MPI's Migration Information Source Newsletter

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January 15, 2020

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Feature
Welcome Wears Thin for Colombians in Ecuador as Venezuelans Become More Visible
www.migrationpolicy.org/article/welcome-wears-thin-for-colombians-ecuador
Though Colombians displaced by a decades-long civil war found a welcome refuge in Ecuador, life has become more difficult for them in recent years, in part as a result of the influx of Venezuelans seeking safety. This article draws on surveys of migrants in Quito, comparing and contrasting the experiences of Colombians and Venezuelans, and assessing their perceptions of discrimination, victimization, trust in institutions, and hopes for the future.

Haga clic aquí para leer este artículo en español: www.migrationpolicy.org/article/la-bienvenida-se-agota-para-colombianos-en-ecuador

Top 10
Top 10 Migration Issues of 2019
www.migrationpolicy.org/programs/migration-information-source/top-10-migration-issues-2019
In 2019, long-running and emerging crises forced significant new displacement in places such as Venezuela, Syria, Iraq, and Africa's Sahel region. Elsewhere in the world, migrants and asylum seekers faced increased barriers to reaching international destinations; in places such as the United States, access to asylum was further narrowed. While gains made by far-right, populists in Europe and elsewhere faced some reversals in 2019, hardening attitudes about migrants and refugees spurred violent attacks in New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States. Learn more about these issues -- and many others -- by diving into our annual countdown of the Top 10 migration issues of the year.

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EDITOR'S NOTE

Allegations that Croatian authorities abused migrants at the country's borders have cast a shadow over Croatia's ascension this month to the presidency of the European Union Council, a six-month rotating position that puts it at the helm of the bloc's legislative process, among other responsibilities. While Croatia promises a "strong Europe in a world of challenges," the renewed scrutiny for perpetrating violence against migrants and asylum seekers could complicate the country's goals for its presidency and entry into the eurozone.

For more than two years, abuses have been documented along the Balkan route, a pathway migrants established to reach central and northern Europe. After Hungary built a wall along its southern border with Serbia and Croatia to block arrivals in late 2015, the Balkan route became a viable option, despite the harsh topography and limited services available to migrants and asylum seekers. Beginning in Greece, migrants travel overland through Albania, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina before reaching Croatia, where many face intimidation, pushback, forced expulsion, and violence.

Amnesty International estimates one-third of those transiting through Croatia experienced violence at the hands of Croatian police or border authorities. The intimidation and abuse serve to discourage refugees from applying for asylum in Croatia or continuing their journeys to central or northern Europe, and usually end in forced removal to Bosnia and Herzegovina. "After they picked us up, they drove us to the border with Bosnia. They made us get out of the car one by one, and started beating us with batons and their fists … They told us to go and never come back to Croatia," one migrant said.

Croatia repeatedly denied abuse had taken place, but last July, President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic acknowledged "a little bit of force" was necessary. And since her admission, more recent acts of violence have been committed: in November 2019, a migrant was shot while crossing into Croatia from Slovenia.

After Croatia ascended to the EU Council presidency, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees called on the country to provide better refugee protection and improve its asylum system; Human Rights Watch went a step further, stating Croatia's pushback of migrants should bar it from joining the Schengen area. But some observers note that Croatia's approach to managing its borders has helped limit irregular migration to central and northern Europe, making the country "a reliable partner" in managing the European Union's external border.

Conservative President Grabar-Kitarovic lost her re-election bid to Zoran Milanović in a run-off election earlier this month. Despite voters' endorsement of a center-left coalition and Croatia's heightened role on the European and international stage, observers expect the country will hold fast to its current migration and border management policies, at least for now.

Best regards,

Alexandra Vranas-Carita

Editor, Migration Information Source

[email protected]

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NEW FROM MPI

Integrating Refugees and Asylum Seekers into the German Economy and Society: Empirical Evidence and Policy Objectives
www.migrationpolicy.org/research/integrating-refugees-asylum-seekers-germany
By Herbert Brücker, Philipp Jaschke, and Yuliya Kosyakova

USCIS Fee Increase Proposed Rule Could Represent the Latest Step in Reshaping Immigration to United States
www.migrationpolicy.org/news/uscis-fee-hike-could-be-latest-step-reshape-immigration
By Jessica Bolter and Doris Meissner

Beyond Work: Reducing Social Isolation for Refugee Women and Other Marginalized Newcomers
www.migrationpolicy.org/research/reducing-social-isolation-refugee-women-newcomers
By Natalia Banulescu-Bogdan

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HAVE YOU READ

Migration and Integration in Czechia: Policy Advances and the Hand Brake of Populism
www.migrationpolicy.org/article/migration-and-integration-czechia-policy-advances-and-hand-brake-populism

Pushing Out the Boundaries of Humanitarian Screening with In-Country and Offshore Processing
www.migrationpolicy.org/article/pushing-out-boundaries-humanitarian-screening-country-and-offshore-processing

The Emigration of Health-Care Workers: Malawi's Recurring Challenges
www.migrationpolicy.org/article/emigration-health-care-workers-malawi%E2%80%99s-recurring-challenges

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ADVERTISEMENT

Internship Opportunity with the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development

The United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) seeks a full-time intern to assist with a new project within the Social Policy and Development Program on integrated solutions to protracted displacement. Applications will be accepted until January 26, 2020.

Learn More and Apply Here: www.unrisd.org/unrisd/website/pagecopy.nsf/(httpVacancies-en)/3B8FA8C0A624F585802584E90034F898?OpenDocument

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