AYS News Digest 6–7/4/2023: No evidence to support UK “economic migrant” claims
Civil intervention prevents pushback // Growing international concern for Tunisia // Murdered journalist remembered // Croatia pushbacks documented // Worth reading…
FEATURE
No evidence to support “economic migrant” claims
The Home Office has failed to submit any evidence to support the claim that the majority of small boat crossings are made by “economic migrants”.
This has come to light following a Freedom of Information Request which was submitted last year. The basis of the entire anti-migrant policy has been found lacking, with
“Economic migrant” is defined as someone who moves from one country to another in order to improve their life. Of course this is not a crime in itself, but usually refers to people who are not expected to receive asylum. Figures released by the Home Office show that six in 10 of those who arrive by small boat are genuine asylum seekers.
The Freedom of Information Request was made when the Home Secretary was Priti Patel, who began the move towards the extreme treatment of people seeking safety. The same MP now has an issue with people being housed in her parliamentary constituency, as plans to house asylum seekers in a former military base have been revealed.
The same person who fanned the flames of anti-migrant rhetoric does not want to take any responsibility for what she started.
The flames have spread rapidly. An incident was reported in Nottingham of a bomb threat at a hotel housing asylum seekers. Residents were asked to evacuate and no-one was physically harmed.
This comes as a barge is proposed to house people waiting for their asylum decisions. The Liverpool firm behind the barge construction has defied criticism, saying it will provide “basic and functional accommodation”, whereas Amnesty International have described the plan as “ministerial cruelty.”
Whilst much of the refugee and asylum seeker news from the UK is depressing and negative, in a good news story Holbeck Moor FC is the first women’s football club in the UK to be a Football Club of Sanctuary, welcoming people from asylum seeking backgrounds.
SEA and SAR
Civil intervention prevents pushback
A group of 22 people have arrived on the island of Lesvos by boat. They were surrounded by Greek officers and feared being pushed back into the water, but thanks to evidence collected by Aegean Boat Report and the actions of a local group, the group were taken to the quarantine facility.
This positive outcome was not shared by others. During the month of March, 60 boats were reported to have been illegally pushed back to Turkish waters by the Greek coast guard, representing 1,590 men, women and children.
TUNISIA
Growing international concern
A UN Committee has issued a warning to Tunisia to stop hate speech against people on the move. As reported in the last News Digest, conditions for people hoping to transit the North African nation are becoming unliveable. The statement begins:
“ UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) urged Tunisia’s highest authorities to publicly condemn and distance themselves from racist hate speech by politicians and public and private figures. It also called upon the State party to combat all forms of racial discrimination and racist violence against black Africans, especially migrants from the south of the Sahara and black Tunisian citizens.” UN Report
People in Tunisia right now are calling for support from international authorities.
SERBIA
On 11th April, Slavko Ćuruvija will be remembered. The Serbian journalist was murdered on Easter Day in 1999 in Belgrade. Former members of the state security department were arrested in 2013 in connection with the murder.
The foundation named after him is inviting people to join in a commemoration of his last walk, representing the importance of freedom of the press. More details here.
CROATIA
Pushbacks documented
Paying for your own detention? This is reported by those illegally deported from Croatia to Bosnia. Many people are detained for long periods before being requested to pay for the costs incurred before being removed from the country.
No Name Kitchen also shared the story of the deportation of a large group from the perspective of a family from Kurdistan.
This adds to the story published in the last News Digest of the continued illegal practices used by Croatian authorities despite now being a Schengen member.
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