Seeking Shelter

The Brussels Times reports that this week, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) announced that it would launch an audit of the EU's cooperation with third countries regarding the return and readmission of irregular migrants. The audit will assess if the measures taken by the EU and Member States to address the refugee crisis have increased cooperation amongst the countries involved. The ECA reported that overall, only 30% of non-EU migrants return to their country of origin or the country from which they traveled to the EU. The EU currently has readmission agreements with 18 countries, including Turkey, North Macedonia, and Albania. The audit will consider 20 EU-funded readmission projects in the ten countries with the highest numbers of non-returned irregular migrants. Although the pandemic has created hardships in returning, operations are still ongoing. The audit coincides with the Commission's plan to present the New Pact on Asylum and Migration in September.

Der Standard describes the chaotic situation in France, where another migrant camp has been dispersed this week in northern Paris. The article points out that many migrants arriving in France congregate in the north-east of Paris, where some are on their way to Calais to cross the Channel, whereas others look for work around Paris. The evacuation of the camp this week took place at the request of the mayor of Aubervilliers and residents who voiced concerns about rising tensions among the migrants, as well as the health conditions in the camps. However, questions now arise as to what will happen to the migrants that have lost their shelter. Previously, many were able to stay in unused gyms, as migrant centers are already overcrowded. Aid organisations have gone to the dispersed camp to collect the tents left behind, in order to redistribute them to the migrants in need.

Le Figaro reports that the EU has recently facilitated the transfer of an additional 100 asylum seekers from Greece and Cyprus to Germany and Finland since last week. The first transfer, of 83 asylum seekers from Greece to Germany, was organised by The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) as part of the EU's plan to relocate 1,600 minors to various European countries. A second, separate operation also took place this week, transferring 16 Somalis and Congolese from Cyprus to Finland. The EU's relocation plans aim to ease the pressure on countries at the EU's external borders, such as Greece, where thousands of migrants still live in unsanitary conditions in camps or homes. Tens of thousands of asylum seekers have been stranded in Greece since 2016 when a number of European states closed their borders in response to the influx. 

The Italian Times writes about how Italy has been dealing with new arrivals of migrants coming from countries such as Algeria, Libya and Tunisia; many of whom arriving via the island of Lampedusa. Reports indicate that since the beginning of 2020, about three times more migrants have been registered compared to 2019. The rise in arrivals is further exacerbated by increasing tension as landings and accidents continue, as well as the ongoing health crisis. The article also points out that Italians  are beginning to question the reliability of NGOs, as well as the effectiveness of the EU's strategy and intervention. In Rome, activists took to the streets this week to demand an end to Italy's economic support of the Libyan Coast Guard, the closure of Libyan detention centers, and the creation of new humanitarian corridors.