UK plans to outsource asylum processing to Rwanda
Britain has announced plans to send migrants and refugees who cross the Channel thousands of miles away — to Rwanda. The deal announced on Thursday led to widespread criticism.
asylum center
'They feel abandoned': Non-Ukrainian asylum seekers in Belgium left out in the cold
The global solidarity with Ukrainian refugees is also being demonstrated in Belgium, where they have opened a center dedicated to registering Ukrainian asylum applications. Local NGOs express regret that all asylum seekers are not receiving the same warm hand of welcome.
Italy: Turin migrant hosting center evacuated due to fire
A fire broke out in a warehouse underneath a migrant hosting facility in Turin, northwestern Italy. Eighty migrants were evacuated.
Few migrants remain on Greek islands
The number of refugees and migrants still on the Greek islands in the Aegean has decreased toward the end of the year. The conditions for the remaining migrants however remain precarious, according to various aid organizations.
Serbia: More than 4,500 migrants in reception centers
There are currently over 4,500 migrants and refugees in Serbia's reception centers, according to local authorities. Afghans and Syrians are the largest national groups among them.
Germany: Afghan dies in asylum center fire
A 27-year-old man has died in a fire in an asylum seeker center in the northern German city of Hamburg. Police said the man was of Afghan origin.
Migrants: 18 associations ask EU to abandon hotspot centers
Eighteen associations promoting the health rights of migrants and refugees have appealed to European governments and to EMPs to change the model of large holding centers in the new European pact on migration and asylum. Large centers, they said in the recent appeal, "have devastating effects on the mental health of refugees and asylum seekers."
Migrants in Italy: Piedmont governor calls for transfer stop
After nine migrants fled an asylum center in northwestern Italy, local politicians are calling on the Rome government to take "immediate measures to put an end to an emergency situation." They claim the migrants pose a "risk for public health and safety."
Revolt in Italian migrant repatriation center, three arrested
An attempted revolt and escape took place at a migrant repatriation center in Gradisca d'Isonzo, northeastern Italy. The incident occurred during the night between Friday and Saturday and ended in three arrests as well as serious damage to the facility.
Italy: Video of policeman forcing migrants to slap themselves goes viral, triggers controversy
A video about a policeman humiliating Tunisian migrants in Italy has sparked controversy after going viral. It shows a police officer slapping a migrant and forcing other refugees to slap each other as "punishment" for having tried to escape from a migrant reception center. The incident led to the police officer being placed under investigation for abuse of correction methods.
Coronavirus hits two more asylum shelters in Germany
Two centers for asylum seekers in Mainz and Regensburg have reported scores of new COVID-19 cases -- even though the number of new infections in Germany overall has decreased. Researchers warn that the virus can spread rapidly in asylum centers.
Coronavirus outbreak hits refugee home in Germany
At least 70 people at a refugee home near Bonn have tested positive for COVID-19. News of the outbreak prompted calls for better protection for asylum-seekers and more testing at the often crowded facilities.