European solidarity creeps forward in relocation of unaccompanied children from Greek Islands
20 May 2020

European solidarity creeps forward in relocation of unaccompanied children from Greek Islands

by | posted in: COVID-19, European Commission, European Union, Germany, Greece, Refugee Camps, Refugees in the EU, Relocation system | 0

At the beginning of March, European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen spoke with the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the situation of unaccompanied migrant children on the Greek islands. They agreed to put in place a process to ensure the protection and care of some of Europe’s most vulnerable people, unaccompanied migrant children. Later in March, the Commission announced a plan to  relocate unaccompanied children and teenagers from Greece to other EU member states. So far, member states have pledged 1.600 places, but the going has been slow. Several relocations took place and key recommendations were established for further relocations.

News highlights: Launch of IOM COVID-19 response plan in the Horn, EU countries to relocate unaccompanied minors from Greece, Ship missing in Mediterranean feared capsized
17 Apr 2020

News highlights: Launch of IOM COVID-19 response plan in the Horn, EU countries to relocate unaccompanied minors from Greece, Ship missing in Mediterranean feared capsized

by | posted in: Africa, Asylum Seekers, Belgium, Coast guards, COVID-19, Detention, Eritrea, Ethiopia, European Politics, European Union, Frontex, Germany, Greece, Horn of Africa region, IOM, Italy, Libya, Malta, Netherlands, Refugee Camps, Refugees in the EU, Relocation system, Search and Rescue Operations, The Netherlands, Unaccompanied Minors, United Nations, Weekly news highlights | 0

In this week’s news highlights: IOM launches COVID-19 response plan in the East and Horn of Africa; UN Solidarity Flights from Ethiopia; Surge of returnees to Ethiopia; Al-Fashaqa region returns to Sudanese sovereignty, says anonymous informant; Food shortage due to desert locust in the Horn; Eritrean priest wants to help migrants and refugees fleeing Libya; Stampede for food aid in Kenya; KIU adopts online education system: EU countries taking in unaccompanied minors from Greek camps; Malta urged to take in rescued migrants; Controversy around Italy’s quarantining of migrants; European states urged to allow refugee health workers to help; Belgium COVID-19 measure allows asylum seekers to work; Worries about missing migrant ship in Mediterranean; Migrants and refugees flee Tripoli’s quarantined port; And Libyan government (GNA) takes back control over three cities.

Criminalisation of Search and Rescue Operations in the Mediterranean Sea
4 Dec 2019

Criminalisation of Search and Rescue Operations in the Mediterranean Sea

by | posted in: EEPA news and activities, European Politics, Greece, IOM, Italy, Libya, Médecins Sans Frontières, Mediterranean Sea, Operation Sophia, Search and Rescue Operations | 0

The preamble of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, an instrument applicable to all member states of the European Union (EU) when implementing EU law, holds that “the Union is founded on the indivisible, universal values of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity,” centralising the idea that EU member states must protect human life. Yet, several Southern European Member States have criminalised search and rescue (SAR) operations in the Mediterranean Sea and charged the rescue operations with the criminal act of smuggling. Therefore, the operators face years in prison if convicted. At the same time, the EU has closed down its own SAR operations, relying on its deals with the Libyan coast guard to intercept boats.