Since 2015, when the refugee and migrant crisis hit new highs across the coastal countries of the Mediterranean, the unrestrained activity of numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has been raising questions and concerns.

Sorting Honest NGOs from Imposters

Despite the presence of several acknowledged NGOs which have been clearly assisting in the mitigation of this unique challenge, there has also been a significant number of dubious entities with suspicious motives, literally created once the European Union started providing huge economic and material resources for the tackling of the refugee and migrant problem.

A recent coordinated operation of the Hellenic Police and the National Intelligence Agency of Greece brought to light a grim reality that many have been fearing for a long time: a number of NGOs not only neglected the problem but actually made the situation much worse by working alongside international networks of criminal migrant smuggling groups.

Operation ALKMINI

The joint operation under the codename “Alkmini” started approximately two months earlier around mid-August. Two individuals, recruited by the National Intelligence Service of Greece were sent to the coast of Izmir in Turkey, pretending to be migrants who were willing to illegally enter Greece.

In this context the two recruits established contact with a smuggling network, which offered to take them to Greek territory in exchange for a significant sum of money. The two agents were transferred to the Greek island of Lesbos alongside a number of other asylum seekers. In the process they collected information about the progress of the overall illegal operation and the role of specific NGOs that have been assisting all along.

Modus Operandi for Human Smuggling in the Mediterranean

According to the findings of Operation Alkmini the illegal transfer of these people was coordinated by members of four NGOs with presence in both the Greek and Turkish shores. In this case two women, an Austrian and a Norwegian, both of the working for NGOs, were coordinating the operation from Turkey acting as the link between the smuggling networks in Izmir and the NGO personnel in the Greek islands.

Once the vessels with the smugglers and the asylum seekers were en route, the NGO members in Greece were notified about the time of departure, the estimated time of arrival, and the number of people onboard. Also the exact location of the boats was provided through the ALARMPHONE application. Alarmphone (Watch The Med Alarm Phone Project) is a hotline for boat people in distress; as clearly stated in their official website, the number is not a rescue line, but an alarm number to support rescue operations.

One of the main means of ALARMPHONE is to constantly seek media attention and coverage in order to put political pressure on the local Coast Guard authorities. In the case of the illegal smuggling organized networks, Alarmphone was widely used to either provide data to the NGO members in the proximity of a staged boat sinking so they could push the Coast Guard authorities to intervene, or to spread false alarms of wreck incidents so the local authorities would be kept busy and the boat with the smugglers and the asylum seekers could approach the Greek shores unattended.

The Four NGOs Under Investigation

During the investigation by the Hellenic Police and the National Intelligence Service, 35 people, 26 from Germany, and the rest from Switzerland, France, Spain, Bulgaria, Norway, Austria, Iran and Afghanistan were identified as perpetrators in the illegal smuggling business.

These individuals have been identified and are currently being accused of participating in a criminal organization, people smuggling activity, and espionage. All 35 were arrested and released after once the Greek authorities contacted the respective embassies, and while the investigation is ongoing. All the aforementioned individuals – apart from the two individuals from Iran and Afghanistan – are members of the following four NGOs: FFM eV, Josoor International Solidarity, Mare Liberum eV, and Sea Watch eV.

Three out of the four NGOs are based in Germany, with only Josoor International Solidarity being headquartered in Austria. All four organizations are supposedly based upon volunteer work and donations, but further details about their financial backers and the key personnel working for them remains obscure.

It should be noted that according to the confidential report of the Greek authorities, the NGO Mare Liberum has been playing a key role in the operation since the vessel under the same name and managed by the organization was docked in the island of Lesbos, and has been assisting with the overall illicit process. The Greek task force raided the ship and arrested its crew, while confiscating the electronic equipment found onboard.

Also one of the founding members of Josoor International Solidarity was present in Turkey during Operation Alkmini, reportedly coordinating with the foreign smuggling network. Finally the NGO Sea Watch made headlines in the summer of 2019 with the wide-known case of Captain Carola Rackete, who was arrested after entering the port of Lampedusa carrying 40 migrants onboard despite the ban from the Italian authorities.

How Athens Has Been Handling Rogue NGOs

Since January 2020 the Hellenic Ministry of Migration and Asylum, alongside the appropriate national and local authorities, has adopted a series of measures to deal with the uncontrolled activity of NGOs across the Aegean Sea and within Greek territory. For this reason an official register with all the NGOs operating in Greece was created. The purpose of this record is to separate the NGOs that are operating in good faith and according to the international standards and those that have a rather dubious activity and whose motives are not clear.

Further to this, an additional record was established with the data of the individuals that are working as field operators and are actively involved in rescue operations and the day-to-day administration of the refugee camps in the Greek islands and mainland.

