutions including refugee resettlement, family reunification, evacuation to emergency facilities in other countries, return to a country of previous asylum, and voluntary repatriation are sought for them.
"The opening of this centre, in very difficult circumstances, has the potential to save lives. It offers immediate protection and safety for vulnerable refugees in need of urgent evacuation, and is an alternative to detention for hundreds of refugees currently trapped in Libya," said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.
The centre is managed by the Libyan Ministry of Interior, UNHCR and UNHCR's partner LibAid. The initiative is one of a range of measures needed to offer viable alternatives to the dangerous boat journeys undertaken by refugees and migrants along the Central Mediterranean route.
With an estimated 4,900 refugees and migrants held in detention centres across Libya, including 3,600 in need of international protection, the centre is a critical alternative to the detention of those most vulnerable.
The centre, which has been supported by the EU and other donors, has a capacity to shelter up to 1,000 vulnerable refugees identified for solutions out of Libya.
Belgien/ Barriers to registration of asylum applications
The Belgian Aliens Office has introduced a quota allowing no more than 50 people per day for registration of asylum seekers at the "Petit-Château" / "Klein Kasteeltje" in central Brussels, which serves as the new temporary registration location as of 3 December 2018.
As a result of the cap on the number of asylum application registrations, more than one hundred people including families with children are queuing outside the facility every day, many of them unsuccessfully.
Several civil society organisations have brought an action before the Council of State to annul the measure. Following the government reshuffle after the departure of the N-VA from the ruling coalition, they have also appealed to the new Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, Maggie De Block, to discontinue the measure and reinstate effective access to the asylum procedure.
The State Secretary has stated that, although the policy is not to be revisited, the Aliens Office would examine the possibility of gradual increase of the quota with the aim of protecting vulnerable persons.
Grekland/ Asylum seekers left without legal aid on the islands
Asylum seekers confined to the Eastern Aegean islands in Greece have had no effective access to legal representation for months, due to persisting severe shortages in the state-funded legal aid scheme for asylum appeals.
The legal aid scheme, implemented on the basis of a list managed by the Asylum Service, started operating in September 2017 with 21 registered lawyers, four of whom were based on the islands (Lesvos, Rhodes, Chios and Kos). One year later, the number of registered lawyers across Greece has increased to no more than 32. At the moment, the legal aid scheme coverage on the islands includes only one lawyer on Chios and two on Rhodes.
At the same time, the number of asylum seekers arriving in 2018 has risen to 54,698 as of the end of October, with 14,691 arriving on Lesvos, 5,276 on Samos and 3,549 on Chios. 13,000 appeals have been filed before the Appeals Authority since the beginning of the year, mostly by nationals of Pakistan (4,713), Albania (2,156) and Iraq (1,124).
The insufficiency of legal aid providers is highly alarming according to the Greek Council for Refugees, especially since the Appeals Committees have recently sped up the examination of appeals on the islands and take decisions within a couple of days or two weeks, notwithstanding the inability of the State to appoint a legal representative to applicants.
Grekland/ Greece and the EU must move asylum seekers to safety
The Greek government and its European Union partners should urgently ensure that all asylum seekers on the Aegean islands are transferred to suitable accommodation on the mainland or relocated to other EU countries as winter approaches, 20 human rights and other organizations said today.
Despite the Greek government's recent efforts to transfer asylum seekers from the islands to more suitable accommodation in the mainland, as of December 3, 2018, over 12,500 people were still living in tents and containers unsuitable for winter in five EU-sponsored camps known as hotspots on Lesbos, Samos, Chios, Kos, and Leros - almost triple their capacity. In addition to serious overcrowding, asylum seekers continue facing unsanitary and unhygienic conditions and physical violence, including violence based on gender.
The lack of basic protection measures leaves women and girls, as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT+) people, particularly vulnerable to sexual harassment and assault, and afraid to use site facilities including bathrooms and showers. Medical care, trauma counselling, and psychosocial - or mental health - are insufficient, as is legal counselling and support during the different stages of the asylum procedure. Mental health among asylum seekers has deteriorated amid harsh living conditions and emotional distress.
IOM (UN Migration) is providing temporary shelter and protection services to 2,518 vulnerable migrants and refugees who were transferred from the North-eastern Aegean islands to hotels on the Greek mainland.
Between 29 October and 3 December, an EU-backed action allowed IOM to provide safe accommodation and tailored services to the asylum seekers - including 1,086 women and 818 children - transferred to the mainland from unsuitable conditions on the islands of Lesvos, Chios, Kos and Leros. Under the government's island decongestion plan priority is given to the transportation and accommodation of families with underage children, pregnant women, single parents and individuals with physical and mental trauma.
"Through the 'FILOXENIA' action, IOM is aiming to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable migrants and refugees by providing dignified living conditions for those currently living in deplorable conditions in the Reception and Identification Centres on the islands," said Gianluca Rocco, IOM Greece Chief of Mission.
"We have been supporting the Greek government in the decongestion of the islands since last summer, and with European Commission support, our goal is to urgently create 6,000 temporary accommodation places on the Greek mainland."
The majority of the vulnerable asylum seekers - 520 individuals - are housed at a facility in Porto Heli, in Central-eastern Peloponnese. In the Korinthos and Marathon areas, 417 and 386 beneficiaries respectively are hosted in hotels. Most of them are from Syria (711), Iraq (684), Afghanistan (380), Somalia (97) and Palestine (79).
IOM currently operates in 11 hotels throughout Greece with dedicated facility coordinators, psychologists, social workers, legal counsellors and interpreters available to assist the 493 families and 532 singles.
Italien/ Vulnerable Dublin returnees at risk of destitution
Asylum seekers returned to Italy under the Dublin Regulation face arbitrary access to accommodation, risks of destitution and substandard reception conditions despite Italy's obligation to provide guarantees of adequate treatment, according to a report published this week.
The report, prepared by the Danish and Swiss Refugee Councils, contains 13 case studies of Dublin return of asylum seekers with different vulnerabilities, ranging from single-parent families to persons suffering from mental disorders and victims of violence. The European Court of Human Rights clarified in Tarakhel v. Switzerland that Member States should obtain assurances from the Italian authorities that asylum seekers with special needs would be adequately accommodated prior to carrying out a transfer.
The report illustrates the arbitrariness underlying Dublin returnees' reception by the authorities, timely access to accommodation and to the asylum procedure, and quality of reception conditions. Many asylum seekers have had to wait for several hours or even days without any support at airports such as Rome Fuimicino and Milan Malpensa before being received by the Italian police. Some Dublin returnees are denied access to the Italian reception system upon arrival altogether or must wait a long time before they are accommodated in second-line reception facilities (SPRAR). Substandard conditions in first reception centres and temporary reception centres (CAS) are widely reported, falling far below standards for persons with special needs.
Access to the asylum procedure is equally problematic. Asylum seekers returned under the Dublin Regulation have to approach the Immigration Office of the Police (Questura) to obtain an appointment to lodge their claim. However, the delay for such an appointment reaches several months in most cases.
On December 3, 2018, United Nations Security Council members will shine a spotlight on the disproportionate impact of armed conflict on people with disabilities, Human Rights Watch said today. People with disabilities have been invisible on the peace and security agendas of many countries around the world but are among the people most at risk during conflicts and humanitarian crises.
More than one billion people worldwide, or about 15 percent of the global population, have a disability. People with disabilities are recognized as among the most marginalized and at-risk population in any crisis-affected community. An estimated 9.7 million people with disabilities are forcibly displaced as a result of conflict and persecution and are victims of human rights violations and conflict-related violence.
The December 3 informal "Arria" meeting of members of the Security Council will be the first time the Security Council had devoted a separate discussion to the impact of conflict on people with disabilities, though it has recognized the particular risks experienced by people with disabilities in some resolutions about individual countries.
"The Security Council's mandate on protection of civilians includes all civilians - including people with disabilities," said Shantha Rau Barriga, disability rights director at Human Rights Watch. "It's crucial for the Security Council to gather the information needed to make sure that 'No one left behind' is not mere rhetoric."
Se även:
Carlos Ríos Espinosa, Human Rights Watch 18-12-20: Life with a disability in the migrant caravan (Extern länk)
Papua/ The bravery of those who speak out from Manus Island will go down in history
By Charmain Mohamed, Head of Refugee and Migrants Rights
Since 2013 Australia has been sending refugees who attempt to reach its shores by boat to be 'processed' on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea. On this remote island thousands of people have endured years of detention and abuse while their refugee claims are assessed.
The Australian government has gone to great lengths to hide the magnitude of the suffering it has caused on Manus Island.
Between 2015 and 2017 there were strict secrecy laws in place, designed to stop staff from speaking out about conditions in detention centres. Details about contractors and the determination of refugee claims are kept tightly under wraps. There is very little public information about how refugee status is determined.
Despite this climate of secrecy many stories about life on Manus Island do make it out. This is thanks to the incredible bravery of the men detained there, some of whom are talented artists, writers, cartoonists, storytellers and musicians.
Despite the trauma and indignities they face on a daily basis, they have committed to telling the truth about what Australia is doing to their community of refugees and people seeking asylum. Their actions are essential. Without documentation there can be no accountability, and these men will go down in history as people who stood up for the truth.
Some of the men who report from Manus Island are internationally recognized, with Twitter followings and newspaper columns. Behrouz Boochani, a Kurdish-Iranian journalist who has been on Manus Island since 2013, has co-directed a movie and published a book about his experiences.
Europa/ Hard migration line continues to feature across the EU
Some governments continue to be tough on migration, placing fundamental rights in jeopardy, finds the agency's latest report on migration-related fundamental rights concerns. It points to stricter laws and policies, friction at the borders, poor reception conditions as well as rising hate crime.
The report looks at the situation across 14 EU Member States. It continues to flag severely cramped reception and detention centre conditions, particularly in the migration hotspots on the Greek islands. For example, Samos hosted almost six times more asylum seekers than its official capacity. As a result, some camps are being fined or threatened with closure because of the conditions.
Informal camps continue in France where conditions are worsening. In Spain, asylum seekers in Melilla and Ceuta are not allowed to travel to mainland Spain without permission.
In addition, changing migration laws are making it harder for migrants to claim asylum.
For example, in Italy, asylum reforms abolish humanitarian protection and prevent asylum seekers from obtaining legal residency in Italy. The reforms will remain in force, if transposed by Parliament by 4 December. This will make detention and returns more likely, and make it harder for asylum seekers to access local services, such as training.
In Hungary, new rules have meant that asylum applications are inadmissible if people arrive from a country where they are not persecuted. This change affects many, as migrants often enter through Serbia. And in Sweden restrictions on granting residence permits to refugees and limiting family reunification until the end of 2019 remains a concern.
At the borders, there were reports of ill treatment towards migrants. Croatian and Hungarian police have used force to push back migrants, and in Poland asylum seekers were refused entry at crossing points with Belarus and Ukraine.
Grekland/ Dire conditions for asylum seekers on Lesbos
The already dire conditions in the overcrowded Moria camp for asylum seekers on the Greek island of Lesbos may deteriorate into a full-blown humanitarian disaster as winter approaches unless urgent action is taken, Human Rights Watch said today.
"Thousands of people seeking protection in Europe are deprived of their most basic rights to humane and dignified treatment on Lesbos," said Todor Gardos, Europe researcher at Human Rights Watch. "The EU-backed containment policy is aggravating long-lasting suffering of asylum seekers, turning Lesbos into an open-air prison."
On a visit to Lesbos from October 16 to 17, 2018, Human Rights Watch witnessed the overcrowding, unsuitable accommodations, and despair in Moria camp and the adjacent overspill camp known as the "Olive Grove." Human Rights Watch interviewed 26 asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Somalia, including families and women and men traveling alone.
In September, the Regional Authority of the Northern Aegean, which is responsible for public health, said the Moria camp posed a threat to public health and the environment due to overcrowding, uncontrolled sewage spills, broken toilet waste pipes, and generally poor hygienic conditions that could abet the spread of infectious disease. Conditions in the camp remained unsuitable for accommodation even though the regional authority ordered the migration policy minister and Moria camp's management in early September to improve conditions within 30 days.
At the time of the visit, over 7,200 asylum seekers were registered in Moria, including 2,000 in the Olive Grove, well over double the camp's official capacity of 3,100. While numbers had dropped to around 6,500 by early November, according to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, the camp manager acknowledged that he could not guarantee adequate living standards with such a level of overcrowding.
Läs hela rapporten (Extern länk)
Sydkorea/ South Korea must go further to support Yemeni asylum-seekers
Autumn has arrived in the beautiful island of Jeju, a popular holiday destination for people across East Asia. As harvests of its famous mandarin oranges hit the street markets, hundreds of Yemenis who arrived in Jeju earlier this year are receiving the results of their applications for refugee status.
Fleeing the devastating conflict in their home country, some 550 Yemenis have arrived in Jeju this year. Most have done so under the visa-free entry programme originally designed to attract more tourists to the island. Only seeking safety, they have found starting a new life in Korea far harder than they imagined.
Negative publicity
The community in Jeju is used to foreigners roaming around, and there are asylum seekers from other countries such as China. Hundreds of Yemenis arriving over a short period of time, however, is a new experience.
Yemenis have come to the country with powerful stories to tell, stories that a curious South Korean media has been eager to report.
One such person is Albukhati (only identified by his surname), who co-founded an organization assisting ethnic Yemeni women from Europe and the US who had been pushed into forced marriages in Yemen by their families. These marriages are a lucrative business, particularly for the brokers who arrange them.
Albukhati's work made him some powerful enemies, and he was forced to seek asylum outside Yemen. He arrived in Jeju in May 2018 after spending three years in Malaysia.
Libyen/ Cruel European migration policies leave refugees trapped with no way out
A year after shocking images purporting to show human beings being bought and sold in Libya caused a global outcry, the situation for migrants and refugees in the country remains bleak and in some respects has worsened, said Amnesty International.
Findings published by the organization today highlight how EU member states' policies to curb migration, as well as their failure to provide sufficient resettlement places for refugees, continue to fuel a cycle of abuse by trapping thousands of migrants and refugees in appalling conditions in Libyan detention centres.
"One year after video footage showing human beings being bought and sold like merchandise shocked the world, the situation for refugees and migrants in Libya remains bleak," said Heba Morayef, Middle East and North Africa Director for Amnesty International.
"Cruel policies by EU states to stop people arriving on European shores, coupled with their woefully insufficient support to help refugees reach safety through regular routes, means that thousands of men, women and children are trapped in Libya facing horrific abuses with no way out."
Migrants and refugees in Libyan detention centres are routinely exposed to torture, extortion and rape.
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has registered 56,442 refugees and asylum seekers in Libya and has repeatedly called on European and other governments to offer resettlement to refugees stranded in Libya, including through evacuation to Niger. However, only 3,886 resettlement places have been pledged by 12 countries and in total just 1,140 refugees have been resettled from Libya and Niger so far. Italy separately evacuated 312 asylum seekers from Libya directly to Italy between December 2017 and February 2018, but no further evacuations took place until the resettlement of 44 refugees on 7 November.
Hela pressmeddelandet (Extern länk)
UNHCR 18-11-23: UNHCR appeals for more resettlement, end to detention as Libya evacuations near 2,500 (Extern länk)
Grekland/ Report: Greece should improve the reception and integration of migrants
"Greece should take urgent steps and adopt long-term policies to improve the reception and integration of migrants and to reverse the adverse effects of austerity measures on access to health care and education", says Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatovi?, publishing the report on her visit to Greece carried out in June.
The Commissioner warns that despite the commendable efforts made by Greece's people and authorities to welcome migrants, the reception conditions remain well below acceptable standards, especially on the islands. "The authorities have to urgently address the poor hygiene conditions, the psychological distress and the uncertainty that are threatening the health of migrants and asylum seekers on the islands. They should in particular accelerate transfers to the mainland and improve migrant reception capacities there too. Greece's European partners should demonstrate their solidarity by supporting Greece in its efforts to improve reception conditions", says the Commissioner.
Commissioner Mijatovi? is also deeply concerned about the reported poor shelter conditions and the lack of social support that most unaccompanied migrant children experience in Greece and is alarmed by the deprivation of liberty of those detained under the "protective custody" regime. "Greece's authorities should tackle this problem with more resolve and in particular immediately stop the detention of unaccompanied migrant children. Migrant children should also have access to inclusive education, so as to increase their chances of integration."
Noting that Greece is becoming a country of destination and is no longer merely a country of transit, Commissioner Mijatovi? underscores the need to invest in integration through a comprehensive and long term policy focused in particular on family reunification, long term residence and citizenship, education, vocational training, language and integration courses, and the fight against racism and discrimination against migrants.
Hämta Dunja Mijatovics rapport (Extern länk till pdf-fil)
UNHCR 18-11-06: UNHCR urges Greece to address conditions on Samos and Lesvos (Extern länk)
Bulgarien/ Bulgaria given formal notice to comply with EU rules on asylum
On November 8 the European Commission gave Bulgaria formal notice concerning its implementation of EU asylum legislation, which it considers to presently be in breach of the provisions of Asylum Procedures Directive, Reception Conditions Directive, and Charter of Fundamental Rights.
The Commission's concerns relate in particular to the accommodation and legal representation of unaccompanied minors; the correct identification and support of vulnerable asylum seekers, provision of adequate legal assistance and the detention of asylum seekers as well as safeguards within the detention procedure.
Bulgaria was warned that if it does not act within the next two months, the Commission may move to the second stage of the infringement procedure and send a reasoned opinion on the matter.
FN:s kommitté mot tortyr, CAT, har fällt Schweiz för en överföring till Italien. Fallet rör en eritrean som har en historia av fängslande och tortyr, men detta bedömdes inte i sak. Han sökte asyl i Schweiz där han fick avancerad vård för posttraumatiskt stressyndrom. Enligt läkarna hade han kommit in i en läkningsprocess men det var av stor vikt att han fick kontinuerlig vård hos dem han fått förtroende för. Mannen överfördes trots detta efter ett år till Italien. Trots de garantier Italien lämnat hamnade han utan mottagande på flygplatsen. En släkting tipsade om Caritas härbärge där han köade utan att få plats första natten men fick en tillfälliga plats dagen därpå. Mannen fick ingen information om hur han skulle söka asyl. Han beskrev situationen som kaotisk och att han skulle tvingas sova på gatan som många andra och inte få vård. Efter mindre än två dygn återvände han till Schweiz, där han så småningom fick ett nytt beslut om överföring till Italien. CAT anser att behandligen han riskerar vid en förnyad överföring till Italien i hans tillstånd utan stabila kontakter kan leda till självmord och därmed kan nå en nivå jämförbar med tortyr.
Hämta eller läs Communication No. 742/2016, A.N. v Switzerland (Extern länk)
USA/ Facts and figures on illegal pushbacks, arbitrary detention and ill treatment
Amnesty International's view on US authorities' family separation numbers:
+ There has still not been a proper reckoning of the scale of abuse by US authorities in the family separations scandal.
+ The US Congress must act immediately to publicly investigate and establish an exhaustive record of family separations by US authorities, and pass legislation prohibiting the separation and indefinite detention of children and families.
+ US authorities must reveal their full statistics on family separations for public scrutiny, ensure that all those families are reunited, and guarantee this never happens again.
DHS statistics on family separations
+ In total, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has admitted to separating approximately 8,000 "family units" in 2017 and 2018, yet has also cast doubt on the accuracy of its own statistics.
This number excludes the period from 1 March to 18 April 2018, when Amnesty International and other organizations documented additional family separations.
+ In September 2018, the DHS agency Customs and Border Protection (CBP) informed Amnesty International that it separated 6,022 "family units" between 19 April and 15 August 2018.
CBP clarified in October 2018 that the figure of 6,022 likely referred to individuals in families, and not family groups of multiple people.
Even if referring to individuals in families, this is the highest number disclosed by CBP on the scale of its family separations policy.
Until July 2018, the highest number provided publicly by the Trump administration was under 2,700 children, separated from an unknown number of adults.
Läs hela uttalandet, även om olagligt förvarstagande och push-backs (Extern länk)
The UN Migration Agency, IOM, continues to provide support and assistance to migrants who have joined the migrant caravans crossing Central America and opted to seek asylum in Mexico or return to their countries of origin.
In the Siglo XXI Migratory Station of Tapachula, managed by the National Institute for Migration (INM) of Mexico, IOM and the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs (SRE) have been supplying food and basic hygiene kits to over 1,500 migrants from the caravans seeking asylum in Mexico.
"IOM maintains its position that the human rights and basic needs of all migrants must be respected, regardless of their migratory status," says Christopher Gascon, IOM Chief of Mission in Mexico. "In coordination with UNHCR we will continue to monitor the situation of the caravan counting on field staff, the Mexican Office of Assistance for Migrants and Refugees (DAPMyR), and partner NGOs, providing information regarding alternatives for regular and safe migration, as well as options for voluntary returns."
A second caravan of approximately 1,800 Central American migrants admitted on Monday (29/10) by Mexican migration authorities arrived last Wednesday (31/10) in Huixtla, Chiapas state, and plan to move today, according to local authorities. This group initially started the regularization process in Mexico but later opted to continue the trek north without seeking asylum.
A third caravan of around 500 migrants departed from El Salvador last Sunday and crossed Tuesday (30/10) into Mexico, where most of them requested asylum. A fourth group of migrants left on Wednesday (31/10) from San Salvador with some 1,700 individuals, according to an IOM monitoring team. The final group spent last night in the Guatemalan town of Tecún Umán, on the border with Mexico.
USA/ 'You don't have any rights here'
Illegal pushbacks, arbitrary detention & ill-treatment of asylum-seekers in the United States
In 2017 and 2018, President Trump's administration has implemented immigration policies that have caused catastrophic irreparable harm to thousands of people, have spurned and manifestly violated both US and international law, and appeared to be aimed at the full dismantling of the US asylum system. Setting a dangerous precedent, the US government's abrogation of its obligations under human rights and refugee law is undermining the international framework for refugee protection, grossly violating the right to seek asylum, and is inviting a race to the bottom by other countries.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is urging immediate action by the Government of Australia to address a collapsing health situation among refugees and asylum-seekers at off-shore facilities in Papua New Guinea and Nauru. Australia remains responsible under International Law for those who have sought its protection. In the context of deteriorating health and reduced medical care, Australia must now act to prevent further tragedy to those forcibly transferred under its so-called "offshore processing" policy. UNHCR renews its call for refugees and asylum-seekers to be moved immediately to Australia, where they can receive adequate support and care.
In September this year, more refugees and asylum-seekers had to be medically evacuated from Nauru to Australia than in the preceding two years combined. This reflects both the longstanding poor healthcare situation under "offshore processing" and a recent worsening of conditions, rather than any moderating of stance. A number of these re-transfers have taken place in the context of court orders or legal actions more broadly. With approximately 1,420 people still held in Papua New Guinea and Nauru, some 500 have now been returned to Australia on medical grounds - this is more than a quarter of the population.
UNHCR's monitoring suggests that even this number is significantly lower than the total with acute health needs, particularly with regard to mental health. One of the various cases brought to UNHCR's attention in September was a suicidal pre-teenage girl. She remains on Nauru despite doctors' advice to the contrary. Medical details seen by UNHCR record how she doused herself in petrol before attempting to set herself alight and pulling chunks of hair from her head.
Mexiko/ Honduran caravan is not a security threat but people with human rights
The Mexican government must listen to the stories of those fleeing Honduras and inform them of their right to seek asylum, said Amnesty International today in response to news that the Mexican government deployed its federal police chief to its southern border to await the arrival of a caravan of over 1,600 people from Honduras, including dozens of families and children.
"Mexican authorities should not take a Trump approach treating people like a security threat. These families deserve dignity and respect to ensure that no one is illegally returned to situations where they could risk serious harm due to violence," said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas Director at Amnesty International.
Amnesty International recently published a report that demonstrates that the Mexican government is failing to meet its treaty obligations under international law to respect the rights of those in need of international protection. The report found that 75% of a group of people surveyed by Amnesty International detained by Mexican migrations authorities were not informed of their right to seek asylum in Mexico.
"Mexican authorities must respect their obligations under international law and identify the needs of each individual member of the caravan, avoiding the detention of migrants at all costs, and prohibiting the detention of children."
Migrating without papers is not a crime, and many of these individuals could be fleeing violence in their home country with the intention of seeking asylum in Mexico. Prohibiting the entry of these people into Mexico and returning them to Honduras would be a breach of international law.
Bangladesh/ Girls in forced labour largest group of trafficking victims in refugee camps
Young girls sold into forced labour are the largest group of trafficking victims identified by the UN Migration Agency (IOM) in Bangladesh's Rohingya refugee camps.
IOM counter-trafficking experts warn that more than a year into a crisis that has seen the number of Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar soar to almost a million, more desperate families are sending their young daughters off into dangerous work situations because most households have no other way to earn money in the camps.
"There is a very limited number of jobs in the camp and for women there is almost nothing. That's why I went outside of the camp," explained one young Rohingya woman, who ended up being forced to work extremely long hours for very little pay in the fish processing industry.
Latest figures show that women and girls lured into situations of forced labour account for two thirds of those who have received support from IOM in Cox's Bazar after escaping or being rescued from exploitation. Another 10 per cent of identified victims were women and girls who suffered sexual exploitation.
Bangladeshi security agencies have reported stopping up to 60 women and girls a day attempting to leave the camps in small groups, many of whom appeared to have been coached what to say, but who, when questioned further, appeared unclear about issues such as who they are supposed to be travelling to meet.
IOM experts stress that adult men and boys are also the target of traffickers, accounting for around one in three of those found to have ended up in forced labour.
"We are struggling to meet our everyday needs and there is no scope to get any job inside the camp. So, we [agreed to go] outside of the camp to work," said a Rohingya father, who ended up receiving no payment after working long hours and being physically abused by an employer.
Australien/ UNHCR: evacuate off-shore facilities as health situation deteriorates!
Asylum seekers face heightened risks of destitution due to a shortage of reception places in Ireland. The Department of Justice has confirmed that at least 20 people were told they could not be provided with accommodation in the last two weeks.
The occupancy rate of Direct Provision centres reached close to 100% in the summer of 2018, due to a steady reduction in accommodation places compared to previous years, compounded by lengthy asylum procedures involving an average wait of 19 months for an interview with the International Protection Office (IPO). As a result, the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) has been unable to secure access to accommodation for newly arriving asylum seekers. People turned away by RIA are not provided with any information on alternative accommodation options or homeless shelters.
Prompt provision of accommodation to asylum seekers is an obligation under the recast Reception Conditions Directive, which Ireland recently transposed in its domestic legal order.
Ungern/ Com for the Prevention of Torture: Persisting ill-treatment during 'push-backs'
The CPT has published a report on its recent 2017 visit to Hungary, assessing the authorities' implementation of the Committee's previous recommendations, as well as in review of the practice relating to the recently amended aliens legislation. In its response to the report the Hungarian government denounces findings as factually wrong and politically motivated.
The delegation visited several establishments, including police facilities and the two transit zones (Röszke and Tompa) at the border with Serbia, and held meetings with relevant national authorities. The Committee has noted that material conditions in the border areas are "decent", but stressed the need to redesign the transit zones spaces in an effort to remove their carceral character and address overcrowding. Regarding asylum procedures, the Committee voiced concerns regarding the efficacy of the asylum framework in providing guarantees against "push-backs". General medical screening of the population in the transit zones seems to have been improved, but the handling of mental health and age assessment cases was found to be substandard.
The CPT delegation found "no particular tensions" between foreign nationals and the internal staff of the transit zones. However testimonies regarding treatment by Hungarian police from a significant number of foreign nationals who had been apprehended and escorted through the border fence to Serbia revealed "ill-treatment consisted in particular of kicks and punches to various parts of the body (including the face and/or head) and baton blows (in particular to the knees, shins and calves), in some cases after the persons concerned had been made to lie down on the ground, as well as of spraying pepper spray directly into the face. Further, several allegations were received from foreign nationals that they had been bitten by unmuzzled service dogs set upon them by police officers."
Grekland/ Increase in arrivals and continuing strain on reception
Refugees arriving in Greece by land are at risk of destitution due to the ongoing shortage in reception capacity. Arrivals through the Greek-Turkish land border of Evros continue to rise, notably due to reduced controls on the part of Turkish authorities and a halt in communication with their Greek counterparts.
According to police statistics, a total of 8,407 persons were apprehended for irregular entry or stay at the Evros land border in the first half of 2018. Syria and Iraq remain the top nationalities of people apprehended across the country. Media sources refer to over 12,000 people crossing Evros since the beginning of the year.
Following their entry through Evros, people undergo reception and identification procedures, which have reportedly improved from inhumane conditions in recent weeks, not least due to the involvement of NGOs such as Arsis, Doctors without Borders (MSF) and the Greek Council for Refugees. Others directly arrive in Thessaloniki and wait outside police stations to seek asylum. A group of mostly Iraqi nationals who had camped in the city centre's Aristotelous Square were transferred to the Diavata camp on Monday. The current capacity and occupancy of camps set up throughout the Greek mainland remains unclear, since the latest data released by the authorities date back to August 2017.
Updates on the plight of refugees arriving by land come against the backdrop of persisting inappropriate conditions on the islands and recent allegations of mismanagement of EU funds in Greece's refugee response. The prosecutor has launched an investigation into the possible misuse of funds, while the Head of the Reception and Identification Service, Andreas Iliopoulos, was removed from his post after requesting an investigation.
Grekland/ The "hotspots" experiment: removing human rights from the equation
Gradually, hotspots on the Greek islands have acquired more characteristics far different to those initially announced in terms of their operation and human rights guarantees.
Everything shows that a new model of violent psychological deterrence has been established in Europe for those crossing borders irregularly and arrive in Greece. This model is based on the practice of geographical limitation and degrading first reception conditions.
The Greek hotspots have been transformed into areas where human rights are being systematically breached. It is extremely problematic that these breaches continue despite the fact that a number of international organizations supervise and contribute to the hotspot operations.
Despite the human misery inflicted by the measure of geographical restriction, the Greek authorities have persisted with its implementation as a means to implement the toxic EU-Turkey deal. The measure does not allow refugees to travel to the mainland and makes any referrals to proper accommodation according to the individuals' needs and vulnerabilities difficult. Meanwhile, transfer to the mainland remain very slow due to the reported lack of available places in camps there.
It is of particular importance that the way hotspots operate since the implementation of the deal has led parts of the local island communities to shift towards extreme conservative positions and on several occasions, racist attacks. However, for the political European elite this model is still considered successful. In one of the recent European summit, it was presented as a good practice to be implemented in the Central European countries according.
Läs rapporterna från Chios, Kos, Leros, Lesvos och Samos (Extern länk)
Keep Talking Greece 18-10-12:
The European Commission has published a list of recipients of funds to Greece to deal with the migration crisis. An amount totaling 1.6 billion euros has been allocated to non-governmental organizations, international organizations and Greek authorities, even though only half of it has been disbursed.
The Commission released €650 million for the period from 2016 to 2018. € 605.3 million have been contracted to date, the Commission said in a statement issued on Oct 10.
