Greece has faced accusations of illegally pushing asylum seekers back to Turkey for years. Turkish activist fleeing persecution are reportedly among the victims of these pushbacks, facing increasingly hostile Greek border authorities.
Frontex is losing credibility following further allegations it was involved in pushbacks. Now, the private sea rescue organization Sea-Watch is alleging that the European border agency is implicated in so-called pullbacks near Malta as well, launching legal proceedings at the EU Court in Luxembourg.
According to a joint investigation by Lighthouse Reports, several European broadcasters and news organizations, Frontex' very own records appear to show evidence of pushbacks in the Aegean, carried out by Greek authorities. The investigation has prompted Frontex chief Fabrice Leggeri to tender his resignation.
More than 40,000 irregular border crossings into the European Union were registered between January and March 2022, according to Frontex. That's 57% more than in the first quarter of 2021. The figures did not include the vast majority of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.
The island republic of Cyprus has asked EU member states for help in dealing with the high volumes of migrants who have been making their way there. Cyprus has the highest asylum application numbers per capita in the European Union.
Three senior officials at the EU border agency Frontex actively concealed illegal pushbacks of migrants and refugees, according to a report from the European Anti-Fraud Office OLAF.
As more than 100,000 people have likely started fleeing Ukraine following the Russian invasion, European nations have been quick to respond to the unfolding humanitarian crisis. Ukraine's neighbors in particular are making provisions to host thousands of people. But is it going to be enough? Here's an overview of the latest.
Countries in Eastern Europe have been preparing for large numbers of people fleeing Ukraine should there be a Russian offensive. The European Commission has said there could be more than a million refugees if military tensions escalate.
Cyprus has struck a deal with the European Union to help improve the country’s migrant reception facilities. Under the new agreement it will also be easier for Cyprus to send back rejected asylum seekers.
The European Union and its border agency Frontex are using increasing amounts of technology to monitor migration at external and internal borders across Europe. Experts say that tracking technology is often being deployed to evade legal responsibilities.
The number of migrants who tried to cross irregularly into the European Union in January was up 78% compared to the same month in 2021. That's according to new figures released by EU border agency Frontex.
The Cypriot interior minister said on Tuesday that the EU and its border agency Frontex have helped to streamline procedures to return rejected asylum seekers. The number of people arriving on the island nation lately has been soaring.