The measures of the Greek government have significantly limited the scope of the NGOs work through constant monitoring of their activities, the continuous control of their access to the “field”, namely the sea routes and the refugee/asylum seekers’ camps and the appointment of Greek officials in key positions for the camps and facilities management and administration. These were roles that until recently were undertaken by the members of the NGOs themselves.

Finally, a constant centralized and well-organized effort among the Hellenic Police, the Hellenic Coast Guard and the National Intelligence Service of Greece is taking place, bringing remarkable results as in the case of Operation Alkmini. Greek authorities are also coordinating with international agencies like Frontex and the role of these bodies is also critical to the accomplishment of each mission and to crack down on dangerous smuggling operations.

L'articolo Dozens of NGO Members Busted for Allegedly Helping Migrant Smugglers on Aegean Sea proviene da InsideOver.

The EU Med Group, widely known as MED7, met in Ajaccio, Corsica on Saturday, September 10. The alliance consists of seven Mediterranean countries which are member states of the European Union, namely Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, and Spain.

The most critical issues the top of the meeting’s agenda were the current developments in the Mediterranean, predominantly the Migrant Crisis and unilateral Turkish actions against Greece and Cyprus.

France, Greece and Cyprus; a Strong Alliance Directly Condemning Turkey’s Actions

French President Emmanuel Macron, the official host of the meeting has been the one to open the joint press conference of the seven country leaders. Macron initially talked about the worrying issue of the uncontrolled migrant flows from Libya stating that the problem should be immediately dealt with.

The French President grabbed the opportunity and attacked Turkey, stressing that Ankara should adhere to the 2016 Turkey-EU deal over the refugee crisis and stop acting unilaterally. He also emphasized the important need for absolute respect towards the arms embargo on Libya, commenting that there have been some discrepancies from Europe so far, indirectly criticizing the stance of Germany.

Regarding the tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, Macron used clear and decisive language, delivering an unambiguous message of solidarity to Greece and Cyprus and talking about illegal drilling and unilateral provocations from the Turkish side. He stated that Europe is seeking a bona fide dialogue, but the Turkish reactions so far, are making this initiative rather difficult.

Under any circumstances, Paragraph 6* of the MED7 Joint Declaration would be strictly applied, and this is something Macron has emphasized, even though the context of Paragraph 6 with regards to the EU response towards Turkey still remains somehow generic. The French President concluded that a coordinated European effort is deemed necessary on other critical issues within the Mediterranean territory, like Lebanon and Syria.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis followed Emmanuel Macron. Mitsotakis opened his speech with the recent events in the Moria camp in the Greek island of Lesbos. The Greek PM thanked the other European countries for their essential support on this developing crisis and underlined that the immigration challenges, are correctly treated as a common European problem.

Mitsotakis also condemned the constant violation of Greek-Cypriot rights from Turkey and referred to the illegal occupation of the northern part of Cyprus since 1974. He called Ankara to abstain from further provocative and unilateral actions in the Mediterranean, and he recalled that President Macron has characterized the region as Mare Nostrum, Our Sea, implicating that the European South should be the key player in this region of vital importance. The Greek PM said that European support for Greece and Cyprus should not be just an act of solidarity but a self-conscious action to protect the strategic interests of the European Union.

An Appeal to Turkey

There has been another appeal to Turkey to negotiate in good will, otherwise Greece would take the dispute to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. The Greek PM closed his speech announcing that he is looking forward to the next MED7 meeting in Greece and specifically on the island of Crete, Mitsotakis’ place of origin.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades mentioned that the weight of the immigration crisis is disproportionate for Cyprus, which is a front-line country. He harshly criticized Turkey for using the asylum seekers, as a tool of geopolitical pressure, and said that a new EU asylum deal to control the migrant flows is deemed necessary.

Anastasiades talked about reckless Turkish actions that pose a risk for the wider area, and complained about Ankara’s continuous war rhetoric. He also called the other countries to assist in ending the Turkish illegal exploration and drilling operations in Greek and Cypriot maritime zones. The violation of the international law and of the sovereign rights of two EU member states are not only threatening the reliability of the European Union but also the integrity and security of the continent as a whole. Anastasiades aligned with the comments of the Greek PM, and reaffirmed that if the dialogue with Ankara is not fruitful, the Hague should definitely be an option, but also harsh sanctions against Turkey should always be on the table.

Italy and Malta; Solidarity and Dialogue

Italian Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, praised the importance of the southern countries of Europe in dealing with the EU challenges. Talking about the immigration challenges, he confirmed that the South should stop simply dealing with the results and start acting proactively. Coordination with third countries -countries of origin and transit countries- is deemed necessary to reduce the flows in European territory, while the elimination of the migrant smugglers should always be on the top of the agenda.

