Europe: Refugees & Migrants’ Rights
Just over 100,000 people arrived irregularly at European Union (EU) borders in 2019, the majority by sea. The EU and its member states focused on preventing arrivals, outsourcing responsibility to countries outside the bloc, and repelling people unlawfully at EU borders. An increase in arrivals to Greek islands and at the Greece-Turkey land border in early 2020 underscores the willingness of political leaders like Turkey’s President Erdogan to use refugees and migrants as pawns and demonstrates the very urgent need for the EU to adopt an approach to migration grounded in respect for human rights. The EU continues to cooperate with Libya on migration controls, despite overwhelming evidence of systematic abuses against migrants and refugees and the ongoing conflict. Reform of the EU asylum system and initiatives to improve responsibility-sharing among member states remain stalled.
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European UnionThe commitment to a more human approach to protection and the emphasis on the fact that migration is needed and positive for Europe with which the European Commission launched the Pact on Migration and Asylum is welcome. However, this rhetoric is reflected only sparsely in the related proposals. Instead of breaking with the fallacies of the EU’s previous approach and offering a fresh start, the Pact risks exacerbating the focus on externalisation, deterrence, containment and return.The Pact on Migration and Asylum
October 8, 2020
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European UnionWe, the undersigned 29 human rights and humanitarian non-governmental organizations, jointly call on you to urgently establish an inquiry into all allegations of unlawful returns of migrants to Turkey, including pushbacks and collective expulsions, at Greece’s land and sea borders with Turkey, particularly with regard to allegations of such practices concerning the Evros region and the Aegean islands, as well as alleged violations of Greek, EU and International law on the rights of asylum seekers.
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Greece: Camp Conditions Endanger Women, Girls
Asylum Seekers Lack Safe Access to Food, Water, Health Care
News
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The Pact on Migration and Asylum
To provide a fresh start and avoid past mistakes, risky elements need to be addressed and positive aspects need to be expanded
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Save dignity, save PIKPA and Kara Tepe
Μore than 160 Greek and international organizations, academics, and other actors from all over Europe urge the Greek authorities to revoke decision to close dignified alternatives in accommodating refugees οn Lesvos
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Greece: Transfer Refugees and Asylum Seekers to Safety on Mainland
Respect for Human Rights Should Prevail Over Use of Force
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Migrants Face Trial after Resisting Return to Libya as Children
Returns to Abusive Migrant Detention Centers Put Lives at Risk
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EU Solidarity on Migrant Children in Greece Could Change Lives
Sweden should welcome and protect unaccompanied children
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‘Under water or under a knee, we can’t breathe’
Europe has turned a blind eye to deaths in the Mediterranean.
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UN: Strengthen Humanitarian Aid for People with Disabilities
Ensure Access, Funding Programs for Refugees, Displaced People
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Boys’ Drawings Expose Greece’s Broken Detention System
Plight of Unaccompanied Migrant Children Is Focus of New Campaign