From the €1.69 billion euros, allocated to Greek authorities are €794 million, to UNHCR 506.67 million, to IMO 119.7 million, to EASO 26 million, to several international NGOs - partners of the European Commission 201 million.
44.6 million to international organizations or NGOs have been approved but remain disbursed until now.
International organizations & NGOs
UNHCR (356.67 million)
IOM (47.7 million)
Danish Refugee Council (44,5 million)
/Listan fortsätter ... /
To support the Greek authorities as well as international organizations and NGOs operating in Greece in managing the refugee and humanitarian crisis, the Commission has allocated over €480 million in emergency assistance since the beginning of 2015.
The emergency funding comes on top of the €561 million already allocated to Greece under the national programmes for 2014-2020 (€322.8 million from AMIF and €238.2 million from ISF).
EU-kommissionen 18-10-10: the Commission stands by the International Organisation for Migration working on the ground in Greece (Extern länk)
Europarådet 18-10-03: More must be done to help women and girl refugees and migrants (Extern länk)
EUobserver 18-10-09: Greek court orders inquiry into use of EU migrant funds (Extern länk)
En flyktingfamilj som anlände till ön Lesbos i Grekland i mars 2016 har anmält till Europadomstolen för mänskliga rättigheter hur de behandlades under sin tid i Grekland. Det är en lång lidandes historia om överfulla tält, dålig hygien, timmars köande för mat, brist på toaletter och filtar etc. Ett av barnen bröt armen i en överfull båt som skulle ta dem från Lesbos. De hamnade i ett lika överbefolkat tältläger i norra Grekland. Kvinnan som var höggravid avråddes av läkaren från att besöka toaletten. Familjen tog sig på egen hand till Aten, men måste även där bo i tält. Efter att kvinnan fött en baby tog volontärer henne, babyn och den skadade sonen till sjukhus. Därefter bodde de en månad i ett hus som ockuperats av flyktingar men lämnade detta på grund av risken för smitta och infektioner. Efter en protest framför frivilligorganisationen Praxis' kontor fick de ett bättre boende av Praxis. Europadomstolen har nu behandlat ärendet men anser att familjen borde ha överklagat sin placering till grekiska myndigheter. Familjen hävdade att ingen upplyst dem om någon sådan möjlighet. Men enligt Europadomstolen kom anmälan in när deras situation förbättrats avsevärt och de borde ha kunnat kräva kompensation av Grekland i första hand. Därför tas målet inte upp i sak.
Beslut no 62732/16, Nadera ABDULLA et autres c la Grèce, endast franska (Extern länk)
Läkare utan Gränser 18-08-31:
Libyen/ Strider i Tripoli förvärrar situationen för inlåsta flyktingar och migranter
Under de senaste dagarna har strider i Tripoli skapat stort lidande för invånarna och de runt 8000 flyktingar och migranter som hålls fångna i staden. En del av dessa var utan mat i två dygn efter att konflikten bröt ut i söndags. Andra släpptes ut från fånglägren och försökte att fly till närliggande stadsdelar med risk att skadas i korselden.
Våldet startade när en konflikt mellan väpnade grupper blossade upp i söndags. Intensiva granatattacker i bostadsområden har lett till ett okänt antal skadade och döda.
– Striderna visar att Libyen inte är en säker plats för flyktingar och migranter, säger Ibrahim Younis, landansvarig för Läkare Utan Gränser i Libyen.
– Många har flytt från länder i krig. De har först hållits fångna av människosmugglare och sedan godtyckligt låsts in i fångläger. Dessa människor är väldigt utsatta och är nu mitt i en konflikt de inte kan fly ifrån. De borde inte överhuvudtaget hållas fångna enbart av den anledningen att de försöker att fly till säkerhet eller ett bättre liv. De borde genast evakueras och föras till ett säkert land.
Sedan våldet bröt ut har de humanitära behoven i de drabbade stadsdelarna och framför allt i fånglägren ökat dramatiskt. Läkare Utan Gränsers team ger sjukvård, vatten och mat till de som fortfarande befinner sig i lägren. Läkare Utan Gränser och alla andra humanitära organisationer har dock väldigt begränsad tillgång till andra människor i behov av hjälp.
Nästan hälften har flytt från konfliktzoner
Enligt FN:s flyktingorgan UNHCR har nästan hälften att de som sitter i fångläger flytt från konfliktområden som Eritrea, Etiopien, Somalia och Sudan. Dessa människor har ett skyddsbehov enligt internationell rätt. Men de libyska myndigheterna, andra berörda länder och FN har inte lyckats att tillgodose detta behov och etablera en effektiv process för asylansökan. Tvärtom har EU-länderna skapat regler som hindrar asylsökande från att lämna Libyen.
Läkare utan Gränser 18-09-07: Evakuera människor från Libyen omedelbart! (Extern länk)
Turkiet/ UNHCR ends registration of non-Syrian asylum seekers
UNHCR has announced that its registration activities for applicants for international protection in Turkey will end on 10 September 2018, as part of the transition of refugee status determination responsibility to the Turkish Directorate General for Migration Management (DGMM).
The UN agency was in charge of registering international protection applications by persons coming from countries other than Syria, with its implementing partner, ASAM, conducting registration in Ankara. Following registration with UNHCR, applicants for international protection were assigned to the province where they were required to reside, known as "satellite city", and were instructed to appear before the competent Provincial Directorate for Migration Management (PDMM) to continue the procedure. A total of 63,039 asylum seekers were registered with UNHCR from January to July 2018.
Applications for international protection will now be directly registered with the PDMM, as is the case for Syrian refugees registering under Turkey's temporary protection regime. Whereas the registration of applications for international protection can be conducted by PDMM across all 81 provinces of the country, applicants will only be allowed to reside in "satellite cities". According to UNHCR, 19 provinces - including Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara - are currently excluded from the "satellite city" system.
Authorities in the Caribbean island of Curaçao, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, must protect people who are fleeing the human rights crisis in nearby Venezuela and put an end to the appalling conditions they face upon reaching Curaçao, said Amnesty International in a report published today.
Detained and Deported: Venezuelans denied protection in Curaçao presents compelling evidence that foreigners have not been able to apply for international protection in Curaçao since July 2017 and details a number of alleged human rights violations committed against people from Venezuela, who face detention and being sent back in breach of international law.
"It's a disgrace that the Curaçao government has not established an effective procedure for people to seek asylum. Instead of turning their back on the people fleeing a desperate crisis in Venezuela, the authorities in Curaçao must guarantee the rights of all asylum seekers and refugees in need of international protection," said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas Director at Amnesty International.
Instead of protecting arrivals from Venezuela, the Curaçao government has designed an "active removal strategy" to deport those with irregular migration status. In 2017, the Curaçao authorities removed 1,203 Venezuelans from the island, while in the first four months of 2018 they deported another 386.
Amnesty International found that the authorities are holding those who are due to be deported in detention centres and police cells. The report also describes a case where authorities put children in the care of a state children's home during the detention of their mother.
Refugee Rights Europe / Harekact 18-08-27:
While much of the current media and policy attention is focused on the central Mediterranean route, due to the spike in deaths and the stand-off between European countries who are closing ports and hindering NGO search and rescue missions, Refugee Rights Europe releases a new report indicating that the situation on the Greek islands is more critical than ever.
The research report, published on 27 August 2018, found that the EU-Turkey Statement from March 2016 has contributed towards an increasingly urgent and tense environment on the island due to overcrowding, lack of capacity and resources, and unauthorised mobility. The situation has deteriorated at rapid pace and is now at absolute breaking point.
Declining morale and psychological conditions have led to heightened tensions and brawls, while a definitive shortage of resources leaves vulnerable populations in unacceptable conditions. Due to lack of space for new arrivals, some people are forced to live outside the camp leaving them at heightened risk of ill-health and insecurity.
The men, women and children on Lesvos - who all aspire to continue onto mainland Greece either to seek asylum there or to continue onto other countries such as Germany and Sweden - are trapped in overcrowded camps with no apparent end in sight and a constant fear of being returned to Turkey or their country of origin which they fled in the first place.
Hämta rapporten: an island in despair (Extern länk)
Pressmeddelandet (Extern länk till pdf-fil)
Statewatch: Moria camp "dangerous to public health" and majority of detainees "never feel safe" (Extern länk)
Läkare utan Gränser 18-09-17: Ett av fyra barn i Morialägret har självskadebeteende (Extern länk)
Sveriges Radio Ekot 18-09-20: Många nyanlända i lägren på Lesbos (Extern länk)
Sveriges Radio Ekot 18-09-21: Flyktingsituationen pressar krisdrabbade Grekland (Extern länk)
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is today urging the Government of Greece to address the situation in Aegean Sea Reception and Identification Centres (RICs), commonly known as 'hotspots'.
Centres are severely overcrowded. This means that thousands of asylum-seekers and migrants, including many children, live in squalid, inadequate and rapidly deteriorating conditions. Some have been living in these centres for more than six months.
UNHCR calls on the authorities to rapidly accelerate procedures for those eligible for transfer to the mainland; to increase reception capacity on the mainland to host them; quickly improve conditions in reception centres and provide alternative accommodation for the most vulnerable.
The situation is reaching boiling point at the Moria RIC on the island of Lesvos, where more than 7,000 asylum-seekers and migrants are crammed into shelters built to accommodate just 2,000 people. A quarter of those are children.
An estimated 2,700 people, mainly Syrian and Iraqi families, are staying at the Vathy RIC on Samos, originally designed to hold less than 700. This is forcing many to stay in flimsy tents and makeshift shelters. This is likely to become a serious concern if not addressed before winter sets in. People in need of medical attention are being forced to queue for hours before receiving treatment.
Reception centres on the islands of Chios and Kos are close to double their intended capacity.
Bangladesh/ Rohingya emergency one year on
Asia's most recent refugee crisis warrants international solidarity and progress on solutions
UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, is calling today on the international community to step up its support for some 900,000 stateless Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and show solidarity with their generous hosts. The collective international responsibility for protecting and finding solutions for these refugees must remain a priority for all countries in the region and beyond.
Since August last year, more than 720,000 stateless Rohingya refugees, fleeing violence and systemic discrimination in Myanmar's Rakhine State, have found shelter and safety in Cox's Bazar district of Bangladesh. There they joined an estimated 200,000 Rohingya refugees from previous waves of displacement.
At the onset of the emergency, UNHCR immediately deployed additional staff to Bangladesh and airlifted more than 1,500 metric tonnes of aid and relief items. More aid was and continues to be shipped and moved by land. Over the past year our teams have been working around the clock in support of Bangladeshi authorities to ensure that the refugees are protected. Our work includes psycho-social counselling, prevention of sexual and gender based violence, family counting, identification of and assistance to separated and unaccompanied children and other vulnerable refugees.
Kutupalong settlement in Cox's Bazar shelters today more than 600,000 refugees, making it the largest and most densely populated refugee settlement in the world. This brings daily challenges of delivering shelter, water and sanitation and access to basic services, as well as protection considerations such as the safety of women and girls.
SvT Nyheter 18-08-23: "Förlorad generation": FN larmar om rohingiska barns utsatthet (Extern länk)
SvT Nyheter 18-08-26: Rohingyer protesterar ett år efter flykten (Extern länk)
Asylum seekers denied food following inadmissibility decisions
Following the entry into force of the latest asylum reform in Hungary, asylum seekers have their claims dismissed under a new inadmissibility ground introduced in Section 51(2)(f) of the Asylum Act, according to which an asylum application is deemed inadmissible if the applicant arrived through a country where he or she was not exposed to persecution or to serious harm, or if an adequate level of protection was available there. This provision is incompatible with the recast Asylum Procedures Directive and has formed part of the European Commission's latest infringement procedure against Hungary.
Asylum seekers whose claims are considered inadmissible on that ground are expelled from Hungary and ordered to remain in the transit zones, where they are denied food. According to the observations of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, this measure is taken with a view to deterring applicants from pursuing appeals against negative decisions on their claims and to pushing them to leave the transit zones and to return to Serbia.
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee has successfully requested interim measures from the European Court of Human Rights in three cases. The Court has ordered the authorities to provide the applicants with meals during their stay in the transit zones.
Bangladesh/ "Bangladesh Is Not My Country"
The Plight of Rohingya Refugees from Myanmar
In late August and September 2017, Bangladesh welcomed the sudden influx of several hundred thousand Rohingya refugees fleeing ethnic cleansing in Myanmar. This followed an earlier wave of violence in October 2016, which forced over 80,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. Bangladesh's respect for the principle of nonrefoulement is especially praiseworthy at a time when many other countries are building walls, pushing asylum seekers back at borders, and deporting people without adequately considering their protection claims. Currently, more than 900,000 Rohingya refugees are in the Cox's Bazar area in Bangladesh's southern tip. These consist of nearly 700,000 new arrivals on top of more than 200,000 Rohingya refugees already living in the area, having fled previous waves of persecution and repression in Myanmar. Bangladesh has continued to let in another 11,432 since the beginning of 2018 through the end of June 2018
While the burdens of dealing with this mass influx have mostly fallen on Bangladesh, responsibility for the crisis lies with Myanmar. The Myanmar military's large-scale campaign of killings, rape, arson, and other abuses amounting to crimes against humanity caused the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh. And Myanmar's failure to take any meaningful actions to address either recent atrocities against the Rohingya or the decades-long discrimination and repression against the population is at the root of delays in refugee repatriation. Bangladesh's handling of the refugee situation needs to be understood in the context of Myanmar's responsibility for the crisis.
EU-kommissionen 18-08-01:
Today, the European Commission has awarded an additional €37.5 million in emergency assistance under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) to improve reception conditions for migrants in Greece.
The Greek authorities will receive €31.1 million to support the provisional services offered to migrants, including; healthcare, interpretation and food, and to improve the infrastructure of the Reception and Identification Centre of Fylakio in the Evros region in Northern Greece. The extra funding will also contribute to the creation of additional accommodation spaces within existing and new sites in mainland Greece. A further €6.4 million has been awarded to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to improve reception conditions and to provide site management support to selected sites on the mainland.
Dimitris Avramopoulos, Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship said: "The Commission is doing everything in its power to support all Member States facing migratory pressures - whether that is in the Eastern, Central or Western Mediterranean. Migration is a European challenge and we need a European solution, where no Member State is left alone. Greece has been on the frontline since 2015 and while the situation has greatly improved since the EU-Turkey Statement, we continue to assist the country with the challenges it is still facing. The Commission's political, operation?l and financial support for Greece remains tangible and interrupted."
Today's funding decision comes on top of more than €1.6 billion of funding support awarded by the Commission since 2015 to address migration challenges in Greece. Under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the Internal Security Fund (ISF), Greece has been awarded €456.5 million in emergency funding, in addition to €561 million already awarded under these funds for the Greek national programme 2014-2020.
Australian coroner's report documents a refugee tragedy
Hamid Khazaei was a fit and healthy young man when he arrived on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island in September 2013, transferred there by the Australian government under its draconian asylum-seeker policy.
Less than a year later, the 24-year-old Iranian was dead from septicemia after a sore on his leg became infected.
On July 30, a Queensland coronial investigation found that Khazaei's death was "preventable" and resulted from "a series of clinical errors, compounded by failures in communication that led to poor handovers and significant delays in his retrieval from Manus Island."
When Khazaei's medical condition worsened and antibiotics were unavailable on Manus, doctors recommended urgent transfer to Australia. But bureaucrats dithered and eventually sent him to a hospital in Port Moresby, the PNG capital, where he received inadequate care and was left unattended for long periods of time. By the time Australian authorities transferred him to a Brisbane hospital, it was too late to save his life.
As the coroner found, Australia retains responsibility for the care of people it transfers to offshore processing countries where standards of health care don't meet Australian standards. The coroner also found Khazaei was entitled to receive care broadly comparable with health services available in Australia. He did not receive that care.
TT-Reuters / UNT 18-07-30: En australisk rättsläkare konstaterar att det hade gått att förebygga att en iransk asylsökare dog efter att ha hållits i ett flyktingläger på en ö i Stilla havet. (Extern länk)
Radio New Zealand 18-07-23: US resettlement continues as Australians protest (Extern länk)
The European Union's obstruction of nongovernmental rescues and handover of responsibility to Libyan coast guard forces is a recipe for even greater loss of life in the Mediterranean and a continuing cycle of abuse for people trapped in Libya, Human Rights Watch said today.
"The EU's efforts to block rescues and dithering on where rescued people can land, propelled by Italy's hard-line and heartless approach, is leading to more deaths at sea and greater suffering in Libya," said Judith Sunderland, associate Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Instead of discouraging rescues by nongovernmental organizations, commercial vessels, and even military ships, EU member states and institutions should ensure that rescued people can be taken to safe ports where their protection needs can be met."
In a visit to Libya in early July, Human Rights Watch interviewed Libyan coast guard forces, dozens of detained refugees and migrants in four official detention centers in Tripoli, Zuwara, and Misrata, and officials from international organizations. The detained asylum seekers and migrants interviewed made serious allegations of abuse by guards and smugglers, and some reported aggressive behavior by coast guard forces during rescue operations at sea. Human Rights Watch confirmed that Libyan coast guard forces lack the capacity to ensure safe and effective search-and-rescue operations.
Since his government came to power in early June, Italy's deputy prime minister and interior minister, Matteo Salvini, has campaigned against nongovernmental rescue organizations operating in the Mediterranean and refused or delayed ships from disembarking hundreds of vulnerable people rescued at sea in Italy, including military and commercial vessels. On July 23, the Italian government announced it would allow military ships participating in EUNAVFOR MED, the EU's anti-smuggling operation, to disembark in Italy for five weeks while they renegotiate the mission's operational plan.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is calling for international solidarity and support for Costa Rica and other countries hosting Nicaraguan refugees and asylum seekers, as thousands of Nicaraguans flee mounting political tensions, violence and serious human rights violations in their country.
In recent months, the number of asylum applications by Nicaraguans in neighbouring Costa Rica and other countries has increased exponentially. Currently, an average of 200 asylum applications are being lodged daily in Costa Rica. According to Costa Rican authorities, nearly 8,000 asylum claims by Nicaraguan nationals have been registered since April, and some 15,000 more have been given appointments for later registration as the national processing capacities have been overwhelmed. UNHCR is providing an initial support to the Migration authority to increase its processing capacity from 200 to at least 500 claims daily.
UNHCR is strengthening its presence in Costa Rica's northern border region and, together with the Costa Rican Government, other UN agencies and its NGO partners, is gearing up its response capacity to provide immediate protection and assistance to thousands of Nicaraguan refugees and asylum seekers, both in the northern region and in the metropolitan area of the capital San Jose.
Many arriving Nicaraguans are being hosted by an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 Nicaraguan families living already in Costa Rica, who are providing an initial safety net for friends, relatives and fellow citizens.
Bangladesh/ Thousands at risk of trafficking amid Rohingya refugee crisis
Thousands of people caught up in Bangladesh's Rohingya refugee crisis are at risk of human trafficking, IOM, the UN Migration Agency, counter trafficking experts have warned, stressing that the scourge of exploitation can only be tackled if authorities, local and international agencies, and communities work together.
The call for a multi-actor approach to prevent more refugees and members of the host community in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, from falling victim to traffickers, came after government officials, military and police representatives, and IOM trafficking experts, yesterday joined a rally and public meeting in the town to mark World Day Against Human Trafficking.
Seventy-eight victims of trafficking have been identified and supported by IOM in Cox's Bazar in the past ten months. Due to the complex and clandestine nature of the crime, it is recognised that this figure accounts for just a fraction of the true number of men, women and children trafficked during that period.
"The horrific prospect that thousands of people affected by the Rohingya crisis will end up in the hands of traffickers is a risk that must not be underestimated," said Manuel Marques Pereira, IOM's Emergency Coordinator in Cox's Bazar.
"It is encouraging that the government, military, law enforcement and other relevant agencies came together with IOM in Cox's Bazar to mark World Day Against Human Trafficking. We need to show our commitment to working together to end this scourge. But we also need support from the global community to ensure that we have the necessary funding to help prevent people from falling victim to this terrible crime."
IOM is the lead agency coordinating the fight against human trafficking in Cox's Bazar. It launched its programme in September 2017, just weeks after hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees fled across the border to escape violence in Myanmar.
Australien/ Detained Iranian asylum seeker died from lack of medical care
The European Commission has today decided to refer Hungary to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) for non-compliance of its asylum and return legislation with EU law.
The Commission has also today sent a letter of formal notice to Hungary concerning new Hungarian legislation which criminalises activities that support asylum and residence applications and further restricts the right to request asylum.
Court referral for non-compliance with EU asylum and return legislation
The Commission first launched an infringement procedure against Hungary concerning its asylum laws in December 2015. Following a series of exchanges on both administrative and political levels and a complementary letter of formal notice, the Commission sent a reasoned opinion in December 2017. After analysing the reply provided by the Hungarian authorities, the Commission considers that the majority of the concerns raised have still not been addressed and has therefore now decided to refer Hungary to the Court of Justice of the European Union - the last stage of the infringement procedure. Specifically, the Commission finds that Hungarian legislation is incompatible with EU law in the following respects:
EurActiv 18-07-25: Hungary slams EU legal action over asylum seekers (Extern länk)
Grekland/ How a European refugee camp is traumatising people on Lesbos
Confinement, violence and chaos: How a European refugee camp is traumatising people on Lesbos
MSF calls for vulnerable people to be moved out of Moria into secure accommodation, and continues to call for a decongestion of the camp.
MSF insists on an end to policies of containment, and calls on the EU and state authorities to step up access to health and security for those in the camp.
The EU-Turkey deal is not an effective one; people will continue to flee war and terror in order to survive. Trapping these people in awful and unsafe conditions is simply further traumatising an already extremely vulnerable population.
With the migrant and refugee population continuously rising on the island of Lesbos, Greece, the situation in Moria refugee camp is descending into chaos, with regular clashes and riots, incidents of sexual violence, and a sinking state of mental health for the thousands of people trapped in the camp.
Currently, there are over 8,000 people crammed into a space designed for 3,000 in Moria. Conditions are so bad that people's medical and mental health is being heavily compromised. In the past few months, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has witnessed further escalations of everyday violence in Moria, and treated cases of sexual violence that have occurred in and around the camp.
Much of the tension is caused by overcrowding and a lack of decent and humane living conditions. In the main area of Moria camp and in the adjacent overflow camp known as Olive Grove, there are 72 people per functioning toilet and 84 people per functioning shower. This is well below the recommended humanitarian standards in emergency situations.
Lebanon cannot force returns without contravening international law
In the past month, Lebanon has seen a number of troubling developments regarding the presence of Syrian refugees, with leading politicians heightening calls for the return of refugees to Syria and making unfounded accusations of an international conspiracy to settle them in Lebanon.
As countries around the world have turned their backs on refugees, Lebanon is hosting an estimated 1.5 million Syrians, by far the highest number of refugees per capita in the world. At the Friends of Syria donor conference in Brussels in April, Lebanon made important commitments to refugee rights, including on residency status, education, legal protection, and nonrefoulement-the prohibition on returning people to places where they are in danger. These could have a real and positive impact on the lives of Syrians in Lebanon-if they are carried out. But since then, things have taken a turn for the worse.
Following Brussels, Lebanon's president, speaker of parliament, and foreign minister slammed a joint EU-UN statement that mentioned a "choice to stay," saying that it suggested permanent settlement in Lebanon. But that phrase only related to people displaced within Syria, not to refugees in Lebanon.
Just after Lebanon recommitted in Brussels to not forcibly returning refugees, politicians turned up the volume for their return. Although not calling outright for forced returns, President Michel Aoun said he would seek a refugee "solution" without the UN. He also called on the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt to help facilitate refugee returns. And the Foreign Ministry summoned the UN refugee agency's country representative and accused the agency of scaremongering after UNHCR put out a neutral statement saying it was not involved in the return of 500 refugees to Syria in April.
Nauru/ Australia: New Video on Cruel 'Offshore Processing' Policy
Fifth anniversary of refugees suffering on Manus, Nauru Islands
A new video from Human Rights Watch highlights ongoing abuses ahead of the fifth anniversary of the Australian government's reintroduction of its offshore processing and settlement policy. Under this policy, people seeking asylum who travel by boat are sent to remote offshore camps on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the island nation of Nauru.
On July 19, 2013, then-Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced that any asylum seeker who arrives in Australia by boat will have "no chance of being settled in Australia as refugees." Soon thereafter, Australia signed agreements to resettle people on PNG and Nauru. Since then, Australia has forcibly transferred 3,172 people, most of them refugees, to camps on those islands at a cost of more than A$5 billion (US$3.7 billion). About 1,600 remain: 750 men in PNG, and 850 men, women, and children on Nauru.
"The fifth anniversary of depositing people in misery and suffering on isolated Pacific islands at the cost of a billion dollars a year should be viewed with outrage," said Elaine Pearson, Australia director at Human Rights Watch. "Australia has gone from being a country that once welcomed immigrants to a world leader in treating refugees with brazen cruelty."
Australian officials have called the policy "harsh but effective," and some European Union leaders have suggested following Australia's lead and processing asylum seekers offshore. But the cost to human lives of these policies demonstrates that Australia is no role model for Europe or anywhere else, Human Rights Watch said.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is alarmed by a separation of a Sri Lankan refugee family in Sydney by the Government of Australia. The deportation overnight of the father leaves his Sri Lankan partner, who is a recognized refugee, alone in Australia with their 11-month-old daughter.
This contravenes the basic right of family unity, as well as the fundamental principle of the best interests of the child. UNHCR sought assurances from the Government of Australia that the man would not be removed from Australia and be allowed to remain with his family. Private legal representatives had also lodged multiple requests for intervention with the Minister for Home Affairs. We regret that those collective representations were unsuccessful.
Australia's broader current policy of "offshore processing and deterrence" has led to the ongoing separation of refugee families since 2013. Asylum-seekers who arrive to Australia by sea have been prevented from reuniting with their loved ones in Australia, including spouses, parents and children.
UNHCR is aware of several other parents currently held under Australian "offshore processing" in Nauru, whose spouses were transferred to Australia for medical reasons, including in order to give birth. The Government of Australia has refused to allow them to be reunited in Australia, despite the fact that neither Nauru nor Papua New Guinea are considered suitable places of settlement for the vast majority of refugees.
In more than one instance, children have also remained in Nauru separated from an adult parent sent to Australia for medical care. This has had a particularly devastating effect on their deteriorating mental health.
Europa/ Aida briefing: Withdrawal of reception conditions of asylum seekers
The latest AIDA Legal Briefing analyses European countries' national legal frameworks and practice on the reduction and withdrawal of reception conditions of asylum seekers under the recast Reception Conditions Directive.
It identifies circumstances in which the intention to restrict the possibility of 'abuse' of the asylum system can take precedence over the need to ensure an "adequate" or "dignified" standard of living for all applicants throughout the status determination process. Trends have developed within national interpretations of the recast Reception Conditions Directive and domestic practices that utilise the reduction and withdrawal of reception conditions as a punitive measure, arguably beyond what is permitted under EU law. The withdrawal of reception conditions as punishment of violations of reception centre house rules remains a contested measure, and one that will likely be clarified by the Court of Justice of the European Union following a recent preliminary reference.
Moreover, the type of individual behaviour which leads to reduction or withdrawal of reception conditions is very inconsistent across national practice, as demonstrated for example by the ways in which the "abandonment" of a reception centre is defined, varying from an absence of two weeks in the Netherlands to mere return after curfew in Italy. As regards other grounds set out by the Directive, only nine countries reduce or withdraw conditions from subsequent applicants, while only three have transposed the possibility to reduce or withdraw conditions when applicants are deemed not to have sought asylum as soon as possible.
Läs mer och hämta rapporrten (Extern länk)
Frankrike/ "Like a Lottery" - Arbitrary treatment of unaccompanied children in Paris
On a typical night, some 200 or more unaccompanied migrant children sleep on the streets of Paris. In large part, these children are homeless as a consequence of arbitrary procedures and inordinate delays in determining that they are under age 18, the first step to entry into the child protection system.
The French Red Cross does age assessments for unaccompanied children in Paris, delegated to do so by the department of Paris (a department is a local administrative division of France), and it has established an evaluation facility (Dispositif d'evaluation des mineurs isolés étrangers, DEMIE) for this purpose. But many children who seek legal recognition of their age report that they are turned away at the door by security guards. Others go through a short interview of approximately five minutes followed by a summary verbal denial. This treatment falls short of what is required by French law, violates international standards, and means that those who are turned away must fend for themselves or seek assistance from nongovernmental organizations to find shelter, food, and other basic necessities.
Those who are fortunate enough to receive full interviews receive a formal decision from the Paris child welfare agency, the Directorate for Social Action, Children, and Health (Direction de l'action sociale, de l'enfance et de la santé, DASES), based on the DEMIE's evaluation. They are often rejected if they do not have identity documents, even though international standards and French regulations note that documents-which may be lost during arduous journeys-are not required and that approximate age can be determined through questioning. But those who do have documents are also frequently rejected-child welfare authorities and French courts regularly question the validity of birth certificates, passports, and other identity documents, sometimes even when they have been authenticated by embassies.
Frankrike/ Immigration detention increase continues
The number of people deprived of their liberty in France for immigration reasons continues to rise, according to the annual report compiled by civil society organisations monitoring administrative detention centres (CRA) and other administrative detention places (LRA).
A total of 46,857 persons were placed in administrative detention in the course of 2017, of which 25,274 were detained on the mainland. Northern France accounts for the majority of detention orders, with 4,268 issued by the Prefecture of Pas-de-Calais, followed by the Prefectures of Paris (3,449) and Nord (1,519). The number of children in families detained also rose in 2017 to 304 children on the mainland, compared to 179 in 2016. Children were mostly held in the CRA of Mesnil-Amelot (121) and Metz (162). Another 2,493 children were detained in Mayotte.
The organisations monitoring detention have documented several cases of asylum seekers unlawfully detained in CRA such as Toulouse and Paris-Vincennes while awaiting the registration of their application by the Prefecture "single desk" (guichet unique). Detention therefore remains a critical consequence of persisting obstacles to access to the asylum procedure in France.
The report also provides details on detention conditions across the different CRA. Conditions remain worrying in the CRA of Nice and Marseille. Tensions and a deterioration of living conditions were reported in Perpignan due to an increase in the number of detainees. In Oissel, incidents of police violence, harassment and abuse have been reported in 2017.
Grekland/ Immediate action needed to protect human rights of migrants
"The humanity and hospitality that Greece's people and authorities demonstrated towards migrants in recent years is truly commendable. In spite of these efforts, however, the situation remains worrying and much more needs to be done to protect the human rights of those who have had to flee their country", said today Dunja Mijatovi?, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, at the end of her five-day visit to Greece, which also focused on the impact of austerity on human rights.
Noting the significant decrease in arrivals of migrants to Greece in the last two years, the Commissioner stressed that while current numbers remain difficult to manage for Greece alone, Europe as a whole can handle them without major difficulties. "It is high time that all member states of the Council of Europe united around its foundational values and address this issue in a spirit of collective responsibility and solidarity", said Commissioner Mijatovi?.
