DETENTION AND RETURNS
New project highlights hypocrisy behind programmes promoting “voluntary” returns
Through the research project “Return Watch”, human rights organisation Medico International exposes the lack of voluntariness in programmes promoting “voluntary” returns in Germany and the EU more generally. The project gathers articles, policy papers, and testimonies on the conditions of return assistance and shows the diversity and complexity of return and reintegration experiences. Together with experts, Return Watch discusses trends in return assistance, explains how the German return assistance programmes are structured and implemented in the central countries of return assistance, how those affected experience the application and counselling for return, and the reasons why they decide to accept the offers, as well as the difficulties they face after their return.
Greek draft law seeks to accelerate deportations of migrants
On 27 August 2021, the Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarakis presented a draft law to the Greek Parliament with the aim of speeding up deportations. The new proposal gives additional powers to the police in swiftly deporting people who enter Greece in an irregular way, as well as those who have not applied for asylum or whose application has been rejected. Furthermore, the draft law narrows the definition of "humanitarian grounds'' so as to curb applications for residence permits, and reinforces de facto detention during reception and identification procedures. The legislation also proposes to limit civil society activities in areas under the jurisdiction of Greek coast guard and port authorities. Refugee Support Aegean, the Greek Council of Refugees, HIAS and the Danish Refugee Council have published comments on the Bill.
DETENTION AND RETURNS
New project highlights hypocrisy behind programmes promoting “voluntary” returns
Through the research project “Return Watch”, human rights organisation Medico International exposes the lack of voluntariness in programmes promoting “voluntary” returns in Germany and the EU more generally. The project gathers articles, policy papers, and testimonies on the conditions of return assistance and shows the diversity and complexity of return and reintegration experiences. Together with experts, Return Watch discusses trends in return assistance, explains how the German return assistance programmes are structured and implemented in the central countries of return assistance, how those affected experience the application and counselling for return, and the reasons why they decide to accept the offers, as well as the difficulties they face after their return.
Greek draft law seeks to accelerate deportations of migrants
On 27 August 2021, the Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarakis presented a draft law to the Greek Parliament with the aim of speeding up deportations. The new proposal gives additional powers to the police in swiftly deporting people who enter Greece in an irregular way, as well as those who have not applied for asylum or whose application has been rejected. Furthermore, the draft law narrows the definition of "humanitarian grounds'' so as to curb applications for residence permits, and reinforces de facto detention during reception and identification procedures. The legislation also proposes to limit civil society activities in areas under the jurisdiction of Greek coast guard and port authorities. Refugee Support Aegean, the Greek Council of Refugees, HIAS and the Danish Refugee Council have published comments on the Bill.