Heavy protest in German cities against mass deportations to Afghanistan
15 Feb 2017

Heavy protest in German cities against mass deportations to Afghanistan

by | posted in: Afghanistan, European Politics, Germany, Migration | 0

Last Saturday, 11 February 2017, several thousand people took to the streets in 13 German cities to protest against mass deportations of Afghan asylum seekers. The demonstrations criticised the current accelerated return operations of Afghan refugees that are denied asylum status in Germany. What could not be foreseen by then was that their protests would be challenged the following Monday, 13 February 2017. On that day the European Council announced to sign another agreement on partnership and development with Afghanistan in Bavaria’s capital city Munich the upcoming Friday. The agreement seeks inter alia “joint management of migrations flows” and supports return and readmission operations.

Bread for the World criticises asylum centre plans in Libya
14 Feb 2017

Bread for the World criticises asylum centre plans in Libya

by | posted in: European Politics, Germany, Human Trafficking, Libya, Mediterranean Sea, Migration | 0

Translation of the interview with migration and development expert Sophia Wirsching, first published in German at domradio.de.

“Creating safe reception facilities in transit countries” is a goal of SPD faction leader Thomas Oppermann. Hence, he encourages cooperation with Libya. The charity Bread for the World deems this questionable under international law.

European Court of Justice Advocate’s advice urges member states to issue humanitarian visas
9 Feb 2017

European Court of Justice Advocate’s advice urges member states to issue humanitarian visas

by | posted in: European Politics, Migration, Refugees in the EU | 0

Advocate General Mengozzi of the European Court of Justice announced in a press release yesterday, 7 February 2017, that “Members States must issue a visa on humanitarian grounds where substantial grounds have been shown for believing that a refusal would place persons seeking international protection at risk of torture or inhuman or degrading treatment.”

The advocate’s opinion further states that “it is irrelevant whether or not there are ties between the person concerned and the requested Member State.”