In these challenging times, let’s not forget the most vulnerable communities | Friends of Europe

The COVID-19 pandemic has spared no community. Everyone has been impacted, whether it be through strict quarantine measures – as seen in Italy or in Spain – or through social distancing and self-quarantine, as used in other parts of Europe and the world. However, it is in these trying times that the true face of humanity is revealed.

What coronavirus has brought to light is that our wellbeing is dependent on the wellbeing of others – for our loved ones to stay safe, the entire community must take precautions. Measures like staying at home, social distancing, self-isolation and taking an abundance of caution when going outside only work when we do it together.

During such times, it is also crucial to remember the communities most at risk – those without a home, without safety and without the means to protect themselves.

Read Article →

Refugee Mental Health – Normal Reactions to Abnormal Situations | ECRE

“Normal reactions to abnormal situations.”- It was only until I heard this characterization by a trauma specialist that I began to understand the mental health concerns of young refugees. This concept becomes even clearer when considering the reports from places like the Greek islands where adolescent asylum seekers have begun to act violently against each other. Attacks are common in an unsafe and deeply precarious camp setting and even some with fatal consequences. When you place their actions in the context of their situation, their behavior, while not excusable, becomes understandable.

Read Article →

How Skewed Migration Priorities Divide “Good” and “Bad” Asylum Seekers

Who are we excluding when advocating for refugees rights? In a blog post for WESTT, Women’s Eco-Nomic and Social Think Tank, I look at how perceptions of migrants impacts policy. The case study is on Afghan asylum seekers in Greece, but this is also relevant to child detention in the US & migration policy debates in the EU

Read Article →

FYROM fires teargas at migrants, refugees at Greece border; Turkey on high-terror risk, April 5 to April 11

FYROM authorities use force to deter migrants and refugees from attempting to break through the Greece border. Teargas and rubber bullets were fired by the police and security from the FYROM side of the border towards the migrants at the border on the Greek side. Turkish authorities have been put on high alert following the US issuing a travel warning to its citizens. In the past month the capital and other major cities have seen several attacks that have been blamed on both ISIS and pro-Kurdish militants.

Read Article →

Frontex begins migrant deportations to Turkey; Erdogan’s security causes chaos in D.C., March 27 to April 4

Frontex transported 202 migrants on Monday from Greek islands back to Turkey, adhering to the EU-Turkey deal to curb irregular migrant flows into Europe. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to a D.C. research institution caused clashes between his security detail, protesters, journalists and local authorities.

Read Article →

Idomeni border camp evacuated; Turkish journalists face closed-door trial, March 21 to March 27

As refugees and migrants at the Idomeni camp lose hope of crossing the FYROM border, Greek officials have begun evacuating the temporary camp and relocating the occupants to other refugee camps in the area. Turkish journalists who exposed Turkey’s involvement in transporting arms to Syria to face life in close-door trial.

Read Article →

Istanbul suicide bomb attack linked to ISIS; Migrant, refugee deal criticized as “unethical,” March 14 to March 20

Suicide bomb attack on Turkish city Istanbul has been linked to an ISIS member, according to Turkish authorities; Deal struck between EU and Turkey that began turning refugees and migrants back to Turkey on Sunday, March 20 has been criticized by human rights advocates as “unethical.”

Read Article →

EU-Turkey migration agreement reached; Europe to send migrants, refugees back to Turkey for legal relocation to EU

The European Council and Turkey agreed on Friday to a plan to manage the flow of migrants and refugees into the European Union. Under this agreement, migrants and refugees who arrived in Greece by illegal means will be returned to Turkey where they will proceed through the asylum process to relocate to a European country.

Read Article →