Regarding the Greek-Turkish dispute, Conte expressed his absolute solidarity towards Greece and Cyprus, condemning unilateral actions by Turkey, and mentioning that he fully trusts the German Presidency of the EU Council and the actions of the European Council, which could lead to swift deescalation.

The Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela clarified that cooperation between neighboring and friendly countries is of critical importance, expressing his full solidarity to Greece. Even though the neutral status of Malta is clearly defined in the country’s constitution, Abela stressed that international law and sovereign rights must not be challenged under any circumstances.

The Maltese Prime Minister emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean is important and said he is really optimistic for the results that the MED7 coordination could bring. Finally he referred to the refugee crisis, which is directly affecting his country, stating that the emergency could only be managed through the establishment of peace in Libya, and the prompt reconstruction of a viable economy for the country.

Spain and Portugal; Deescalation the Only Way Ahead

The Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa initially discussed the COVID-19 European and global geopolitical challenges. He expressed his solidarity to Cyprus and Greece and made a special reference to the important role of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Joseph Borel, and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. Costa repeatedly stated that a solution should be sought through negotiations and multilateral dialogue.

The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, focused on the immigration crisis, expressing his solidarity for the Moria incident and calling for responsible actions from the EU, adequate border control, and a dual approach that could ensure the security and well-being of the European people, always with respect on the human rights and the humanitarian values. In the Eastern Mediterranean front, Sánchez highlighted that dialogue should be the only way forward and de-escalation has to be the top priority for Europe, through a process dictated by the European interests, and led by the European institutions.

Conclusions and the Turkish Reaction

After examining the statements of the seven leaders, we understand that the MED7 could easily agree on a mutual policy towards the common problem of the migrant flows, but in the case of the Easter Mediterranean and the Greek, Cypriot and Turkish dispute the things are different. On the one hand Cyprus, France and Greece adopt a straightforward stance, seeming ready to confront the Turkish provocations, while the remaining four leaders have chosen a much more moderate attitude.

In the meantime Turkish President Recep Erdogan has found a unique way to protest again the MED7 conclusions. Shortly after the end of the Joint Press Conference, he posted an old video from the time he was Mayor of Istanbul, through his personal Twitter account. In the video the Turkish President is saying that “a wolf-pack is about to attack us, but they cannot eat us; we are too great for them” referring to his Kemalist opponents back in the day.

Adapting the statements to the current circumstances, Erdogan is indicating President Macron and the rest of the European leaders that took part in the summit.

*Paragraph 6 of the MED7 Joint Declaration

We reiterate our full support and solidarity with Cyprus and Greece in the face of the repeated infringements on their sovereignty and sovereign rights, as well as confrontational actions by Turkey. We call upon all the countries in the region to abide by international law, in particular international law of the sea, and encourage all parties to resolve their disputes through dialogue and negotiation. In this respect, we welcome the mediation efforts of the HR/VP and Germany in order to achieve a resumption of the dialogue between Greece and Turkey on the maritime zone issue. In addition, we welcome the invitation by the Government of Cyprus to negotiate with Turkey, noting that delimitation of exclusive economic zones and continental shelf should be addressed through dialogue and negotiation in good faith, in full respect of international law and in accordance with the principle of good neighbourly relations. In line with recent European Council and EU Council conclusions, we regret that Turkey has not responded to the repeated calls by the European Union to end its unilateral and illegal activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea. We reaffirm our determination to use all adequate means at the disposal of the European Union in response to these confrontational actions. In line with the latest Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers (Gymnich), we agree to speed up work on the additional listings based on the proposals tabled so far, with a view to its rapid adoption. We maintain that in absence of progress in engaging Turkey into a dialogue and unless it ends its unilateral activities, the EU is ready to develop a list of further restrictive measures that could be discussed at the European Council on 24-25 September 2020.

L'articolo Conclusions from the MED7 Meeting in Corsica proviene da InsideOver.

The controversial reorganization of the migration system in Europe is imminent. Due to its Council Presidency, Germany may even possess more weight than usual. However, a consensus among the member states remains inconceivable.

The Common European Asylum System

The EU is standing on the precipice regarding its Common European Asylum System (CEAS). Negotiations over this new approach have stalled since 2016, as several member states do not concur with the many of the plans CEAS includes.

Germany plays a crucial role in the negotiations, particularly now due to its presidency and Berlin has changed its stance on immigration as of late. Instead of insisting on a mandatory admission quota for all 27 EU countries, as it has for years, Berlin is now also in favor of “flexible solidarity”.

The pending reform is primarily about establishing the most uniform standards possible within the EU to process and assess asylum applications. Besides, there is a fair distribution of refugees, common standards for legal migration, and a coordinated and reinforced deportation policy in the event of illegal migration. Time is of the essence, as for the first time since the 2015 refugee crisis, the number of people coming to the EU and five other European countries has seen an increase over the previous year.

