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EUROPEAN MIGRATION (EUObserver) UN refugee agency endorses Von der Leyen’s ‘innovative strategies’ on migration – The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) endorses the “innovative strategies” on migration outlined in a letter sent by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to EU summit leaders.
See more (EUobersver) Von der Leyen evokes ‘innovative strategies’ to tackle asylum – The term was cited in a letter by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and sent Tuesday [25 June] to EU leaders ahead of a summit in Brussels. “Many member states are looking at innovative strategies to prevent irregular migration by tackling asylum applications further from the EU external border,” she wrote.
EUROPEAN MIGRATION (Reuters) EU sees rise in deportation rates for non-EU migrants – The deportation success rate reached 29.5% in the first quarter of 2024, up from 21.6% in the same period in 2022, according to data published on Friday by Eurostat. Over the same period, the number of deportation orders issued increased by around 15% while deportations following orders issued increased by around 58%.
EXTERNAL PARTNERS (Euractiv) EU signs €1 billion financing deal with Egypt as part of migration deal – The European Commission on Saturday [29 June] signed €1 billion in macro-financial assistance with Egypt, part of a previously agreed funding package to help Cairo pursue substantial economic reforms.
EXTERNAL PARTNERS (Washington Post) Turkey’s president accuses opposition of stoking racism after anti-Syrian rioting erupts – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused opposition parties of stoking xenophobia and racism on Monday [1 July], a day after residents in a neighborhood in central Turkey set Syrian-owned shops on fire.
BELGIUM (Brussels Times) Asylum seekers will have to leave Belgian reception centres more quickly – Outgoing Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, Nicole de Moor (CD&V), announced on Friday [28 June] that the length of stay in asylum centres will be shortened and only granted to individuals in the midst of the asylum process. Under the new ruling, refugees will now have to leave the centre within 30 days of receiving a negative final decision.
CYPRUS (Cyprus Mail) EU Commission stresses right to asylum amid safety concerns for ‘buffer zone migrants’ – A European Commission spokesperson said it was “following the situation closely and is in contact with the Cypriot authorities, as well as UNCHR in Cyprus.” “The possibility for any person to apply for international protection on a Member State’s territory, including at its border or in a transit zone, is established in EU law. This entails an obligation on Member States to provide access to the procedure for international protection,” they said.
FRANCE (France24) French authorities accused of ‘social cleansing’ of migrants and homeless before Paris Olympics – “There are various pieces of evidence that allow us to use the term ‘social cleansing’,” said Paul Alauzy, the group’s spokesperson and campaigner for migrant safety at the NGO Médecins du Monde. “Eviction operations are not new, they were not created with the Olympic Games in mind,” he said. “But what has changed as the Games draw closer is the frequency with which occupied sites are cleared, and the systematic sending of those removed to another French region.”
IRELAND (Irish Times) Brazil, Egypt and India among five new ‘safe countries’ for asylum – Minister for Justice Helen McEntee is expected to briefing Cabinet colleagues on Tuesday [2 July] about the proposed additions to the list of safe countries, which will mean that their applications for asylum will be accelerated, with an initial decision due within three months. The countries to be added to the safe list are Brazil, Egypt, India, Malawi and Morocco.
ITALY (Libya Observer) Italy hails Libya, Tunisia for backing efforts to combat illegal migration – Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has hailed Libya and Tunisia for “supporting” Italy's efforts to combat illegal migration. Piantedosi attributed the decrease in the number of illegal migrants arriving in Italy by sea to a reduction in the number of departures from these countries.
ITALY (ANSA) Italy: Judge cancels Humanity 1 rescue ship’s administrative detention – The administrative detention of the ship Humanity 1, operated by the German NGO SOS Humanity, was permanently canceled. This decision was made by Judge Antonio Albenzio of the Civil Court of Crotone. On 26 June, he lifted the reservation on the appeal presented by the NGO after having previously suspended the provision issued by Italian authorities.
HUNGARY (Euractiv) Hungary takes on EU presidency amid concerns – Hungary takes over the EU’s rotating presidency on Monday [1 July], promising to be an “honest broker” despite widespread concerns over what critics see as an authoritarian, Russia-friendly government.
SERBIA (Euronews) EU signs Frontex cooperation agreement with Serbia – “The Frontex Status Agreement we signed today will upgrade our cooperation,” Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said. “Under the command and lead of the Serbian authorities, Frontex will support the Serbian border police and law enforcement at the borders with Bosnia Herzegovina and North Macedonia.”
UK (Guardian) Hunger strikes and suicide attempts as asylum seekers claim Essex site is ‘like prison’ – Increasing numbers of asylum seekers housed in a former military base are attempting suicide, self-harming and refusing to eat as conditions worsen, a new report has warned.
UK (Guardian) More than £320m spent on Rwanda policy will be lost if Tories lose election – The sum has been spent on economic development money for Rwanda, along with set-up costs for the scheme, which cannot be recovered if it does not go ahead.
(Guardian) Levelling the playing field: the football clubs helping migrants make a new home in Spain – Every year thousands arrive from South America and Africa, including many young asylum seekers who find hope and opportunity in the game.
(EUobserver) EU Migration ‘schizophrenia’: Need workers, close borders? – A failure to address labour and skills shortages will negatively impact the European economy, especially as the demographic change and the green and digital transition continue to put a strain on the labour market. Using Talent Partnerships as a bargaining chip to enforce migration control makes them miss out on their potential.
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