AYS News Digest 18/10/2021: Dramatic situation in the Mediterranean
Sea Watch rescued over 400 people //so-called Libyan coast guards ram dinghy // at least 14 people dead, many more missing // Still no food for thousands in Greek camps // BVMN submission to UN Committee on Pushbacks from Romania // signals of solidarity in Poland
Situation in the Mediterranean is once again dramatic
Many people tried to cross the Mediterranean Sea to leave behind the terrible conditions People on the Move face in Libya.
After seven rescue operations, the Sea Watch 3 is currently sailing, with 412 rescued people on board.
Two boats in distress were rescued by the Nadir ship in the Maltese Search and Rescue zones. 34 people have been rescued, among them 16 children. Maltese, Italian and German authorities are not doing anything to provide a safe port for the people on board.
Alarm Phone is informed about two more boats off the Libyan coast. In the morning of the 18th October, the NGO lost contact with one boat that had 75 people on board. The so-called Libyan coast guards did not rescue the people, even though they were informed hours before. It is unclear what happened to the people on board. Another boat with 20 people on board is also at risk in the Libyan Search and Rescue zone.
According to Spanish media, about 500 people have arrived in Spain in the last few days.
Meanwhile, the Sea Watch aircraft, Seabird, witnessed several pushbacks while providing assistance to the Sea Watch rescue missions and looking out for boats in distress. In one case, a boat was rammed by the so-called Libyan coast guard. When Alarm Phone inform the Libyan coast guards about boats in distress, they remain inactive and abandon the people to their fate. However, if there is a possibility to push people back, the Libyan coast guards will be on the spot in no time.
According to InfoMigrants, at least 14 people died in the past days while trying to cross to Europe, and another 47 have gone missing. Is is so shocking how these numbers have become such an everyday normality that does not even reach the attention of the media. Our thoughts are once again with those who lost or are in fear of having lost their loved ones. Our anger is once again with the racist European border regime.
TURKEY
Pushbacks of Afghans into Iran
Human Rights Watch published a report on pushbacks of Afghan nationals from Turkey into Iran. The violent collective pushbacks happen in groups of 50–300 people. Before being pushed back, people were beaten and their belongings taken or destroyed by Turkish military.
See the full report here:
What happens to Turks who are pushed back from Greece?
While the topic of pushbacks from Greece to Turkey is getting at least some media attention thanks to journalists’ and activists’ tireless efforts, there is not much coverage on people from Turkey who are fleeing their country and are pushed back at Europe’s doorsteps. A report published by Peace & Justice, an organization monitoring human rights in Turkey and other countries, highlights these special conditions. Many of those who try to flee the Erdoğan regime face prison when being sent back to Turkey.
GREECE
Following reports that many people in Greek camps no longer get any food supplies (see our latest Special here for more information), 26 organizations called on the Greek government to:
“immediately disburse belated payments of cash assistance and ensure food provision to people living in facilities (e.g. camps and ESTIA apartments), irrespective of their legal status.”
After changes in legislation and the handover of the cash assistance program from UNHCR to Greek authorities, thousands of people who got their refugee protection either recognized or rejected as well as those who were not able to lodge asylum applications due to the non-functional system, are no longer eligible for the provision of food.
In response to the statement made by the NGOs, the Greek Migration and Asylum Ministry tweeted that:
However, people who are at the moment in the process of seeking asylum are only a small number of those who live in camps and squats in the country. With no functioning integration program for recognized refugees, and no opportunities for people who got their claims rejected, Greece is once again failing thousands of people.
Dutch activists on Lesvos detained without arrest warrant and subjected to a genital search
ROMANIA
Submission to UN Committee on Pushbacks from Romania by BVMN
Romania hasn’t got too much attention so far. BVMN handed in a submission to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, proving the fact Romania is violating the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The testimonies collected by BVMN partner organizations show an extreme level of violence being used in pushbacks from Romania. Most pushbacks happen from Romania to Serbia. According to UNHCR Serbia, 13,409 persons were collectively expelled from Romania to Serbia between 1st January and 31st December 2020.
MALTA
International Commission with Achille Mbembe to speak in defense of El Hiblu 3
On Malta, the El Hiblu 3 are still on trial. The young men were arrested in 2019 at the ages of 15,16, and 19 and were accused of charges amounting to terrorist activity. The commercial ship El Hiblu rescued 108 people from distress and was ordered by Maltese authorities to bring them to Libya, but instead landed on Malta in March 2019. The three boys are accused of hijacking the ship while they themselves and witnesses on board say they were simply functioning as translators, as they were speaking English. An international commission, consisting of human rights activists, parliamentarians and other people holding high official positions, will speak in defense of the El Hiblu 3. Amongst the commission is also Cameroonian philosopher Achille Mbembe. For more, see:
ITALY
11 people sentenced for human trafficking
11 men have been sentenced for human trafficking and were given charges of 6–20 years in prison. They belonged to a ring of human traffickers who tricked young girls and women, mainly from Nigeria, into making the journey to Europe and then forced them into prostitution.
POLAND
In the Polish border area, people lit green lights to signal solidarity with refugees
The action was started by a lawyer who lives in the area and quickly gained media attention. Among those who took up his idea is the mayor of Michałów, a town at the center of the events. The signal is meant to show People on the Move that they can receive a hot meal, and get warm and dry in these houses.
On Sunday, thousands of people walked through Warsaw, demanding an end to pushbacks and the state of emergency along the Polish border.
Medics still not allowed access into border area
The group Medycy Na Granicy, a team of medical volunteers, is still waiting to get access to the border area of Poland. Currently, it is forbidden for journalists, activists and medics to enter this area. They sent a statement to the Polish government asking for immediate access in order to save lives.
LITHUANIA
Additional troops will be sent to the border
Lithuania's Interior Minister announced on Monday that up to 64 additional troops will be sent to the border on a daily basis. She spoke of an “ongoing hybrid aggression” and announced close cooperation between the military and Frontex.
GENERAL
BVMN Monthly report published
The Border Violence Monitoring Network, of which AYS is a member, just published its September report on Border Violence. The report highlights how sexual assault is taking place during pushbacks from Croatia to Bosnia and Serbia, and further states that third country nationals are being used by Greek authorities to drive boats during pushbacks over the Evros river in return for documents. The report also mentions a chain pushback from Slovenia to Bosnia, via Croatia, as well as pushbacks from Italian coastal cities with ferries to Greece.
UK
People unite to protest the new Nationality and Border Bill: Demonstration on Wednesday
A broad alliance of NGOs and activists is mobilizing for a demonstration against the Nationality and Border Bill that the UK Home Office is pushing forward. The rally will take place on Wednesday at 4:30 at the Parliament Square in London.
For detailed information on the Nationality and Border Bill, see here:
WORTH READING
Puppet Amal about to finish her journey
The Puppet Little Amal is about to finish her walk through Europe by crossing from France to the UK. The puppet that represents a refugee child has travelled 8,000 km through Europe and encountered hatred and racism alongside the warm welcomes.
Long read on the most dangerous route into Europe
This long read sheds light on the route to the Canary Islands, that is extremely dangerous as it is very long and there is a high risk of missing the islands and drifting into the open Atlantic.
Latest Mixed Migration Update published
The latest weekly Mixed Migration Update which covers topics related to migration from all over the world has been published:
Find daily updates and special reports on our Medium page.
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