EU 'front-line' states want clearer migration rules
Greece, Italy, Malta, and Spain want clear rules on obliging other EU states to take in migrants who land on their shores.
News in Brief
- EU medical agency to decide on Pfizer and Moderna vaccines
- Euro-bailout fund to also help banks
- Trade unions urge date for pay transparency directive
- 33 governments must answer youth climate lawsuit
- US slams Hungarian article for Soros/Hitler comparison
- Sturgeon doesn't rule out 2021 Scottish independence vote
- Hungary's Orban and Poland's Morawiecki meet again
- Gran Canaria migrant camp dismantled
EU demands answers on Croat border attacks against migrants
EU commissioner Ylva Johansson wants to send her officials to Croatia sometime this month to make sure authorities there are complying with fundamental rights following numerous allegations of violence against migrants and asylum seekers attempting to cross into the country.
EU watchdog launches probe on Croat border violence
The European Ombudsman is launching a case into the lack of proper oversight by the European Commission when it comes to how fundamental rights of migrants and refugees are allegedly being violated by Croat border police.
EU Commission: EU free-travel overhaul planned
Plans to reform the EU free-travel zone were already announced in September by the European Commission. On Friday, it re-stated those intentions following demands by the French president for a major overhaul.
Feature
Belgium's collaboration with Sudan's secret service: my story
Before the murderous Sudanese regime of Omar al Bashir was overthrown by a popular revolution, the Belgian government decided to cooperate with it - in order to deport Sudanese refugees.
Confusion over Frontex's Greek pushback investigation
In a quick U-turn, EU border agency Frontex says it has now launched an inquiry into allegations it may have blocked potential asylum seekers from reaching the Greek coast, in so-called 'pushbacks'. What form that inquiry will take is unclear.
EU reaches out to nationals of migrant origin
The European Commission has unveiled guidelines and projects it says will help integrate migrants and EU nationals with migrant backgrounds.
EU migration system relies on despots, Schäuble says
German parliament president Wolfgang Schäuble outlined a vision on migration that included possibly sending people to "facilities outside Europe" while at the same time acknowledging that the EU is reliant on "dubious powers and regimes".
Greek operation on Turkish border to keep out migrants
The Greek ministry of foreign affairs, in a 25-page letter to the Committee for the Prevention of Torture, says its border operations are designed so that approaching potential asylum seekers "retreat and flee to the interior of the Turkish territory".
Exclusive
Revealed: Official Greek order to illegally pushback migrants
Greek authorities have always denied they engaged in illegal pushbacks of migrants. But a Frontex email chain obtained by EUobserver shows for the first time ever that such orders were indeed made.
Opinion
Charging father for death of refugee son is attack on asylum
It's time for the European Union to rethink how it deals with migration and treats refugees and asylum-seekers. As it is, a father awaits sentencing for the death of his own son.
Frontex refuses to investigate pushbacks, despite EU demand
The European Commission says Frontex, the EU's border agency, has an obligation to investigate allegations that its vessels participated in illegal pushbacks of migrants off the Greek coast. Asked if it would, Frontex said it rejected the allegations.
EU Commission's Libya stance undercut by internal report
The European Commission says its funds help provide training for Libyan authorities. But a 60-page internal EU document seen by EUobserver says the training programmes are progressing poorly.
Coronavirus
EU's migrants more at risk from coronavirus
Europe's migrants - including EU nationals living in other states - are more at risk of catching coronavirus or suffering from corona-linked poverty, a new study says.
Opinion
Memo to Michel: How to make most of EU-Africa at the summit
On the agenda of today's summit is EU-Africa relations. It is a bit of an 'orphan' item. Without a steer from EU leaders, policy-making on Africa will drift, proceed in silos and be more of the same.
Greek island community-run refugee shelters under threat
Founded in 2012 by local Greeks, Pikpa is a community refugee shelter on the Greek island of Lesbos. Now Greek authorities are threatening to shut down the facility, which won a UN humanitarian prize award.
EU seeks political accord on migration this year
The German EU presidency is striving to sort a political agreement on the migration and asylum pact before the end of the year. In reality, it means two months when factoring Christmas holidays.
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Latest News
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- Fish complicates last push for post-Brexit deal
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- Hungary must keep Russian vaccine within borders, says EU
- If EU is serious, it should use more US liquified gas, not less
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Opinion
Unsung hero: Portugal showing EU way on migration
Portugal has sought to be a leader at the EU level with regard to refugees and migrants, advocating a liberal position. It has consistently shown a willingness to take in refugees.
Analysis
'Sponsored returns' may shuffle failed asylum seekers around EU
The European Commission is banking on cooperation and coordination among EU states to help makes its new migration and asylum pact viable. But its plan is already being greeted with suspicion by more hardline anti-migrant countries like Austria and Hungary.
Analysis
Between the lines, Europe's new Moria unfolds
A new five-day screening of migrants at Europe's external borders is meant to expedite people into either 'asylum' or 'return' tracks. The time-limit is wishful thinking and one that could leave people stranded in make-shift camps or even ghettos.
EU migration pact to deter asylum
The EU commission's newest pact on migration and asylum seeks to deter people from claiming asylum by speeding up procedures and sending most of them back home.
Legal complaint filed with EU Commission over migration
The European Commission is being legally pressed to investigate alleged infringements by Greece on migration and asylum - following reports of push-backs and the denial of basic rights for people demanding international protection.
Stakeholder
Time to fix Europe's broken migration and asylum system
It has been clear for many years now that the European Union's approach to migration and asylum is not fit for purpose.
Exclusive
EU to help draft Libya's strategy on border security
A 60-page internal EU document on Libya seen by EUobserver says its border mission there intends to help draft Libya's national strategy of border security and management.
Podcast
Ylva Johansson on Migration and Drama Queens
Commissioner for home affairs, Ylva Johansson, would like to win the approval of all EU member states for a new proposal for a common asylum and migration policy - something her predecessors failed to do.
New EU migration pact 'to keep people in their country'
The European Commission's long-awaited pact on migration and asylum is now set to be unveiled on 23 September. Commission vice-president Margaritis Schinas has likened it to a "house with three floors".
Analysis
19 years after 9/11: did Osama bin Laden achieve his goal?
The consequence of the attacks of 9/11 was not a more united, but a more divided West. Today, divisive and populist leaders are gaining ground. But this year, the tide can be turned.
EUobserved
Moria is EU's shame
The European Commission will attempt to spin its way out of bearing any responsibility for the disaster that is Moria. Piecemeal efforts to help those in Moria will not resolve a policy Brussels created.
Interview
Refugee who witnessed Moria fire describes 'hell'
Yousif Al Shewaili, a 21-year old from Iraq who obtained refugee status, witnessed the fires that struck Moria on Tuesday evening. He recounted that at least two people may have died.
Amnesty demands criminal probe into Malta's push-backs
Amnesty International is demanding a criminal investigation into the treatment of migrants and refugees by Malta. The demand comes on the back of a report by the NGO that details the island state's efforts to stem migrant arrivals.
EU money can be used to offshore migrants on boats
The European Commission says member states can use EU funds to pay for food, medical supplies, and personnel on vessels hosting migrants offshore - provided that all legal conditions are met.
Italy's invisibles: migrant fruit pickers robbed of all rights
Italy's Covid-19 emergency highlighted its reliance on undocumented migrants picking fruit and vegetables in conditions some have called "modern slavery".
UK asks military to stop Channel migrants
The UK is scrambling to prevent migrant boat crossings but is facing legal obstacles in a move that seeks to offshore the issue onto France.