Grekland/ Asylum-seeking children deprived of school
Few classes in government camps on the Aegean Islands
Greece is denying thousands of asylum-seeking children their right to an education because of an European Union-backed migration policy that traps them on the Aegean islands, Human Rights Watch said today.
The 51-page report, "'Without Education They Lose Their Future': Denial of Education to Child Asylum Seekers on the Greek Islands," found that fewer than 15 percent of more than 3,000 school-age asylum-seeking children on the islands were enrolled in public school at the end of the 2017-2018 school year, and that in government-run camps on the islands, only about 100 children, all preschoolers, had access to formal education. The asylum-seeking children on the islands are denied the educational opportunities they would have on the mainland. Most of those who were able to go to school had been allowed to leave the government-run camps for housing run by local authorities and volunteers.
"Greece should drop its policy of confining child asylum seekers and their families to the islands, since for two years the government has proven incapable of getting these children into school there," said Bill Van Esveld, senior children's rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Stranding children on islands where they can't go to school harms them and violates Greece's own laws."
Human Rights Watch interviewed 107 school-age asylum-seeking and migrant children on the islands and interviewed Education Ministry officials, UN staff, and local aid groups, and reviewed legislation.
Eva Cosse at Human Rights Watch iin To BHMA 18-07-05: Greece can't duck its duty to asylum seekers (Extern länk)
Rumänien/ Living conditions in reception centres a persisting concern
People in need of protection continue to face substandard living conditions in Regional Centres for Procedures and Accommodation of Asylum Seekers in Bucharest and Giurgiu, Romania. A recent set of fact-finding visits conducted between 18 and 22 June 2018 looked at conditions prevailing in the two centres, as well as the situation in the Otopeni Public Custody Centre.
Sanitary facilities in the Regional Centre Giurgiu remain in poor state, with showers in insalubrious condition, despite having been recently sanitised. Substandard living conditions were a matter of concern in 2017. As for the Regional Centre Bucharest, the outdoor playground was found to be in bad condition, with toys near the playground thrown across the floor and old steel bed frames with growing grass left near the playground, thereby posing a safety risk for children. Moreover, the courtyard in Giurgiu is a small space surrounded by a fence and thereby remains inaccessible. Conversely, the overall condition of the Otopeni Public Custody Centre was found to be satisfactory.
Provisions and guarantees for children remain a challenge in practice. While no child living in Giurgiu has enrolled at school for the past three years according to NGO representatives, the new-born baby of a family of protection status holders in Bucharest was not granted the financial assistance of 700 RON / 150 € provided to beneficiaries of international protection by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), among other forms of support available to status holders.
Jordanien/ Syrian refugees must not be abandoned
Responding to the news that the Jordanian government has said it will not accept any more refugees fleeing a new offensive in southern Syria, Mouna Elkekhia, Amnesty International's Advisor on Refugee and Migrant Rights, said:
"People fleeing war in Syria are in a desperate life-or-death situation, and the Jordanian government cannot simply abandon them.
"Jordan has a duty to protect refugees from Syria fleeing conflict and persecution, and to allow them to enter the country. Closing the border to people in need of protection violates Jordan's international obligations.
"In 2016, Jordan officially closed its border to people leaving Syria with dire consequences. Tens of thousands of people are still stranded at the border in deplorable conditions and left to suffer because the Jordanian authorities have effectively blocked access for aid, medical treatment and a meaningful humanitarian response.
"The Jordanian government must open its border to those fleeing Syria, and the international community must provide full and meaningful support to Jordan and other countries in the region that are hosting large numbers of refugees who have fled from Syria."
Last week, the Syrian government escalated air strike and artillery attacks on southern Daraa province, close to the border with Jordan, causing thousands to leave their homes.
Earlier today, Jordanian government spokeswoman Jumana Ghunaimat was quoted in The Jordan Times as saying that Jordan has already absorbed large numbers of Syrian refugees and that "we simply cannot receive more".
Noting the significant decrease in arrivals of migrants to Greece in the last two years, the Commissioner stressed that while current numbers remain difficult to manage for Greece alone, Europe as a whole can handle them without major difficulties. "It is high time that all member states of the Council of Europe united around its foundational values and address this issue in a spirit of collective responsibility and solidarity", said Commissioner Mijatovic.
Plan International 18-06-20:
Bangladesh/ Ny rapport: Tonårsflickor i Rohingyakrisen lever isolerade i flyktingläger
Isolerade från samhället, rädda för våld och övergrepp och utan tillgång till utbildning. I en ny rapport från barnrättsorganisationen Plan International berättar tonårsflickor för första gången om sin situation i flyktinglägret Cox' Bazar i Bangladesh. Många flickor tvingas tillbringa alla dygnets timmar i överhettade tält och 3 av 4 flickor uppger att de aldrig får vara med och fatta beslut över sina liv.
Sedan i augusti 2017, då en våg av extremt våld drog fram över delstaten Rakhine i Myanmar, har över 700 000 muslimska rohingyer flytt till grannlandet Bangladesh. Många hjälpinsatser i flyktinglägren är riktade specifikt till barn och kvinnor medan tonårsflickorna glöms bort. Det visar rapporten "Röster från Rohingyakrisen" som Plan International tagit fram, byggd på enkäter och djupintervjuer med över 300 flickor i åldrarna 10 till 19.
- Det råder inga tvivel om att tonårsflickorna är några av Rohingyakrisens största offer. De trånga och överbefolkade förhållanden - inte bara i lägret utan också inne i de små tälten som de nu kallar sitt hem - har förödande inverkan på flickornas liv, säger Agnes Björn, humanitär chef för Plan International Sverige.
Isoleras från samhället
Begränsad rörelsefrihet är ett av de största problemen som flickorna i studien rapporterar. Många av de intervjuade flickorna säger att de i praktiken har blivit dömda till att leva 24 timmar per dygn i trånga tält där temperaturen ofta stiger till 40 grader. Flickorna önskar att de kunde röra sig fritt i flyktinglägret men förklarar att de inte kan lämna tälten på grund av samhällets syn på flickor och rädslan för att de ska utsättas för våld och övergrepp. Istället isoleras de i sina hem där de får ansvara för städning och matlagning. Flickorna uppger att de saknar möjlighet att påverka sin situation. Drygt tre av fyra flickor säger att de aldrig får vara med och fatta beslut om sådant som rör deras eget liv.
IOM: True stories of Trafficked Rohingya Refugees used by IOM to Raise Awareness, Counter Risks in Bangladesh (Extern länk)
Bangladesh/ First monsoons sweep refugee settlements amid emergency response
The first heavy rains of the year swept through Rohingya refugee settlements in Cox's Bazar district this weekend, marking the start of the monsoon season. This is an early test for refugees and humanitarian agencies working to support the Government of Bangladesh on the response efforts.
Torrential rains and winds up to 70 kilometres per hour caused at least 89 reported incidents, including 37 landslide incidents, causing several injuries and one confirmed fatality - a child. Nearly 2,500 refugee families, some 11,000 people in all, are affected.
As of 10 June the rain has become nearly continuous. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department nearly 400 millimetres of rain have fallen in Cox's Bazar area since Sunday. This is equivalent to two thirds of the average June rainfall for this part of the country. The area currently shelters some 900,000 refugees, including 720,000 who have arrived in Bangladesh since August 25 last year.
Bangladeshi authorities, UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, and other humanitarian partners responded immediately to the incidents caused by the monsoon rains. Interventions included search and rescue operations, relocations and distributions of shelter kits and aid.
According to damage assessments, more than 1,000 shelters have been damaged as well as ten water points, 167 latrines, one health facility, and one food distribution site. The rains have also flooded the main road through the Kutupalong settlement, temporarily blocking vehicle access to parts of the site.
UNHCR and partners, working in support of the Bangladeshi authorities, have been working around the clock to try to mitigate risks of landslides and flooding in the highly congested refugee settlements. However, given the scope of the refugee population, the sheer size of the settlements and the challenging terrain, we fear that the extreme weather will cause further damage, destruction and potential loss of life.
Frankrike/ ECRE mission report: access to asylum and detention at France's borders
This report presents the outcomes of a fact-finding visit to France conducted by ECRE between 23 and 27 April 2018, with a focus on deprivation of liberty and access to asylum at the border.
People fleeing persecution and conflict who manage to reach France by air or sea may find themselves subjected to consecutive forms of deprivation of liberty. Since the beginning of 2018, there has been an emerging trend in certain regions whereby, after a person has been released from the waiting zone and has subsequently been held in police custody, he or she is admitted into the territory and issued an obligation to leave together with an administrative detention order for the purposes of removal.
The border procedure, consisting of a preliminary examination of claims for the purpose of allowing people entry into the territory to seek asylum, takes places under reduced procedural safeguards: remote interviews in all waiting zones except Roissy, scarce legal assistance due to lack of capacity of lawyers and NGOs, and a controversial assessment of the facts put forward by the asylum seeker. These barriers are liable to render access to asylum difficult, if not ineffective in practice.
According to official figures, the rate of positive opinions by OFPRA (the Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons) on requests to access the territory was around 26.6% in 2017 and 21.7% in the first quarter of 2018. This means that the majority of asylum claims made at the border are rejected in the border procedure. In the case of waiting zones such as Beauvais or La Réunion, all opinions issued by OFPRA in this period were negative.
Hela artikeln med länkar (Extern länk)
Grekland/ Asylum-seeking women detained with men
Greek authorities are routinely confining asylum-seeking women with unrelated men in the northern Evros region, at the land-border with Turkey, putting them at grave risk of sexual violence and harassment. Authorities should immediately stop holding asylum-seeking women and girls in closed facilities with unrelated men.
Human Rights Watch research in Northern Greece in late May 2018 found women and girls housed with unrelated men in sites for reception and/or detention of asylum seekers. Twelve women and two girls interviewed said they had been locked in cells or enclosures for weeks, and in one case for nearly five months, with men and boys they did not know. Four said they were the sole females confined with dozens of men, in some cases with at least one male partner or relative.
"Women and girls should not be confined with men who are complete strangers, even for a day," said Hillary Margolis, women's rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. "These women and girls came to Greece seeking security and protection, and instead they are living in fear."
Five women said they had severe psychological distress as a result, including two who had suicidal thoughts. Other women and girls said they experienced sleeplessness, anxiety, and other emotional and psychological distress, in part due to fear of confinement with unrelated men.
The Greek government has not provided authorities in northern Greece with sufficient resources to respond to a surge in arrivals over the land border with Turkey in April. Officials who met with Human Rights Watch acknowledged that the increase led to a slowdown in reception and identification procedures, including registration of asylum claims, as well as overcrowding of and lengthier stays in reception and immigration detention facilities.
Hela uttalandet, vittnesmål mm (Extern länk)
Spanien/ Report on immigration detention in 2017
A report by the Jesuit Migrants Service published today documents Spain's use of immigration detention in 2017, against the backdrop of increasing numbers of arrivals.
Spain placed 8,814 persons in Foreigner Detention Centres (Centros de Internamiento de Extranjeros, CIE) in the course of 2017, up from 7,597 in 2016. The vast majority were detained in the CIE of Algeciras, Barcelona and Madrid on the ground of irregular entry by boat. On the other hand, the number of people leaving CIE in 2017 was 8,645, of which 5,358 were released and 3,287 were removed from the territory.
The main nationalities placed in detention in 2017 were Algeria (2,775), Morocco (1,608), Côte d'Ivoire (1,215), Guinea (782) and Gambia (760). However, detention was imposed to no more than a third of the Moroccan nationals and less than half of the Algerian nationals entering irregularly in 2017.
The average duration of detention rose to 26.6 days in 2017, while longer average detention periods were reported in specific CIE such as Archidona (33 days) and Barcelona (32.5 days).
Finally, 1,381 asylum applications were lodged from detention, mainly in Barcelona (364), Madrid (346), Murcia (220) and Valencia (216). Access to the procedure from detention remains a challenge, as highlighted by the Ombudsman in his recent intervention concerning the registration of applications in the CIE of Madrid.
Spain doubled the number of arrivals between 2016 (13,246) and 2017 (26,941) and El Pais describes the challenges including detention center capacity under the headline: "Ill-equipped to deal with new influx, Spain leaves migrants to their fate," and quotes Carlos Carvajal, head of the Cardijn Community center in Cadiz where 1,900 people have arrived in the first five months of this year marking a 95% increase, for saying: "The situation is out of control. We are not living up to our moral obligations."
Turkiet/ Rapporteur praises Turkey's great efforts to manage 3.6 million migrants
Tineke Strik (Netherlands, SOC), ending a fact-finding visit to Ankara, Istanbul and Kirklareli, has praised Turkey's great efforts to manage the 3.6 million migrants in the country.
Her visit was organised in the framework of a report on "The human rights impact of the 'external dimension' of European Union asylum and migration policy: out of sight, out of rights?".
During the visit, Ms Strik met with the Migration Management Department, the Disaster Relief Agency, the Ministries of Foreign and EU Affairs and Members of Parliament, as well as representatives of the UNHCR, the IOM, Amnesty International, other NGOs and lawyers.
"Turkey's commitment to hosting and integrating such large numbers of refugees is really Impressive, It takes a lot of capacity-building to provide a sufficient level of education, health services and living conditions," she said.
"But this work cannot be supported by Turkey alone: the European Union should increase the flexibility of its programme implementation, while stepping up resettlement among member states and delivering on its promises of humanitarian admission of refugees."
At the same time, the rapporteur expressed concern at what appear to be practical and administrative obstacles to refugees' and asylum-seekers' access to their rights both at the border and on the Turkish territory.
"The growing focus on security, in particular in the context of the state of emergency, adds to the challenges faced. Difficulties in entering the labour market also expose refugees and asylum-seekers to the risk of poverty and exclusion, which will only increase if the predicted economic downturn is confirmed," she said.
The report will be debated on 27 June during the summer part-session of the Parliamentary Assembly.
PACE 18-06-04: Refugees must not be a tool for political pressure in Turkey, says rapporteur (Extern länk)
Reach Initiative 18-05-24:
Libyen/ Understanding the impact of EU migration measures on refugees
Despite the political instability which ensued the two civil wars in Libya in 2011 and 2014 persists, more than 700,000 refugees and migrants are in Libya today. They are among the most vulnerable population groups in the country with grave protection concerns reported both in detention and in urban areas. Some of these include arbitrary detention, systematic exploitation and kidnapping by militia groups. In this context, and in the backdrop of a rise in arrivals from Libya through the Central Mediterranean Sea route to Italy since 2016, the European Union and its member states have put in place a number of measures with the United Nations backed Government of National Accord in Libya in order to stem the flow of refugees and migrants towards Italy.
As a result of these measures, the number of refugees and migrants reaching Italy from Libya has drastically decreased. Yet, it is not clear how these measures impacted refugees' and migrants' lives in Libya. REACH conducted this study, in partnership with UNHCR, to provide an understanding of the impact of migration measures implemented in Libya since early 2017 on mixed migration routes, smuggling hubs, and the lives of refugees and migrants in the country. It is based on 75 in-depth semi structured individual interviews with refugees and migrants in urban areas across the country and 32 key informant interviews with smugglers, law enforcement officials and civil society activists, conducted from 21st March to 2nd of April 2018.
The assessment finds that migration routes to and within Libya have diversified since early 2017. It finds an increase in arrivals from Algeria and Chad and a multiplication of smuggling hubs along the eastern coast of the country. In the face of increased coastguard controls along the Libyan coast, the numbers of refugees and migrants held for long periods of time with limited freedom of movement in warehouses and unsafe accommodations along the coast have increased.
Över etthundra flyktingar och migranter lyckades fly från ett fångläger nära Bani Walid under onsdagkvällen. Men uppskattningsvis 15 personer dog och 25 skadades då de sköts under flykten. De skadade fördes till sjukhuset i Bani Walid där Läkare Utan Gränser arbetar.
De som överlevde var framför allt tonåringar från Eritrea, Etiopien och Somalia. Tonåringarna ville egentligen ta sig till Europa för att söka asyl, men hade tagits fången av människosmugglare i Libyen. De hade sålts mellan olika kriminella grupper i Libyen som bedriver människohandel.
De 25 skadade fördes till Bani Walid General Hospital där lokal personal och Läkare Utan Gränsers team tog hand om patienterna: 18 personer hade lättare skador och sju behövde avancerad sjukvård på grund av svåra skottskador och frakturer.
Patienterna berättade att runt 15 personer hade dödats under flyktförsöket. Dessutom fanns cirka 40 personer kvar i fångenskap, framför allt kvinnor.
Vissa berättade att de hade hållits fångna i tre år. Många hade gamla, infekterade sår och ärr och märken efter elchocker. De flesta är minderåriga och svårt traumatiserade.
- Nu måste det vidtas åtgärder för att patienterna ska få den sjukvård de behöver. De har varit med om grymma upplevelser. Det är oacceptabelt att människor fängslas helt godtyckligt i Libyen. De behöver hjälp och skydd, säger Christophe Biteau, landansvarig för Läkare Utan Gränser, i Libyen.
Today the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) published preliminary observations of its visit to detention facilities in Greece from 10 to 19 April 2018.
The Committee confirmed the persisting reality of wide disparities in standards across Greece's detention centres. It noted satisfactory conditions in the pre-removal centres of Amygdaleza and Kos and commended these facilities for introducing an open-door regime allowing individuals to leave their rooms during the day. On the other hand, worrying conditions were reported in the pre-removal centre of Moria on Lesvos, where "repair works are required and persons are locked in their rooms for around 22 hours per day."
The CPT visit focused on the detention conditions prevailing in the Evros region and expressed serious concerns at the abhorrent conditions in the pre-removal centre of Fylakio. During its visit, the CPT found 95 people held in one cell in about 1m2 of living space per person under extreme insalubrity. Moreover, conditions in police stations in the Evros region were described as "grossly sub-standard". The Isaakio police station cells were found to be filthy and full of waste and sanitary annexes had not been cleaned.
Recent research from the Greek Council for Refugees corroborates these findings and documents the excessive use of detention in Evros, where newly arrived asylum seekers are immediately placed in detention before undergoing a reception and identification procedure.
Artikeln med länkar till andra rapporter (Extern länk)
CPT 18-06-01: Council of Europe anti-torture Committee publishes preliminary observations after its visit to immigration detention and psychiatric establishments in Greece (Extern länk till pdf-fil)
RIghts in Exile 18-06-01:
This Joint Statement on the growing problem of homelessness among asylum-seekers in Cyprus has been issued by the following organisations: Agapi, Caritas, Cyprus Red Cross Society, Cyprus Refugee Council, Hope for Children, KISA, MiHub, Municipality of Nicosia, UNHCR. Published here with permission.
1. We note that the number of people seeking asylum in Cyprus has continued to show marked increases over the years, mostly due to the ongoing conflict in Syria: 1,887 persons in 2014; 2,108 in 2015; 2,871 in 2016 and 4,499 in 2017. We believe, however, that the national reception system has proven to be inadequate to meet the needs of the increasing numbers of asylum-seekers and is in urgent need of a comprehensive reform.
2. We further note that following a recent policy change by the Asylum Service, the Kofinou Reception Centre is no longer accepting single male asylum-seekers. With the Kofinou Centre presently hosting only 265 persons and another 130 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children housed at the four special shelters in Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol, the vast majority of asylum-seekers therefore live outside collective centres.
3. We are gravely concerned by the precarious living conditions of asylum-seekers, which is essentially the result of the very restrictive employment policy preventing asylum-seekers from becoming self-reliant, and remains unchanged despite the longer waiting period for receiving an asylum decision. Moreover, the material reception conditions are not adequate to ensure a dignified standard of living to protect their physical and mental health, especially given the increasing rent prices. This also affects transition to the community from both the Kofinou Reception Centre and the children's shelters.
Spanien/ Ombudsman calls for access to asylum in detention
The Spanish Ombudsman has recently urged the authorities to set up a system of immediate registration of asylum applications in Detention Centres for Foreigners (CIE). As the adoption of an Implementing Regulation for the Asylum Act has been pending since 2009, Spain has no rules in place to instruct CIE on the handling of claims made in detention.
At the CIE of Madrid, persons seeking protection are instructed to put their written intention to apply for asylum in a mailbox and to wait until the mailbox has been opened for the asylum procedure to start. According to the Ombudsman, this has resulted in a number of asylum seekers being deported before the authorities have opened the mailbox to find their applications.
Access to asylum in detention is an area of particular concern in the light of rising numbers of people placed in detention upon arrival by sea. Those disembarked in Spanish ports are automatically detained in police facilities and CIE without adequate justification or effective access to legal assistance. According to official statistics, a total of 6,012 persons arrived on boats between 1 January and 15 May 2018, while more than 500 were rescued at sea last weekend.
Artikeln med länkar till källor (Extern länk)
AIDA 18-06-07: Spain: Report details figures on immigration detention (Extern länk)
Papua/ Healthcare rollbacks put refugee lives and health at risk
The Australian government is attempting to walk away from the human rights crisis it has created for refugees and asylum seekers in Papua New Guinea (PNG) by winding back critical healthcare services, despite the ongoing plight of the people trapped in its offshore detention centres, Amnesty International said today.
Over the past six months the Australian government has terminated trauma and counselling services for refugees and asylum seekers in PNG, and moved refugees to new detention centres where they have reduced access to healthcare.
"Nearly five years after Australia began implementing its harmful and illegal offshore detention policy, the situation for refugees and asylum seekers trapped in PNG is as desperate as ever. Rolling back healthcare at this time is making a grave situation even worse," said Kate Schuetze, Refugee Researcher at Amnesty International.
"Last year two refugees committed suicide in Manus Island, illustrating the terrible price of confining vulnerable people to remote detention centres. In the wake of these tragedies Australia has inexplicably cut counselling and trauma services, just one of a raft of changes which will make it even harder for refugees and asylum seekers in PNG to access healthcare."
Refugees left to suffer
Refugees and asylum seekers in PNG have faced serious challenges in accessing healthcare for years, as Amnesty International has documented in a new briefing released today. In November 2017 Amnesty International researchers visited Port Moresby, the capital of PNG, and spoke to refugees and asylum seekers who had been sent there from Manus Island for medical treatment.
Several people described waiting for months for treatment for serious health conditions including suspected cancerous lumps, kidney stones, gastric problems, typhoid, dengue fever, vision impairment, mobility challenges and mental health problems.
Australien/ Healthcare rollbacks put refugee lives and health at risk
FARR 18-05-22:
Frankrike/ Frankrike ett bra val?
/Artikeln på FARR:s sida innehåller en faktadel om hur Dublinförordningen tillämpas/
"Frankrike har en annan syn på säkerheten i Afghanistan än Sverige, och använder sig inte av alternativet internflykt. 2017 fick 83 procent av alla från Afghanistan uppehållstillstånd. De flesta har bedömts som alternativt skyddssökande och får 1-årigt uppehållstillstånd, som sedan förlängs. Dessutom försvinner ofta Dublin för de unga från Sverige." Det berättar Annette Rosengren i ett reportage från Paris, där ungdomar som fått avslag på asylansökan i Sverige bor i tält och hoppas på en ny chans.
Efter nio dagar i Paris bland ensamkommande afghanska unga män från Sverige kan jag konstatera att de flesta verkar bli kvar i Frankrike. De längtar efter Sverige och saknar vänner och kompisar, det är som att de har förlorat ett hemland igen, och de tycker franskan är svår. "När man inte har sin familj så blir kompisarna som en familj. Först lämnade vi familjen, och nu måste vi lämna kompisarna."
Första tiden är kämpig. De bor i tillfälliga, vilda tältläger, ibland under viadukter för att ha skydd för regn. Lägren nås från metrostationerna Jaurès, Porte de la Chapelle och Porte de la Villette. Jaurès är mer centralt än de andra två. I tälten bor nyanlända såväl som de med Dublin, som väntar ut 18 månader. Många är från Afghanistan, ännu fler är från afrikanska länder. I tälten i Porte de la Villette finns också barnfamiljer från Sudan. Det var sorgligt lätt i Jaurès och Porte de la Chapelle att hitta unga afghaner som varit två-tre år i Sverige och som talar bra svenska, ofta mycket bra svenska. De borde få leva i Sverige.
Mer än tiotalet av alla jag träffade under dagarna i Paris kring månadsskiftet april-maj hade anlänt från Sverige för bara några dagar sedan, och i kyrkan första veckan i maj finns många nya ansikten.
Läs en längre version av reportaget i Annette Rosengrens blogg (Extern länk)
Slovenien/ Increasing arrivals put a strain on reception conditions
Conditions for asylum seekers are deteriorating against the backdrop of increasing numbers of arrivals in 2018. In the first four months of the year, the Slovenian Police apprehended 1,226 persons for irregular border-crossing, a substantial (280%) increase on 322 apprehensions during the same period in 2017. The main nationalities of those persons are Algeria, Pakistan, Morocco, Syria and Afghanistan.
A rise in asylum applications has also been reported, with 798 registered in the four months of 2018, compared to 1,476 in the entire year 2017. The increase in asylum applications has largely affected reception conditions in the Asylum Home, the facility in Ljubljana where newly arrived people are placed and undergo registration. More persons are being de facto detained in the pre-reception area of the Asylum Home and face substandard conditions due to the overcrowded state of facilities.
The Slovenian Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants is currently preparing a new contingency plan for responding to the higher number of arrivals, while the Migration Office is in the process of enlisting more staff for the purpose of processing applications. The already problematic length of the asylum procedure is likely to be exacerbated by the increase in applications.
According to the Slovenian Police, increasing transit through Bosnia and Herzegovina to Croatia and then to Slovenia is one of the factors accounting for the rise in arrivals so far in 2018. Over a thousand people have irregularly entered Bosnia since the beginning of the year, the majority currently located in Sarajevo. Many persons have no access to accommodation and sleep rough without regular assistance and health care, the latter only being offered in the Asylum Centre in Delija?. The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights recently urged the Bosnian authorities to provide adequate accommodation and assistance to newly arrived persons, as well as to enable their access to the asylum procedure.
Artiklen med länkar till källor och landrapport (Extern länk)
Cypern/ Asylum seekers face increasing risks of destitution
Asylum seekers face a deterioration of reception conditions and increasing risks of destitution in Cyprus. While recent increases in the number of arrivals have intensified situations of overcrowding and substandard conditions in Kofinou, the only reception centre in the country, UNHCR and civil society organisations point to an overall inadequacy of the Cypriot reception system to cater for asylum seekers' needs and to ensure dignified treatment.
Following a recent policy change by the Asylum Service, Kofinou no longer accepts single male asylum seekers. This means that, beyond 265 people hosted in Kofinou and 130 unaccompanied children residing in special shelters, the vast majority of applicants live outside centres in Cyprus - over 4,500 applied for international protection last year. The shortage in accommodation places, coupled with financial assistance below the poverty-line threshold and the standards set out in the recast Reception Conditions Directive, exacerbates risks of destitution for asylum seekers.
A joint statement from UNHCR and national civil society organisations has called on the authorities to provide emergency accommodation to house all asylum seekers, and to increase the level of financial assistance.
Refugees International 17-12-04:
Turkiet/ Legal employment still inaccessible to refugees in Turkey
While refugees are allowed to seek employment under Turkish law, legal jobs are largely inaccessible for the vast majority of refugees in Turkey. In its study, "I Am Only Looking for My Rights": Legal Employment Still Inaccessible to Refugees in Turkey, Refugees International examines the challenges and consequences facing refugees as they seek employment in Turkey. The study is based on a October 2017 research mission.
The report finds that without legal employment, refugees become trapped in a cycle of informal work where the risk of exploitation and abuse is high and wages are low. Refugees in Turkey face enormous hurdles to finding legal employment and commonly work excessively long hours often in difficult working conditions and are paid a faction of their Turkish counterparts. In addition, the lack of decent wages for adult refugees pushes many refugee children into the job market as well, instead of attending school.
One of the difficulties refugees face is a climate of hostility and negative myths about the impact of refugees on Turkish society. To address these issues, the Government of Turkey should both educate the Turkish public about refugees and their positive contribution to Turkish society and encourage employers to hire refugees. In this context, where Turkey already hosts 3.5 million refugees and does not provide them with adequate protections, EU countries should not send asylum-seekers from Greece to Turkey, as provided under an agreement between the EU and Turkey in March 2016.
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Spanien/ Sea arrivals met with automatic detention and barriers to legal assistance
The Spanish response to the reception of persons arriving by sea in the course of 2017 has been described as arbitrary by a new report of the Spanish Commission of Aid to Refugees (CEAR).
Spain saw an increasing number of migrants mainly arriving through the ports of Almería and Tarifa last year. According to UNHCR figures, the number of people arriving in Spain by boat in 2017 reached 22,103, marking a substantial increase from 8,162 in 2016. The majority came from Morocco, Algeria, Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea.
Automatic detention upon disembarkation
Upon disembarkation, migrants are automatically detained in police facilities for a maximum of 72 hours for the purposes of identification and humanitarian assistance. Detention conditions in these police stations, already denounced by Human Rights Watch earlier in 2017, are described as substandard by the report. For example, cells in the Málaga police station have no access to natural light and offer no protection from heat or cold.
As detailed in the report, if return cannot be effected within 72 hours, people are directed to a Detention Centre for Foreigners (CIE). Since the summer of 2017, this has also been the case for Moroccan nationals who were previously returned within that time limit. While the government has taken measures to increase Spain's detention capacity by reopening the CIE of Tarifa and announcing the construction of new centres, CIE remain overcrowded. In such cases, migrants have also been transferred to reception centres or ad hoc facilities, including prisons. The use of the prison of Archidona for the detention of Algerian migrants was recently criticised by the Spanish Ombudsman.
CEAR also refers to worrying practices in Motril, whereby collective detention orders are issued to place groups of people in CIE with a view to removal. These have been upheld by the Provincial Court of Granada.
Sveriges Radio Ekot 18-01-06: 200 migranter stormade gränsen mellan Marocko och Melilla (Extern länk)
EASO 17-12-18:
EASO enhances support to Italian asylum system
The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and the Italian authorities have signed a new Operating Plan which will see the Agency expand its support in the country in 2018.
The 2018 Operating Plan was signed by the Executive Director of EASO, José Carreira, on behalf of the Agency, and the Head of the Department of Public Security, Franco Gabrielli, the Head of the Department of Civil Liberties and Immigration, Gerarda Maria Pantalone, and the Ombudsperson of Children and Adolescents, Filomena Albano, on behalf of Italy.
EASO has been increasingly active in Italy since 2013 and deploys over 200 staff throughout the country in order to provide support to the Italian authorities. The 2018 Operating Plan will add a new dimension to EASO's activities by mandating the Agency to have an enhanced role in supporting with the handling of registration of applications for international protection, including through the preparation of files in the National Asylum procedure. This measure aims at relieving some of the pressures on the Italian Asylum System.
Welcoming the new agreement, Mr. Carreira stated: "EASO's cooperation with the Italian authorities over the past four years has been nothing short of excellent. The 2018 Operating Plan, which gives EASO the opportunity to further-increase our assistance, is a testament to the mutual trust and good-faith which exists between the Agency and our Italian colleagues. As with previous years, EASO will spare no resource in ensuring that we deliver on all the mandated measures and therefore provide tangible support to the Italian asylum and reception system."
