Norway takes in over 30,000 Ukrainian refugees in 2022
Norway has accepted over 32,000 mostly Ukrainian refugees so far this year, according to Norwegian government figures. The non-EU country expects to take in a similar number in 2023.
Norway
Norway takes in 20 Ocean Viking ship migrants following France-Italy dispute
Norway's foreign ministry said Saturday that the country would take in 20 of the migrants rescued by the Ocean Viking NGO, who disembarked in France after Italy blocked access to its ports.
Barbed wire borders increase in Europe
New barbed wire fences are being erected across Europe’s eastern borders. Many of these barriers are between the EU and Russia or Russian-friendly states like Belarus, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But they also stop migrants and asylum seekers from entering the bloc.
Diplomatic stand-off between France and Italy over Ocean Viking ends
The Ocean Viking rescue ship will be allowed to land in Toulon, southern France. This was announced by the French interior ministry on Thursday morning. Tensions between France and Italy had grown after the NGO rescue vessel with 234 migrants was refused port by Italy and deferred to France. Paris called the tactics used by the Italian government "unacceptable."
Italy continues to refuse safe harbor to three NGO rescue vessels
Italy continues to refuse safe harbor to three NGO vessels hoping to dock and unload nearly 1,000 rescued migrants. The situation on board those private rescue ships meanwhile is deteriorating, as Italian politicians renew their calls to have arriving migrants distributed across the EU.
Germany: Former Chancellor Angela Merkel receives UN refugee rights prize
Merkel dedicated her award to the thousands of people who volunteered to welcome refugees in 2015 when Germany took in over one million people fleeing war, many from Syria.
Angela Merkel wins UN refugee agency award
The former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has received the UNHCR's highest award for her efforts to welcome more than 1 million people to Germany in 2015 and 2016.
Norway to stop deportations to Afghanistan
Norway has temporarily suspended deportations of failed asylum seekers to Afghanistan, according to the country's two immigration authorities, UDI and UNE. The country follows similar decisions taken recently by Sweden and Finland.
Iranian toddler's dead body found in Norway after Channel crossing
Iranian toddler Artin Irannezhad and his family died after the boat they were in capsized in the English Channel in October 2020. His dead body washed up on the southwest coast of Norway months later. This is his story.
More COVID cases and fewer vaccines for EU's migrants
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), COVID-19 hit migrants the worst in Europe and this is the category that is now also the least vaccinated. Migrants especially in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden had higher rates of infection than the rest of the population, while in Italy and Spain they show a higher likelihood of needing to be hospitalized.
EU countries must process asylum claims denied in Norway, court rules
The European Court of Justice has ruled that EU countries may not dismiss asylum applications on the ground that Norway has already rejected them.
Syrians seek justice for war crimes in Europe’s courts
Left with no other options, Syrians in Europe have taken local chemical companies, overseas banks and technology firms to court, as well as senior Syrian officials and members of terror groups.