Seven Proposals for EU Asylum Reform

The EU asylum reform comprises seven legislative proposals, 5 of which find consensus among the members.

1. Reform of the Dublin Regulation. It is the most controversial point. The critical question is which country is responsible for examining the asylum application in the event of strong migration movements. According to the previous law, the country where the migrant first sets foot on European soil must take care of it. However, this leads to an utterly unequal burden on the member states.

2. An expansion of the Eurodac regulation identification database to prevent secondary migration and illegal migration better. In addition to fingerprints, facial images will also be stored in the future.

3. Strengthening of the EU’s asylum agency and support the member states in asylum procedures.

4. A new recognition regulation that ought to ensure that asylum seekers have the same chance of asylum under the same conditions. The aim is to achieve uniform protection criteria and greater consistency in terms of recognition rates. In addition, severe penalties for “asylum shopping” should be enforceable.

5. Europe’s Reception Conditions Directive aims to ensure that asylum seekers are received decently and treated equally throughout the EU.

6. Human traffickers should be combated through resettlement programs. Special selection processes are intended to enable legal migration for those in particular need of protection.

7. A new asylum procedure regulation aiming to make asylum procedures more efficient, including harmonized rights for asylum seekers and more severe penalties for abuse. The aim is also a common list of safe third countries. So far, no consent has been reached.

Juncker’s Big Mistake

Besides these points, the services are to be harmonized within the EU — naturally taking into account the respective cost of living. The penalties for illegally escaping from another EU country to Germany — which continues to be the most sought after destination of many asylum seekers because benefits are comparatively high — would also be significantly increased.

The EU Commission, led by Jean-Claude Juncker, had made numerous proposals for a modern European asylum system in recent years. Together with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, however, Juncker made the grave mistake in the spring of 2016 of submitting a proposal to reform the distribution of refugees (Dublin Regulation) without a significant vote, which obliged all member states to admit refugees by way of quota.

Massive resistance came from numerous Eastern, and Central European countries as these did not want Brussels to dictate which and how many refugees they would take in. This dispute continues to this day and continues to weigh heavily on sentiment within the EU.

The Heat is On Von der Leyen

The EU Commission knows how toxic the issue is and has postponed its reform proposals several times since the spring. Ursula Von der Leyen is under massive pressure. In early summer, they received several letters from the EU capitals: Austria and Denmark warned that there should be no “automatic and compulsory distribution” of refugees.

The interior ministers of seven Eastern European countries have also announced: “fierce resistance” to mandatory distribution. In contrast, five southern European countries demanded in a letter that a “compulsory redistribution mechanism” was “essential.” The reason is obvious: the Mediterranean countries are usually the first point of contact for migrants and therefore, according to the Dublin Regulation, have to process the applications and take care of the asylum seekers – which does not seem like a fair way of sharing a burden many European states have never asked for.

Nevertheless, Europe needs to find answers and quickly.

Most importantly, however, Europe also needs to find answers for the growing number of European states and citizens who have learned from 2015 and want better solutions this time around.

L'articolo Europe’s Last Stand on Immigration Reform proviene da InsideOver.

The UK is looking to curb migration across the English Channel, but to do so, it needs help from France. The two states are now working together to eliminate the 33-kilometre route commonly used by migrants. Officials from both nations met on Tuesday and walked away with an agreement they called a “comprehensive action plan.”

Teaming Up With the French, Again

“French authorities are doing a great deal of work. They’ve intercepted well over a thousand people so far this year,” said Chris Philp, British immigration minister. 

However, that was a minuscule amount compared to the overall total. In August alone, 650 migrants have made the trip across the English Channel in small boats, a third of which did so in a single day, the Associated Press reported. 

“But the sheer numbers crossing the Channel are completely unacceptable to the French government, and unacceptable to the UK Government, so it’s quite clear that more needs to be done … If we can make this route unviable, which we are determined to do, then migrants will have no reason at all to come to France in the first place,” Philp added.

How much more France can do to help matters remains up in the air. Philp offered no specifics following his meeting with French officials and it was not the first time that the two powers have tried to join their forces against illegal immigration. In July they signed an intelligence-sharing pact to counter smuggling networks.

The new comprehensive action plan entails stopping migrants from even going to France, Philp said.

“We have worked on a joint operational plan with the objective in mind of completely cutting this route,” he said. “We’re going to be working at pace in the coming days to make that plan a reality.”

Legal Solutions After Brexit

Already the Royal Air Force has sent an aircraft to patrol the English Channel to assist immigration authorities, Reuters reported.