Libyen/ European governments complicit in horrific abuse of refugees and migrants
European governments are knowingly complicit in the torture and abuse of tens of thousands of refugees and migrants detained by Libyan immigration authorities in appalling conditions in Libya, said Amnesty International in a report published today, in the wake of global outrage over the sale of migrants in Libya.
'Libya's dark web of collusion' details how European governments are actively supporting a sophisticated system of abuse and exploitation of refugees and migrants by the Libyan Coast Guard, detention authorities and smugglers in order to prevent people from crossing the Mediterranean.
"Hundreds of thousands of refugees and migrants trapped in Libya are at the mercy of Libyan authorities, militias, armed groups and smugglers often working seamlessly together for financial gain. Tens of thousands are kept indefinitely in overcrowded detention centres where they are subjected to systematic abuse," said John Dalhuisen, Amnesty International's Europe Director.
"European governments have not just been fully aware of these abuses; by actively supporting the Libyan authorities in stopping sea crossings and containing people in Libya, they are complicit in these abuses."
A policy of containment
Since late 2016, EU Member States - particularly Italy - have implemented a series of measures aimed at closing off the migratory route through Libya and across the central Mediterranean, with little care for the consequences for those trapped within Libya's lawless borders. Their cooperation with Libyan actors has taken a three-pronged approach.
Amnesty International 17-12-12: Europeiska regeringar är medansvariga till grova människorättskränkningar på flyktingar och migranter. (Extern länk)
ECRE 17-12-08: Strong reactions to atrocities in Libyan quagmire - emergency measures fall short of addressing fundamental issues (Extern länk)
Sveriges Radio Ekot 17-12-12: Amnesty: EU bär ansvar för övergrepp på migranter i Libyen (Extern länk)
Police abuse, freezing conditions threaten their safety
Migrants and asylum seekers in Calais are facing desperate living conditions, especially as temperatures drop, Human Rights Watch said today. Many child and adult migrants described an increase in the police destruction and confiscation of their belongings since the beginning of November 2017, making it harder for the migrants to live outdoors.
Police in the northern French city employ excessive force against asylum seekers and other migrants. The police frequently confiscate or destroy asylum seekers' and other migrants' sleeping bags, clothing, and other possessions, apparently to deter migrants from staying in Calais.
"The ongoing police violence and destruction and confiscation of people's belongings is inhumane and unconscionable," said Bénédicte Jeannerod, France director at Human Rights Watch. "The French authorities should immediately put an end to these abuses and ensure that migrants are treated with the dignity to which every human being is entitled."
Human Rights Watch found that as recently as the first week of December, police, particularly the riot police (Compagnies républicaines de sécurité, CRS), have confiscated or destroyed asylum seekers' and other migrants' personal belongings, such as sleeping bags, blankets, clothing, and sometimes phones, medication, and documents.
At least 500 migrants and asylum seekers, of whom an estimated 100 are unaccompanied children, are living on the streets and in wooded areas in and around Calais. Most are from Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan.
Läs uttalandet med vittnesmål (Extern länk)
The European Commission has today decided to move forward on the infringement procedure against Hungary concerning its asylum legislation by sending a reasoned opinion.
The Commission initiated the infringement procedure against Hungary in December 2015. Following a series of exchanges both at political and technical level with the Hungarian authorities and the concerns raised by the amendments to the Hungarian asylum law introduced in March this year, the Commission decided to send a complementary letter of formal notice on 17 May 2017.
Following the analysis of the reply provided by the Hungarian authorities, and in view of the new legislation adopted by the Hungarian Parliament in October, the Commission will no longer pursue four out of the eleven issues identified in the complementary letter of formal notice. The reply provided by the Hungarian authorities, however, was still found to be unsatisfactory as it failed to address the majority of the concerns. The Commission still considers that the Hungarian legislation does not comply with EU law, in particular Directive 2013/32/EU on Asylum Procedures, Directive 2008/115/EC on Return, Directive 2013/33/EU on Reception Conditions and several provisions of the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Continued support for Greece: EASO signs 2018 Operating Plan
The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and the Government of Greece have signed a new Operating Plan outlining the technical and operational support measures that the Agency will carry out in the country in 2018.
The 2018 Operating Plan was signed by the Minister of Migration Policy of Greece, Ioannis Mouzalas, and by the Executive Director of EASO, José Carreira. The agreement builds on EASO's existing operational support to Greece and aims to sustain the Agency's support for the country's response to the extraordinary pressure on its asylum and reception systems while implementing the EU Asylum Acquis.
Commenting on the new agreement, Mr. Carreira stated: "Greece's response to the unprecedented pressures faced by its asylum and reception systems over the past years has been commendable. Since 2011, EASO has been increasing its operational support to the Greek authorities so as to assist in relieving such pressures. Today's agreement updates this support and tailors it to the current needs of our Greek partners, therefore ensuring that the value of EASO's assistance is maximised."
The 2018 Operating Plan sets out 10 measures, divided into three priority areas:
+ Support to the Asylum Procedure;
+ Support to Reception; and
+ Capacity building in implementation of Common European Asylum System (CEAS)
The measures cover a broad range of activities which EASO will implement throughout the year. These include supporting the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement by improving the efficiency of the asylum process, support for Dublin processing, supporting capacity-building through training and workshops, and strengthening the capacity of the Reception and Identification Service to, among others, identify, assess and refer vulnerable applicants.
Grekland/ Dire risks for women asylum seekers
Greek authorities are failing to provide adequate protection for women and girls living in government-run, European Union-sponsored facilities for asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos, Human Rights Watch said today.
In November, 2017, Human Rights Watch interviewed 25 asylum-seeking women and girls as young as 13, living in the Moria "hotspot" on Lesbos. They described harassment, the threat of gender-based violence, and health risks. Human Rights Watch found that the conditions resulted from insufficient security, poor hygiene and sanitation facilities, and failures in the system to identify and address the needs of vulnerable people.
"There is no excuse for failing to meet even the most basic standards for protection of women and girls almost two years after the EU-Turkey deal entered into force," said Hillary Margolis, women's rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. "The risks to women's health and safety in Moria are dire, and as winter arrives, they will only get worse."
Thousands of women and girls are trapped on Greek islands, often in horrendous conditions, due to a "containment" policy for asylum seekers, to facilitate speedy processing and return to Turkey under the EU-Turkey deal. "Hotspots" were established on several Greek islands to receive, identify, and process asylum seekers and migrants. Human Rights Watch has previously documented violence, insecurity, and unhygienic and unsanitary conditions in the hotspots. As of December 13, the population in Moria, which has a capacity of 2,330, was 6,238.
Grekland/ Transfer of asylum seekers from hotspots to mainland continues in Greece
Transfers of asylum seekers from the Eastern Aegean island hotspots to the Greek mainland have continued amid public protest from citizens and local authorities over overcrowded facilities culminating this week, when a ship carrying container homes for refugees and migrants was blocked by municipal vehicles from unloading its cargo on the island of Lesvos.
The well documented overcrowding and problematic conditions in the Greek hotspots, expected to further deteriorate as winter sets in, has been the topic of increasing tensions from local authorities, urging the Greek government to transfer asylum seekers to the mainland. The blockage of the port facilities in Lesvos is the culmination of intense public controversy between the two sides. The Mayor of Lesvos, Spyros Galinos, took part in the blockage and is quoted by media for saying: "We will not allow Lesvos to be converted from an island of humanity and solidarity into an island prison."
While as many as 3,515 people have been transferred between 9 October and 27 November, NGOs have reported recent Greek plans to transfer 5,000 people and media quote un-identified sources of a government plan to decrease the number of migrants hosted on Lesvos to 3.500 by the end of December. Coupled with information from the Ministry of Migration Policy of a total population of 8.322 migrants hosted on the island revealing approximately similar numbers.
UNHCR is deeply disturbed by the forcible removal of refugees and asylum-seekers from the former 'Regional Processing Centre' on Manus Island today. The beating of refugees and asylum-seekers by uniformed officers with metal poles, shown by footage released today, is both shocking and inexcusable.
UNHCR staff remain on the ground on Manus Island, where limited access is continuing to hamper our monitoring role. Our staff have received reports that several men remain inside the Regional Processing Centre, having been seriously injured, and are seeking additional information from the Governments of Australia and Papua New Guinea at this time. Medical treatment for all refugees and asylum seekers who require it is of paramount importance.
UNHCR unequivocally advised the Governments of Australia and Papua New Guinea prior to closure of the 'Regional Processing Centre' that comprehensive, intensive support for refugees and asylum-seekers is critical. Despite this, medical care remains inadequate, and caseworkers, interpreters, and torture and trauma counselling are completely unavailable. Similar concerns have been voiced by the authorities of Papua New Guinea, who lack the means and infrastructure to provide such services without further resources.
"The situation still unfolding on Manus Island presents a grave risk of further deterioration, and of further damage to extremely vulnerable human beings", said Thomas Albrecht, UNHCR's Regional Representative in Canberra. "UNHCR renews its call for all Australian Parliamentarians and leaders to take immediate action to provide protection and safety for all refugees and asylum-seekers transferred to Papua New Guinea."
EU Concilium 17-12-01:
African and European leaders, gathered in Abidjan for the 5th AU/EU Summit, discussed the terrible media reports on inhuman treatment of African migrants and refugees by criminal groups. They condemned in the strongest terms any such criminal acts and expressed their firm resolve to work together for an immediate end of these criminal practices and to ensure the wellbeing of the migrants and refugees. They also agreed to widely communicate to the youth about the dangers of such hazardous journeys and against the trafficking networks.
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UNHCR welcomes transit facility to expedite third country solutions
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes the decision by the Libyan authorities to set up a "transit and departure facility" in Tripoli for people in need of international protection.
This initiative, which is supported by the Italian government, will facilitate the transfer of thousands of vulnerable refugees to third countries. "We hope that thousands of the most vulnerable refugees currently in Libya will benefit from this forward-looking initiative," said Roberto Mignone, UNHCR Representative to Libya. He added that the main objective is to speed up the process of securing solutions in third countries, particularly for unaccompanied and separated children and women at risk.
These solutions will include resettlement, family reunification, evacuation to UNHCR-run emergency facilities in other countries, or voluntary return, as appropriate.
At the facility, UNHCR staff and partners will provide registration and live-saving assistance such as accommodation, food, medical care and psychosocial support.
This initiative is one of a range of measures needed to offer viable alternatives to the dangerous journeys undertaken by refugees and migrants along the Central Mediterranean route. In September, UNHCR called for an additional 40,000 resettlement places to be made available for refugees located in 15 countries along this route. So far, only 10,500 pledges have been made.
"This initiative is a decisive step forward, and we are grateful for the strong commitment of the Libyan government in making this possible, as well as for the important role played by the Government of Italy. But we now need EU member states and others to step up with offers of resettlement places and other solutions, including family reunification slots," said Mignone. "Together, these will be an important platform for securing solutions for these vulnerable people, based on shared responsibility."
The new Country Report on Portugal, the 21st country covered by the Asylum Information Database, provides a detailed account of the country's legal framework, policy and practice relating to the asylum procedure, reception conditions, detention of asylum seekers and content of international protection.
Portugal has been at the centre of the implementation of the relocation programme from Italy and Greece, with a total 1,507 asylum seekers relocated so far. Asylum seekers arriving in the country through relocation had initially had their cases fast-tracked, though this trend seems to have subsided due to the increasing number of cases before the Aliens and Borders Service (SEF), the authority responsible for examining asylum claims.
Portugal has also set up a special coordination framework bringing together different reception providers in the context of relocation. Relocated asylum seekers benefit from an 18 to 24-month support programme by service providers such as the Platform for Reception of Refugees (PAR), followed by the Portuguese Refugee Council (CPR), the Municipality of Lisbon, União de Misericórdias, the Portuguese Red Cross, and other municipalities. Provisional figures suggest that one third of relocated asylum seekers in working age who are now coming to the end of the 18-month integration programme have secured employment in Portugal.
Reception arrangements for relocation run parallel to the reception system already established for spontaneously arriving asylum seekers, whereby reception responsibility is allocated to different actors depending on the type and stage of procedure an applicant is in. Asylum seekers in the regular procedure receive reception conditions from the Institute of Social Security (ISS), in admissibility and accelerated procedures by CPR, in appeal procedures by Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML), and in the border procedure by the SEF.
Generation 2.0 17-12-05:
In the last weeks, Generation 2.0 for Rights, Equality and Diversity visited Lesvos and Samos, two of the Aegean Islands that are hosting the majority of the asylum seekers arriving in Greece. The result is a report based on the testimonies of the asylum seekers: for this reason, quotes are a fundamental and integral part of it.
The dramatic living conditions in which asylum seekers are obliged to live contradict the common perspective which links the number of persons landing in the islands with the situation of people living there. In fact, the decision of the Asylum Service, following the EU-Turkey Deal, to block in the islands all the people who have arrived after the 20th of March 2016 in Greece, not only does not allow asylum seekers to reach the mainland, but also, as a consequence, leads to overcrowded hotspots where basic human rights are not respected.
Since the hotspots are overcrowded, a lot of people (families with babies included), have to live outside the camp, with tents they had to buy at their own expenses. Basic hygiene infrastructure is missing: there are areas in which hundreds of people live without toilets and showers. The food is not tempting and, many times, wasted. Asylum seekers do not have information and thus they do not understand why they can not move to the mainland. Some times they have to face brutality and, in the majority of cases, they are living in so much stress that they are not able to invest in their skills. They are, thus, wasting their time.
The report does not describe the situation in Lesvos and Samos from the outside, maintaining a certain distance, but on the contrary, the dialogues have the prominent role in it: we report what we were told and what asylum seekers wanted to share with us in order to raise awareness on their inhuman living situation.
Grekland/ Familjer på gränsen till en humanitär kris
För andra vintern i rad lever tusentals män, kvinnor och barn på de grekiska öarna på gränsen till en humanitär kris, varnar Läkare Utan Gränser. Läkare Utan Gränser skalar upp sitt humanitära arbete och uppmanar samtidigt EU och Greklands myndigheter att omedelbart flytta människor till fastlandet.
- I Lesbos trängs hela familjer, som nyligen kommit från länder som Syrien, Afghanistan och Irak, i små tält avsedda för sommarbruk. De kämpar för att hålla sig torra och varma i regnet och kylan, säger Aria Danika, projektkoordinator för Läkare Utan Gränser i Lesbos. Människors psykiska hälsa är också chockerande. Varje dag tar vi emot i genomsnitt tio patienter med akut ångest på vår mottagning, av dem är det många som försökt ta livet av sig eller skada sig själva. Situationen på ön var hemsk tidigare, nu är den bortom desperat.
På grund av de restriktioner som tillkom genom avtalet mellan EU och Turkiet, som hindrar människor att lämna öarna, är lägret Moria på Lesbos farligt överfullt. För närvarande bor fler än 7 000 människor i ett läger avsett för 2 300 personer. Och varje dag kommer i genomsnitt ytterligare 70 människor från Turkiet till Lesbos - de flesta är kvinnor och barn. I lägret finns det inte tillräckligt med duschar och toaletter, begränsad tillgång till dricksvatten och hela familjer sover i små tvåmannatält där det är blött och kallt. På ön Samos bor 1 500 personer i ett läger avsett för 700 personer, och hundratals sover i tält utan värme och under dåliga hygieniska förhållanden.
Stor risk för människors hälsa och liv
Dessa hemska levnadsvillkor utgör en stor risk för människors hälsa och liv. Redan i fjol dog fem personer i Moria till följd av levnadsvillkoren i lägret. Situationen är särskilt farlig för små barn som är mer känsliga för svåra väderförhållanden. Denna ohållbara situation leder också till ökad spänning och desperation bland migranter och flyktingar, och lokala invånare och myndigheter protesterar mot att öarna omvandlats till fängelser.
Turkiet/ EU Facility: new contracts signed as more refugees receive support
The European Commission reported on the impressive progress in the implementation of the EU Facility for Refugees in Turkey, during the 8th meeting of the Steering Committee of the Facility that took place in Brussels yesterday. Over one million refugees have now been reached with the EU's flagship humanitarian programme, the 'Emergency Social Safety Net' and multiple new contracts were signed for €115 million in the areas of humanitarian aid, socio-economic support and municipal infrastructure. Of the overall €3 billion budget for 2016-2017, €2.9 billion has been allocated. Of this, contracts have been signed for 55 projects worth over €1.78 billion, out of which €908 million have already been disbursed.
Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, said: "With the recent signatures of contracts worth over €100 million, the EU Facility for Refugees in Turkey continues to deliver its commitment in supporting the refugees and host communities. A great example of this, are the Technical and Vocational programs organised with the Ministry of National Education, which aim at increasing employability by facilitating entry into the labour market and thus supporting the integration of refugees in their host communities."
Christos Stylianides, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, said: "We have recently reached a milestone of one million most vulnerable refugees benefitting from our main EU humanitarian programme. We have also signed five new agreements with humanitarian organisations to provide protection and health services. It is clear that the EU Facility for Refugees in Turkey is delivering and having a positive impact on the lives of the people who need our assistance."
Europa/ Migration fundamental rights challenges remain
New and persisting fundamental rights concerns in a number of EU Member States remain a feature of the migration situation in Europe, according to the FRA's latest monthly report. Overcrowding, immigrant detention, particularly of migrant children, and asylum processing delays are just some of the challenges highlighted.
Looking at the situation across 14 EU Member States, some of the main fundamental rights-related concerns identified in the latest summary report include:
1. Living conditions in some reception centres remain poor. This is in part due to overcrowding, particularly in some hotspots.
2. Child protection is still problematic in some places. For example, plans to transfer all asylum seeking unaccompanied children to juvenile correctional facilities in one Member State is a new cause for concern.
3. Mistreatment at border zones continues in some places. Reported problems range from pushbacks and refused entry to asylum seekers to lack of proper processing of asylum seekers and information about asylum procedures as well as restrictions of liberty at border transit zones while waiting for lengthy asylum procedures to be processed.
4. Support is still an issue in many places. This includes inadequate access to legal aid, lengthy delays in processing asylum claims, inadequate access to mental healthcare as well as practical and legal barriers to family reunification.
5. Incidents of racism, hate crime and hate speech towards migrants continue to be reported. The growing use of online platforms to spread hate speech and misinformation about asylum seekers is a worrying trend.
Aitima 17-11-02:
Grekland/ Administrative detention in Greece remains problematic
Our organisation published a year ago the report "FORGOTTEN: Administratively detained irregular migrants and asylum seekers", in which it highlighted, among others, the derogation of the system of administrative detention from the relevant legislation, the international standards and the recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
The last report of the aforementioned Committee of the Council of Europe regarding its visits taking place in 2016 as well as the Greek Government's response were recently published. The Report's findings - which include serious allegations- along with the response of the Greek government cause serious concerns.
Our organisation is still monitoring the system of administrative detention by conducting visits to the detention centers of Attica and Korinthos and by investigating cases of detainees. It is with great disappointment that we observe that the administrative detention system remains highly problematic.
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Rapporten från föregående år (Extern länk)
Pressmeddelande från CPT med länk till rapport och Greklands svar (Extern länk)
ARCI / Statewatch 17-11-07:
Italien/ Account of a serious violation of the law in the hotspot in Lampedusa
- In spite of the ECtHR sentence in the Khlaifa case, arbitrary detention, mass expulsions and denial of the right to asylum continue
"Mr. M. has been on a hunger strike for four days. Another 200 Tunisian compatriots are with him, detained in the Lampedusa hotspot, and they refuse to eat until their rights are guaranteed. One of his companions was admitted into hospital a few hours ago. They are detained without any judge having authorised the measure, and they have not met anyone who would explain the procedures for filing a possible asylum request to them. Mr. A., who has been detained in lampedusa for 14 days alongside 200 compatriots, tells us a similar story. "I was denied the right to apply for asylum": these were his words on the telephone with ARCI.
With culpable silence from the institutions, Italy is violating the national and international normative frameworks. It is only thanks to the complaints from our Tunisian partners FTDES that we have been able to talk with the migrants who are held and on hunger strike.
Italy is acting with disregard for the European Court of Human Rights sentences which have found it guilty of violations. A few months ago the judges from the Strasbourg court found the Italian state to be in breach of the Convention for the treatment reserved to three Tunisian migrants, ordering 30,000 euros to be paid as compensation. According to the court, the three migrants were never told the reason for their detention and they were never given any opportunity to appeal against it. Moreover, the conditions of detention were described as "deeply degrading their human dignity". They included overcrowded rooms, people having to sleep on the floor, no doors separating the toilets and showers from the dormitories and a lack of water. No contact with the outside world was allowed.
Such conditions are happening again at present.
Italien/ Statement: Now it's happening in the detention centre in Caltanisseta
Forum Tunisienne des Droits Economiques et Sociaux (FTDES) - 06/11/2017:
"40 Tunisian citizens are freed every day from the Lampedusa detention centre: Italy puts an end to illegal detention.
Now it's happening in the detention centre of Caltanissetta
A few days after the complaint filed by ARCI and FTDES, Italy has started releasing the Tunisian detainees illegally held in the Lampedusa Hotspot. Mr. A. explained that 40 of them are transferred every day by ferry from the island to Agrigento [on the Sicilian mainland] and left to their fate without any information or guidance as to the services in the territory. Nobody has explained the asylum application process to them. Nobody has translated nor allowed them the time to understand the paper they are forced to sign in order to leave the centre: is it an expulsion order? A laissez-passer document? Nobody has been given a copy of this document.
Today, ARCI and FTDES heard reports that the same violation of national and international conventions is taking place in the detention centre in Caltanissetta. This morning, Mr. H. told us that he had been held in the centre for 11 days without ever appearing before a judge responsible for authorising his detention. 70 other Tunisian citizens are in the same situation as his. Every Monday and Thursday, the Italian government carries out some mass expulsions to repatriate dozens of Tunisians without giving them the possibility to have access to asylum application procedures. Today, on Monday, Mr. H. said that there weren't any repatriations due to the Sicilian regional elections. This is why we ask:
- That the migrants illegally detained in the Caltanissetta detention centre be immediately released.
- That all the migrants held in the detention centres of Lampedusa and Caltanissetta be informed of their rights, in a language they understand.
- That Italy put an end to its illegal procedures for mass expulsions.
- That Italy publish the convention on expulsions signed with the Tunisian government."
COE Commissioner for Human Rights 17-11-10:
Malta/ should step up efforts to enhance protection of women's and migrants' rights
Country visit report
Concerning the human rights of migrants the Commissioner noted that a number of positive steps were taken in the last two years. "I particularly welcome the end of the migrants' automatic detention policy as well as the participation of Malta in the EU refugee relocation programme."
In the Hal Far reception centre, the Commissioner met with Syrian, Iraqi and Somali families relocated from Greece and Italy, as well as with single men asylum seekers and refugees. He observed that the reception conditions in the families' unit were better than in the single men's one. "In spite of notable ameliorations since my predecessor's 2011 visit to Hal Far, the living conditions in the single men's unit, which consists of containers with poor sanitation facilities, need to be further improved." He also noted that a number of refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection who would prefer living in the community have no access to private housing, in spite of the fact that many of them work, because of very high rents. "There is a severe problem of access to housing, not only for migrants but also for low-income Maltese households, which needs to be urgently addressed by the government", said the Commissioner.
As regards asylum procedures, the Commissioner noted with satisfaction the high refugee status recognition rate. However, he expressed concern about the frequent lack of legal motivation and of consistency of the Refugee Appeal Boards' decisions, as well as the fact that most successful asylum seekers are granted subsidiary protection rather than refugee status. "This is particularly worrying because beneficiaries of subsidiary protection are not entitled to family reunification under Maltese law. Family reunification being an essential factor of integration, I urge the Maltese authorities to put an end to this form of unfair distinction".
CPT 17-10-17:
The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on its ad hoc visit to Turkey, which took place from 16 to 23 June 2015, together with the response of the Turkish Government.
The visit focused on the situation of foreign nationals detained under aliens legislation, and the report contains the CPT's findings and recommendations relating to various removal centres, as well as the holding facilities in the transit zone of Istanbul Atatürk Airport.
In their response, the Turkish authorities provide information on various measures taken or envisaged to implement the recommendations made by the Committee in the report.
Hämta rapporten och svaret eller sammanfattning (Extern länk)
Papua/ Manus Island: Court ruling jeopardizes lives
+ The current situation on Manus Island amounts to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment
+ Lives are at risk unless PNG authorities restore essential services
+ As Australia continues to flout international law, all refugees and vulnerable persons should be resettled to third countries
Critical services - including food, water and medical treatment - must be restored to the more than 600 refugees and vulnerable men inside the Lombrum detention centre on Manus Island before a major tragedy occurs, Amnesty International said today as researchers returned from Manus Island.
Refugees and vulnerable men should not be forcibly relocated until such time as their dignity and safety can be guaranteed.
"Today, Papua New Guinea's Supreme Court rejected a last ditch attempt by refugees to have these essential services restored and their rights protected. The decision is an abhorrent attack on the right to life," said Kate Schuetze, Amnesty International's Pacific Researcher.
"If authorities don't act immediately, there is a real risk that the situation will catastrophically deteriorate. The lives of these men, who are only asking for their rights to dignity and safety, are at serious risk."
"In 2013, when I first visited the detention centre on Manus Island a number of refugees described conditions as a 'psychological war' designed to break people mentally. Four years later, cruel tactics are still being used to pressure on refugees to relocate or settle in PNG. The situation has deteriorated to a point of utter despair."
Sveriges Radio Ekot 17-10-31: Uppror i australiska flyktingläger (Extern länk)
UNHCR / Migration News Sheet October 2017:
Thousands of migrants and refugees are being held captive by smugglers in different locations, including farms and warehouses in and around the coastal city of Sabratha in Libya, according to a statement by UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic on 17 October.
UNHCR staff on the ground detail a picture of abuse on a shocking scale. "Amongst the refugees and migrants who suffered abuse at the hands of smugglers, there are pregnant women and new born babies. Hundreds of people were discovered with no clothes or shoes. Scores of them are in need of urgent medical care, with some suffering from bullet wounds and other visible signs of abuse."
Likewise, UNHCR underlined how traumatized refugees and migrants were, after being rescued from the smugglers. "Most of them say that they were subjected to numerous human rights abuses, including sexual and gender-based violence, forced labour and sexual exploitation."
Following three weeks of fighting between rival groups in Sabratha, which left at least 43 dead and 340 wounded, Libyan authorities took control of various informal detention centres and camps previously run by criminal networks where 4.000 to 6.000 refugees and migrants have been held.
According to a recent report by the European Council on Refugees and Exiles, the larger share of the migrants (2600 by 7 October) including pregnant women, newborn babies and unaccompanied minors have been transferred to a hangar of the Libyan Directorate for Combatting Illegal Migration (DCIM). This report further noted that most of the migrants were in urgent need of food, water, medical treatment and psychological support.
"We are seriously concerned by the large number of migrants caught up in recent developments in Sabratha. Alternatives to detention must be found for migrants in Libya, said Othman Belbeisi, IOM Libya Chief of Mission.
Bangladesh/ Rohingya Crisis: 10 Principles for Protecting Refugees
The protection and assistance needs of Rohingya who fled ethnic cleansing in Burma should be high on the agenda of world leaders at upcoming summits in Vietnam and the Philippines, Human Rights Watch said today as it released its "Ten Principles for Protecting Refugees and Internally Displaced People Arising from Burma's Rohingya Crisis."
Since late August 2017, more than 600,000 Rohingya refugees have fled to Bangladesh while hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people remain in Burma's Rakhine State. Rohingya refugees have the right to return to their homes in Burma, but all returns must be voluntary and safe with full respect for returnees' human rights. World leaders need to press Burma to end its abusive operations, prevent future atrocities, and create the conditions necessary for Rohingya to choose to return home in safety and dignity, Human Rights Watch said.
"The Rohingya crisis is of gargantuan proportions and needs to be treated with utmost urgency," said Bill Frelick, refugee rights director at Human Rights Watch. "Leaders at the upcoming APEC and ASEAN summits should be putting the rights of the Rohingya at the top of their agenda."
The "Ten Principles" are intended to guide governments and humanitarian agencies as they address the Rohingya refugee crisis. They include an urgent call on donor governments to provide generous support to meet the humanitarian needs of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and internally displaced people of all ethnicities remaining in Burma.
The Bangladeshi government should keep its border open to asylum seekers and not coerce returns, respecting the principle of nonrefoulment, which prohibits the return of refugees to places where they would be persecuted or face a real risk of torture, or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
Fundamental rights remain under threat in a number of EU Member States, according to the FRA's latest monthly report on migration-related issues. Some reception facilities, particularly in hotspots, are overcrowded, claiming asylum can be problematic and vulnerable groups, particularly migrant children, are still at risk.
1. Living conditions and support in reception centres remain poor. This is in part fuelled by overcrowding where, for example, some centres are catering for numbers exceeding up to three times their capacity. However, even in the many Member States where there are spare places due to falling numbers of new arrivals there has been criticism about the quality of care.
2. Unfair treatment at border zones continues in some places. Reported problems range from racial profiling, lack of information about asylum procedures and refused entry to asylum seekers, to restrictions of liberty at border transit zones while waiting for lengthy asylum procedures to be processed.
3. Practical and legal barriers in receiving healthcare, claiming asylum, and family reunification persist. These include lack of qualified interpreters leading to lengthy waiting periods, long asylum processes, and complex and sometimes costly legal processes without due legal aid.
4. Child protection is still poorly resourced in some places. For example, the International Organization for Migration has reported that no child protection officers have yet been assigned to children in Greek or Italian hotspots. Many unaccompanied children also continue to wait for accommodation in specialised facilities. In addition, there are indications that high numbers of children go missing from shelters and care centres.
Frankrike/ One year after Calais dismantlement: 70 % confirmed in need for protection
One year after the dismantlement of the Calais camp the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA) noted that nearly 15,000 persons transferred out of the Calais camp over the past two years have had their asylum applications examined, within a time limit of three months. 70% were granted international protection at first instance, while some have pending cases before the National Court of Asylum (CNDA).
While the protection need of the inhabitants of the so-called "jungle" in Calais has been debated prior to its dismantling one year ago, it is now established that the large majority were in fact entitled to protection. At the same time, a recent report from UNHCR cast new light on operation of Reception and Orientation Centres (CAO) and Reception and Orientation Centres for Unaccompanied Children (CAOMI) set up to accommodate individuals against the backdrop of dismantlement operations in Calais.
Based on visits to 48 such centres, UNHCR makes an overall positive assessment of the establishment of CAO as an efficient framework to allow people to register an asylum claim. UNHCR nevertheless stresses the need for more clarity and legal and financial certainty on the operation of the CAO and their role within the complex reception framework of the country. It also refers to the issue of access to services and cites CAO such as those in Decize or Dreux, established in urban centres, as good examples which enable residents to benefit from services and greater autonomy.
