Reports emerging from the sea rescue effort between Italy and Libya suggest around 20 men, women and children are missing and feared dead after rescuers were able to pluck some 500 survivors from the Mediterranean Sea over the weekend. Information gathered by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in Italy indicates that the survivors were rescued …
Germany and Italy want to take control of Libya-Niger border to stem flow of migrants
The interior ministers of Germany and Italy have written to Brussels urging the creation of an “EU Mission” at the border between Libya and Niger “as soon as possible,” after over 40,000 people traveled through the North African country into Europe this year. “The first months of this year have shown that our efforts up …
Growing row in Italy over claims of NGOs colluding with smugglers
There is growing controversy in Italy over claims that some NGOs involved in the rescue of migrants at sea have been colluding with Libyan people smugglers. Italy’s justice minister slammed the claims as “lies” and the Sicilian prosecutor behind the accusations has been called before the High Council of the Judiciary next week to explain. …
Read the full post →“Growing row in Italy over claims of NGOs colluding with smugglers”
Germany: Disappointed young refugees driven to prostitution
A 16-year old Syrian-Palestinian youth who came to Germany in 2015 was hoping to eventually bring his family with him. He especially wanted to get his eight-year-old sister. His family is still in Damascus, but he now lives in Germany’s capital, Berlin. The boy was below 18 years of age when he arrived in Germany …
Read the full post →“Germany: Disappointed young refugees driven to prostitution”
Hungary completes new anti-migrant border fence with Serbia
Hungary says it has finished building a second fence on the border with Serbia to keep migrants out. The double layer barrier stretches for 155 kilometres and comes equipped with alarms and thermal imaging cameras. Fences went up along the southern borders with Serbia and Croatia in 2015 after an estimated 400,000 migrants and refugees, …
Read the full post →“Hungary completes new anti-migrant border fence with Serbia”
Germany to build orphanages in Morocco to deport minors
Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) is planning to build homes in Morocco as places to deport underage unaccompanied migrants who have broken the law, or who want to return voluntarily. A BAMF document leaked to the “taz” newspaper shows that two homes have been planned for now, each with 100 places, at …
Read the full post →“Germany to build orphanages in Morocco to deport minors”
Poland critical of EU policy on taking in migrants
Poland’s prime minister on Wednesday cited the attack in Manchester in which a Polish couple died to reinforce her government’s opposition to a European Union plan to share migrants. Beata Szydlo spoke ahead of a parliament vote in which the opposition sought in vain to oust Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz. She praised Macierewicz, saying he …
Read the full post →“Poland critical of EU policy on taking in migrants”
Austria passes law to jail migrants making false refugee claims
The Austrian cabinet has approved a law that will condemn refugees who make false statements in their applications to six months in prison and a fine of 5,000 euros ($5,373). Children whose applications have false information will be sentenced to three months in prison. The law was prepared by the interior ministry and passed with …
Read the full post →“Austria passes law to jail migrants making false refugee claims”
Italy threatens to close docks to migrant rescue boats to force EU to act over crisis
The Italian government is considering blocking boats carrying migrants from landing at its ports after nearly 11,000 refugees arrived on its shores in five days. It has been reported that the government has given its ambassador to the EU, Maurizio Massari, a mandate to raise the issue formally with the European commission to seek permission …
Two women face jail for having sex with ‘unaccompanied children’ at Danish migrant shelter
Two women have been charged over claims they had sex with underage asylum seekers at a migrant shelter in Denmark. The pair, aged 36 and 52, are facing up to four years in jail each after allegedly having sex with two 17-year-olds while working at Børnecenter Tullebølle, located on the Danish island of Rudkøbing. The …
