We are a non-profit project that aims to fill the data gaps relating to refugees and displaced people in Europe.
By Pat Rubio Bertran While visiting Spain’s Torrejón Air Base at the end of August, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, praised Spain’s “humanity” and “solidarity” “in times of need” for coordinating the evacuation of the Afghans and their families that collaborated with the EU. The Commission President was not the only … Continue reading Spain’s “Most Progressive Government”? Strategies of Deterrence, Policies of Death.”?
By Victoria Tecca What are deterrence policies? British immigration policy is largely shaped by the assumption that restrictive and punitive measures will deter people from migrating to the United Kingdom. The ‘Hostile Environment’ policies are an example of this theory in action. Now referred to by the government as the ‘compliant environment’,[1] the Hostile … Continue reading Managing migration through deterrence: an examination of UK policy
By Victoria Tecca On Thursday of last week, M, a 27-year old man from Eritrea, was travelling in a dinghy alongside 35 other passengers, across the Channel hoping to reach the United Kingdom. It had been sinking, and he reportedly jumped out of the dinghy to reduce its weight. While in the open water he … Continue reading Representing Channel Deaths: how the State displaces its responsibility through strategic narratives
By Selma Mesic, RRE Greece and Balkans Coordinator Refugees and asylum seekers in transit at the French-Italian border have faced critical conditions for years[1]. With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the situation has further deteriorated in the Italian border town of Ventimiglia. RRE’s latest report[2] investigates and outlines the gravely negative impact of … Continue reading The exacerbation of a crisis: The impact of Covid-19 on people on the move at the French-Italian border
By Theo Jackson Thousands of firsthand testimonies have revealed a brutal regime of violence at Europe’s borders. Although extreme, it is certainly not exceptional for an EU-wide response to migration that is characterised by racialised hostility, violence, and complete disregard for fundamental human rights. “They stole me €150, the only money … Continue reading The violent abuse of migrants at Europe’s borders
By Chiara Fabbro Perhaps counter-intuitively, there is a way to reach Europe from Africa through the Atlantic Ocean. In fact, many people on the move make a perilous sea journey from West Africa to the Canary Islands, a Spanish territory off the coast of Morocco and Western Sahara, in search of safety and a dignified … Continue reading The Atlantic route, possibly the most dangerous way to Europe.
During the months of April and May 2021, Progetto 20K and other groups operating in Ventimiglia have observed the following trends – all pointing towards a further exacerbation of the situation at the French-Italian border: A sustained increase in arrivals from the Central Mediterranean route. Covid related restrictions gradually lifted for Europeans, while racial profiling … Continue reading Ground update from Ventimiglia – April and May 2021
By Aaron Gates-Lincoln The issue of accommodation provision for individuals seeking asylum within a country has recently been a topic heavily discussed in the field of immigration studies. In contribution to this, a new report by British Red Cross has highlighted how the UK asylum system is deeply flawed and has caused increasingly negative impacts … Continue reading Flawed asylum seeker accommodation and mental health
By Nidžara Ahmetašević In 2020, the arrival of people to Romania from neighbouring countries increased by 238 percent. The situation for people on the move in Romania thus represents one of the most recent noteworthy shifts on the Balkan Route, which is explored in this article. Together with a group of friends from Afghanistan, Ali[1] … Continue reading Romania: Another twist along the Balkan Route
By Aaron Gates-Lincoln The UK government announced in March a set of proposals looking to overhaul the asylum system. The proposed new age assessment procedures are being criticised for putting asylum-seeking young people and children at risk of being mistakenly judged as adults. The plans advocate for more invasive tests for determining age and may … Continue reading New Age Assessment Rules for Asylum- Seeking Young People