European migrant crisis

18 arrested for smuggling more than 490 migrants across the Balkan route

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 3, 2021

The criminal group had cells in the countries across the Balkan route from where regional facilitators managed the recruitment, accommodation and transport of migrants from Jordan, Iran, Iraq and Syria.

Key Points: 
  • The criminal group had cells in the countries across the Balkan route from where regional facilitators managed the recruitment, accommodation and transport of migrants from Jordan, Iran, Iraq and Syria.
  • The migrants were then smuggled to Hungary on their way to Germany as a final destination.
  • In total, 26 illegal transports of migrants were intercepted and 490 migrants were detected in an attempt to illegally cross the Romanian border.
  • The migrants were then transferred in risky conditions in overcrowded lorries between merchandise and in vans hidden in concealments without proper ventilation.

Many arrivals from the Maghreb but few asylum applications

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 22, 2021

With 900 applications in May, Georgia joined the 10 main origin countries for the first time in over a year.

Key Points: 
  • With 900 applications in May, Georgia joined the 10 main origin countries for the first time in over a year.
  • In contrast, asylum applications were higher than illegal border-crossings for all other main origin countries.
  • Applications by West Africans back to peak value

    West Africans3lodged 5 500 applications in May, returning to the peak value of March 2021.

  • Substantial decrease in decisions issued by EU+ asylum authorities

    EU+ asylum authorities issued some 41 500 first instance decisions in May.

Ukrainians lodged 72% more applications for asylum in February

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, April 24, 2021

Ukrainians lodged considerably more asylum applications in the EU+ in February 2021, compared to January, making them one of the top ten nationalities of applicants.

Key Points: 
  • Ukrainians lodged considerably more asylum applications in the EU+ in February 2021, compared to January, making them one of the top ten nationalities of applicants.
  • This is in stark contrast with several other main nationalities, who are still lodging far fewer asylum applications in the EU+ compared to pre-COVID-19 levels.
  • Syrians alone accounted for a quarter of all asylum applications lodged in the EU+.
  • In February 2021, total applications in the EU+ were less than two thirds of the applications lodged one year earlier.

Repeated applications account for one in four asylum applications in the EU+ in January

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Of the 40 000 applications for asylum lodged in the EU+ in January 2021, almost one quarter were repeated applications.

Key Points: 
  • Of the 40 000 applications for asylum lodged in the EU+ in January 2021, almost one quarter were repeated applications.
  • This development reflects a shift towards repeated applications over the course of 2020 when first-time applications declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related travel restrictions but also a recent increase in repeated applications by Syrians (+ 2 000 from December 2020).
  • A repeated application is lodged in the same country after a previous application was closed with a final decision.
  • Compared to December, applications by Syrians increased by 27 % to 10 400 (including repeated applications), and Syrians alone accounted for a quarter of all asylum applications lodged in the EU+.

Gang smuggling Indian nationals busted in Romania

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 3, 2021

The migrants were legally entering Serbia or Romania before being smuggled further into the EU.

Key Points: 
  • The migrants were legally entering Serbia or Romania before being smuggled further into the EU.
  • A number of Indian citizens, some of them residing legally in Romania, were coordinating the criminal activities.
  • In November 2020 and in January 2021, Romanian police officers arrested two individuals of Indian origin, suspected of leading the recruitment branch.
  • A gang consisting of Romanian nationals was responsible for the transportation of the irregular migrants to their final destination countries.

Update on Mediterranean migrant search and rescue

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, December 19, 2020

On International Migrants Day on 18 December, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights outlines the difficulties that civil society rescue efforts in the Mediterranean continue to face.

Key Points: 
  • On International Migrants Day on 18 December, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights outlines the difficulties that civil society rescue efforts in the Mediterranean continue to face.
  • Since 2018, some EU national authorities restrict civil society rescue operations.
  • According to thelatest FRA update on NGO search and rescue in the Mediterranean, there are 15 NGO ships and planes involved.
  • The update also provides an overview of legal developments, including open and closed proceedings, since 2017 until 15 December 2020.

Statement by the Prime Minister on the fifth anniversary of Operation Syrian Refugees

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 10, 2020

OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 10, 2020 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the fifth anniversary of Operation Syrian Refugees:

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 10, 2020 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the fifth anniversary of Operation Syrian Refugees:
    "Five years ago today, Canadians prepared to welcome the first Syrian refugees to Canada as part of Operation Syrian Refugees.
  • As a country, we opened our arms and our hearts to people and families fleeing conflict, insecurity, and persecution.
  • And because of the generosity of others, these refugees found a safe place to call home, and a chance to create a better future for themselves and their families.
  • "Five years ago, I was fortunate to personally greet a number of Syrian refugees as they arrived at Pearson International Airport in Toronto.

FRA Director discusses border management in Croatia

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 26, 2020

FRAs Director visited Croatia from 16 to 18 November to get a better understanding about the allegations of fundamental rights violations of migrants and refugees at the external border.

Key Points: 
  • FRAs Director visited Croatia from 16 to 18 November to get a better understanding about the allegations of fundamental rights violations of migrants and refugees at the external border.
  • During the trip, he visited the border with Bosnia Herzegovina.
  • He met with the Ministry of the Interior, the border police, the Ombudswomen, and international as well as civil society organisations.
  • FRA carried out the mission together with the European Commission.

Migration: Worsening conditions for migrants and refugees across Europe

Retrieved on: 
Friday, November 6, 2020

The Moria fire

Key Points: 
  • The Moria fire

    In September, the Moria camp on Lesvos burned down, leaving about 12,000 people without shelter.

  • This prompted renewed calls for a dignified and long-term solution for people seeking asylum in Greece.
  • As the Coronavirus pandemic situation abated in summer, the number of migrants and refugees arriving to Europe increased again.
  • In others, migrants have to undergo a quarantine in undignified conditions.

Press release - Refugee camps on the Greek islands: situation and challenges

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 27, 2020

They will also look into the challenges faced by the Greek authorities regarding reception of migrants and asylum-seekers and processing of their asylum claims.

Key Points: 
  • They will also look into the challenges faced by the Greek authorities regarding reception of migrants and asylum-seekers and processing of their asylum claims.
  • Recent revelations about Frontex staff and resources allegedly being involved in illegal pushbacks of asylum-seekers carried out by Greek border guards are also likely to be raised during the exchange of views.
  • Where: European Parliament in Brussels, Jzsef Antall (4Q2), and remotely.
  • The humanitarian emergency in Lesvos after the fire in Moria and EU aid to the Greek authorities was discussed in a plenary debate with Commissioner Johansson on 17 September.