AYS News Digest 15/11/23: Supreme Court — Rwanda is NOT a safe third country for asylum seekers
Sienos Grupe — Extreme violence at Latvian and Lithuanian borders/Justice for Fatmata — trial for the policeman who shot Fatmata starts on 15th November/GREVIO Report on violence against women and girls in Greece/Sea Watch 5 has been launched/Supreme Court states it is unlawful to send asylum seekers to Rwanda…
North Macedonia
Justice for Fatmata — trial of police officer who shot Fatmata starts on 15th November
Abu Bakar will sit in court, seeking justice in the country whose border police killed his wife.
The fact that there will be a trial, that Abu Bakar’s demand for truth and justice was heard, that many people from around the world joined his fight and shared Fatmata’s story, that the public prosecutor decided to investigate and then press charges against a police officer, is a testament to the resolution of this young man and the power of coming together and keeping attention focused on something that should never have happened.
You can follow updates on the case here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CzoepwCsX5h/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
LITHUANIA
Sienos Grupe — Extreme violence at Latvia and Lithuania borders
(17) Sienos Grupė — Kaip atrodo „neįleistų neteisėtų migrantų… | Facebook
GREECE
Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) Report
You can read the full report here: GREVIO Baseline Report
In relation to asylum seekers, the report addresses several concerns regarding access of asylum-seeking women victims of gender-based violence to the asylum procedure.
GREVIO urges the Greek authorities to address the negative consequences for asylum-seeking women of the 2021 Joint Ministerial Decision designating Türkiye as a “safe third country” for asylum seekers. The authorities need to ensure safe and adequate accommodation for all asylum-seeking women and girls and implement an effective system of screening for vulnerabilities among asylum seekers upon arrival.
Lastly, in relation to violent pushbacks of asylum-seeking women and girls along the Greek land and sea borders, GREVIO urges the authorities to uphold their obligation to respect the principle of non-refoulement of victims of violence against women and to take resolute measures to prevent acts of gender-based violence against women and girls seeking international protection in Greece.
*The Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) is an independent human rights monitoring body mandated to monitor the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (CETS №210, “the Istanbul Convention”) by the parties to the convention. It is composed of 15 independent and impartial experts appointed on the basis of their recognised expertise in the fields of human rights, gender equality, violence against women and/or assistance to and protection of victims.
SEARCH AND RESCUE
Sea Watch 5 has been launched
Another tragedy on the Aegean Sea
Boats in distress in the Mediterranean
UK
Supreme Court states it is unlawful to send asylum seekers to Rwanda
However, Rishi Sunak has since released a statement outlining how he will go against the ruling…
A few hours prior to Rishi Sunak’s statement, a joint NGO statement was published calling on the UK government to improve the way it views and treats asylum seekers and refugees following the ruling: Joint civil society statement on the Rwanda Supreme Court ruling (jcwi.org.uk)
You can read more about the ruling here: What will the supreme court’s Rwanda judgment mean for UK immigration policy? | Immigration and asylum | The Guardian
Protest against Hassockfield this Saturday!
FURTHER RESOURCES:
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We strive to echo correct news from the ground through collaboration and fairness. Every effort has been made to credit organisations and individuals with regard to the supply of information, video, and photo material (in cases where the source wanted to be accredited). Please notify us regarding corrections.
If there’s anything you want to share or comment, contact us through Facebook, Twitter or write to: areyousyrious@gmail.com