“The aircraft will track vessels and pass information to the Border Force who will then take any appropriate further action,” a Ministry of Defense statement said.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is also pursing legal avenues to cut down the number of migrants. He called smugglers “cruel and criminal gangs” and their operations a “very bad and stupid and dangerous and criminal thing to do,” Euro News reported.

Johnson is eyeing possible legal changes within the UK to make their removal easier. After they have entered Britain, “it is very, very difficult to send them away,” despite the fact that they came illegally. 

The UK will possibly have some respite from the situation next year after Brexit concludes. Currently, the UK is still beholden to EU laws and the Dublin Regulation. Under the statute, asylum applications can be transferred from one EU state to the first that a migrant entered. After Britain leaves the bloc, it wants a new agreement to regulate asylum seekers, Philp said. 

The present law features a “number of constraints” that have proven prohibitive to transferring asylum seekers, he said. 

Migrant Rights Groups Protest

Although Britain is keen to reduce the number of migrants and trying once again to generate results by partnering with French authorities, refugee groups are less enthusiastic.

“Seeking asylum is not a crime, and it is legitimate that people have to cross borders to do so,” said Lisa Doyle, director of advocacy at the Refugee Council. “Instead of scapegoating people in desperate circumstances, the prime minister and his government could address this by ensuring that people do not have to take these risks.”

Stephen Hale, chief executive of Refugee Action, called on London to provide a long-term solution that is both safe and legal.

“Britain is better than this. We have a proud history of welcoming people fleeing some of the most violent and oppressive regimes in the world and we can’t stop now,” Hale said.

Contradictory Data

Crossing the English Channel is a dangerous proposition, which is part of the reason London and Paris wish to shut down the route. Last year, four migrants died in an attempt to cross it.

They don’t know the wind, the currents, the tides … They’re usually carrying too much, their boats are generally badly-equipped … they don’t always have life vests,” said Marine Monjarde, spokeswoman for the Maritime Prefecture of northern France.

Although Johnson and British immigration authorities paint the English Channel as the largest obstacle to controlling migration, Home Office data suggests it is not the primary route, The Guardian reported. Furthermore, the UK only received 36,000 asylum application last year, a stark contrast to 165,615 in Germany and 151,070 in France. 

Other avenues of illegally entering the UK include undersea trains and stowing aboard trucks that cross the channel on ferries. 

Just For Show

Johnson has chosen to target the English Channel because of its visibility. It is easy to point out the dinghies and kayaks that migrants risk their lives in. However, even if the English Channel were completely shut off as a path to British asylum, a majority of refugees would still find their way to the UK.

London has tried coordinating with Paris, multiple times in fact, to end refugee smuggling. The logical solution would be to do as refugee groups suggest, to create a legal pathway for migrants who are often fleeing for their lives. Although Britain will leave the EU at the end of the year, France remains a part of the bloc and thus is still subject to its laws. Therefore, it is pertinent that the UK establish an agreement with how to handle refugee matters going forward. 

That long-term solution will be London’s best chance at curtailing the number of asylum seekers. For now, the English Channel crackdown is merely for show.

L'articolo Britain and France Partner to Deal With English Channel Migrant Crossings proviene da InsideOver.

In May — the first month after the apogee of the Covid-19 pandemic, in which several countries lifted the lockdowns restrictions for many industries — more than 4,000 people tried to enter the European Union illegally. The statistics are according to border protection agency Frontex, which noted that the majority of illegal entries occurred from Turkey and Greece.

Illegal Border Crossings Once Again on the Rise

In May, almost three times as many people tried to enter the European Union as in April. There were almost 4,300 unauthorized border crossings on the main migration routes in Europe in May alone, according to figures from Frontex. In April, the numbers had temporarily decreased due to COVID-19. For the year so far, Frontex has recorded a total of 31,600 illegal border crossings from January to May – a six percent decrease compared to the same period in the previous year.

The route across the eastern Mediterranean — via Turkey and Greece — was again the most active migration route to Europe, accounting for 1,250 illegal border crossings in May, eight times as many as in April. From January to May, 12,700 cases were registered, 28 percent fewer than in the same period last year. Afghan nationals conducted the majority of the illegal crossings.

The Morocco to Spain Route and Western Balkans Route

In addition, more than 650 people arrived in the EU in May across the western Mediterranean from Morocco to Spain. That was almost four times as many as in April. There were 3,700 migrants registered in the first five months of the year, less than half than in the same period last year. Almost every second individual was Algerian. The Western Balkans route recorded more than 900 illegal border crossings in May, ten times more than in April. From January to May there were more than 6,900 cases, an increase of 50 percent over the same period last year.