Helen Griffiths, Human Rights Watch 17-11-01: Britain has opportunity to help children in Calais (Extern länk)
EurActiv 17-10-24: Independent inquiry finds 'likely' use of excessive force by French police (Extern länk)
Unicef 17-10-30:
Grekland/ Allt fler barn på flykt i Grekland behöver skydd
I september kom nästan dubbelt så många flyktingar och migranter till Grekland som under samma period förra året, och situationen i de överfulla flyktinglägren har förvärrats. Bara en tredjedel av de ensamkommande barnen får idag det skydd och stöd de behöver, varnar UNICEF.
I september i år anlände mer än 5 700 människor till Grekland, jämfört med drygt 3 000 under samma period förra året. Flyktinglägren är överfulla och levnadsvillkoren för människorna där har försämrats.
Idag finns omkring 3 000 ensamkommande barn på flykt i Grekland. Men bara en tredjedel av dem har fått det skydd och stöd som de behöver. Vid vissa mottagningscenter på öarna lever idag mer än dubbelt så många barn som centren egentligen har plats för - vilket hotar barnens säkerhet och välmående.
Idag väntar cirka 1 800 ensamkommande barn på att få plats i ett säkert boende. De lever vid mottagningscenter, strandade på öarna eller har helt enkelt blivit frihetsberövade. Vissa lever till och med på gatan. Den kommande vintern gör situationen än mer farlig för barnen.
Ibland tar det uppemot fem månader innan barnen förflyttas till fastlandet, något som tär psykiskt och känslomässigt på barnen.
- Barnen har rätt till skydd och omvårdnad, och det finns lösningar för att ge dem det, säger Laurent Chapuis, samordnare för UNICEFs insatser för barn på flykt i Grekland. De ensamma barnen borde förflyttas till fastlandet så snabbt som möjligt, de existerande lägren borde få mer resurser och fler borde få komma till fosterfamiljer. Allt detta är möjligt.
UNICEF uppmanar nu till reformer för att stärka omhändertagandet av barnen. För de barn som har familjer i andra delar av Europa uppmanar vi andra europeiska länder att trappa upp familjeåterföreningen.
Mer måste göras för att hjälpa barnen. Sammanlagt finns omkring 19 000 barn på flykt i Grekland idag, varav cirka 15 procent är ensamkommande.
Migration News Sheet October 2017: Greek coalition government criticised for delays in responding to refugee and migrant needs (Extern länk)
Keeping people on Manus Island leaves hundreds at risk
Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) have failed to protect the well-being of hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers sent to Manus Island under Australia's mandatory offshore processing policy, Human Rights Watch said today. About 770 men remain stuck in PNG, where many have suffered assaults and robberies and received inadequate health care, according to new interviews by Human Rights Watch.
The Australian and PNG governments' proposal to close the regional processing center (the "main center") on Manus Island by October 31, 2017, and transfer or settle those living there elsewhere in PNG will further endanger their safety and health. Australia should instead admit and integrate those found to be refugees, fairly process those with pending asylum claims, and reassess the claims of failed asylum seekers before forcibly returning them to their home countries, Human Rights Watch said.
"While the October 31 deadline looms, refugees and asylum seekers on Manus Island have been getting stabbed, beaten, and robbed," said Elaine Pearson, Australia director at Human Rights Watch. "The tragic irony is that moving these men from their squalid, guarded center and settling them elsewhere in PNG will actually put them at greater danger. The Australian government should instead genuinely protect them by transferring them to Australia."
Since 2013, Australia has sent asylum seekers who try to reach the country by boat to cramped and dirty offshore processing centers in PNG and Nauru. Male asylum seekers have been transferred to PNG's Manus Island, while men, women, and children have gone to Nauru. Under a regional resettlement arrangement, those sent to Manus who are recognized as refugees are to be settled in other parts of PNG.
Amnesty International 17-10-18: Firm takes up toxic contract profiting from the abuse of refugees (Extern länk)
Australien/ Refugees face unchecked violence
Amnesty International 17-10-18: Australian firm Canstruct takes up toxic contract profiting from the abuse of refugees (Extern länk)
Frankrike/ One step forward and two steps back for unaccompanied minors from Calais
The Bar Human Rights Committee (BHRC), a human rights arm of the Bar of England and Wales, published a fact-finding report on the results of the dismantlement of the Calais camp known as the "Jungle" which took place one year ago. They found that over 4000 unaccompanied minors claiming to have family in the UK were currently stranded in France and were at-risk of being targeted by human traffickers.
During its fact-finding mission, BHRC first witnessed the chaos of the dismantlement and found that in the rush to dismantle, the authorities had failed to provide unaccompanied minors with alternative housing solutions, or to provide them with sufficient information on the ground. Furthermore, the unaccompanied minors "were subjected to a chaotic and unlawful age verification and registration process, based in many cases on physical appearance alone".
Following the dismantlement, asylum-seekers were moved towards reception centers across France and many promises were made in this tense political context, one of which was that those who had applications that fell under the Dublin regime would not be sent back summarily to the country they had passed through. The Minister of the Interior at the time, Bernard Cazeneuve, also called on the British authorities to fulfil its moral duty to the unaccompanied children in Calais that claimed they had family in the UK. At the time of the dismantlement, there were approximately 1200 unaccompanied living in the Jungle. In autumn 2016, the UK accepted 750 unaccompanied minors at the request of the French authorities to expedite the process.
Today, having fled Paris and the threats of Dublin returns and still wishing to reach the UK, approximately 700 asylum-seekers are back living in Calais, in conditions worse than they were a year ago.
The Guardian 17-10-14: Storbritannien/ 'Thanks to Guardian readers, many children are now sleeping safely' (Extern länk)
Human Rights Watch 17-10-24: Inquiry finds police abused migrants in Calais (Extern länk)
Grekland/ Asylum seekers in abysmal conditions on islands
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras should end the Greek government's "containment policy" of confining asylum seekers to the Aegean islands, 19 human rights and humanitarian aid organizations said in an open letter released today.
Thousands of people, including very young children, single or pregnant women, and people with physical disabilities, are trapped in abysmal conditions as winter sets in. Forcing asylum seekers to remain in conditions that violate their rights and are harmful to their well-being, health, and dignity, cannot be justified by the implementation of the EU-Turkey deal, the organizations said.
Since the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement in March 2016, the Greek islands of Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Kos, and Leros have become places of indefinite confinement. Thousands of women, men, and children are trapped in deplorable and volatile conditions, with many denied access to adequate asylum procedures. Asylum seekers who arrived on the islands in the first days of the implementation of the EU-Turkey Deal have been stuck there for almost 19 months.
The recent increase in arrivals of men, women, and children has increased the pressure on the already overcrowded reception and identification centers known as hotspots. Current arrivals are still comparatively quite low and should be manageable for Greece and the EU more broadly, but they include a significant number of women and children.
Läkare utan Gränser oktober 2017: Confronting the mental health emergency on Samos and Lesvos (Extern länk)
FRA 17-10-17: Stronger protection in migration hotspots to guard against human trafficking (Extern länk)
Sveriges Radio Ekot 17-10-18: Allt fler barn i flyktingläger på Lesbos (Extern länk)
Thailand/ Between a rock and a hard place
Thailand is failing to fulfil its obligation to protect refugees
For decades, Thailand has hosted hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing violence and human rights violations in neighbouring countries and locations further afield. Notwithstanding Thailand's significant contribution to addressing regional and global refugee crises, the Thai government has frequently violated the rights of refugees.
Thai law does not provide formal legal status to refugees and asylum-seekers. They are therefore trapped in a life of perpetual insecurity, knowing that they could be arrested, detained or deported at any time. Many struggle to find employment, access medical care or even feed themselves and their families. Those who are arrested often find themselves detained for months or years in over-crowded immigration detention centers, which refugee rights advocates call "worse than prison."
On several occasions in the past three years, the Thai government has returned refugees and asylum-seekers to situations where they face torture, persecution and other serious human rights violations. These actions contravene Thailand's obligations under international law and demonstrate a callous disregard for the rights of people who have already experienced tremendous danger and suffering.
Rohingya refugees pushed out to sea
The Rohingya ethnic minority in Myanmar faces severe persecution and has often been the target of deadly attacks by state security forces and local civilian populations. In recent months and years, many Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh and risked their lives making deadly sea journeys in an attempt to find safety and security in other Southeast Asian countries.
The European Commission has today announced an additional €4 million in humanitarian aid for Serbia to assist the thousands of refugees and asylum-seekers in the country.
The new contracts come as Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides is currently on his fourth visit to the country where he is assessing the humanitarian situation on the ground and discussing the EU's humanitarian support for refugees with government officials. The new projects finance food distribution in reception centres, the protection of the most vulnerable affected populations in particular during the upcoming winter and education-related activities.
"Serbia has been a reliable partner to the European Union, and our partnership has allowed an effective response to the refugee crisis. The EU has been a leading provider of humanitarian aid to the hosting of refugees in Serbia since 2015. We have helped improve conditions in many reception centres, contributed to food provision in camps, provided education in emergencies to children and helped providing health services. The additional projects announced today will address the needs of the most vulnerable population especially during the upcoming winter season", said Commissioner Stylianides.
Since 2015, the EU has been the largest contributor of emergency aid to Serbia. The Commission's humanitarian aid now stands at €25 million, and has enabled the provision of emergency assistance (food, water, hygiene, essential items, health and protection) at transit and reception points, including borders and waiting areas. A total of more than €80 million has been provided to the country in EU migration related funding since 2015.
In a report on its April and July 2016 visits to Greece, published today, the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) raises concerns over the situation in the "hotspots" on the Aegean islands. It is highly critical of the continued immigration detention of unaccompanied children. The report criticises the situation of adult immigration detainees in Athens and Thessaloniki, and calls for action to tackle the problem of police ill-treatment.
In the report, the CPT is critical about the treatment of foreign nationals in the "hotspots" on the Aegean islands. In particular, overcrowding, combined with high levels of inter-detainee violence, insufficient basic health-care provision, inadequate assistance to vulnerable groups and deficient legal safeguards, has created a highly explosive situation.
The report is highly critical of the continued and routine detention of foreign national children for lengthy periods in poor living conditions and with insufficient care offered to them. While acknowledging the Greek authorities' efforts to find additional accommodation, the CPT considers that the authorities should review their approach with regard to "protective custody" of unaccompanied children and end their immigration detention.
Download report (Extern länk till pdf-fil)
A report by the UN Security Council published this month raises strong concern over the situation for migrants in Libya where detainees in migration detention facilities are at high risk of torture and other ill-treatment, forced labour, sexual violence, exploitation and being forcibly returned to their country of origin.
Detention facilities are run either by the Directorate for Combatting Illegal Migration (DCIM) or armed groups and conditions are poor, characterised by "overcrowding, lack of hygiene and access to basic necessities and adequate medical care". In detention centres run by militias, migrants routinely face exploitation, abduction, forced labour, extortion, torture including to death, and other forms of violence. IOM has also reported on slave trade of sub-Saharan migrants by militias.
The UN report also raises concern over ill-treatment of people intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guard. During Search and Rescue (SAR) operations migrants have been repeatedly subjected to physical violence, threatening language and firearms.
According to the UN report, UNHCR has repeatedly urged states to refrain from returning any third-country nationals intercepted or rescued at sea to Libya. The UN Refugee Agency states that the country does not meet the criteria to be defined as place of safety. In an answer to a parliamentary question by die Linke, the German government states that migrants rescued and intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guard are handed over to DCIM that runs detention centres. According to the UN report, IOM estimates that as of 19 July 11,122 persons have been intercepted and rescued by the Libyan Coast Guard, coastal security and fishermen in 2017.
Artikeln med länk till rapporten och andra källor (Extern länk)
UNHCR 17-09-27: Survivors tell of kidnap and torture along route to Europe (Extern länk)
UNHCR 17-09-12: UNHCR steps up efforts towards alternatives to detention (Extern länk)
An AIDA comparative report published today examines the concept of vulnerability in European asylum procedures.
The EU asylum acquis presents a fragmented legal framework for identifying vulnerable categories of asylum seekers, as well as defining the special guarantees necessary to preserve their ability to enjoy their rights and comply with their obligations in the asylum process. Although increased awareness and adaptability of Member States' asylum systems has been a primary objective of the successive legislative reforms of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), this has only yielded limited results in practice so far.
The application of EU law standards in Member States' legal orders and systems faces important protection gaps, which result as much from poor implementation as from the complexity of and limitations inherent in current EU asylum law. Moreover, the terminological and conceptual ambiguity relating to the concept of vulnerability and the varying scopes of the categories of asylum seekers considered "vulnerable" in the recast Asylum Procedures and Reception Conditions Directives has contributed to incoherent approaches to the protection of these asylum seekers in national asylum processes.
Drawing on the AIDA report, ECRE makes the following recommendations:
Hela artikeln med länk till rapporten (Extern länk)
FRA 17-09-22: Stronger control over standards in migrant reception centres needed (Extern länk)
Grekland/ No school for many asylum-seeking kids
Greece's Education Ministry should move quickly to implement positive new plans for the education of asylum-seeking children on the Aegean islands and make schools accessible to all of them, Human Rights Watch said today. When the school year began on September 11, 2017, hundreds of asylum-seeking children who are being prevented from leaving the islands due to a European Union deal with Turkey remained out of school.
Greece will extend a program that provides special Greek classes and integration support for non-native speaking pupils to asylum-seeking children on the islands. But this program excludes children in the so-called refugee hotspots and other reception facilities who cannot obtain the proof of address required to enroll in school. To reach children in these facilities, the Education Ministry recently announced it would open afternoon classes at public schools on the islands.
"Greece's Education Ministry has crucial work ahead as it attempts to improve the country's dismal record of denying access to school to children seeking asylum on the islands," said Simon Rau, Mercator fellow at Human Rights Watch. "Children who have fled hellish conditions in search of safety in Europe need the support and hope a classroom provides and cannot wait until much of the school year has passed."
The new integration program and the afternoon classes will both exclude children over age 15, and a delay in providing vaccinations to asylum-seeking children poses problems because vaccinations are required for school enrollment. The ministry estimates that both programs will start in mid-October.
Myrto Tilianaki, HRW 17-09-19: Police cells are no place for migrant kids (Extern länk)
Grekland/ The other Greek island: Squalid conditions and arbitrary deportation in Crete
With the establishment of a Regional Asylum Office of Crete in July 2017 the island emerged as key location in Greece's reception of refugees and migrants. While UNHCR has successfully accommodated approximately 240 refugees, those arriving irregularly to the island face harsh conditions and risk of deportation.
UNHCR expanded its accommodation scheme earlier in the spring with the aim of gradually housing 750 asylum seekers in 125 rented apartments across Crete. The Minister of Migration Policy announced at the time that this was a "programme of dignity for all, as it guarantees the peaceful coexistence and safety of asylum seekers and local communities." However, those arriving irregularly to the island have faced widely different treatment. A group of 74 people, including 28 children, who arrived by boat on 7 September were hosted in the dockworkers' unit of the port of Iraklion, under insalubrious and unsafe conditions denounced by dockworkers.
The area was surrounded by police officers on 12 September, who prevented access to the building. The residents, including 28 individuals who had expressed the will to apply for asylum, were served with return decisions in Greek which were neither translated nor explained to them in a language they could understand. Despite efforts from UNHCR and the Bar Association of Iraklion to ensure access to asylum, 69 people were transferred under police escort from Iraklion to the pre-removal detention centre of Kos on the morning of 13 September, likely with a view to deportation to Turkey. The Iraklion Initiative for Migrants and Refugees and the Bar Association of Iraklion have strongly denounced the practice of the authorities, while a complaint has been filed with the Greek Ombudsman.
Oxfam International 17-08-09:
Libyen/ Torture, rape and slavery in Libya: why migrants must be able to leave this hell
Rape, torture and slave labor are among the horrendous daily realities for people stuck in Libya who are desperately trying to escape war, persecution and poverty in African countries, according to a new report by Oxfam and Italian partners MEDU and Borderline Sicilia.
The report features harrowing testimonies, gathered by Oxfam and its partners, from women and men who arrived in Sicily having made the dangerous crossing from Libya. Some revealed how gangs imprisoned them in underground cells, before calling their families to demand a ransom for their release. A teenager from Senegal told how he was kept in a cell which was full of dead bodies, before managing to escape. Others spoke of being regularly beaten and starved for months on end.
Oxfam and its partners are calling on Italy and other European member states to stop pursuing migration policies that prevent people leaving Libya and the abuse they are suffering.
158 testimonies, of 31 women and 127 men, gathered by Oxfam and MEDU in Sicily, paint a shocking picture of the conditions they endured in Libya:
+ All but one woman said they had suffered from sexual violence
+ 74% of the refugees and other migrants said they had witnessed the murder and /or torture of a travelling companion
+ 84% said they had suffered inhuman or degrading treatment, extreme violence or torture in Libya
+ 80% said they had been regularly denied food and water during their stay in Libya
+ 70% said they had been tied up
Roberto Barbieri, executive director of Oxfam Italy, said:
Australien/ Leaked transcript exposes Australia's unlawful refugee policy
Elaine Pearson, Australia Director
The leaked transcript of the infamous January 28 phone call between US President Donald Trump and Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has some extraordinary revelations.
It confirms how Australia's foreign policy has been hijacked by immigration concerns. One might expect the first call between these two leaders would have focused on more pressing matters of global security but for nearly the entire call, Australia's Prime Minister is desperately trying to persuade the US president to uphold an agreement to take a small number of refugees from Australia's offshore processing centers in Papua New Guinea's Manus Island and Nauru.
The transcript exposes the hypocrisy of Australia's refugee policies and Turnbull's complete disregard for international law. "If they had arrived by airplane and with a tourist visa then they would be here," Turnbull says. But under the Refugee Convention, which Australia has ratified, countries can't discriminate against those seeking asylum based on mode of transport. The treaty recognizes that refugees may need to enter a country illegally for protection and should not be punished for that.
Turnbull also falsely refers to those on Manus and Nauru as "economic refugees" when in fact all of those being considered for US resettlement are recognized as refugees for having a well-founded fear of persecution if returned home.
Destination Unknown 17-07-28:
Once home to 8,000 refugees and migrants living in inhumane circumstances, Calais is again being described as a human rights violation zone. An independent survey by the Refugees Rights Data Project (RRDP) recently uncovered an alarming situation of displaced children and youth living in and around Calais.
Despite its dire living conditions, Calais continues to be a city of transit for those seeking a better future in the UK. Six months after the so called 'Jungle' camp was dismantled, around 400 displaced people are living in the area again - nearly half of them children.
With no adequate shelter in the city, displaced people are sleeping rough on the streets. They have limited access to health assistance and often experience violence from either the police or far right citizens.
The situation is particularly harmful to children. Unprotected and abandoned to their fate, the vast majority of these children are alone and exposed to violence, trafficking and exploitation.
French authorities seem determined to drive refugees and migrants, including children, out of Calais. From the 86 children interviewed by the RRDP, over 95 percent have experienced violent episodes of police abuse - including the use of a taser, tear gas and batons. More than three quarters of the children interviewed had already been detained or arrested in the area.
"The national police ran after me and fought me, beat me by stick and sprayed me with tear gas on my face. I didn't expect that to happen in a country like France," said a 14 years old boy from Ethiopia.
One 16-year-old boy from Eritrea added:
"They gave me an electric shock. It happened in the Calais port because they were searching the area".
Frankrike/ Calais: Tear gas or pepper spray, abuse is abuse
Michael Garcia Bochenek
In Calais at the end of June, I spoke to a 17-year-old Ethiopian boy (I'll call him Biniam T.). He said French riot police (the Compagnies républicaines de sécurité, CRS) had sprayed him with a chemical substance as he was walking with some other boys along the side of a road: "It was the daytime, and they came in a van. They sprayed us from the van. They didn't say anything; they just sprayed."
It wasn't the first time I heard such an account-in fact, nearly every one of the children and adults I interviewed had a similar story. Nor was it the only time police had subjected Biniam to such treatment. "If they catch us when we are sleeping, they will spray us and take all of our stuff. Every two or three days they do this," he said. "This is normal for us. It's part of our life."
Conditions for migrants in Calais may soon improve, at least marginally. Interior Minister Gérard Collomb announced on July 31 that the state would open new shelters for migrants, provide access to water, toilets, and showers and investigate reports of excessive use of force by police.
This is a positive, if initial, response to the Human Rights Watch report last week of widespread police abuses against migrants in Calais and a court decision this week from France's highest administrative court sharply criticizing officials' refusal to provide water and other humanitarian assistance to migrants. City officials had at first opposed the Interior Ministry's plans and had vowed not to comply with the court order.
And the minister also challenged our finding that riot police routinely use pepper spray on child and adult migrants when they pose no conceivable threat. A ministry news release stated that police use teargas rather than pepper spray. "I reiterate that in the security forces, there is no use of pepper spray," he told reporters, adding, "There could be some misconduct by individuals."
Statewatch 17-08-04: Conceil d'Etat: Court did rightly order water and toilets for migrants in Calais (Extern länk)
The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has suspended transfers to Hungary under the Dublin Regulation until further notice, on account of systematic detention, push backs and the lack of integration perspectives in the country.
Transfers had already been de facto halted since April 2017, as the BAMF was required to obtain individual guarantees from the Hungarian authorities to ensure that asylum seekers transferred to the country would benefit from treatment in accordance with the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) standards. This policy shift came about following a UNHCR statement urging Member States to refrain from transfers to Hungary.
Germany has issued 1,915 requests to Hungary and implemented 30 transfers so far this year, while Austria has transferred 79 people.
Notisen med länkar till källor (Extern länk)
Grekland/ Huge rise in detention of migrant children
The number of unaccompanied migrant children held in unsuitable police cells and detention centers in Greece has increased alarmingly, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to Migration Policy Minister Yiannis Mouzalas.
According to the National Center for Social Solidarity, a government body, as of July 19, 2017, an estimated 117 children were in police custody awaiting transfer to a shelter. That number is in stark contrast to November 2016, when only two unaccompanied children were detained. The Greek government should take urgent action to reduce the number of unaccompanied migrant children in police custody, Human Rights Watch said.
"Instead of being cared for, dozens of vulnerable children are locked in dirty, crowded police cells and other detention facilities across Greece, in some cases with unrelated adults," said Eva Cossé, Greece researcher at Human Rights Watch. "The Greek government has a duty to end this abusive practice and make sure these vulnerable kids get the care and protection they need."
Human Rights Watch research has documented the arbitrary and prolonged detention of unaccompanied migrant children in police cells and other detention centers, in violation of international and Greek law. Under Greek law, unaccompanied children should be transferred to safe accommodation, but Greece has a chronic shortage of space in suitable facilities.
Human Rights Watch also highlighted the fact that the decision by the European Commission to transfer responsibility and European Union funding for managing unaccompanied migrant children from nongovernmental groups to the Greek government is likely to exacerbate the shortage of suitable shelter space for unaccompanied children. Nongovernmental groups say that the shift means that at least five shelters for unaccompanied children in Greece will be closed.
Kathimerini 17-08-05: Number of unaccompanied minors detained with unrelated adult males rises (Extern länk)
Amnesty International 17-07-28: Authorities must investigate allegations of force and ill-treatment (Extern länk)
Kathimerini 17-08-03: Asylum seekers being blocked out of job market and health system (Extern länk)
EU-kommissionen tillkännager i dag nya nödhjälpsprojekt för flyktingar i Grekland till ett värde av 209 miljoner euro.
I det nya initiativet ingår ett flaggskeppsprogram för att integrera och skaffa bostäder åt flyktingar och deras familjer så att de kan hyra bostäder i städer och få kontantbistånd. Det här är en förändring i förhållande till tidigare humanitära projekt, där stöd främst gavs till vistelsen i läger och materiella förnödenheter.
- Idag inleder vi ett nytt kapitel för flyktingarna i Grekland. Vår nya finansiering innebär en förändring av hur vi lämnar bistånd för att förbättra människors liv. De nya projekten syftar till att få bort flyktingarna från lägren, ordna med ordinära bostader och hjälpa dem att leva ett tryggare och mer normalt liv. Tillsammans med våra samarbetspartner för humanitär hjälp och de nationella myndigheterna är vi fast beslutna att hjälpa de mest utsatta flyktingarna och göra vår humanitära plikt med sikte på en mer kostnadseffektiv lösning, säger biståndskommissionär Christos Stylianides
Human Rights Watch 17-07 -31:
Asylum seekers and other migrants arriving by sea to Spanish shores are held in poor conditions and face obstacles in applying for asylum. They are held for days in dark, dank cells in police stations and almost certainly will then automatically be placed in longer-term immigration detention facilities pending deportation that may never happen.
"Dark, cage-like police cells are no place to hold asylum seekers and migrants who reach Spain," said Judith Sunderland, associate Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Spain is violating migrants' rights, and there is no evidence it serves as a deterrent to others."
The number of asylum seekers and other migrants crossing the western Mediterranean to Spain is increasing. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 7,847 people reached Spanish shores between January 1 and July 26, 2017, compared with 2,476 during the same period in 2016.
Although the numbers pale in comparison to the 94,445 people disembarked in Italy during the first seven months of 2017, Spanish interior minister Juan Ignacio Zoido cited "important pressure" on Spanish ports in rejecting Italy's recent request to have some of the people rescued in the central Mediterranean taken to Spain.
Almost all adults and children traveling with a family member arriving to mainland Spain by boat are detained for up to 72 hours in police facilities for identification and processing. The majority of adult men and women are then sent to an immigration detention center for a maximum of 60 days, pending deportation. If they cannot be deported they are released but have no legal right to remain and are under obligation to leave the country.
Conditions in police facilities in Motril, Almería, and Málaga, which Human Rights Watch visited in May, are substandard, Human Rights Watch found. The facilities in Motril and Almería have large, poorly lit cells with thin mattresses on the floor, while Málaga police station has an underground jail with no natural light or ventilation.
Australia's policy of offshore processing in Papua New Guinea and Nauru, which denies access to asylum in Australia for refugees arriving by sea without a valid visa, has caused extensive, avoidable suffering for far too long.
Four years on, more than 2,000 people are still languishing in unacceptable circumstances. Families have been separated and many have suffered physical and psychological harm.
In light of this dire humanitarian situation, last November UNHCR exceptionally agreed to help with the relocation of refugees to the United States following a bilateral agreement between Australia and the US. We agreed to do so on the clear understanding that vulnerable refugees with close family ties in Australia would ultimately be allowed to settle there.
UNHCR has recently been informed by Australia that it refuses to accept even these refugees, and that they, along with the others on Nauru and Papua New Guinea, have been informed that their only option is to remain where they are or to be transferred to Cambodia or to the United States.
This means, for example, that some with serious medical conditions, or who have undergone traumatic experiences, including sexual violence, cannot receive the support of their close family members residing in Australia.
To avoid prolonging their ordeal, UNHCR has no other choice but to endorse the relocation of all refugees on Papua New Guinea and Nauru to the United States, even those with close family members in Australia.
There is no doubt these vulnerable people, already subject to four years of punishing conditions, should be reunited with their families in Australia. This is the humane and reasonable thing to do.
Frankrike/ "Like Living in Hell" Police abuses against child and adult migrants in Calais
Nine months after French authorities closed the large migrant camp known as the "Jungle," on the edge of Calais, between 400 and 500 asylum seekers and other migrants are living on the streets and in wooded areas in and around the northern French city.
Based on interviews with more than 60 asylum seekers and migrants in and around Calais and Dunkerque, and with two dozen aid workers working in the area, this report documents police abuse of asylum seekers and migrants, their disruption of humanitarian assistance, and their harassment of aid workers-behavior that appears to be at least partly driven by a desire to keep down migrant numbers.
Human Rights Watch finds that police in Calais, particularly the riot police (Compagnies républicaines de sécurité, CRS), routinely use pepper spray on child and adult migrants while they are sleeping or in other circumstances in which they pose no threat; regularly spray or confiscate sleeping bags, blankets, and clothing; and sometimes use pepper spray on migrants' food and water. Police also disrupt the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Police abuses have a negative impact on access to child services and migrants' desire and ability to apply for asylum.
Such police conduct in and around Calais is an abuse of power, violating the prohibition on inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment as well as an unjustifiable interference with the migrants' rights to food and water. International standards provide that police should only use force when it is unavoidable, and then only with restraint, in proportion to the circumstances, and for a legitimate law enforcement purpose.
Authorities have turned a blind eye to widespread reports of police abuse against asylum seekers and other migrants. Vincent Berton, the deputy prefect for Calais, strongly rejected reports that police used pepper spray and other force indiscriminately and disproportionately. "These are allegations, individuals' declarations, that are not based on fact," he told Human Rights Watch.
Grekland/ Asylum seekers' silent mental health crisis
Identify those most at risk; Ensure fair hearings
The EU-Turkey deal designed to stem migration and refugee flows to Greece has had a devastating impact on the mental well-being of thousands of women, men, and children trapped on Greek islands since March 2016, Human Rights Watch said today.
In research conducted in May and June 2017 on the island of Lesbos, Human Rights Watch documented the deteriorating mental health of asylum seekers and migrants - including incidents of self-harm, suicide attempts, aggression, anxiety, and depression - caused by the Greek policy of "containing" them on islands, often in horrifying conditions, to facilitate speedy processing and return to Turkey.
"The psychological impact of years of conflict, exacerbated by harsh conditions on the Greek islands and the uncertainty of inhumane policies, may not be as visible as physical wounds, but is no less life-threatening," said Emina ?erimovi?, disability rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. "The European Union and Greece should take immediate action to address this silent crisis and prevent further harm."
Thousands of asylum seekers, including women and children, are trapped in worsening conditions in EU-sponsored processing centers - so-called hotspots - and other facilities, amid an ongoing flow of new arrivals and slow decision-making on the part of the Greek government. In December 2016, the EU and the Greek authorities ended exemptions for vulnerable groups protected by Greek law from the requirement to remain on the islands.
The EU-Turkey deal, signed in March 2016, commits Turkey to accept the return from Greece of most asylum seekers who traveled through its territory and arrived on the Greek islands, in exchange for billions of euro in aid, visa liberalization for Turkish citizens, and revived negotiations for Turkish accession to the EU.
Läkare i Världen 17-07-24: "Nu ringer larmklockorna" - asylsökande i Grekland mår mycket dåligt (Extern länk)
Grekland/ Lone migrant children left unprotected
Flawed procedures leave those on Lesbos at risk of abuse
Unaccompanied migrant children on the Greek island of Lesbos are being incorrectly identified as adults and housed with unrelated adults, leaving them vulnerable to abuse and unable to access the specific care they need, Human Rights Watch said today.
"The misidentification of unaccompanied migrant kids on Lesbos as adults leads to real problems, including lumping them together with unrelated adults and denying them the care they need," said Eva Cossé, Greece researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Greek authorities need to take responsibility for properly identifying unaccompanied children and providing them the protection and care every child needs."
On visits to Lesbos island from May 22 to 28 and June 27 to 30, 2017, Human Rights Watch spoke with 20 children, some as young as 15, who said they had been wrongly registered as adults by the Greek authorities.
