Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

Around 80 migrants arrived in the UK this morning, sparking concerns that favorable weather conditions might lead to a significant increase in Channel crossings today. The migrants, who sailed from France overnight, were picked up by the Border Force cutter ‘Defender’ and brought to the Port of Dover in Kent. As Britain braces for its hottest day of the year, with temperatures expected to reach 32°C in London, there are fears that human trafficking gangs will escalate their operations. This concern follows the Labour government’s decision to cancel both the Tory’s Rwanda deportation plan and the Bibby Stockholm migrant barge…

Many migrants trying to enter Europe through Cyprus find themselves trapped in the Green Line, the UN-controlled buffer zone dividing Cyprus into northern and southern regions. These asylum seekers, stranded in Cyprus, allege that police forced them into this no-man’s land on the southern part of the island, according to a report by Agence France Press. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports that 59 asylum seekers from countries such as Iran, Afghanistan, and Nigeria are currently living in the buffer zone. These individuals tried to cross southwards into the European Union-controlled part of Cyprus but were pushed back by police.…

Australia has introduced a new visa to help temporary migrants who are seeking justice against workplace exploitation. The Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) allows these workers to stay in Australia for up to 12 months while they pursue their claims. This visa, introduced last week as a two-year pilot program, aims to provide temporary migrants the necessary time and legal standing to address issues such as underpayment, excessive work hours, threats from employers, bullying, harassment, and coercion to surrender their passports. Under the subclass 408 visa, temporary migrants can stay in Australia for six months if being present in the…

During a recent two-day visit to Athens, Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), expressed strong support for a new agreement aimed at better protecting migrants in Greece. This significant Host Country Agreement, signed with the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ensures that the IOM can continue offering essential services to migrants. These services include life-saving protection, healthcare, mental health support, and pathways for regular migration, integration, relocation, and voluntary returns. Amy Pope emphasized the importance of this new agreement, calling it a landmark in the IOM’s 72-year partnership with Greece. She highlighted Greece’s crucial role…

Afghan migrants in Iran have reported increasing harassment and inappropriate behavior from both Iranian citizens and police. Videos circulating on social media have shown Afghan migrants being mistreated and subjected to anti-Afghan slogans. Omid Hassan, an Afghan migrant, shared his experiences with TOLOnews, stating, “Iranians beat Afghans and unfortunately, so far seven Afghans, including a woman, have died; I don’t know if they were killed in the breadline.” Another migrant, Ali Mohammad, mentioned the harassment Afghans face in public places such as Qiyam and subway queues. These migrants have called on the Islamic Emirate and migrant support institutions to address…

Perina Lokure Nakang, a 21-year-old South Sudanese runner, first discovered her passion for running while covering 9 miles (14 kilometers) near her refugee camp in northwestern Kenya. Now, she is competing in the Paris Olympics as part of the Olympic Refugee Team. Nakang is among the 37 athletes pushing for more refugees to have the opportunity to compete in the Games, hoping to inspire and represent the global refugee community. Former refugee Olympians and U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi are strong supporters of this cause. Grandi described the team as “a symbol of inclusion, equality, and achievement for…

In the hot and uncomfortable buffer zone of Cyprus, dozens of migrants are stuck with no clear future. They were sent there by police from the southern part of the island. According to the UN refugee agency, 59 asylum seekers are now living in this area, which is watched over by the UN. They had tried to move south in search of a better life. Hussein Zare, an Iranian refugee, shared his story while sitting under the shade of trees, surrounded by UNHCR-branded tents. He fled Iran with his family, aiming to enter the European Union and start a new…

UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) officials recently visited Lampedusa and highlighted the urgent need for more support for vulnerable migrants, including children. Despite a reduction in the number of arrivals, Lampedusa remains a primary entry point via the dangerous Central Mediterranean route, with nearly 900 deaths reported this year. During their visit, Chiara Cardoletti, UNHCR Representative to Italy, the Holy See, and San Marino, along with Nicola Dell’Arciprete, UNICEF Country Coordinator for Italy, praised the swift and regular transfers of migrants from Lampedusa to other locations. However, they stressed the importance of…

Italy’s interior minister, Matteo Piantedosi, announced that over 65% of the resources from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) have already been invested in various projects related to asylum, integration, repatriation, and humanitarian issues. Speaking at the Giffoni film festival on July 25, Piantedosi emphasized the importance of this financial tool in fostering integrated migration management. The AMIF, which has a financial endowment of over one billion euros for the 2021-2027 period, supports complementary actions to Italy’s substantial investment in migrant reception. Piantedosi highlighted that these funds have been strategically allocated to enhance the management of migration flows and…

The Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Boar (BP2MI) and Soekarno-Hatta Airport Immigration successfully stopped an illegal attempt to send Indonesian migrant workers to Cambodia. In a statement received in Jakarta on Saturday, Firman Yulianto, Acting Director of Protection and Empowerment for the Asia and Africa Region of BP2MI, announced that this prevention effort occurred on Friday, July 26, 2024. BP2MI received information that three prospective migrant workers were planning to travel to Cambodia via Bangkok. Upon receiving this information, BP2MI’s head, Benny Rhamdani, ordered immediate coordination with Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Immigration to stop the workers from departing. The prompt action led…