Moreover, there were around 1,000 unauthorized border crossings on the route across the central Mediterranean – from Libya and Tunisia to Italy and Malta, an increase of 40 percent compared to April. From January to May, Frontex recorded 5,500 cases, almost three times as many as in the same period in 2019, with a majority of migrants being of Bangladeshi, Sudanese and Ivory Coast decent.

Crisis Spot: the Greek Turkish Border

According to Frontex, the situation on the Greek-Turkish border, in particular, remains volatile. At the end of February, Turkish President Recep Erdogan told migrants that the borders with the EU were open in an attempt to put pressure on Europe. As a result, tens of thousands of migrants made their way to the border with Greece.

If a similar situation occurrs again the Frontex staff in Greece will be increased, Frontex chair Fabrice Leggeri stated. Currently, only 600 Frontex members are deployed in Greece. However, up to 1,500 more could be mobilized. Leggeri also criticized the current EU asylum system. According to him, asylum applications should already be checked at the external borders. Asylum seekers should be informed as soon as possible whether they will be granted refugee status or not. If the asylum decision is unfavorable, migrants needed to be deported immediately, Leggeri argues.

While the number of arriving, refugees are increasing across the EU, only over a thousand people have voluntarily returned to Syria from Germany since 2017, for example, and only through the financial support of the German government. Accordingly, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) paid a total of 199 return trips in 2017, 466 in 2018 and 347 last year. Due to the ongoing difficult security situation, voluntary return to Syria is not currently being promoted in Germany, nor the EU. Besides, Germany has not deported people to the country since 2012.

Almost 630,000 Syrians have applied for asylum in Germany since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011. The vast majority of applications are being approved.

L'articolo Illegal immigration into the European Union is Increasing Again Despite COVID-19 proviene da InsideOver.

The EU Commission is seeking to increase its financial obligations for refugees in Turkey by almost half a billion euros. However, the decision not only exacerbates the blackmailing Turkey has been conducting but displays the inefficiencies and the risk the refugee deal carried ab initio.

Details of the Deal

The European Union plans to increase its aid payments for refugees in Turkey and will provide an additional 485 million euros in its attempt to fund the continuation of two key projects. The funds will be paid in addition to the six billion euros that the European Union already pledged in its 2016 refugee agreement with Turkey.

As part of the deal, Ankara has promised that all refugees arriving in the Greek Aegean Islands will be accepted and cared for in Turkey. They are doing this in exchange for the aforementioned financial incentives.

Since then, however, the Turkish government has been accusing the EU of paying the funds too slowly and has not only repeatedly admonished to cease its adherence to the agreement, but also threatened to open the gates for refugees into Europe, if financial considerations were not increased.

Turkey Opens the Gates to Europe

In March the Turkish government let thousands of refugees travel to its border with Greece, exacerbating the pressure on the EU further. Several EU member states, including Germany and France, subsequently promised Turkey further EU funds for the care of refugees, although the EU repeatedly asserted that the agreement had already been fully adhered to.

Now the EU Commission seeks to provide the additional funds to defuse the conflict with Ankara. The funds should, therefore, be mobilized directly and at short notice via the current EU 2020 budget. However, the EU Parliament and the Council of Member States still have to approve an associated change in the 2020 budget.

Did Erdogan’s Blackmail Work?

Although the EU has surrendered to Erdogan’s extortion, the Commission claims that it is not Erdogan’s threats that have brought the EU to act, but rather a worsening of the circumstances associated with the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent pandemic.

The EU Commission warned that the economic situation in Turkey had deteriorated sharply due to COVID-19 and that unprotected refugees were the most affected by the crisis. It was therefore urgent that the necessary funds be made available to finance the continuation of the two main humanitarian measures in EU aid.

The so-called Security Network for Emergency Situations (ESSN) is to continue to finance 400 million euros, from which around 1.7 million refugees in Turkey will receive monthly money transfers for essential goods. This program would, therefore, expire without an increase by March 2021 at the latest. A further 85 million euros is to be used to secure a program that supports families of schoolchildren and whose funds only last until September or October.

Help for Lebanon and Jordan’s Refugee Crises

In addition to aid to Turkey, the EU Commission also plans to increase support for Jordan and Lebanon in accepting refugees. Both countries, which also accept refugees from Syria, should thus receive an additional 100 million euros in 2020, in addition to the 214 million euros that were already pledged for the current year.

The continuous aid to Turkey is nevertheless politically explosive. What critics feared during the negotiations of the refugee agreement in 2016, namely that the European Union could be held hostage by Ankara and its despot Erdogan, has been apparent for the better part of the deal.

Still, the way Erdogan was able to coerce the European Union into submission raises the question of whether the EU possesses a Plan B in case Ankara demands even more ransom payments in the future. At any measure, the European Union has now officially become an ATM for Turkey, which, it would appear, can be used without any consequences. This is all done in the name of humanity and at the expense of European taxpayers.