Under Greek and international law, unaccompanied children are entitled to special care and protection. But the flawed age assessment procedures that are being followed in practice mean that some of these children are wrongly deemed adults during registration, despite an assurance by Greek officials to Human Rights Watch that a proper, multidiscipline procedure is followed. Other children claim to be adults, believing it will allow them to avoid detention or because they follow bad advice from adults, but then realize they have made a mistake and try to persuade the authorities to register them correctly. They can spend months trying to change their official status, and in the meantime often continue to be treated as adults, or reach adulthood, known as "aging out," while waiting for their correct age to be assessed.
Libyen/ "Hell on earth": Abuses against refugees trying to reach Europe from Libya
As Europe faces its largest movement of refugees and migrants since World War II, the majority of refugees and migrants are reaching its borders by crossing the Mediterranean Sea. While the majority of refugees and migrants arrived in Europe by crossing the sea between Turkey and Greece in 2015 and early 2016, the main route is currently between Libya and Italy.
Whether they went to Libya to work or just as a place of transit on their way to safety and protection in Europe, migrants and refugees who have spent weeks, months or years in Libya face abuses that include arbitrary detention, torture, unlawful killings, rape, forced labor, kidnapping, and even slavery. Many are held by smugglers for months or detained in official or semi-official detention centers in inhumane conditions where even their most basic rights as human beings are denied. Libya itself has been in turmoil since 2011, with three different governments competing for power and militias and criminal networks operating across the country.
More than 60,000 refugees and migrants arrived in Europe between January 1 and May 24, 2017, with the vast majority landing in Italy. Eager to stem the flow of people using this route, the European Union (EU) and its member states have deployed measures which include training and equipping the Libyan coast guard and promoting returns to people's countries of origin. As the violence and chaos in Libya continue, the EU must ensure that its actions do not result in refugees and migrants being returned to torture or other forms of ill-treatment in Libya. The EU must make rescue at sea a priority. The EU should also provide solutions for people in need of international protection, including safe and legal paths to protection in Europe while pushing Libya to fully ensure all human rights protections for refugees and migrants in that country.
Download the report (Extern länk)
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, evacuated today six vulnerable refugee women from Libya to a country that has accepted to resettle them. A second group of seven refugees is expected to follow shortly.
The women being resettled today suffered horrific abuse and were kept in servitude by an armed group in Libya. They were later detained by the authorities. Following UNHCR's intervention, they were released and transferred to a safe house in Libya.
In the last 18 months, UNHCR has successfully advocated with the Libyan authorities for the release of over 900 refugees and asylum seekers from detention centres in various parts of the country.
Up to 89 per cent of people crossing the Mediterranean Sea to Europe depart from Libya. Refugees and asylum seekers are among the over 90,000 who have made the dangerous sea crossing to Europe as of June 30 2017. UNHCR's protection activities, especially finding alternative solutions - such as resettlement - for refugees making their way to Libya, can contribute to reduce the number of people risking their lives in the Mediterranean.
Since January, UNHCR has submitted resettlement referrals for 60 refugees. Out of these submissions, 15 individuals have been accepted by a third country. So far, a family of five Syrian refugees left Libya for their new country on 31 May. Another Syrian refugee has also been resettled and he is now happily continuing his studies.
A humanitarian crisis continues to unfold in the central Mediterranean as thousands of people are dying at sea in the desperate attempt to reach safety or a better life in Europe. Instead of trying to prevent further loss of life, European leaders are focused on preventing refugees and migrants from departing from Libya to keep the number of arrivals in Europe down. This report shows how this reckless European strategy is exposing refugees and migrants to even greater risks at sea and, when intercepted, to disembarkation in Libya, where they face horrific conditions and violations in detention, torture and rape.
Ungern/ Visit to transit zones to evaluate sexual abuse risks faced by migrant children
Council of Europe children's rights experts concluded today a three-day visit to Hungary to evaluate risks of sexual abuse and exploitation faced by migrant children placed in transit zones. Their report is expected in October.
Hungarian authorities invited Lanzarote Committee Chair Claude Janizzi and representatives of the committee to visit Hungary, following a letter that Janizzi had sent to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in March, in which he expressed concerns that a new Hungarian law - "On the amendment of certain acts related to increasing the strictness of procedures carried out in the areas of border management" - could increase the risks of sexual abuse of migrant children.
The Hungarian government in its reply reiterated that the new rules were applied only during a crisis situation, and that unaccompanied migrant children aged 14-18 placed in transit zones were provided legal guardians who are trained and experienced in child protection, victim protection and guardianship. According to the government replies, these children also receive three meals a day, health care, clothes, education and can freely practice religion; social workers are present 24/7 in the transit zones, and unaccompanied children in the transit zones are placed separately from adults.
Full press release (Extern länk)
Läkare i Världen 17-06-20:
Uganda/ Världen sviker flyktingarna i Uganda
Uganda är idag det land i Afrika med flest flyktingar, och runt 2 000 nya flyktingar anländer varje dag. De flesta av dem flyr undan våldet i Sydsudan. Resurserna är dock långt ifrån tillräckliga och livräddande förnödenheter såsom mat och vatten måste prioriteras för att förhindra att situationen blir akut.
- För närvarande är inte ens de mest grundläggande behoven hos flyktingarna uppfyllda, säger Tara Newell, insatsansvarig för Läkare Utan Gränser i Uganda.
Otillräckliga resurser, i kombination med bristfälliga vatten- och sanitetsförhållanden och brist på mat, kan snabbt göra situationen till en medicinsk nödsituation. I Palorinya, en bosättning för flyktingar, är 80 procent av befolkningen helt beroende av vatten som Läkare Utan Gränser tillhandahåller, vilket är ohållbart.
- Trots att vi tillhandahåller rekordmängder vatten i Palorinya räcker det knappt för befolkningen, säger Tara Newell.
Flertalet flyktingar som bor i bosättningar utan vattenverk, och som måste förlita sig på några få brunnar och vattenbilar, får sju liter vatten per person och dag. Tillgången till vatten i bosättningarna är helt beroende av vattenbilar, ett enormt dyrt system som ofta kan spåras till dåliga vägförhållanden.
- Utan en långsiktig och mer kostnadseffektiv lösning kommer människors förmåga att klara sig, såväl som deras hälsa, att försämras, säger Tara Newell.
"Jag blir hellre dödad i Sydsudan än svälter i Uganda"
An AIDA legal briefing published today tracks the expansion of detention policies and practices across Europe. Despite the entry into force of common standards relating to detention such as those prescribed in the recast Reception Conditions Directive, the deprivation of liberty of asylum seekers as a migration control instrument varies significantly from one country to another. In 2016, detention was applied to a substantial part of the asylum-seeking population in countries such as Bulgaria, while its use remained low in Poland or even minimal in Malta.
At the same time, the briefing documents a visible trend of increase in detention infrastructure across Europe, with notable examples of rising detention capacity in the Mediterranean region. Countries such as Turkey, Italy, Spain and Greece, that have some of the most sizeable detention infrastructures in the continent, are in the course of establishing additional spaces for confining refugees and migrants.
The expansion of detention in Europe is also pursued in legal forms. The permissive and often uneasy interpretation of concepts derived from criminal law, such as the "risk of absconding" or "public order", has led to wider use of detention against asylum seekers in contradiction of fundamental rights and safeguards. Similar expansion also transpires in the use of detention of asylum seekers in the context of border control, where recent national reforms in Hungary or Poland have created risks of systematic and arbitrary detention through an almost exclusive conduct of asylum procedures at the border.
Frankrike/ Detention still a primary instrument of migration control
The annual report on administrative detention in France, published today by six civil society organisations present in detention centres, details the systematic use of deprivation of liberty as a primary instrument of migration control.
Last year, France detained 45,937 persons in administrative detention centres (CRA) and other places of administrative detention (LRA) scattered across the territory and overseas. The year 2016 drew a particularly strong link between detention and camp management policies, where the dismantlement of settlements in Paris, Calais and Metz, as well as unlawful evictions (décasages) in Mayotte, resulted in people being placed in detention, often to the detriment of their personal situation and in contravention of legal standards.
People detained in the French mainland in 2016 mainly originated from Algeria, Albania, Morocco, Tunisia, Romania and Afghanistan. On the other hand, nearly half (21,847) of the total number of persons detained were held overseas. According to the organisations, including ECRE members Forum réfugies - Cosi and France terre d'asile, the majority of those detained in Mayotte came from Comoros, while nationals of Haiti were the main nationality detained in Guiana.
The number of children detained last year was 4,507, with the vast majority of detentions (4,325) applied in Mayotte alone.
The report also notes that Dublin transfers of asylum seekers make up more than 10% of France's deportations within the European Union. The impetus of the French authorities towards a stricter application of the Dublin Regulation, in particular through the systematic use of house arrest and deprivation of liberty, has led to an increase in Dublin returns following detention, from 500 in 2015 to 1,000 in 2016. The French approach echoes a Europe-wide trend of legal and infrastructural expansion of detention.
Duarte Marques (Portugal, EPP/CD), whose report on "Comprehensive solutions to the migration crisis" is due to be debated in Strasbourg tomorrow, has urged the Hungarian authorities to co-operate more closely with non-governmental organisations assisting migrants, as well as international organisations dealing with migration issues.
Mr Marques, whose information memorandum on a recent fact-finding visit to the country was made public today, also called on Hungary to "show greater transparency" in its dealings with NGOs helping migrants.
"Organisations such as the Helsinki Committee and the Cordelia Foundation were doing a good job alongside the UNHCR before the new legislation on migration was introduced in Hungary in March," he pointed out. "Now, however, they are being hindered or even stopped from carrying out their essential jobs, whether they are specialised in legal assistance, social and medical care, psychological support, or work with children."
"These organisations are a crucial part of the 'comprehensive response' to the migration crisis that is urgently needed, and they help our governments to ensure the basic rights of asylum seekers and refugees on our territories are fully respected," he concluded.
PACE is to hold a full day of plenary debates on the topic of migration tomorrow, including the report by Mr Marques. The Mayor of Athens, as well as Sweden's Migration Minister and the Council of Europe's Human Rights Commissioner are due to take part.
Läs mer och hämta memorandum (Extern länk)
Turkiet/ Education barriers for asylum seekers
Afghan, Iranian children lack status, risk child labor
Many child asylum seekers in Turkey are not going to school because of arbitrary policies for asylum seekers, Human Rights Watch said today. The Turkish interior ministry should revise the policies for non-Syrian asylum seekers that are preventing these vulnerable children from getting an education, despite their right to it under Turkish and international law.
"Turkish law guarantees all children the right to education, but for many child asylum seekers this is an empty promise," said Simon Rau, Mercator fellow on children's rights at Human Rights Watch. "There are feasible steps that Turkey should take to get all children, including asylum seekers, into school."
In March 2017, Human Rights Watch interviewed the families of 68 Afghan and Iranian children ages 5 to 17, in Denizli, Trabzon, and Gümü?hane, which are among places asylum seekers are assigned, and in Istanbul, which is not. Thousands of Afghans and others have nonetheless moved to Istanbul in search of work, and as a result do not have legal status and are at risk of arrest.
Turkey hosts more refugees and asylum seekers than any other country in the world, including 2.8 million Syrians and about 290,000 people from other countries, mostly Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran. In Turkey, asylum seekers from countries other than Syria are required to live in assigned cities, and are restricted from moving elsewhere even if there are few job opportunities and limited aid where they are assigned. Asylum seekers who stay in their assigned city may face poverty-related barriers to education, with parents unable to meet associated costs or feeling they have little choice but to send their children to work rather than school. Those who move in search of work lose their legal status, without which they cannot enroll their children in school.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, warns that without urgent additional funding, some 60,000 Syrian refugee families will be cut from monthly cash assistance programmes in Lebanon and Jordan as early as July.
Vital parts of UNHCR's response to the needs of Syrian refugees are critically underfunded. Additional contributions are urgently required to avoid dramatic and deep cuts to both basic and life-saving services to Syrian refugees in the second half of the year.
Despite generous pledges, humanitarian programmes in support of Syrian refugee and communities hosting them are quickly running out of resources. The situation is most dramatic in Lebanon and Jordan where a number of direct cash assistance activities could dry up in less than four weeks.
Syrian refugees in Lebanon - 70 per cent of whom are living under the national poverty line - say that without this lifeline, they don't know how they will manage to survive. For many, cash assistance is the only means of buying medicine for sick family members and paying off their bills and fast-accumulating debts. Refugees tell UNHCR that every month they struggle to pay their rent and face the threat of eviction.
Those who fled to Jordan face equally stark challenges. Refugees tell our staff that UNHCR monthly cash support means a meal a day, a better roof, their dignity. Now they fear losing everything. Many say would prefer to go back to Syria to die if they stop receiving this assistance. For every third family in the cash assistance programme in Jordan this is their sole source of income, making them particularly vulnerable to any cuts.
Sida 17-05-30:
Kenya/ Oegentligheter upptäckta i flyktingläger i Kenya
Sida har fått information om allvarliga missförhållanden i det kenyanska flyktinglägret Kakuma av UNHCR som driver lägret. Flyktingar har fått betala lokalanställda i lägret för tjänster som ska vara gratis, som mat, skola, sjukvård och administration kring registrering av flyktingar och utfärdande av handlingar.
- Vi ser mycket allvarligt på det som kommit fram och att höra att personal utnyttjat de svagaste och mest sårbaras utsatthet på det här viset är helt oacceptabelt, säger Susanne Mikhail, chef för det humanitära biståndet på Sida.
I Kakuma bor 180 000 flyktingar som flytt krig och konflikt men också klimatförändringar. Hit har de kommit framför allt för att få säkerhet, men också tillgång till mat och sjukvård. I lägret har det funnits en god kapacitet för att stödja flyktingarnas behov som exempelvis barnens tillgång till skola.
UNHCR fick tips om oegentligheter förra året direkt av flyktingarna själva. Flyktingarna har fått betala för tjänster som ska vara avgiftsfria som exempelvis skolgång där man fick betala för att klara examina och för medicinska remisser. Verksamheten sägs, enligt UNHCR, ha pågått i flera år.
Sida finansierar genom samarbetspartners organisationer som är verksamma i lägret.
- Vi kan ännu inte se att pengar har använts på fel sätt eller försvunnit. I det här fallet handlar missförhållandena inte om förskingring av biståndsmedel, utan om ett systemfel där flyktingar utnyttjas av dem som är satta att skydda dem, säger Susanne Mikhail.
Korruption eller oegentligheter kan aldrig accepteras och Sida välkomnar att UNHCR utreder den kriminella verksamheten som bedrivits i Kakuma.
- Det kan naturligtvis inte fortsätta så här och det är bra att verksamhetens avslöjats. Vi förutsätter att UNHCR och berörda kenyanska myndigheter tar krafttag för att komma tillrätta med de mycket allvarliga problemen i Kakuma, säger Susanne Mikhail.
- Vi följer utredningen noga, vi har en dialog med UNHCR, ambassaden i Nairobi och bistår med vår expertis.
Jordanien/ Critical gaps spell looming destitution and despair for refugee families
"I call on the Swiss authorities to stop detaining migrant children arriving at Swiss international airports. Children, with or without their families, do not belong in detention" said today Nils Mui?nieks, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, after a three-day visit (22-24 May) to Switzerland, which included a visit to the closed reception facility in the international transit zone of Zurich airport.
The Commissioner welcomes the improvements foreseen by the new asylum law, which will allow for free legal aid from the beginning of the procedure and should lead to faster and higher quality status determination procedures. However, the new law is only due to enter into force in January 2019 and in the meantime progress is needed in a number of migration-related areas. Pointing to one such area that is particularly pressing, the Commissioner notes that too many persons, including Syrians, still receive the 'F permit', a provisional admission regime which does not include many of the rights associated with refugee status. "This leaves them in a precarious situation and impedes their integration, whereas it is a known fact that most will ultimately stay." Noting that the Swiss authorities are currently reviewing this regime, he calls on them to introduce a subsidiary protection status with rights equivalent to those of refugees.
Ungern/ Överföringar till Ungern verkställs inte
Migrationsverket har beslutat att överföringar till Ungern enligt Dublinförordningen inte ska verkställas. Anledningen är att Ungern har gått över till att placera alla asylsökande i containerförvar utmed gränsen. UNHCR har uppmanat alla EU-länder att stoppa överföringar till Ungern. Tyskland införde omgående ett stopp. I Sverige beslutade Migrationsverket den 28 april att fortsätta fatta beslut om överföring till Ungern, men att besluten inte ska verkställas tills vidare.
Asylsökande som varit placerade i öppna boenden i Ungern grips nu och sätts i gränslägren. När planerna på containerförvar blev kända i mars, reagerade många internationella organisationer, som UNHCR, Amnesty International och Europarådet. UNHCR kom den 10 april med sin uppmaning till EU-länderna att ställa in alla överföringar till Ungern.
Till saken hör att Ungerns asylsystem redan är ifrågasatt genom att Ungern betraktar Serbien som ett säkert land. Ett stort antal asylansökningar avvisas direkt vid gränsen (fler än 19.000 bara under andra halvåret 2016), däribland många från Afghanistan, Irak och Syrien. De som släpps in får i de flesta fall ändå inte sin asylansökan prövad i sak eftersom de anses kunna återvända till Serbien. Trots denna policy tar det tid att behandla ansökningarna och förvarstagandet kan dra ut på tiden.
I slutet av mars fälldes Ungern i Europadomstolen för behandlingen av två män från Bangladesh som hållits kvar i ett av lägren vid gränsen och därefter utvisats till Serbien. Europadomstolen konstaterade att Ungerns behandling brutit mot Europakonventionen på flera sätt, både genom förvarstagandet utan tillräckliga skäl och genom den automatiska bedömningen av Serbien som säkert land. Själva förhållandena i lägret prickades inte.
Grekland/ Pressure to minimize numbers of migrants identified as 'vulnerable'
People with disabilities and other at-risk groups go unidentified on the Greek islands as the European Union inappropriately presses Greek authorities and medical aid organizations to reduce the number of asylum seekers identified as "vulnerable," Human Rights Watch said today. The EU, and the Greek government, now prefer to contain all asylum seekers on the Greek islands. Before the new policy, asylum seekers identified as "vulnerable" were allowed to be transferred to the mainland to have their cases handled there.
During a visit to Greece from May 16 to 20 2017, Human Rights Watch met with representatives from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the European Commission, the Greek Asylum Service (GAS), local and international aid and medical organizations, lawyers, volunteers, and asylum seekers. Many of those interviewed by Human Rights Watch described indirect political pressure, in the form of multiple communiqués, to reduce the number of "vulnerable" asylum seekers and other migrants trapped on Greek islands, including people with disabilities, victims of torture, and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
"The European Union has hit another low in its efforts to deter new refugees and minimize obligations to ones already within its borders," said Emina ?erimovi?, disability rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. "The EU should be promoting the protection of asylum seekers, including those among them who may be particularly at risk, not unjustly pressuring the Greek authorities and medical actors to overlook them."
Amnesty International 17-06-06: Report: Unsafe refugee camps in Greece evacuated (Extern länk)
The Greek Ombudsman 17-06-01: Migration flows and refugee protection - administrative challenges and human rights - Special Report 2017 (Extern länk)
Kathimerini 17-06-10: Airbnb to help host 35,000 refugees in houses across Greece (Extern länk)
En kvinna flydde med sin pojkvän från Eritrea och hamnade i Italien hösten 2006. Hon inkvarterades i en asylförläggning i Crotone. Efter två månader beviljades hon flyktingstatus och fick inte stanna på förläggningen. Kvinnan och pojkvännen tog sig till Rom men hittade ingenstans att bo, annat än i ett ockuperat hus. Pojkvännen lämnade kvinnan sedan hon blivit gravid. Hon sökte asyl i Schweiz, där sonen föddes sommaren 2009. Efter några månader utvisades de till Italien där kvinnan fortfarande inte hittade någonstans att bo. Hon gjorde ett försök till i Norge med samma resultat. Tillbaka i Italien uppmanades kvinnan att återvända till Crotone, men därifrån hänvisades hon till Rom, där hon och barnet till slut levde på gatan. Hon tog sig till Schweiz igen - och fick avslag igen. Italien har skyldighet att stötta flyktingar på samma villkor som egna medborgare, enligt den scweiziska domstolen. Dessutom kunde kvinnan sökt hjälp t.ex. av Caritas. En schweiziskt NGO skrev till organisationer i Italien, men ingen av dem hade plats. Däremot fanns risk för omhändertagande av barnet. Kvinnan hävdar att de riskerar kränkande behandling i Italien. Men Europadomstolen har förtroende för att om Schweiz informerar Italien så kommer Italien inom sitt generella system för socialhjälp att ta hand om mamman och sonen. Därför avvisas klagomålet av Europadomstolen.
Läs domen i sin helhet (Extern länk)
The AIDA Comparator has now been updated with the information provided in the 2016 Update of the Country Reports. Reflecting the addition of the chapter on content of protection in the Country Reports, this new section has been added to the topics discussed in the Comparator. The Comparator allows users to compare legal frameworks and practice between the countries covered by the database in relation to the core themes covered: asylum procedure, reception, detention and content of protection. The different sections of the Comparator define key concepts of the EU asylum acquis and outline their implementation in practice.
Access to the comparator (Extern länk)
Italien/ Fundamental rights support to Italian authorities in migration hotspots
The Agency held a fundamental rights workshop for hotspots operators in Taranto on 11 May in cooperation with the Italian Ministry of Interior, the European Commission migrants support team in Italy and in partnership with the UNHCR and International Organization for Migration.
The workshop sought to share expertise and best practices among staff working in the hotspots. They looked at fundamental rights issues connected to the identification, treatment and referral of vulnerable migrants and asylum seekers, including unaccompanied children as well as age assessment of children. The workshop addressed very practical and real life scenarios in order to streamline the implementation of the standard operating procedures in a fundamental rights compliant manner.
A list of suggestions was compiled from the workshop for follow up discussions in Rome. The workshop brought together representatives from the Ministry of Interior, authorities in various Italian hotspots, European Commission migrants support team in Italy, EU Agencies such as Frontex, EASO and Europol, the UN, as well as NGOs, local health authorities, social assistants and cultural mediators.
Turkiet/ 2016 asylum statistics in DGMM annual report
The Turkish Directorate-General of Migration Management (DGMM) has published its Annual Migration Report for 2016, which provides information inter alia on its international protection procedure established by the Law on Foreigners and International Protection (LFIP) and on its temporary protection regime for persons fleeing Syria.
Due to its relatively recent establishment, the DGMM has not published detailed information on the operation of the Turkish international protection system in previous years. As explained in the AIDA Country Report Turkey of December 2015, Provincial DGMM Directorates had only issued a modest number of status decisions in 2015, whether positive or negative, given that their resources were primarily focused on the registration of applications.
The DGMM has made available more comprehensive figures concerning its work in 2016. Throughout the course of the year, the DGMM has registered a total 66,167 applications for international protection, marking a slight increase from 64,232 applications in 2015. The main nationalities of international protection applicants in Turkey were:
Beyond the claims registered by DGMM, it should be borne in mind that a significant number of asylum seekers continue to approach and register with UNHCR Turkey, which has not ceased its Mandate Refugee Status Determination (RSD) in Turkey. More than 33,000 persons have registered as asylum seekers with UNHCR Turkey in 2016, mainly originating from Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran.
Amnesty 17-05-14:
Papua/ Uppgifter från migrationsdepartementet motbevisade av Amnesty
Digital verifiering av bilder och videofilmer slår fast att skott avlossades rakt in i flyktingcentret på ön Manus den 14 april 2017, vilket försatte flyktingar och asylsökande i livsfara, det visar en ny rapport från Amnesty International.
Efter den aktuella händelsen har den australienska migration- och gränsskyddsdepartementet och polisen på Papua Nya Guinea påstått att de soldater som varit inblandade i händelsen endast avlossat skott i luften. Amnesty Internationals rapport, In the Firing Line, motsäger dock helt dessa påståenden.
- Vår utredning visar att det inte finns någon tvekan om att kulor inte bara sköts i luften den 14 april 2017, utan att kulor sköts rakt in i Manus flyktingcenter på ett sätt som allvarligt riskerade livet för människorna därinne, säger Kate Schuetze, researcher vid Amnesty International.
- Det här var inte en isolerad händelse. Flyktingar som är instängda på ön Manus har utsatts för flera våldsamma attacker tidigare. Attackerna är ett direkt resultat av ett grymt system som har skapats av regeringen i Australien. Tills det systemet är avvecklat och flyktingarna satta i trygghet kommer derassäkerhet fortfarande vara hotad.
Amnesty International kräver att det snabbt tillsätts en oberoende, opartisk och effektiv utredning kring vad som hände den 14 april 2017. En månad efter händelsen har den australienska regeringen fortfarande inte genomfört någon utredning, utfärdat något formellt uttalande eller släppt övervakningsfoton från skottlossningen - så att dessa kan verifieras och analyseras av en oberoende part.
Ungern/ Denmark refugee appeals board suspends transfers to Hungary
The Danish Refugee Appeals Board issued a decision yesterday concerning the suspension of transfers to Hungary under the Dublin Regulation in four cases.
The Refugee Appeals Board relied on recent information documenting the risk of arbitrary detention and refoulement to Serbia facing asylum seekers in Hungary following the latest asylum reform entering into force on 28 March 2017, as well as the Ilias and Ahmed v. Hungary ruling of the European Court of Human Rights and UNHCR's call for the suspension of transfers to Hungary.
On that basis, it found that asylum seekers returned to Hungary would be detained in the transit zones contrary to the right to liberty and the requirements of the recast Reception Conditions Directive, and would not have access to an asylum procedure with the necessary protection against refoulement. It concluded that there are systemic deficiencies in the asylum procedure and reception conditions of the Hungarian system, warranting a suspension of the Dublin transfers.
Commissioner published a letter he addressed to the Greek government expressing concern about new reports of ill-treatment by Greek police officers. He stresses that these are well-documented and very serious cases illustrating the long-standing and systemic problem of excessive use of violence in law enforcement, which requires determined and systematic action by Greece. Noting with interest the adoption last December of a law establishing a national mechanism for investigating incidents of arbitrariness in security forces and in detention facilities, the Commissioner calls for the adoption also of preventive measures, such as systematic, initial and ongoing, training of all law enforcement officials, prosecutors and judges.
In addition, the Commissioner invites the Greek government to ensure that the definition of torture contained in the criminal code is fully aligned with that contained in the Convention against Torture. He also calls on the authorities to review existing legislation in order to ensure that adequate and dissuasive penalties are always imposed by courts and fully executed in all cases of ill-treatment by law enforcement agents.
Pressmeddelandet med länkar till kommissionärens brev och svaren (Extern länk)
Spanien/ LGBT asylum seekers abused in North African enclave
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) asylum seekers in Spain's North African enclave, Ceuta, are exposed to harassment and abuse, Human Rights Watch said today. Spanish authorities should transfer them to mainland Spain without delay and halt its de facto policy of blocking most asylum seeker transfers to the mainland.
"LGBT asylum seekers who fled homophobic harassment and intimidation at home face similar abuse in Ceuta, both at the immigration center and on the street," said Judith Sunderland, associate Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Spain should transfer them to reception centers on the mainland, where they can get the services and support they are entitled to."
All migrants who enter Ceuta irregularly are housed in the Temporary Stay Center for Immigrants (Centro de Estancia Temporal de Inmigrantes, CETI), under the authority of the Employment and Social Security Ministry. The facility, designed for short-term stays and with a capacity of 512 people, is often overcrowded. Despite staff efforts, asylum seekers cannot get the care and services there to which they have the right under Spanish law.
When Human Rights Watch visited on March 28 and 29, 2017, the center held 943 residents, many living in large tents set up on what should be a basketball court inside the compound, with others sleeping in rooms that should be used for classes or group activities. While the center is open, and migrants may come and go, they are not allowed to leave Ceuta, an enclave of only 18.5 square kilometers.
According to center staff, currently 70 to 80 asylum seekers are in the Ceuta center, of whom at least 10 have filed for asylum on the grounds of discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Europa/ Migrant child protection still a grave concern
The treatment of asylum-seeking and migrant children continues to be worrying in many parts of Europe. This is one of the main concerns from the latest summary report of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) on migration-related fundamental rights in selected EU Member States which points to inadequate living conditions and support leading to ill-heath.
The Agency's latest summary identifies pressing fundamental rights issues that need addressing in various EU Member States. Some of the main findings include:
1. Asylum-seeking and migrant children continue to suffer in many countries. Unaccompanied children often receive little support and can be housed with adults they do not know. Their health and wellbeing can also deteriorate, resulting in suicide attempts, as they approach adulthood or face moving to other parts of the country or being returned following failed asylum claims. Methods for assessing age, where, for example the Swedish Migration Agency found 60% of all cases to be insufficiently investigated, pose problems for children in many cases. In addition, not enough guardians, staff lacking the skills or time to deal with migrant children, and too few places in adequate and secure facilities, all compound the difficulties children face.
2. The pattern of new arrivals is changing with numbers rising in Greece but particularly in Italy, and dropping significantly in Hungary, where a smart fence with speakers warns against irregular crossing in different languages. In Spain, the use of small boats to arrive grew by 62% in the first three months of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.
3. Asylum patterns are also changing with applications rising in Italy and falling in Germany and Hungary. In Hungary, the transit zone policy has left some 8,000 people waiting in Serbia to enter and only 5 people per working day are being admitted to each of the two transit zones.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today called for a temporary suspension of all transfers of asylum-seekers to Hungary from other European States under the Dublin Regulation. The Dublin regulation is an EU instrument that determines which European State is responsible for examining an asylum seeker's application.
"The situation for asylum-seekers in Hungary, which was already of deep concern to UNHCR, has only gotten worse since the new law introducing mandatory detention for asylum-seekers came into effect," said Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
"Given the worsening situation of asylum-seekers in Hungary, I urge States to suspend any Dublin transfer of asylum-seekers to this country until the Hungarian authorities bring their practices and policies in line with European and international law," he added.
The High Commissioner said that he was "encouraged" by the decision taken by the European Commission to work with the Hungarian authorities with a view to bringing the new legislation and Hungary's practice in line with EU law, but noted that "urgent measures are needed to improve access to asylum in Hungary."
UNHCR has repeatedly raised its concerns over the situation of refugees and asylum-seekers arriving to Hungary with the authorities and the EU, stressing that physical barriers and restrictive policies have resulted in effectively denying access to territory and asylum.
Hungary's "emergency measures" under the amended law on asylum expand mandatory detention of asylum seekers and lead to the expulsion from the country of anyone who enters the country irregularly, in violation of the country's obligations under international law.
TT / Dagens Nyheter 17-04-10: Skicka inga asylsökande till Ungern (Extern länk)
UNHCR urged states to suspend Dublin transfers to Hungary. The next day the German Ministry of Interior ordered that Dublin transfers can only be carried out if asylum seekers are guaranteed EU reception and asylum procedure standards.
The German request for guarantees is seen as a de facto transfer stop by Karl Kopp from ProAsyl. Kopp, called for the EU to take action against the recently implemented restrictive policies by the authoritarian Hungarian government and start an infringement procedure against the country, which could lead to the suspension its voting rights in the European Council. Both the European Commission and the European People Party, which the current Hungarian governing party is part of, have issued concerns as well and hinted towards possible sanctions.
