Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

In a tragic incident off the coast of Chios, Greece, a migrant boat ran aground, leading to the heartbreaking loss of three young girls’ lives. The Spanish news agency EFE reported that the girls were aged five, seven, and ten. Promptly responding to the distress call, the Greek Coast Guard launched a search and rescue operation amid the turbulent waters. Among those rescued were two men, four women, eight children, and two additional men found on shore. Reports indicate that amidst the chaos, 14 migrants, among them eight children, were rescued from the wreckage by the diligent efforts of the…

Following the tragic inferno that took the lives of a Bulgarian family in Solingen two weeks ago, German law enforcement has been actively investigating the case. Their efforts have recently led to the identification of a suspect believed to be connected to the devastating arson attack. Authorities have placed a 39-year-old German man under custody, identifying him as a former tenant of the property where the fatal blaze erupted. While initial fears pointed towards a xenophobic motive, investigators have since shifted their focus, citing a motive rooted in personal grievances rather than racial animosity. The suspected arsonist allegedly ignited the…

In a significant legislative move, the European Parliament has ratified a contentious reform, ushering in stricter border procedures and compelling all 27 member nations to shoulder responsibility for migration challenges under the new asylum Reform. Adopting the new migration and asylum pact marks a watershed moment after nearly a decade of deliberation, overcoming resistance from far-right and far-left factions within the parliament. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hailed the reforms as a “historic, indispensable step” for the European Union, underscoring the solidarity among member states in addressing migration dynamics. Greece’s Migration Minister, Dimitris Kairidis, echoed this sentiment, labeling the pact a…

Bulgaria has intensified its efforts to combat smuggling activities across its border with Turkey, particularly concerning the transportation of equipment used for irregular crossings across the English Channel. For just over a year, AFP reported that Bulgarian authorities have seized significant smuggling equipment, including 52 motors, 49 rubber boats, 755 hand pumps, and 110 life jackets. These seizures were predominantly made from Turkish trucks passing through Bulgaria’s Kapitan Andreevo border post, one of the busiest entry points into Europe. Customs and border authorities in Bulgaria are now actively monitoring trucks suspected of carrying items intended for irregular crossings and people…

In a concerning trend, more than 100 individuals faced criminal charges last year across Europe for aiding irregular migration, a recent report by the Brussels-based NGO Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM) has found. This surge in legal actions signals a growing crackdown on humanitarian workers and advocates assisting migrants in their plight. The spectrum of individuals targeted encompasses various professions and activities, ranging from doctors and lawyers to Airbnb hosts, journalists, and taxi drivers. Notably, Ieva Raubisko and Egils Grasmanis, members of the organization “I Want to Help Refugees,” are among those facing legal repercussions. Their alleged…

Sayed Abdellatif, an Egyptian refugee who sought asylum in Australia in May 2012 along with his wife and children, has finally been released from Australia’s immigration detention facilities. Despite Australia acknowledging his well-founded fear of persecution in his home country, Abdellatif was denied a visa due to questionable security assessments and held in detention for almost 12 years. During his time in detention, Abdellatif maintained his innocence regarding charges stemming from a discredited mass trial in Cairo in 1999, where evidence against him was obtained under torture. Despite efforts by his legal team to challenge the adverse security assessments made…

Every year, thousands of migrants embark on harrowing journeys from the Horn of Africa, braving the perilous waters of the Red Sea in search of better opportunities in Gulf countries. Regrettably, the UN migration agency deemed this route one of the “most dangerous migratory routes in the world.” It takes a heavy toll on those who dare traverse it, with Djibouti as a critical point of departure and transit. Recently, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported a heartbreaking incident off the coast of Djibouti, where a ship carrying migrants encountered distress, leading to the loss of at least 38…

Germany is facing significant hurdles in executing the Dublin Regulation, with only a fraction of attempted transfers of asylum seekers to other European Union countries proving successful. The Dublin Regulation mandates that asylum claims be processed in the first EU member state where a migrant is registered, sought protection, or entered. However, recent reports indicate that Germany’s efforts have fallen short. In 2023, Germany submitted 74,622 requests to other EU nations to accept migrants under the Dublin Regulation. Despite this high number of requests, only 5,053 individuals were transferred to other countries, according to figures reported by the German press…

The European Parliament is poised to vote on new laws concerning immigration and asylum, with various proposals sparking intense debate and division among lawmakers and stakeholders. The ‘New Pact on Migration and Asylum,’ initially put forth by the European Commission in September 2020, aims to establish a unified approach to migration within the EU. Despite years of deliberation and negotiation, many aspects of the proposed pact remain contentious as the vote approaches on Wednesday (April 10, 2024). While efforts have been made to address tensions and disagreements among member states, significant opposition persists from NGOs, migrant charities, and rights organizations,…

In an ongoing Mediterranean migration drama, Bengali migrants emerge as a significant demographic. Their compelling stories underscore the multifaceted dynamics of contemporary migration. Despite Bangladesh’s relative stability without recent armed conflicts, Bengali migrants continue to brave the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean, seeking elusive opportunities in Europe. Joining a sea rescue mission conducted by Emergency NGO’s Life Support vessel in March, InfoMigrants encountered a predominant presence of Bengali migrants among those rescued. In a series of interviews, these migrants shared their experiences, offering glimpses into the motivations, struggles, and uncertainties that define their odyssey. Navigating through a maze of uncertainty,…