L'articolo Succumbing to Erdogan’s Pressure: EU to Pay Additional 485 Million Euros to Turkey proviene da InsideOver.

The number of migrants attempting to make their way from Libya to Europe continues to increase, particularly since COVID-19 has limited legal paths available for them. Now the United Nations to accuse the European Union of violation of international law with regards to this situation.

UN: ‘Deeply Concerned’ Over Reports of Libyan Migrants Being Left Stranded at Sea

The United Nations has criticized European countries for what it considers a violation of international humanitarian law, based on the decision to reject refugees and other migrants in the Mediterranean. The United Nations Human Rights Office and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva have been calling for ports to be opened and humanitarian lifeboats in the Mediterranean to return.

Concerns of the United Nations about the refugee policies of the European Union countries in the Mediterranean transpired after reports emerged that refugee boats were “rejected in a coordinated manner” and calls for help at distress rescue centers are “not answered or ignored. “SOS calls were reportedly being ignored, and aid was being deliberately refused. As a result, the UN was “deeply concerned” the UN Human Rights Bureau spokesman, Rupert Colville stated.

EU Conduct — Especially in Greece and Malta — Posing a Threat to Human Life

Moreover, European conduct was posing a clear threat to human life. If these reports were confirmed, the question arises as to whether the countries concerned respect human rights, Colville concluded. In particular, the organisations condemned measures such as those in Greece or Malta, where refugee boats are pushed back into international territorial waters or even brought back to Libya, Colville stated.

At the same time, UNHRC spokesman Charlie Yaxley criticized that the blocking of the last remaining humanitarian rescue vessels Alan Kurdi and Aita Mari in Italy. These were measures that were “endangering human life” according to Yaxley.

Italy and Malta Don’t Let in Refugee Ships Since COVID-19

Italy and Malta have stopped admitting refugee rescue ships to their ports since April 9 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. At least three ships with refugees on board were therefore currently waiting to be able to bring the rescued ashore, according to the UNHRC.

This week, Italy confiscated the German rescue ship Alan Kurdi because of “several irregularities” that could endanger the people on board. At the beginning of April, the Alan Kurdi took on 146 migrants off the coast of Libya before an Italian ship took over the rescue to provide increased care due to coronavirus concerns.

Libya’s Refugee Exodus

Overall, the number of migrants who flee from Libya to Europe increased rapidly in the first three months of the year compared to the previous year, with almost 4,000 new arrivals from January to March — the previous year the number was around 800 less. This was partly due to the improvement in the weather, but also the increasingly chaotic situation in Libya, Yaxley said. No refugee should be returned to Libya, as the country was “not safe”, he added.

Besides, due to the global border closures resulting from the corona crisis, more people would try to migrate through irregular refugee routes with the result that the pressure on these routes is likely to increase significantly.

Meanwhile, Director-General of the United Nations Organization for Migration (IOM), António Vitorino, warned in Geneva on Thursday not to cease legal migration due to COVID-19, which has stopped almost entirely worldwide. This will be very negative in the long term, Vitorino warned, since smugglers and traffickers were taking advantage of the refugees’ situation.

In order to assist the world’s neediest during the pandemic, United Nation’s emergency response coordinator Mark Lowcock said Thursday he estimates the total funding needed to be around $90 billion over the next twelve months. The latter would correspond to one percent of the sum that the wealthy countries had decided on as rescue packages, with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund able to make up two thirds of that figure. The remainder needed to be contributed from development aid, Lowcock urged.

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Thousands of migrants, most of them from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq have rushed to the Turkish border hoping to reach Europe, after the Turkish government announced on February 28 that it would no longer stop migrants from crossing into Europe. However, they are stuck between their dreams of going to Europe and being attacked by Greek soldiers at the Greek-Turkish border where Greek soldiers have fired tear gas, real bullets and water cannons to keep them from doing so. This is the story of the refugees who want to reach Europe to follow their dreams. Read the full report here

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Reportage / Migration 05.04.2020

Migrants at the Border with Europe

“We will no longer keep the doors closed for refugees who want to go to Europe.” Turkey announced this in protest of what it sees as Western inaction in Syria. An Assad regime airstrike killed 33 Turkish soldiers in Idlib…

Tulin Tezel

“We will no longer keep the doors closed for refugees who want to go to Europe.” Turkey announced this in protest of what it sees as Western inaction in Syria. An Assad regime airstrike killed 33 Turkish soldiers in Idlib in late February, and as a NATO member Turkey expected much stronger support from European countries in its fight for Idlib and more broadly in supporting its troops east of the Euphrates. However, neither NATO nor any European countries gave Turkey any of that expected support.