UNHCR highlighted the worsening conditions for asylum seekers, due to the the recently introduced mandatory detention and the high risk of refoulement and the excessive use of violence against people crossing the border into Hungary, including by State agents and calls for investigations on allegations of abuse and violence.
AITIMA, one of ECRE's Greek members have released the report 'Asylum Seekers on Hold - Aspects of the Asylum procedure in Greece. The report expresses concerns regarding the impact of the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement on the asylum procedures in the Greek islands as well as other long-standing deficiencies of the Greek Asylum System
"Our findings must be seen in the context of the increased influx of asylum seekers between 2015 and 2016, not fully compensated by the increase of the capacity of the Asylum Service in terms of staff and Regional Offices and the implications of the EU-Turkey deal de facto cutting the reception system in half by separating the islands from the mainland. However, the deficiencies in the asylum procedure in Greece are evident and serious," says Spyros Rizakos, Director of AITIMA.
/Utdrag ur Summary:/
+ The stranding of the asylum seekers on the islands is based on a highly controversial restriction of residence, which has by now exceeded one year in duration and has created toxic situations that threaten the cohesion of the local communities as well. However, not only are the competent authorities not showing any intention of revising this policy, but they have already:
+ started implementing policies which are going to transform the stranding on the islands into a confinement in detention centers, until the goal of readmission to - the safe, as they claim - Turkey is reached
+ announced - together with the European Commission - the Joint Action Plan, according to which they are going to include in the readmission procedure the only groups of asylum seekers that had been excluded until now, ie. the vulnerable persons and those entitled to the family reunification process
Hämta rapporten eller sammanfattning (Extern länk)
Terres des Hommes 17-04-07:
Östeuropa/ EU and Balkan countries stranding children in dangerous limbo
Unaccompanied, separated children trapped in the Balkans are being placed in extreme danger of exploitation, violence and trafficking due to unfit border policies and inadequate and overstretched child protection systems, a new report has found.
Around 1,300 children, some as young as nine, who are travelling without a parent or guardian are at risk of being forced into the arms of people smugglers due to national governments failing to recognise or act upon their vulnerable status. This could lead to people traffickers making them work to fund parts of their journey, and leaves them wide open to exploitation.
Authorities are also failing to provide suitable accommodation for vulnerable children, who can end up living in parks or abandoned warehouses, or swept into detention centres alongside adults they don't know. Even housing provided by regional governments is not of the required standard, being frequently overcrowded and failing to provide segregated facilities for children older than 14.
Children travelling alone also face an increased threat of violence. They face abuse at the hands of both smugglers and border guards, with a child from Afghanistan telling how he was hospitalised for weeks after being attacked by police dogs when trying to enter Hungary.
Governments in the Balkans are failing to provide the quality care and assistance lone child refugees desperately need. Legal guardians assigned to represent vulnerable children are frequently overworked, undertrained, not properly vetted and lack the resources and ability to effectively care for and legally represent the child.
As a result of this, unaccompanied children often report that they do not have access to the information they need, or are unaware of the legal options available to them - leading them to believe their only choice is to travel below the radar.
Ungern/ Legal note: Asylum in Hungary damaged beyond repair?
A legal note published today provides a succinct analysis of the most problematic aspects of the Hungarian asylum system and legal framework, and the most egregious human rights violations asylum seekers currently face in the country, including at its external border with Serbia.
It concludes that Hungary's legal framework, including alarming recent changes, puts rights at risk due to (1) the lack of access to asylum procedure (2) the application of "safe third country" concept to dublin returnees (3) the expansion of summary returns policy (4) inadequate reception conditions and automatic use of detention, and (5) increased risks of destitution.
Therefore, ECRE calls on all States not to transfer applicants for and beneficiaries of international protection to Hungary under the Dublin Regulation or any bilateral arrangements, and to assume responsibility themselves for the examination of these asylum claims.
Grekland/ Stronger cooperation crucial to ensure sustainable refugee response
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, said today that joint efforts and strengthened cooperation are crucial to improving the situation for asylum-seekers and refugees in Greece and issued eight recommendations* to help ensure a sustainable refugee response in the country.
"UNHCR is fully engaged in finding lasting solutions in Greece together with the responsible authorities and the European Union. I very much hope that the coming months will pave the way for further improvement," said Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
"The situation in Greece can be managed. It requires moving from the current emergency response to a sustainable system, where asylum-seekers and refugees access the adequate care, support and solution they need," he added. "But to achieve this, firm commitment is needed on all sides."
Improving reception conditions is a priority. This would require as agreed with the Greek Government providing more accommodation opportunities in urban areas such as additional apartments, the upgrade of some government-run refugee sites, and ensuring that all unsuitable sites are quickly closed.
Progress in reception conditions will also help prevent and fight sexual and gender-based violence, to which many vulnerable asylum-seekers, including women and children, are exposed in the sites. UNHCR continues to support the establishment of proper identification, referral and support systems for victims, including legal, medical and psychosocial care and safe houses.
+ The updated Country Report on Croatia documents the transformation of the Croatian asylum system following the closure of the Western Balkan route and the exponential rise in the number of asylum seekers entering Croatia compared to previous years.
Kroatien (Extern länk)
+ The updated country report on Greece provides a thorough analysis of the transformation of the Greek asylum system in the light of the closure of the Western Balkan route and the EU-Turkey statement.
Grekland (Extern länk)
Libyen/ Barnens farliga resa
UNICEF släpper idag en rapport om situationen för barn i Libyen och den farliga flyktvägen längs den så kallade centraleuropeiska rutten. Rapporten visar på de extrema risker som framför allt barn och kvinnor utsätts för. Barn på flykt utsätts för sexuella övergrepp, exploatering och utnyttjande.
UNICEF i Libyen har genomfört intervjuer med barn som befinner sig i landet som flyktingar eller migranter. Deras berättelser vittnar om odrägliga saker de utsatts för. Våld, trakasserier, övergrepp, trafficking, sexuella övergrepp och tvångsarbete är några exempel. 75 procent av barnen berättar att de utsatts för våld och övergrepp från vuxna någon gång under resan. 50 procent att de har utsatts för sexuella övergrepp, som ofta skett vid upprepade tillfällen och vid olika tidpunkter. Vissa barn har till exempel tvingats utföra sexuella tjänster för att korsa gränsen in till Libyen. Många av barnen är ensamma och är då ännu mer utsatta.
- Min resa från Nigeria till Libyen var fruktansvärd. Genom öknen utan mat eller vatten. Mannen som satt bredvid mig dog. Nu har jag varit i det här ungdomsfängelset i Libyen i sju månader. De slår oss, de ger oss ingen bra mat eller rent vatten, de trakasserar oss. Det är så många människor som dör här, från sjukdomar eller fryser ihjäl.
Det här är fjortonårige Jons berättelse om sin flykt från Nigeria. Han kom ensam till Libyen och befinner sig nu i förvar där.
Barn sätter sina liv i händerna på människosmugglare
Antalet människor som flyr från Libyen till Italien ökar kraftigt. Den centraleuropeiska rutten anses vara den farligaste rutten för kvinnor och barn som befinner sig på flykt. Den styrs av människosmugglare och människohandlare. Brist på säkra lagliga vägar gör att de inte har några alternativ. Barn sätter istället sina liv i händerna på människosmugglare som utnyttjar deras utsatthet.
"As illustrated in the country reports on Hungary and Bulgaria, the Eastern border Member States of the European Union have become trendsetters in disturbingly 'creative' measures disregarding the fundamental rights of those seeking protection. Europe's Southern borders are also a laboratory for deflection policies, with the 'hotspot' transformation of Italy's asylum system raising grave concerns," says Minos Mouzourakis, AIDA Coordinator at ECRE.
Reception conditions remain the central challenge facing the Italian asylum system. Over 75% of the refugee and migrant population were hosted in temporary reception centres (CAS), where conditions present serious concerns and generally remain unsuitable for longer-term stay.
On the basis of an agreement leading almost all persons rescued by Maltese Armed Forces or on Maltese waters to be disembarked in Italy, Malta has overhauled its reception system away from a previous policy of systematic detention.
In 2016 access to the procedure remained a major problem in Poland. Reports say that, in spite of clearly formulated asylum requests invoking persecution in the country of origin, asylum seekers are refused the right to lodge an application and enter Poland.
Country reports on Italy, Malta & Spain (Extern länk)
Country report on Poland (Extern länk)
The updated Country Report on the United Kingdom tracks recent developments in practice and case law governing asylum procedures, reception conditions, detention of asylum seekers and integration of beneficiaries of protection.
In the aftermath of a report by the Office of the Children's Commissioner for England and a judgment of the Court of Appeal, the authorities issued a new policy guidance in July 2016 on the treatment of unaccompanied children. At the screening stage, where a person appears to an immigration officer or the Home Office caseworker to be under 18, policy guidance is that they are to be treated as a child. In case of doubt, the person should be treated as if are under 18 until there is sufficient evidence to the contrary. Where their appearance strongly suggests to the officer that they are significantly over 18, a second opinion must be sought from a senior officer. If they agree that the person is over 18, the asylum seeker is treated as an adult. In this case, an age assessment can be triggered by the young person or any third party referring to the local authority. However, the result of immediate treatment as an adult while this process is ongoing means that people who are in fact under 18 may be detained. New guidelines were also issued on family tracing. In addition to this, a new transfer scheme was introduced to share responsibility for the care of unaccompanied children across a greater number of local authorities. Although the Immigration Act 2016 allows for the scheme to be mandatory, it remains a voluntary process at the time of writing.
The Immigration Act 2016 has introduced an obligation on the Home Office to issue guidance on the detention of vulnerable groups. Following a January 2016 report on the review of detention policy with regard to vulnerable groups ("Shaw review") and calls to end the detention of pregnant women, the Immigration Act 2016 introduced a time limit for the detention of pregnant women and children. The Home Office published specific guidance concerning the detention of pregnant women in July 2016.
Hela sammanfattningen med länk till rapporten (Extern länk)
The European Commission has funded a special education programme that has helped 2,500 refugee and migrant children get back to school in Greece. The project is carried out by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which receives funding from the EU's Emergency Support Instrument. "Giving refugee children an education is one of our priorities with our EU support in Greece. Thousands of children are being given a chance for a better future. The European Commission is committed to working in close collaboration with the Greek authorities and humanitarian organisations to continue to improve the conditions of refugees and migrants in the country," said Christos Stylianides, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management.
Following the adoption of a new legal framework by the Greek Parliament in August 2016, access to education for refugee children of school-going age has improved significantly. Through the IOM project, the Commission is helping the Greek authorities by co-financing the transport of children to schools and the distribution of school kits with a total of €2.8 million in EU Emergency Support. This comes on top of other support to informal education activities to over 9,000 refugee children in Greece. The total amount of overall EU support for managing migration in Greece currently stands at over €1 billion.
"The refugee crisis is becoming unsustainable for Lebanon. Greater solidarity is needed," PACE said today. It added that the international community should step up "as a matter of urgency, its contribution to support and assist the refugees presently in Lebanon". States should, on the one hand, increase their financial support for the humanitarian response on the spot and, on the other hand, increase resettlement possibilities for those refugees who so wished.
In adopting a resolution on the situation in Lebanon, based on the report by Tobias Zech (Germany, EPP/CD), the parliamentarians said that over the last five years the situation of refugees has worsened and today Lebanon hosts an estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees. "This number adds to the many refugees were already there making Lebanon the country with the highest number of refugees per capita in the world".
The adopted text also underlines the fact that, although surrounded by conflicts, "the oldest democracy in the Middle East" is a good example of peaceful co-existence and "should be supported in continuing to do so".
The Assembly welcomed the formation of a national unity government on 18 December 2016, headed by Prime Minister Saad Hariri. The Assembly sees this development, together with the election of President Aoun, as a vital step for the stability of Lebanon.
"However, it does not guarantee that the country's other problems will be solved", the Assembly said. The parliamentarians wish to see further political reconciliation, especially in line with the upcoming general elections scheduled to take place before 22 June 2017.
The Assembly said it would like to see the PACE "develop relations with the Lebanese Parliament, first by inviting Lebanese parliamentarians to follow its the work and then by "encouraging the Lebanese Parliament to consider applying for Partnership for Democracy status with the Assembly".
The updated Country Report on Belgium contains information on recent developments in case law and policy related to asylum procedures, reception conditions, detention of asylum seekers and integration of beneficiaries of international protection.
The Updated Country Report on Austria documents the rapid evolution of the asylum system in the aftermath of successive legislative reforms and prospective amendments.
The updated Country Report on France provides a thorough overview of developments in legislation, policy and practice in relation to the asylum procedure, reception conditions, detention of asylum seekers and integration of beneficiaries of international protection.
The updated Country Report on Switzerland tracks recent developments in practice and case law governing asylum procedures, reception conditions, detention of asylum seekers and integration of beneficiaries of protection.
Belgium (Extern länk)
Austria (Extern länk)
France (Extern länk)
Switzerland (Extern länk)
Läs rapporten (Extern länk)
Read report (Extern länk)
EU-kommissionen17-02-06:
The European Commission has awarded an additional €3.9 million in emergency funding to Greece under the Internal Security Fund (ISF) to help improve reception conditions for migrants on the Greek islands. This is to further support EU financed actions carried out by the Ministry of Defence to provide catering, accommodation and transportation to the migrants on the islands, also in support of emergency accommodation solutions, such as temporary accommodation in ships. With this award, the overall amount of emergency assistance from the Home Affairs Funds made available for Greece since 2015 amounts to €356.8 million. This emergency funding comes on top of the €509 million allocated to Greece under the national programmes for 2014-2020. In total, the Commission has made available over €1 billion in support for Greece since 2015 to support the country with migration and border management.
The European Commission has awarded an additional €6.1 million in emergency funding to support migration management in Bulgaria. €3.6 million will be provided to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) to enhance the protection of unaccompanied children, carry out voluntary returns and provide reintegration support as well as assistance, information and counselling to migrants. An additional €2,5 million will be provided to IOM to complement the actions already implemented by the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior in order to improve migration management and the Bulgarian asylum system. The award decisions complement the EU funding granted to Bulgaria since October 2016, which amounted to a total of €149 million under AMIF and the Internal Security Fund (ISF). The emergency funding comes on top of the €91 million already allocated to Bulgaria under the national programmes for 2014-2020.
On 10 February, the Italian Council of Ministers adopted a law that foresees the acceleration of asylum procedures and returns, following heavily criticised plans set out in the second half of 2016. The Decree Law is only provisionally binding until it is voted on in the Parliament.
The new law creates specialised immigration chambers to hear asylum appeals. These chambers are established in 14 courts (Bari, Bologna, Brescia, Cagliari, Catania, Catanzaro, Florence, Lecce, Milan, Palermo, Rome, Naples, Torino and Venice), and are competent to decide on asylum appeal cases under a single judge. The reform also limits the possibility to be heard in such appeals: asylum appeal procedures are to be accelerated, as a decision by the specialised chamber must be taken within four months instead of six, and the decision can no longer be appealed to the Court of Appeal.
In regard to return, Identification and Expulsion Centres (Centri di identificazione ed espulsione, CIE) are renamed Return Detention Centres (Centri di permanenza per il rimpatrio, CPR). While currently only four CIE are operational in Italy, the new closed detention centres will be rolled out across the Italian territory. The location of the new CPR is to be decided in consultation with the Presidents of the Regions concerned, on the basis of "easily accessible" sites and structures. By "easily accessible" the government is said to envisage small-scale CPR, hosting up to 80 to 100, which will be located close to airports or highways so as to facilitate returns.
"We are very skeptical about the possibility that the text of the law will be approved by the Parliament. It will be clearly an unconstitutional law, among others because it abolishes one of the three levels of proceedings," told Dario Bellucio, lawyer and member of ASGI (Association for Juridical Studies on Immigration) ECRE.
IOM 16-02- 10:
The Director General of the International Organization for Migration William Lacy Swing, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya Martin Kobler met today in Geneva to underscore the need for a comprehensive approach to address the situation of migrants and refugees in Libya as well as to assist the hundreds of thousands of Libyans displaced and impacted by the crisis.
Along with many Libyans, migrants and refugees are heavily impacted by ongoing conflicts and the breakdown in law and order in Libya. Untold numbers of migrants and refugees, particularly those smuggled or trafficked into Libya and those in detention, are subjected to grave human rights abuses and violations.
Migrants and refugees in detention are held outside of any legal process and in conditions which are generally inhuman. They are exposed to malnutrition, extortion, torture, sexual violence and other abuses.
The four Principals stress the need for close cooperation at the regional and international level, and the need to look at the drivers of migrant and refugee flows while simultaneously improving regular pathways.
The four welcome in this respect initiatives aimed at enhancing the protection of the human rights of migrants and refugees, saving lives at sea and addressing the reasons why individuals are undertaking irregular and precarious migration.
The Principals call for international solidarity to address this crisis, involving not only Libya but also countries of origin, transit and destination.
Today AIDA is launching the first of a series of updated country reports from 20 European countries. The reports provide an updated and thorough overview of statistics, legal and policy frameworks and practices in the areas of asylum procedures, reception conditions, detention of asylum seekers and rights of recognised beneficiaries of protection.
"Following an avalanche of restrictive measures in 2015 at all levels of the asylum system, 2016 was the final nail in the coffin of the Hungarian asylum and integration process, with major violations of the fundamental rights of asylum seekers and refugees," says Minos Mouzourakis. Main findings include:
+ Limitations on entry through the transit zones: a growing number of migrants, an estimated one-third of which are children under 18, are trapped in "pre-transit zones" considered "no man's land" by Hungarian authorities, with limited access to basic relief, shelter and legal assistance. Just 5 people a day are allowed to enter per transit zone.
+ Automatic safe third country rejections: Despite UNHCR and NGO recommendations to exclude Serbia from the list of safe third countries, Hungary continues to automatically reject asylum applications on the basis of Serbia being a safe country.
+ Systematic use of detention: In 2016 it frequently happened that there were more asylum seekers in detention than in open reception centres. On 27 December 2016, the number of asylum seekers in detention exceeded those accommodated in open reception centres, as 273 applicants were detained while only 194 stayed in open reception facilities.
+ Dublin returns: 512 asylum seekers were returned mainly from Germany and Switzerland, despite evidence of human rights abuses and clear deficiencies in the Hungarian asylum system. Courts across 15 European countries have ruled against Dublin transfers to Hungary since the introduction of restrictive measures.
Se även rapport om Schweiz (Extern länk)
Norwegian Refugee Council 17-01-18:
More than 30% of the 60,000 refugees stranded in Greece are between the ages of 15-25 years old. A new report by NRC and Mercy Corps shows that stress, poor living conditions and uncertainties about the future, put these young women and men at risk of losing all sense of hope.
IRR 17-02-09:
Grekland/ 'No one accepts responsibility': Thirteen refugees dead in Greece
As refugees and migrants die in Greece's 'hotspots', military camps and in transit, the EU, the UNHCR and Greek institutions must be held to account.
When the European Commission announced, in September 2015, a plan to create hotspots to fingerprint, screen and register refugees arriving in Greece and Italy, many of the larger humanitarian agencies welcomed the development, hopeful that at last some official framework for reception had been agreed. Eighteen months later, and a year after the EU-Turkey deal turned reception into detention, the situation on the Greek islands and in northern Greece remains dire for those refugees who have not been moved out of flimsy tents into prefabricated heated containers or formal housing. In the face of the Arctic blast and unusually strong snowfalls, hotspots have become death traps and refugees are fighting for survival.
These hotspots are not only places of great misery, but they are zones where truth and transparency are in very short supply. The IRR has been trying to ascertain the circumstances in which thirteen refugees and migrants died since April 2016 in Greece, with six of these deaths occurring in hotspots. In only one of these cases are we in a position to provide the full name of the deceased; the only available identifier is nationality. At least six of the dead were refugees from Syria, including Syrian Kurds, three were from Afghanistan. Five of the dead were living at the hotspot at Moria, on the Greek island of Lesbos where over 3,000 refugees are accommodated, well above stated capacity. Those who died here did so because the heaters and gas canisters they had obtained in order to keep warm or cook food were faulty, or used in dangerous situations.
Eva Cossé, Human Rights Watch 17-02-03: Death and Despair in Lesbos (Extern länk)
UN Human Rights Committee 16-12-29:
Views adopted by the Committee under article 5 (4) of the Optional Protocol, concerning communication No. 2608/2015, R.A.A. and Z.M. v. Denmark
The couple arrived in Bulgaria June 2014. Detained and beaten at arrival. The male author suffers from a serious heart condition. The male applicant faced a racial attack, and was denied access to the police station when he wanted to report the incident. At the asylum center the male applicant collapsed but was only offered painkillers, and was rejected from the local hospital. They were expelled from the asylum center once they were granted protection. They lived on the street for a few days, before they managed to get back to the asylum center, where they lived in hiding with friends.
+ Despite being granted residence permit in Bulgaria, they faced intolerable living conditions there. DK did not take this information adequately into considerations. DK has not explained how, in case of return to Bulgaria, the residence permit will protect them, in particular as regards access to medical treatment for the male applicant, and from hardship and destitution they already experienced, and which would now also affect their baby.
+ The male applicant was victim of a racial attack and was unable to file a complaint with the police.
+ The male applicant was denied medical care for his heart disease.
+ They now have a baby and are considered to be in a particular vulnerable situation. In case of deportation they are at risk of re-traumatization.
+ Lack of proper assurances from the Bulgarian authorities to ensure that the applicants and the baby would be received in compatible conditions.
Hämta dokumentet (Extern länk till pdf-fil)
The updated AIDA Country Report on Bulgaria documents recent legislative reforms and developments in relation to the asylum procedure, reception and detention, as well as integration.
Bulgaria registered 19,418 asylum applications last year, mainly from Afghan, Syrians and Iraqi nationals. Yet Afghans have overwhelmingly seen their claims rejected, as they have been treated as a "manifestly unfounded" nationality by the State Agency for Refugees (SAR) in 2016. Only 2.5% of Afghan asylum seekers received a positive decision in Bulgaria.
+ Single asylum procedure: Several major changes were introduced into the national asylum system in the end of 2015 as a result of the still ongoing transposition of recast EU Directives, The most important change relates to the unification of asylum procedure stages in one, single regular procedure. Dublin and accelerated procedures are now considered as non-mandatory phases of the status determination.
+ Access to the territory: Regarding asylum seekers' access to territory and procedure, the national situation has remained unchanged. The Bulgarian police continue to apprehend irregular arrivals, to fingerprint and detain them for deportation.
+ Accommodation: Until mid-2016 the national reception centres' population gradually increased from 12% of occupancy as of 31 January 2016 to reach a 35% occupancy as of 31 July 2016. This situation remained until the beginning of August 2016 when the Serbian border authorities fully closed their border with Bulgaria. This resulted in a gradual increase of the reception centres population, reaching by the end of September 2016 an occupancy of 110%. It resulted in overcrowded facilities and additional deterioration of already poor sanitary and living conditions in the majority of the centres.
The Council of Europe Group of experts against human trafficking (GRETA) has published today a report on the implementation of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings by Italy. The report assesses the specific situation of forced returns of victims of trafficking from Italy and the identification of victims of trafficking among asylum seekers and migrants.
GRETA acknowledges the extreme difficulties which Italy is experiencing due to the unprecedented increase in the arrival of migrants and refugees, and the significant efforts made by the country, with the assistance of international organisations and civil society, to cope with the challenges posed by it.
The report, which was preceded by a visit to Italy in September 2016, reveals gaps in the detection of victims of trafficking among newly arriving migrants and unaccompanied children. Particular attention is paid to the situation of Nigerian women and girls, who have been arriving in Italy in increasing numbers and many of whom are likely to be trafficked for the purpose of exploitation in Europe. GRETA raises concerns about the failure to identify them as victims of trafficking at an early stage, the disappearance of unaccompanied children from reception centres, and the manner in which forced returns of victims of trafficking to their country of origin take place.
Swiss Refugee Council 17-02-09:
Italien/ Dublin returnees caught between law and harsh reality in the search for safety
The Danish Refugee Council and the Swiss Refugee Council have published a joint report regarding the situation of persons with special reception needs transferred to Italy under the Dublin III Regulation. The report focuses on reception conditions and access to the asylum procedure. It shows that persons with special reception needs are at risk of human rights violations due to the arbitrariness of the Italian reception system.
In November 2014, the European Court of Human Rights stated in its judgment Tarakhel v. Switzerland that the return of a family with minor children to Italy under the Dublin III Regulation without individual guarantees would constitute a violation of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights due to poor reception conditions.
Since then, the Italian authorities have guaranteed the other Member States that families who were transferred to Italy under the Dublin III Regulation would be kept together and accommodated in facilities appropriate to the needs of families with children.
Monitoring project for Dublin returnees
During a fact-finding mission to Italy in the beginning of 2016, the Swiss Refugee Council found that the Italian asylum system still showed various ambiguities regarding the actual procedure and access to accommodation for Dublin returnees.
Together with the Danish Refugee Council, the Swiss Refugee Council therefore initiated a joint monitoring project for Dublin returnees. The project focuses on reception conditions and access to the asylum procedure for families with minor children and persons with special reception needs who are transferred to Italy under the Dublin III Regulation. It will continue throughout 2017.
Conclusions of the report
Libanon/ Syrian refugees in Lebanon vulnerable and reliant on aid, study shows
Syrian refugees in Lebanon remain highly vulnerable after many years living in the country, according to a benchmark study from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and UN partner agencies.
Household surveys conducted by UNHCR, UNICEF and WFP revealed that the economic plight of Syrian refugees in Lebanon is, at best, as serious as last year. Under some criteria, their plight continues to deteriorate.
The annual study found families had exhausted their limited resources, and were adapting to survive on the bare minimum, deploying harmful or asset-depleting coping mechanisms to survive. It showed over one third of refugees were moderately to severely food insecure, an increase of 12 percentage points compared to 2015. The share of households living below the poverty line remained at an alarming 71 percent.
"Syrian refugees in Lebanon are barely coping," said Amin Awad, Director of the UNHCR's Middle East and North Africa Bureau. "They remain extremely vulnerable and dependent on aid from the international community. Without continued support, their situation would be appalling."
The survey, known as the Vulnerability Assessment of Syrian Refugees (VASyR), was the fourth of its kind. The findings are used in a variety of ways, including to help determine recipients of funding and other support.
It found that more than half of refugee households had a total per capita expenditure below the Survival Minimum Expenditure Basket (SMEB), a measure of items deemed essential for a household's survival. While this figure stabilized at a national level, the share of households in the SMEB category increased more than 50 percent in certain districts. Further serious challenges were identified in the areas of residency, education and housing.
The government of the United Kingdom should make full use of all existing laws and regulations to accept transfers of unaccompanied migrant children currently in France, Human Rights Watch said today. The government of France should ensure that unaccompanied migrant children on French territory have full access to asylum procedures, mental health support, and other essential services.
"Many unaccompanied migrant children in France are desperate and want nothing more than to join their relatives in the UK," said Juliane Kippenberg, associate children's rights director at Human Rights Watch. "In the absence of any meaningful hope that their status will be resolved soon, there is a real risk that some of them will leave their shelters to reach the UK, risking homelessness, exploitation, and violence."
An estimated 1,900 unaccompanied migrant children who previously sought to reach the UK from the informal camp in Calais, in northern France, were moved into provisional reception centers across France when government authorities closed the camp in late October 2016. Officials from the UK Home Office interviewed these children in Calais and in the new Reception and Orientation Centers for Unaccompanied Minors (Centres d'accueil et d'orientation pour mineurs isolés, CAOMI) to assess their eligibility for family reunion under European regulations as well as under a humanitarian provision of the UK's 2016 immigration law that covers unaccompanied children, the "Dubs amendment." To its credit, the Home Office mobilized considerable resources to interview and review the cases in this expedited process.
EASO' support for Greece will continue in the course of 2017. EASO and Greece have today signed an Operating Plan, encompassing all technical and operational assistance to Greece. Support activities foreseen include: support on relocation, support for the implementation of tasks under the EU-Turkey Statement, supporting and enhancing identification and assistance to vulnerable applicants, and support with absorption of EU funds
EASO and Greece signed a new operating plan, which provides for EASO support activities to Greece, to be implemented over a period of 12 months, from January 2017 until December 2017. For the first time, the new agreement combines all the support measures and operational activities of EASO to Greece into one single Operating Plan, forging a strengthened cooperation between the Agency and the Greek authorities.
The new plan builds on EASO existing operational support to Greece and aims to respond to the extraordinary pressure on its asylum and reception systems and sustain the fully implementation of the EU Asylum Acquis. According to the plan, EASO will support Greece in three main priority areas: implementation of the EU Relocation programme, implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement and implementation of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). To this end, EASO will perform, over the next year, a wide range of operational activities - outlined in the plan - including: support with information provision on relocation, handling outgoing Dublin take charge requests, the detection of possible document fraud, implementation of the EU-TR Statement and enhancement of the Greek Asylum and Reception system, training Greek personnel in the framework of the EASO Training Curriculum, absorption of EU funds and other financial resources, enhance identification and assistance to vulnerable applicants. To continue ensuring effective results in these areas, EASO will deploy national experts and interpreters to Greece and provide all the necessary logistic and administrative support.
Läs mer och hämta planen (Extern länk)
EASO 16-12-22: EASO to further enhance its operational support to Italy in 2017 (Extern länk)
EASO's support for Italy will continue and shall be enhanced in the course of 2017. EASO and Italy have today signed a single Operating Plan, encompassing all technical and operational assistance to Italy. Support activities foreseen include: support on relocation, supporting and enhancing identification and assistance to vulnerable applicants, especially with regards to unaccompanied minors and support with handling outgoing Dublin take charge requests.
The new plan will be implemented over a period of 12 months, from January 2017 until December 2017. For the first time, the new agreement combines all the support measures and operational activities of EASO to Italy into one single Operating Plan, thus heightening the cooperation between the Agency and Italian authorities.
With the Operating Plan, EASO will further develop its operation support to Italy by responding to particular pressure on its asylum and reception systems and sustain the full implementation of the EU Asylum Acquis. EASO's support outlined in the agreement includes mainly: support with information and registrations of potential applicants; support with handling outgoing Dublin take charge requests; strengthening reception capacity especially with regards to unaccompanied minors; support in the professional development of the staff of Department of Civil Liberties and Immigration, within the Italian Ministry of Interior, as well as in activities in the field of COI. Within this context, EASO will deploy experts and interpreters to Italy and provide the necessary operational logistic and administrative support.
Within the rapidly evolving situation in Italy and upon agreement with the Italian authorities, EASO will adjust its intervention providing appropriate support to address emerging needs.
EASO 16-12-20: EASO to further support Greece: New Operating Plan for activities in 2017 has been put in place (Extern länk)
Kroatien/ Dublin returns to Croatia lack necessary human rights guarantees
the closure of the Western Balkan route and an increase of Dublin returns has resulted in a total of 2,046 asylum seekers in Croatia this year compared to 211 in 2015. The dramatic increase includes 540 Dublin returns mostly representing vulnerable groups of asylum seekers such as separated families and families with young children, pregnant women, and persons with severe illnesses.
