Number of asylum applications in Austria on the rise
The number of individuals seeking asylum in Austria has risen by roughly 10% in 2020. During the same period, the overall number of people seeking protection in the EU dropped by 31%.
Croatia
Bosnian Caritas director stresses importance of human kindness while criticizing EU inaction
Tomo Knezevic, director of the "Caritas" charity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is taking Europe to task: His chapter of the global Catholic charity has received "far too little support" in its efforts to care for migrants, he said in an interview. He is appealing for more help from sister organizations across Europe.
Migrants: IOM urges end of pushbacks, violence at EU borders
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has called on the European Union to adopt urgent measures to end violence on migrants and refugees, including minors, at the European Union's external borders.
Croatia slams EU visit to Bosnian migrant camps as 'provocation'
A visit by Italian members of the European Parliament last Saturday to the border between Croatia and Bosnia to check on living conditions of migrants at the refugee camps in Bihac "was nothing other than the umpteenth provocation against Croatian police" and "an attempt to discredit the reputation" of the country, said Croatian Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic on Monday.
Bosnia: Migrant volunteer in Bihac shares harrowing experiences
Local volunteer Zlatan Kovacevic says that the situation in Bosnia is slowly going from bad to worse, as helpers begin to encounter corpses and growing violence against migrants. Children are particularly at risk, according to Save the Children.
UN voices concern over refugee treatment at EU borders
The United Nations refugee agency has warned that the idea of asylum is under attack in Europe, with refugee pushbacks at external borders increasingly common.
Italy: Activists go on hunger strike against migrant pushbacks
Italian activists have launched a 'relay' hunger strike against "informal readmissions of migrants carried out by Italy, Slovenia and Croatia" which are considered "chain pushbacks" of foreigners coming from the Balkan route.
No hope for migrant children playing the 'Game' in Bosnia
Instead of going to classes and learning lessons for life, migrant children on the move are often stuck simply trying to survive. In Bosnia, some have to help their parents scheme their escape into the EU instead of enjoying their childhood.
Calls growing for EU action on migrant situation in Bosnia
Bosnian authorities have reportedly delivered beds and mattresses to migrants stranded at the site of the destroyed Lipa camp. Pressure is mounting in Europe for urgent solutions to be found.
EU commissioners 'alarmed' over state of affairs in Bosnia
The EU warned Bosnia that thousands of migrants stuck in the country could face a winter without shelter. The bloc also urged the non-EU member country's political authorities to set aside their differences and take action.
Italy faces accusations of indirectly supporting Balkans' pushbacks
Italy faces growing criticism following reports that it has returned migrants back across its border with Slovenia. Slovenia and the Balkans region at large have been facing accusations of violent pushbacks, which have been investigated by various human rights groups in recent years.
Is the EU an accomplice to Croatian police brutality?
Croatian police have again been accused of systematically abusing the human rights of migrants at the border with Bosnia. A host of media reports have described brutal "pushbacks" and anti-migrant violence as routine.