“Our tents got wet on the inside and it’s raining and we have small kids. They are a few months old, they are too young for this cold and this situation.” said Issa Adel-Rahman. Young children, women and the elderly are exposed to the cold weather with no protection from their sopping tents. They must stand for hours and wait in order to obtain a small meal. People who have never even seen a tent in their lives are humbly waiting for officials to allow them to pass through. Most refugees do not even intend on staying in Greece. Their only wish is to reunite with family members who are living in different European countries. Some people have been separated from their families for years. Others are hoping to stay with friends and start a new beginning.

“We hope for an even better standard of living. The monthly rent is a bit expensive; the cheapest rent is 600 Turkish liras. 600 liras is not something we have nor do I have someone who can earn it. I’m 60 years old,” said Issa Abdel-Rahman who wants to reunite with his daughter, who lives in Germany. Their hope and dream is to finally live the life they dream of in Europe. Greece was supposed to be a beacon of light and hope, guiding the refugees on their voyage through the turbulent seas. Greece was supposed to be the “Mother of Civilization,” but the people of Greece have turned their backs on these oppressed women and children. Instead of offering a motherly hand, they fired on them and pushed them away like animals.

L'articolo Migrants at the Border with Europe proviene da InsideOver.

The novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has forced employers to ask their employees to work from home in order to contain the quick spread of the disease which has symptoms similar to influenza. While researchers are busy researching vaccines, and medical sectors around the world are facing shortages of protective clothing and masks, refugees seem to be the world’s most forgotten group.

Social Distancing? No Chance

Refugees in refugee camps can hardly do physical distancing (an order to keep distance to a minimum of two meters), given the camps’ crowded situation. Hand sanitizers are a luxury for refugees. No water and no soap to wash their hands is a daily reality. Khaled Abdul Razaq al-Dasher, a Syrian refugee in Lebanon, shares a tent with his nine family members; all are refugees who escaped from the nine-year civil war in Syria.

According to Sahar Tawfeeq, spokesperson for the International Red Cross in Iraq, physical and social distancing is a privilege refugees don’t have. As the hashtag #Stayathome is going viral, the displaced cannot do that as they no longer have a place to call home.

The United Nations and other organizations are facing a tough task to protect 70 million refugees across the globe from the Covid-19, which has infected over 740,000 worldwide and killed more than 35,000. In the Middle East, millions of people have been forced to seek refuge because of the Syrian war or other conflicts. They have to stay either in a crowded tent and an unfinished building. They are far from the world’s only refugees, either.

Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh Highly Vulnerable to Covid-19

Poor condition in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, make Rohingya Muslims particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 infection. The Kutapalong camp, for example, is home to 600,000 Rohingya Muslims — one of the most persecuted minorities in the world — who are not recognized as citizens of Myanmar.

Face masks and hand sanitizers can hardly be seen in those shelters. Each makeshift camp is home to 10 to12 people, making it challenging to follow physical distancing which the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends.

One aid worker said that refugees can hear each other’s breathing the conditions are so crowded. The fear of Covid-19 spreading is increasing in Cox’s Bazar after a Rohingya family was placed under quarantine after returning from India.

What Happens if a Refugee Gets Covid-19?

Should a refugee be infected with COVID-19, experts warned that there is no proper health facility in the Kutapalong camp. As a consequence, the infected patients must be admitted to a hospital in Cox’s Bazar, making the situation more complicated since refugees are not allowed to leave camps.

Rohingyas Kept in the Dark About Covid-19

Many Rohingya seeking refuge in Bangladesh admitted they did now know much about Covid-19 due to Dhaka’s decision to cut internet access in September 2019.

Community leader Sayed Ullah stated that Rohingya Muslims only knew that the coronavirus had killed many people. Still, they had no idea about what the symptoms are, and other information related to the pandemic due to the internet access ban.

As of March 30, Bangladesh has reported 49 cases of Covid-19 infection with five deaths. Bangladesh had imposed a lockdown on 34 refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar as an effort to contain the spread of the virus.

“Since this morning [Wednesday] we have started lockdown in all Rohingya camps as per guidelines issued by the government due to the prevailing scare over coronavirus outbreak,” said Mahbub Alam Talukder, Bangladesh’s Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner.

Access to Healthcare is a Priority

Ann Burton, Chief of UNHCR’s Public Health Section, described how dangerous the novel coronavirus is to the most vulnerable groups such as refugees and illegal immigrants, adding that the UN refugee agency is trying its best to improve sanitation to refugee’s camps.

“We have stockpiled supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE) for health staff. We are purchasing disinfectant, supplies to manage medical waste, laboratory supplies, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment for case management,” Burton said, adding that “we have improved WASH [water, sanitation and hygiene] conditions and prepared isolation facilities in select camps and settlements.”

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