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%.
Slovenia
Slovenian police find 13 migrants at risk of suffocation hidden inside truck
In an apparent case of human smuggling, Slovenian police have discovered 13 migrants hidden in a cargo truck. Migrants are regularly discovered crammed into trucks and cars heading through the Balkans en route to western Europe.
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.
Two Italians jailed for migrant trafficking in Slovenia
Two Italian citizens have been sentenced to more than two years in prison on migrant trafficking charges. Police had found six migrants hidden in their car at the border between Croatia and Slovenia in September.
Italy: Migrant 'readmissions to Slovenia illegitimate'
The Court of Rome ruled that the readmission procedure enacted at the eastern Italian border based on an accord between Italy and Slovenia in 1996 is illegitimate. Judges upheld an appeal brought by a Pakistani asylum seeker who arrived in Trieste and was readmitted in July to Slovenia, then to Croatia and then to Bosnia.
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.
Italy: New police commissioner vows to focus on Balkan route
The incoming police commissioner of Italy's northeastern city of Trieste, Irene Tittoni, has promised to pay special attention to migration on the so-called "Balkan route." She also wants joint activities with neighboring Slovenia to restart soon.
Automatic cameras will detect attempts to cross Italy-Slovenia border
Police on the border between northern Italy and Slovenia will start using cameras that automatically detect movement to monitor irregular crossings. Most of those crossing the border are from Pakistan and Afghanistan, police say.
EU must help members control borders, says govenor of Italian border region Friuli Venezia Giulia
The governor of the Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, which borders with Slovenia, has said that the "European Union needs to help single member States control borders." Massimiliano Fedriga made the remarks on December 10, addressing a plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions.
Migrant trafficking ring uncovered by Italy-Slovenia probe
Italian and Slovenian police say they have foiled an international criminal organization that helped migrants travel from a center for asylum seekers in Ljubljana to European countries -- mainly Italy, France and Germany. Alleged members of the association included people in charge of security at the hosting facility, investigative sources said on November 20.
Italian politician: Patrols scarce at Slovenian border
The governor of the northeast Italian region that borders Slovenia has said that "patrols of the Italian-Slovenian border, which began some years ago, are now very scarce."
Four migrants discovered in lorry from Slovenia to Italy
Italian police on Wednesday discovered four migrants hidden in the back of a lorry that was travelling from Slovenia to Lombardy in northern Italy. The day before a smuggler and six migrants were stopped in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region.