Syrian migrants rescued off Albanian coast
On Saturday, news agencies reported that 55 Syrian migrants had been brought back to land after hours on a boat in rough seas. The Syrians had been attempting to reach Italy.
On Saturday, news agencies reported that 55 Syrian migrants had been brought back to land after hours on a boat in rough seas. The Syrians had been attempting to reach Italy.
Tents, mud and cold: Refugees and migrants are contending with miserable conditions in Bosnia-Herzegovina as the EU continues to keep its borders closed, Marina Strauss reports from Bihac.
Refugees and migrants in Greece trying to reach western Europe have accused EU border protection agency Frontex of taking part in illegal deportations known as "pushbacks." DW reports.
Officials from the European Union and the UN migration agency IOM have called on Bosnian authorities to relocate migrants and refugees who are sleeping rough to appropriate accommodation. Meanwhile, migrants at Lipa camp ended their hunger strike.
Migrants in Bosnia were left homeless in freezing conditions. EU officials and ambassadors pointed out that "significant" financial support was given to Bosnia for humanitarian commitments.
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 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.
The first snowfall last week in northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina has increased the difficulties for migrants, particularly those sleeping in tents and outdoor shelters. Local NGOs say thousands could be affected.
The UN migration agency IOM has begun what has become an annual distribution of aid to migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina to help them survive the cold winter temperatures.
According to some NGOs in Serbia, the number of migrants gathering on the Serbian border hoping to make it on to Western Europe are increasing.
With increased violence against migrants in Bosnia, the IOM warns that the Balkan nation only has weeks left to find solutions to the migrant situation, as thousands of asylum seekers remain on the streets ahead of the harsh winter months.
Operations have begun to close the migrant hosting center of Bira in Bihac, in north-western Bosnia, near the border with Croatia.