"The closure of the Western Balkan route has trapped asylum seekers in a largely unprepared asylum system now under pressure from an exponential rise in applications, despite efforts from the Croatian authorities, civil society organisations and volunteers to ensure protection and assistance. Further adding to our concern is the fact that the increase includes vulnerable groups of asylum seekers, including persons suffering from severe illnesses, returned to Croatia under the Dublin Regulation. Dublin returns of vulnerable groups by and large are a worrying and unprecedented development," says Minos Mouzourakis, AIDA Coordinator.
The peculiar way asylum seekers transited along the Balkan route with the help of regional governments also calls into question the use of the Dublin Regulation. Pending clarification from the Court of Justice of the European Union on this issue, Dublin transfers from Austria - by far the main sending country - have been temporarily suspended by the Austrian Administrative High Court.
"Regardless of the outcome of the legal challenge, European governments should refrain from returning asylum seekers - not least vulnerable groups - to Croatia at a time where there are clear indications of severe problems of reception capacity and there are no guarantees that their fundamental human rights are respected," says Minos Mouzourakis, AIDA Coordinator.
In a report published today, ECRE presents the findings of its visit to Croatia between 28 November and 1 December 2016 as part of its Asylum Information Database (AIDA).
Shelter struggle in Greece as winter arrives, EU urged to speed relocations
With the onset of winter, improving living conditions for asylum-seekers and migrants continues to be the number one priority for humanitarian actors in Greece. It is also still a major challenge. People living in tents out in the open have been moved to alternative accommodation and UNHCR's accommodation scheme, funded by the European Commission, has provided 20,000 badly-needed places for refugees and asylum seekers. But serious challenges remain and many others are in substandard shelters lacking proper protection from winter conditions.
Conditions vary greatly. Some sites are in a poor state and lack services such as psychosocial counselling, health care and interpretation, or even proper security. Over the past months, in a joint effort by humanitarian organizations and authorities under the coordination of Greece's Ministry of Migration Policy, conditions have been improved in the majority of the over 40 official sites, including through upgrades of infrastructure. UNHCR was involved in carrying out improvements and maintenance at 15 of these sites.
In addition, in eight government-run sites people living in tents have been moved into UNHCR prefabricated houses. So far, over 2,600 people have been moved into the prefabs and by the end of the year this figure will rise to 4,000. To help matters in all sites, UNHCR and non-governmental organizations have been working to keep people warm and dry. This has involved delivering over 200,000 sleeping bags, blankets and clothes, and other winter relief items.
The UNHCR accommodation programme, which reached its targeted goal of 20,000 places this week, provides housing for candidates for the EU Emergency Relocation Mechanism and for asylum-seekers considered especially vulnerable. The programme, which started in January, supports the Greek Government's response.
UNHCR 17-12-06: Faster movement of people from Greek islands to mainland essential (Extern länk)
AITIMA / Statewatch 16-12-13:
Grekland/ Serious problems in Greek asylum system persist, says NGO report
The Greek NGO AITIMA has published a mid-term report setting out the findings of its project monitoring the Greek asylum procedure, noting a number of serious issues including limited access to the procedure, delays in processing, lack of information for applicants and the "legally debatable establishment of Independent Appeals Committees.
General findings of the mid-term report
+ Limited access to the asylum procedure
+ Long delays in processing asylum applications
+ Shortcomings regarding the identification of vulnerable asylum seekers and insufficient consideration of their needs
+ Insufficient provision of information to both asylum seekers and lawyers by the competent asylum offices
+ Insufficient provision of free legal assistance
+ Shortcomings regarding the 1st instance procedure on the mainland and problematic 1st instance procedure on the islands
+ Inadequate second instance examination procedure-legally debatable establishment of Independent Appeals Committees
Hämta rapporten (Extern länk till pdf-fil)
Europarådets parlament 16-12-09: Rapporteur Tineke Strik warns against resuming Dublin transfers to Greece (Extern länk)
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson William Spindler - to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
UNHCR is concerned that a protest at Bulgaria's largest reception centre for asylum-seekers has prompted calls for asylum-seekers to be expelled on national security grounds.
UNHCR urges the Bulgarian government to decongest the Harmanli reception centre, improve living conditions and strengthen management of the centre. Most of all, UNHCR urges the government to establish a constructive dialogue with asylum-seekers staying in the centre. UNHCR will continue to support the efforts of the authorities to improve conditions and to work with the refugees and local communities to diffuse any tensions.
Tensions escalated last week at Harmanli, Bulgaria's largest reception centre for asylum-seekers, some 250 kilometres south-east of the capital, Sofia, after the authorities introduced limited access in and out of the already overcrowded centre, citing health concerns. Asylum-seekers protested this decision and the poor conditions at the centre. This included several hundred residents throwing rocks and setting tires on fire. The police used rubber bullets and water cannon to contain the crowd.
More than 300 asylum-seekers were arrested. Concerns over reception conditions and overcrowding have remained unaddressed, which fuels frustration and tensions among residents, and has led to acts of vandalism. Harmanli is seriously overcrowded, since it is hosting 3,100 asylum-seekers, of whom one third are children, when its official capacity is 2,710. In addition to being overcrowded, sanitary conditions at the centre are also concerning, with intermittent warm water supply. There are also serious challenges on provision of medical care, including lack of medicine. Moreover, there are no recreational facilities or activities for children or adults
Balkan Insight 16-11-28: Teenager in Coma After Refugee Clashes in Bulgaria (Extern länk)
In a report published today, the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment welcomes cooperation of Hungarian authorities during its visit last year to detention centres and police detention facilities for foreigners, but also points out shortcomings.
The committee finds that the majority of detained foreign nationals interviewed stated that they had been treated correctly by police and prison officers or armed guards.
However, it also finds that a "considerable number" of foreign nationals complained of ill treatment by police and discovered wanting conditions in some detention centres.
Given the context of the arrival of an unprecedented number of foreign nationals to Hungary last year - nearly 10,000 foreign nationals arriving every day in the summer months of 2015 alone - the committee acknowledges the "particular circumstances" faced by Hungarian authorities.
Nonetheless, its report calls on Hungarian authorities to issue a formal statement to all police officers and all armed guards working in asylum and detention facilities that any form of ill treatment of persons deprived of their liberty cannot be accepted.
The visit examined the treatment and conditions of detention of foreign nationals deprived of their liberty under aliens' legislation or amended criminal legislation according to which crossing the border fence or damaging it constitutes a criminal offence. The committee also assessed legal safeguards offered to the detainees.
Pressmeddelandet med länk till rapporten och Ungerns svar (Extern länk)
Beslut från FN:s kommitté mot tortyr, CAT: En man från Tunisien som anlände med båt till den italienska ön Lampedusa under 2014 har klagat till kommittén om hur han hållits inlåst under omänskliga förhållanden först på Lampedusa och senare på en båt i Palermo. Efter identifiering av den tunisiskt konsuln flögs han tillsammans med många andra tillbaka till Tunisien. Han ska inte ha fått någon information om möjligheten att söka asyl eller överklaga behandlingen. Italien har svarat att det inte går att hitta mannen i registren över migranter på Lampedusa. CAT väljer att inte pröva ärendet eftersom mannen inte har lämnat några som helst dokument rörande de åtgärder han ska ha utsatts för och att han borde ha kunnat få reda på hur han skulle göra åtminstone av de frivlliga som besöker centret. Det framgår inte heller att han skulle ha klagat hos någon italiensk myndighet varken under sin tid i Italien eller efter utvisningen till Tunisien.
Läs eller hämta dokumentet (Extern länk)
Europadomstolen för mänskliga rättigheter har behandlat ännu ett par fall som rör överföring enligt Dublinförordningen av barnfamiljer till Italien. Domstolen har accepterat Italiens generella garanti från juni 2015 om att barnfamiljer ska hållas samman och få ett adekvat mottagande, om Italien får information om familjen innan överföringen verkställs. Därför behövs ingen ytterligare individuell garanti, vilket krävdes i det så kallade Tarakhel-fallet 2014. Ett av de nya fallen gällde ett par som sökt asyl i Finland. Italien hade accepterat att ta emot dem var för sig. De hade då inga barn och frågan om garantier kom inte upp. När kvinnan nedkom med för tidigt födda tvillingar ville föräldrarna hejda överföringen och påpekade att Italien inte informerats om situationen. Men Europadomstolen anser att det finns tid att informera Italien, och att det inte finns något som talar för att familjen skulle utsättas för något som skulle strida mot Europakonventionen.
Ett annat ärende gäller en utvidgad familj av vuxna syskon plus ett barn som befann sig i Schweiz. Förutom att Italiens garantier för barn accepteras innebär domen bland annat att det inte går att hävda rätt till familjeliv när båda parter är asylsökande.
Läs domen M.A.-M. and others v. Finland i sin helhet (Extern länk)
Läs domen Ali and others v. Switzerland and Itally i sin helhet (Extern länk)
Turkiet/ Facility for Refugees in Turkey: reaching cruising speed
Ahead of the European Council on 20/21 October, President Juncker informed the EU heads of state or government that six months into implementation the Facility for Refugees in Turkey is delivering fully and is helping to secure livelihoods and create opportunities for the refugees hosted by the country. In a letter sent to the leaders, President Juncker stressed: "Operations under the Facility have reached cruising speed quickly, and recent weeks have brought several significant breakthroughs in its implementation. The total amount of funding allocated under the Facility now stands at over € 2.2 billion, with over € 1.2 billion already awarded via concrete contracts. Of this, €467 million has been disbursed to the implementing partners. The balance will be paid progressively as the implementation of the projects advances. Crucially, the funding from the Facility is making a real, tangible difference to the lives of the over three million refugees hosted by Turkey." More information on how the Facility works and on the state of play of our assistance can be found on the factsheet. Details of the projects of the Facility can be found here.
Hämta faktablad (Extern länk)
Serbien/ Access to protection a rarity, as bottleneck intensifies
The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights has published its Periodic Report on the Right to Asylum in the Republic of Serbia, covering the period July-September 2016.
In recent months, larger numbers of refugees have been left without accommodation in Serbia, following a decision by the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration in July 2016 to allow accommodation in the Krnjaca Asylum Centre only to persons who had expressed an intention to apply for asylum. During that month, approximately 450 people were staying in makeshift sites without legal status. The Commissariat modified its policy in August 2016 to allow all persons in need of protection to stay at the Krnja?a Asylum Centre. The centre has a maximum capacity of 750 places, but hosted over 1,000 people in September.
At the same time, the recent rounds of restrictions imposed by Hungary with regard to access to its territory through the transit zones of Röszke and Tompa have resulted in greater pressure on Serbian authorities. As of April 2016, entry into Hungary has been managed through an informal process, whereby refugees and migrants in Serbia draw up lists of people wishing to enter Hungary and forward them to the Hungarian police. On the basis of those lists, the police prepares its own list of 30 persons allowed to enter the transit zones per day. Whereas 30 people per day leave Serbia to enter Hungary, the number of persons entering Serbia daily is substantially higher.
The report also discusses the second "Response Plan in Case of Increased Inflow of Migrants to the Republic of Serbia in the October 2016 - March 2017 Period", adopted in late September by the authorities. The Response Plan aims inter alia at increasing the reception capacity of Asylum Centres and improving living conditions therein.
The Greek Ministry of Interior has submitted a bill for public consultation from 11 to 31 October 2016, concerning the transposition of the recast Reception Conditions Directive into national legislation.
Selected provisions of the Directive have already been incorporated into the Greek legal system through Law (L) 4375/2016, adopted in April 2016 and amended in June 2016. These mainly concern detention of asylum seekers and access to the labour market. The bill aims at the transposition of the remainder of the Directive, leading to the repeal of the currently applicable Presidential Decree (PD) 220/2007.
The main elements of the reform proposed by the draft law relate to the following areas:
Article 6(4): The provisions transposing Article 7 of the recast Reception Conditions Directive on the freedom of movement of asylum seekers are without prejudice to Article 14 L 4375/2016, setting out restrictions on the movement of new entrants held in Reception and Identification Centres on the islands and in Evros. However, as argued by the Greek Council for Refugees, as well as ECRE and ICJ, given that the degree and intensity of the restrictions to their freedom of movement effectively deprive asylum seekers of their liberty, these structures should be viewed as detention rather than reception facilities. In light of this, the bill seems a missed opportunity to resolve the incompatibility of L 4375/2016 with the recast Reception Conditions Directive.
Access to the labour market
Artikeln med länkar till källor och bakgrund (Extern länk)
Pleiades 16-10-20:
Grekland/ Report on refugee mothers - antenatal, perinatal and postnatal care
The information in this report is based on a Survey on Maternity Practices conducted on women living in refugee camps in Greece in the period of September/October 2016. The interviews were collected by a group of volunteers acting on behalf of Pleiades. The questionnaire, prepared by Pleiades and included in Appendix of this document, was defined in context of the international law, excerpts of which are included in section ?3.
The number of women who could be reached by the survey is fairly limited due to circumstantial difficulties including, among others, the lack of female translators (desirable if not critical, given the sensitivity of the matter), the lack of professional translators (and resulting potential inaccuracies), and finally the reluctance of women to entrust private information to strangers, often as a result of experienced situations of shame and humiliation.
All information is reported to the best understanding of the surveyors, given in good faith, and collected from trusted sources.
Italien/ Plans for a uniform reception system through SPRAR expansion
A plan to reform the Italian reception system was announced at the annual meeting of the Ministry of Interior and the National Association of Italian Municipalities (Anci) held on 14 October 2016 in Bari.
As detailed in the AIDA report on Italy, the reception system is in theory distinguished between first-line and second-line reception. Newly arriving asylum seekers and migrants are placed in Regional Hubs, including emergency reception centres (CAS), managed by the Ministry of Interior and Prefectures. Subsequently, second-line reception is provided through the system for the protection of asylum seekers and refugees (SPRAR), managed by local municipalities.
According to the latest statistics of the Ministry of Interior, as of 14 October, a total 165,177 persons are reported to be residing in the Italian reception system. Only 22,971 persons are staying in SPRAR structures, while as many as 127,721 persons, more than 77% of the total population, are residing in CAS. The largest share of reception places are situated in Lombardia, followed by Sicily, Piemonte and Lazio.
The plan envisages the phasing out of the CAS, with a view to the consolidation of a uniform reception system across the country. This system would entail an expansion of the SPRAR system, through equitable distribution of asylum seekers and migrants across 8,000 municipalities in the country.
One important challenge to the implementation of the plan will be ensuring participation of municipalities in the SPRAR system, given that, at the moment, municipalities are not obliged to take part in SPRAR. Another way to ensure equitable distribution of reception places across the country could be the mainstreaming of reception into the obligations of municipalities in the context of social services.
/Slutord från kommissionären Filippo Grandis inledning:/
Last month's summit in New York marked a critical recognition that cooperation lies at the heart of the refugee protection regime, and placed the refugee issue at the centre of the international agenda for the first time in decades.
Migrants and refugees are distinct categories - with refugees unable to return home because of conflict or persecution, and holding a particular legal status as a result. In practice, however, the two groups are affected by many of the same factors, including overlapping root causes, exploitation by smugglers and traffickers, life-threatening risks along their journeys, and rising xenophobia.
Beyond its continued commitment to carry out its responsibilities in support of refugees, returnees, displaced and stateless people, UNHCR stands ready to contribute to the work required to address these common challenges. In this respect, I welcome the International Organisation for Migration to the United Nations family, and look forward to strengthening our collaboration.
The New York Declaration provides a powerful platform for change in the way the international community intends to engage in the refugee crises of the future. I wish to thank again Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon for the crucial legacy that he leaves behind with this important result, and for all his support to UNHCR over the years. The Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework that accompanies the Declaration, for the first time, sets out a predictable blueprint for how this should happen. I am honoured that you have requested UNHCR to initiate and develop it.
Inledningstalet (Extern länk)
Allt material från sessionen (Extern länk)
Filippo Grandis avslutningsord (Extern länk)
UNHCR 16-10-05: UNHCR's Volker Türk says solidarity 'essential' to refugee protection (Extern länk)
Grekland/ Greek schools admit refugee, migrant children
On 10 October, 15 Greek schools welcomed for the first time refugee and migrant children from nearby camps. IOM Greece provided transport and equipped the children with school kits, including notebooks, pens, pencils and other materials.
In conjunction with the Greek Ministry of Education Research and Religious Affairs, the programme will be implemented incrementally, starting with camps in Attica, Thessaloniki and Epirus. During the first day, 12 buses departed from Lavrio, Elaiwnas, Derveni and Lagkadikia camps to take the children to the nearest schools. The children will attend classes from 2pm to 6pm.
"I think that this is one of the most important things that IOM is doing - trying to return these children's lives to some sort of normality and order. Everything related to education is really crucial," said IOM Greece Chief of Mission Daniel Esdras.
The education programme is part of an EU Emergency Support-funded IOM project: "Multi-sectoral assistance to and protection of migrants and refugees stranded in Greece". Under the scheme, IOM will provide transport for 9,000 children from and to school and distribute 10,200 school kits to primary and nursery school children.
"Education in emergency situations is a top priority for the European Commission. Even in the most tragic circumstances, education can give uprooted children a sense of normality. Investing in education now is an investment against the risk of a lost generation and an investment for the future," said Panos Carvounis, Head of the European Commission Representation in Greece.
EU Presidency / Statewatch 16-10-12:
- "Frontex and Europol... report fatigue among Member States in responding to calls for experts"
- Some 'nationalities' are unable to register their asylum applications. Lodging of asylum applications is done according to nationality, giving priority to Syrians, Pakistanis and North Africans, while Iraqi and Afghani requests are not being dealt with."
Over a year ago the Council and the European Commission- belatedly - started to respond to the refugee crisis. Now a year on the Council, in a secret report to COREPER, recognises some of the failures and urges - for the umpteenth time - to "do more":
The Commission used to publish weekly figures on the number relocated, the number of refugees "returned", the funding for plans in Syria and Africa, and on "hotspot" staffing. Then in the summer this collection of factual reports ended - their publication was embarrassing.
The plan to relocate 160,000 refugees to Member States mostly from Greece and Italy has patently failed:
"This note aims to focus on some of the current shortfalls and potential solutions in managing the migration and refugee flows in the Mediterranean...
On relocation, some progress has been achieved, but as migrants continue to arrive in Italy and in light of the challenging situation in Greece, relocation remains crucial to alleviating the pressure in those countries."
Organisational chaos
Many of the institutions' public statements suggest the that ongoing problems are due to inefficiency in Greece and Italy - this document tells a different story. There are "staffing" problems:
Hela artikeln med länk till det läckta dokumentet (Extern länk)
Bulgarien/ Migrants and asylum seekers are being routinely detained, report finds
The Center for Legal Aid - Voice in Bulgaria finds in its latest report that asylum seekers and migrants in Bulgaria are routinely detained without an individual assessment. The report also highlights that unaccompanied children are currently being detained, in grave violation of the Law of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria.
Statistics in the report show that the number of detained persons has been rising since 2012. In 2015, for instance, 11,902 people were detained, including 2,523 children. Nationalities of people facing detention include Syrians, Afghans, and Iraqis. Most detention orders are given for irregularly crossing the border, lack of identity documents or intention to transit through Bulgaria to another country. Detention conditions are poor, people are not given information about their situation in a language they understand and there is an absence of medical care, the report states.
The report recommends the adoption of clear guidelines for assessing the different legal bases for detention, the regular provision of legal aid and interpretation services at detention and the effective use of alternatives to detention. The Centre for Legal Aid also calls on authorities to create open centres for unaccompanied children who are to be deported and urges them to provide legal aid and assistance from a social worker when decisions are being made as to their detention.
The report comes just after the European Commission stated that €108 million in emergency funding will be granted to the country to support its management of migration flows and border control.
EU-parlamentet, LIBE 16-09-22:
Libanon/ Funding alone will not solve the crisis, better resettlement tools are needed
Civil liberties MEPs in Lebanon
With around 1.5 million refugees fleeing to Lebanon since the start of the war in Syria, it is clear that the situation in the country is untenable and that substantial help is needed to avoid a complete breakdown, not only in terms of financial assistance, but also through improved resettlement tools, says Civil Liberties Committee Chair Claude Moraes, who this week headed a delegation to Beirut.
Lebanon is currently the country in the world with the highest number of refugees per capita: around one in four living on its territory is a refugee. Against this backdrop, a 7-strong delegation from the Civil Liberties Committee this week visited Lebanon to look into the situation for refugees on the ground.
"It is clear that Lebanon is reaching a saturation point", says Claude Moraes (S&D, UK). "Vital infrastructure all over the country, such as education and sanitation, is heavily affected by the influx of refugees which means that this is not just a refugee crisis, but one that affects the country overall and which could rapidly deteriorate. Lebanon has far surpassed the efforts of the EU in its response to the crisis and has coped remarkably well under very difficult circumstances. Humanitarian aid from the EU and others is highly needed to alleviate the unprecedented pressure the country is experiencing.
Poverty among the Syrian refugees is alarming and efficient policies on education and health care are more needed than ever. People are living under appalling conditions, in overcrowded apartments shared by several families in order to afford the rent or even in basement car parks, with no water, toilets or electricity. The issue of a $200 fee for residence permits has been mentioned as a reason for many to be staying illegally in the country which might make them vulnerable to exploitation in the labour market and elsewhere.
Ungern/ Failing to protect vulnerable refugees
Hungary is keeping many of the most vulnerable asylum seekers stranded on its border in poor conditions for weeks while they wait to enter the country and file their claims. Some said that border officials had used excessive force against them.
Hungary has imposed a daily cap on the number of asylum seekers who can enter Hungary to present asylum claims, and a July 5, 2016, law allows push-backs of people found to have entered the country irregularly. This means that even especially vulnerable people are being sent back to the Serbian border and spending weeks in poor conditions there as they wait to enter.
"It is particularly cruel to force vulnerable asylum seekers who are already inside Hungary back to the Serbian border to line up for weeks in awful conditions," said Lydia Gall, Balkans and Eastern Europe researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Hungary should provide timely access to the asylum system for all refugees, and take special measures to treat vulnerable groups humanely."
To look at the effects of the July 5 law, Human Rights Watch interviewed 30 asylum seekers, including single males and members of vulnerable groups, as well as representatives of nongovernmental groups, staff of UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency, human rights lawyers, and activists.
Those interviewed included nine families with children, four unaccompanied children, an elderly person, and a person with a disability. All had been apprehended after crossing irregularly into Hungary after the new law was adopted and had been pushed back across the border. Human Rights Watch also interviewed six additional families with children who had been waiting to enter Hungary for up to several weeks.
Hela uttalandet med länkar till rapportering (Extern länk)
EU-parlamentet 16-08-30:
Commissioned by the European Parliament's Policy Department for Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality, this study provides an overview of the implementation of Directive 2013/33/EU laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection. It outlines the legal framework and examines how gender related aspects and the reception needs of vulnerable groups are considered in practice in Munich (Germany) and Brussels (Belgium).
Hämta studien (Extern länk)
Today, the European Commission has stepped up its funding to improve living conditions for refugees, migrants and asylum seekers in Greece. New funding worth €115 million will be released to humanitarian organisations operating in the country.
"The European Commission continues to put solidarity into action to better manage the refugee crisis, in close cooperation with the Greek Government. The new funding has the key aim to improve conditions for refugees in Greece, and make a difference ahead of the upcoming winter. Over the past months, we have significantly contributed to restore dignified living conditions through our humanitarian partners. Together, we will continue our work until our job is done", said Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides, who announced the new funding at the Thessaloniki International Fair in Greece today, together with the Greek Alternate Minister for Migration, Ioannis Mouzalas.
The additional funding is already in the process of being contracted. As agreed between Commissioner Stylianides and Minister Mouzalas, it will focus on four priorities:
+ Improvement of existing shelters and construction of new ones, and improvement of sanitation conditions.
+ Delivery of direct assistance to refugees through cash/voucher schemes.
+ Access to education for refugee children.
+ Help to unaccompanied minors who need special care and protection.
The new emergency support comes on top of the €83 million which the European Commission has already provided earlier this year to international organisations and NGOs to address the most pressing humanitarian needs in Greece, including shelter, primary health care, psycho-social support, improved hygiene conditions as well as informal education and safe spaces for children and women.
Overall, the European Union is providing over €1 billion in support to Greece in tackling current migration challenges.
Libyen/ Through their eyes: refugees' own accounts of abuses in Libya
Amnesty International has been given accounts of horrific, widespread abuses being inflicted on refugees and migrants travelling through Libya in the hope of finding safety and stability when arriving to Europe, including sexual abuse, torture and exploitation.
Now, hear from two of the refugees speaking themselves about their terrifying experiences.
Amal, 21, Eritrea
Amal escaped Eritrea and travelled through Sudan after her mother was imprisoned. She wanted to get away from indefinite military service that had prevented her from going to university and from seeing her family for one and a half years. But en route to hope of a new and safe life in Europe, she was forced into sexual slavery after being abducted near Benghazi by the armed group calling itself Islamic State (IS), in Libya.
"IS caught us at the end of July 2015. They separated us into Christians and Muslims and then they separated the men and women. They put us in two cars to take us towards Tripoli and put us in a big palace-like place.
They kept us underground - we didn't see the sun for nine months.
Then they told us they would release us, but only if we converted [to Islam], so we did.
After we converted, they said they would make us into their own slaves and maids.
We were beaten for three months, sometimes they used their hands or a hose or sticks. Sometimes they would frighten us with their guns or threaten to slaughter us with their knives.
They considered us their wives and forced themselves on us.
We spent four months in that situation. It was a very big place and there were many men. Every day some of them would abuse us.
In February [2016]they divided us and gave each one of us to a man. I stayed with the man [...] who only show[ed] up at night without food.
IOM 16-08-19: IOM Libya Releases 5th Mobility Tracking Report (Extern länk)
Jordanien/ "We're Afraid for Their Future" - Barriers to Education for Syrian Children
Today, Syrian refugee children in Jordan face a bleak educational present, and an uncertain future. Close to one in three-226,000 out of 660,000-Syrians registered with the United Nations refugee agency in Jordan are school-aged children between 5-17 years old. Of these, more than one-third (over 80,000) did not receive a formal education last year.
There are almost 1.3 million Syrians today in Jordan, a country of 6.6 million citizens. Their arrival, and specifically that of Syrian children, since the outbreak of conflict in Syria in 2011, has spurred Jordan's Education Ministry to take a number of steps to accommodate their educational needs. These include hiring new teachers; allowing free public school enrollment for Syrian children; and having second shifts at nearly 100 primary schools to create more classroom spaces. In the fall of 2016, the ministry aims to create 50,000 new spaces in public schools for Syrian children, and to reach 25,000 out-of-school children with accredited "catch-up classes."
Donor aid, while consistently falling short of that requested by Jordan to host refugees, has played an important role in providing educational opportunities, and is set to increase: in February 2016, donors pledged to give US$700 million per year to Jordan for the next three years (although World Bank calculations put the cost of hosting Syrian refugees in Jordan at $2.5 billion annually), with the European Union (EU), United Kingdom (UK), Germany, United States, and Norway pledging $81.5 million in May specifically to support expanding access to education.
Such initiatives have had impact; between 2012 and 2016, the proportion of Syrian refugee children enrolled in formal education soared from 12 to 64 percent. Moreover, the donor-supported plan announced in February should significantly improve access to education for Syrian refugee children without lowering the quality of education for Jordanian children-a common concern.
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Europa/ Help for migrants with disabilities hampered by screening gaps
Refugees and migrants arriving in the EU may also have a disability which can pass unnoticed, preventing them from receiving the particular support they need and are entitled to under EU law. As there is little information on migrants with disabilities and victims of torture, the latest FRA summary report on migration-related fundamental rights throws the spotlight on these issues.
The report looks at the challenges and good practices related to identifying migrants with disabilities, the reception conditions they face, as well as mental health issues which may be brought on or exacerbated by the ordeals they have endured during migration. Some of the main findings include:
1. Formal procedures for identifying people with disabilities and victims of torture are inadequate. This can have significant knock-on effects for the provision of targeted support and assistance which Member States are obliged to offer throughout the arrival, registration and asylum procedures. Some individuals do not disclose disabilities to the police, social services or migration authorities for fear this may affect their asylum application.
2. Health screening, an important step in process of identifying disabilities and victims of torture, is often subject to long waiting periods. Screening also tends to focus on 'visible' impairments. It also relies on the expertise of individual staff which further reduces the likelihood of migrants with disabilities receiving the particular protection that is granted them as 'vulnerable people' under EU law.
3. Mental health problems, relating to trauma both in the country of origin and along the migration route, are particularly common. However, efforts to address such issues are hampered by a lack of resources and inadequate training for relevant staff in reception and detention centres. For women in particular, mental health issues are often linked to experiences of gender-based and sexual violence.
The Swiss Refugee Council (OSAR) has published a report regarding the reception conditions in Italy. OSAR calls for an obligation to investigate individual cases regarding reception and accommodation before Dublin transfers are carried out from other countries.
OSAR detected systemic deficiencies in the Italian reception system for asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection. The Italian reception system does not seem to be coherent, comprehensive and sustainable. The accommodation situation seems to be particularly problematic. Reception and access to the asylum procedure are not always ensured and services are often based on short-term emergency measures. The interface between the different players works poorly; it often depends on contingency if a person will be connected to the offices or persons responsible or to the designated accommodation. Consequently, persons may end up on the streets without any support. This conclusion applies for asylum seekers as well as for persons, which have already received international protection in Italy. A greater part of support and services that are to be provided for state is in fact provided by NGOs. Consequently, Italy does not live up to its obligations under the EU Asylum acquis and international law.
Given this analysis, OSAR calls in particular for the following measures regarding persons under a Dublin procedure with a possible transfer to Italy:
+ In-depth investigations in all individual cases looking at the individual reception situation in Italy.
+ Individual guarantees for persons with special rights ("vulnerable persons" or "persons with special needs") and for families regarding accommodation, family unity and adequate medical support, before a transfer decisions is taken.
Källor: Informationen på denna sida är hämtad från följande källor (externa länkar): EU (kommissionen, ministerrådet, parlamentet och domstolen), Europarådet (mr-kommissionären, domstolen, kommittén mot tortyr), FN:s flyktingkommissariat UNHCR, FN:s kommitté mot tortyr m.fl. FN-organ, svenska media via Eniro och pressmeddelanden via Newsdesk, utländska media främst via I Care och IRR, internationella organisationer som Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, ECRE, ENAR, Statewatch, Noborder och Picum, organisationer i Sverige som Rädda Barnen, Röda Korset, Svenska Amnesty, FARR, Rosengrenska och InfoTorg Juridik (betaltjänst) samt myndigheter och politiska organ som Migrationsverket, Sveriges domstolar, JO, Justitiedepartementet m.fl. departement och Sveriges Riksdag.
Bevakning: Josefin Åström, Hjalte Lagercrantz, Karin Nilsson Kelly, Sanna Vestin. Sammanställning: Sanna Vestin. Asylnytt är ett ideellt projekt.