Bodies returned to Libya // human trafficking by municipalities in Turkey // insight into the revoked resident permits of Syrians in Denmark // and more…
FEATURE: Freedom of the press suffered in Greece during 2020
Reporters Without Borders just published an update on press freedom during 2020 within Greece. The situation is not good to say the least. The conservative government led by Kyriakos Mitsotakis really sought to control the flow of information whether it be on COVID-19 or refugee issues. Here is their summary:
“Press freedom suffered in Greece in 2020. The conservative government led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis granted generous tax rebates on advertising in the media…
More on Denmark’s plans for offshore asylum procedures // Evictions in Bosnia // Disembarkation of 455 people rescued by Sea-Watch // New lies from Frontex // Guardian publishes investigation on border deaths //
FEATURE: News on Denmarks attempts to install offshore asylum procedures
In Monday’s digest we reported about the government of Denmark’s plans on negotiating a deal with several countries about building reception centres in order to conduct offshore asylum procedures of people how arrived to Denmark. News now spread that Danish authorities have signed an agreement with Rwanda to enhance cooperation regarding migration and asylum, potentially leading to offshore asylum procedures in Rwanda.
Amnesty International now commented on the issue:
“Any attempt to transfer asylum-seekers arriving in Denmark to Rwanda for their asylum claims to be processed would be not only unconscionable, but potentially unlawful. Denmark cannot deny the right of…
Torture report for 2020 released // Suicide attempt rate among children increases in North West Syria // Lebanon prevents Syrian students from graduating // How Turkey’s pushbacks to Iran are connected to EU politics //
Feature: Annual Torture Report released
The Border Violence Monitoring Network has published a torturte report for 2020 covering 286 first-hand testimonies in the Balkans. The key findings are the following:
Croatia:
- In 2020, BVMN collected 124 pushback testimonies from Croatia, documenting the treatment of 1827 people
- 87% of pushbacks carried out by Croatian authorities contained one or more forms of violence and abuse that BVMN assert amounts to torture or inhuman treatment
- Violent attacks by police officers against people on the move lasted up to six hours
- Unmuzzled police dogs were encouraged by officers to attack people who have been detained.
- Food was rubbed into the…
Torture report for 2020 released // Suicide attempt rate among children increases in North West Syria // Lebanon prevents Syrian students from graduating // How Turkey’s pushbacks to Iran are connected to EU politics //
Feature: Annual Torture Report released
The Border Violence Monitoring Network has published a torturte report for 2020 covering 286 first-hand testimonies in the Balkans. The key findings are the following:
Croatia:
- In 2020, BVMN collected 124 pushback testimonies from Croatia, documenting the treatment of 1827 people
- 87% of pushbacks carried out by Croatian authorities contained one or more forms of violence and abuse that BVMN assert amounts to torture or inhuman treatment
- Violent attacks by police officers against people on the move lasted up to six hours
- Unmuzzled police dogs were encouraged by officers to attack people who have been detained.
- Food was rubbed into the…
May 4 · 9 min read
Is Denmark going to send asylum seekers to Rwanda? // Homelessness for UK refugees // 182 people arrive in Greece // Fence in Ritsona // and more…
FEATURE: 50 people drown off Libyan coast
Continuing AYS’s coverage from our Weekend Digest on distress calls from the sea, Stol.it news reports:
“Libya’s Red Crescent announced in a press release on Monday that at least 50 migrants, including some Egyptians, had died in a shipwreck off the coast of the Libyan city of Al-Zawiya. This was reported by Italian media referring to a Libyan source. …
Is Denmark going to send asylum seekers to Rwanda? // Homelessness for UK refugees // 182 people arrive in Greece // Fence in Ritsona // and more…
FEATURE: 50 people drown off Libyan coast
Continuing AYS’s coverage from our Weekend Digest on distress calls from the sea, Stol.it news reports:
“Libya’s Red Crescent announced in a press release on Monday that at least 50 migrants, including some Egyptians, had died in a shipwreck off the coast of the Libyan city of Al-Zawiya. This was reported by Italian media referring to a Libyan source. This search for survivors is ongoing.”
“Before that, the International Organization for Migration…
Busy days for SAR teams // Alarm Phone reports several distress calls without reactions // Corruption on food catering in Moria 2? // New testimonies of police violence at Hungarian border // Pressure on UK Home Office
Busy days for SAR teams // Alarm Phone reports several distress calls without reactions // Corruption on food catering in Moria 2? // New testimonies of police violence at Hungarian border // Pressure on UK Home Office
Greece
Mare Liberum highlights the problem of the food quality in Moria 2. Even though the catering company receives supposedly five Euros per meal, food poisoning occurs frequently. The team further refers to a report by Stonisi, revealing family connections between the catering company and the Greek government. “The contract was given without an open call for tender. The company is also receiving gov funding for fabricated costs for rent and other expenses”, it is quoted.
The German publication Verdi has documented how journalists are prevented from doing their jobs in camps on the Aegean islands — and how authorities…
Working on an article about Frontex is not an easy task. Information and allegations about the agency are piling up on a daily basis. The purpose of this article is to give an overview of Frontex’s increasing role in EU border management — with no accountability or respect for fundamental rights in its operation.
This is the fourth and last part of the Frontex timeline, on the events of 2021. We will update it every first Sunday of the month. As the previous parts, it starts with the most recent entry.
Check out PART 1 (2004–2016), PART 2 (2017–2019) and…
Libyan Coastguard caught on video // Rescues & returns at sea // Woman gives birth in boat off Canaries // Evictions in NW Bosnia // Data protection threatened in Germany // Channel Rescue in the spotlight
FEATURE—For first time in years, Italian authorities bring people in distress aboard
In the words of one Italian journalist, “Something must have happened” if, for the first time in years, the Italian Navy actually rescued people in distress in the Central Mediterranean. But the news is true: 49 people were rescued on the morning of April 30 and are now on board the Navy patrol boat Commander Foscari. The people were adrift in international waters 75 nautical miles north of Tripoli, and all are in good health, according to a Navy press release.
While several years ago the Italian Navy was leading rescue missions in the Central Med, helping to save thousands…
Are You Syrious?
Daily news digests from the field, mainly for volunteers and refugees on the route, but also for journalists and other parties.
