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EUROPEAN MIGRATION (Guardian) EU states ‘not properly investigating’ reports of rights violations at borders – The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) said human rights agencies and NGOs were reporting “serious, recurrent and widespread rights violations against migrants and refugees during border management” but despite “credible” reports many were not investigated. 

EXTERNAL PARTNERS (bne IntelliNews) Over 100 religious asylum seekers on Turkish border facing deportation and possible execution if returned to countries of origin – Over 100 members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL), from countries as diverse as Iran, Malaysia, and Thailand who were pushed back and detained at the Turkish-Bulgarian border and threatened with deportation in May 2023, have been informed by the Turkish Immigration authorities that they must move to one of 18 designated refugees locations across Turkey by 24 July or face deportation. 

MEDITERRANEAN (Reuters) Two migrants died, one missing after boat sinks, Italy’s coast guard says – Two migrants died and one was still missing after a boat carrying more than 30 people sank around 17 miles south-east of the Italian city of Syracuse, Sicily, the Italian coast guard said on Sunday [4 August]. 

MEDITERRANEAN (InfoMigrants) Ocean Viking rescues nearly 200 people in Mediterranean – SOS Méditerranée’s humanitarian ship rescued 196 migrants in distress in the Mediterranean Sea on 30 July. Among the survivors were nine unaccompanied minors and a woman. In the summer, attempts to cross the sea increase due to the good weather, but they remain highly dangerous. 
 

•  NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

BELGIUM (Brussels Times) Some 4,000 asylum seekers still waiting for shelter in Belgium – Asylum seekers in Belgium continue to face long waits before receiving the shelter they are legally entitled to, resulting in thousands sleeping rough and living in precarious conditions. It is hoped the recently approved measures to create new places will bring some relief. 

CYPRUS (Philenews) Cyprus Police pushing back migrants to buffer zone, UNFICYP alleges – UNFICYP spokesperson Aleem Siddique told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that “dozens of asylum seekers” have been denied access to asylum procedures in recent days. Many were reportedly intercepted in government-controlled areas and transferred to the buffer zone by Cyprus Police.  

FINLAND (Schengen News) Finland Does Not Plan to Reopen Its Eastern Border With Russia, PM Says – Finland still does not see improvement in Russia’s behaviour regarding a possible reopening of the border between these two countries. 

GERMANY (InfoMigrants) Germany: Bavarian court orders alternative payments to payment cards – A Bavarian court ordered alternative methods of paying the monthly allowance to two asylum seekers on Thursday [1 August]. The claimants had taken the local authorities to court, arguing that the payment cards were too restrictive for their needs. 

HUNGARY (EUobserver) EU says new asylum rules binding after Hungary declared it won’t implement them – “The legal instruments of the pact [asylum and migration] will be binding on Hungary,” said a European Commission spokesperson, in an email earlier this week. The statement from the European Commission follows recent declarations from Viktor Orbán’s chief security advisor György Bakondi that Hungary won’t fold the pact into Hungarian law. 

ITALY (Reuters) Italy’s plan to open migrant camps in Albania faces more delays – A controversial plan in Italy to set up detention camps in Albania for migrants picked up at sea has again been delayed, with a source close to the matter saying on Thursday [1 August] it was a few weeks behind schedule. 

IRELAND (EU News) Ireland renounces the opt-out on Migration and Asylum Pact and enters EU joint management system – “By opting in, Ireland shows solidarity with Member States under pressure – and can count on EU support in time of need,” said Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson, calling the accession “a vote of confidence in the Migration and Asylum Pact, in our ability to jointly manage migration.”
  
IRELAND (Irish Times) Protesters from Republic are warned against joining anti-immigrant rallies in Belfast, as NI Assembly is recalled – Anti-immigration protesters from the Republic have been warned against joining demonstrations in Northern Ireland, with the Minister for Justice saying people will be identified and held responsible for any criminal activity. 

LITHUANIA (Lithuania National Television and Radio) Lithuanian government allocates almost €9m for Ukrainian refugees – The money will be used for child benefits, social assistance for schoolchildren, social payouts, to partially cover heating and water costs, for housing rental support, etc. 

UK (Guardian) Rioters try to torch Rotherham asylum seeker hotel amid far-right violence – The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, condemned the rioters: “The criminal, violent attack on a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham is utterly appalling,” she said. “Deliberately setting fire to a building with people known to be inside. 

UK (Guardian) ‘Worrying deterioration in safety’ at UK immigration removal centres, warns chief inspector of prisons – All eight main detention centres in the UK have been found to have the most serious categories of failings. The chief inspector of prisons has warned that the safety of immigration removal centres across the country is deteriorating and that the government’s use of them is potentially traumatising vulnerable migrants. 

UK (BBC) Migrants illegally held and humiliated, court told – A group of 96 migrants were unlawfully detained at a Kent processing centre and subjected to ill-treatment by staff and humiliation, their lawyer has told the High Court.
 

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