Greek Council for Refugees’ Post

Many clients are grappling with the complexities of irregular migration and its impact on national safety. The migrant crisis in Western Europe, the influx of refugees in Canada, and the situation at the U.S. southern border highlight these challenges. In 2024, the EU external borders reported 293,000 detections, while the UK saw 37,000 crossings. The crossings are already at 20,000 between January and June alone, and could reach record highs. #migration #globalchallenges #borders #europe #canada #unitedstates

🖊️ Not one, not two, but three UN Special Rapporteurs warn that new EU migrant smuggling rules risk criminalising migration and solidarity with migrants. Three UN Special Rapporteurs - on trafficking in persons, human rights defenders, and the human rights of migrants - have penned a joint letter to EU lawmakers negotiating EU migrant smuggling rules (draft Facilitation Directive). They warn that the current draft “raises serious doubts as to its compatibility with international human rights obligations” and risks criminalising people migrating, and those supporting them for familial or humanitarian reasons. In their letter to the European Parliament and Council, the experts call on lawmakers to: 📌 Narrowly define the offence of “facilitation” in line with the UN Protocol against Smuggling of Migrants, 📌 Remove vague and open-ended terms from the Commission’s proposal, such as ‘public instigation’, ‘serious harm’ and ‘instrumentalisation’, 📌 Introduce a binding humanitarian exemption to ensure that “family members and humanitarian actors are not criminalised for providing support to migrants.” These calls echo warnings from over 100 civil society organisations in March, who have urged EU legislators to ensure the Directive does not punish migration itself nor solidarity. EU lawmakers must heed these calls and protect people's right to move and help others in need.

Drawing on a wealth of case studies, this broad focus on the power of migrant and refugee entrepreneurship offers an intriguing blueprint for how to empower refugees using their agency and with profitability. My paper on start-up driven initiatives will contribute to this broader theme by reconceiving the way receiving and resettlement states deliver services and products to migrants and refugees. Migrants and refugees aren't just a rhetorical flourish but the real engine of business and services for the marginalised😊🙏

Global humanitarian funding is under severe pressure - the situation is dire, but it may also open new opportunities to strengthen refugee and asylum seeker rights across the Asia Pacific. Writing for Australian International Development Network's The Beat, CPD Policy Director Caitlin McCaffrie explores how countries like Thailand are showing that inclusive immigration policies can deliver both human rights and national security wins - and point to a new way forward. Because giving refugees the chance to work, build a life and belong strengthens communities, economies and trust across the region. Read the full piece: https://lnkd.in/gBfQH7G2

💐The Urgent Need for a common legal system for Refugee in Southeast Asia Southeast Asia faces a silent crisis. It is home to thousands of refugees, yet the region remains one of the world's largest gaps in formal refugee protection. Most Southeast Asian Countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, have not signed the 1951 UN Refugee Convention. Without this framework, there is no common legal system to protect those fleeing persecution. This legal vacuum has real consequences. Refugees and asylum-seekers are often treated as "illegal migrants." They live in the shadows, facing the constant threat of detention and deportation. Access to basic rights like healthcare, education, and lawful work is limited or denied. This ad-hoc approach leaves vulnerable people in peril and creates instability for host countries. The situation demands a coordinated solution. We must move from a system of unpredictable responses to one built on law and humanity. Domestic Laws :Individual countries should develop their own domestic refugee laws. This would provide clarity, ensure fair treatment, and uphold human dignity while addressing security concerns. · Regional Cooperation: ASEAN nations must work together to create a shared framework. This promotes burden-sharing and provides a stable, predictable response to displacement crises. As a major democratic power in the region, India is uniquely positioned to lead this change. By championing this cause, India can help build a more secure and humane future for all. #RefugeeRights #SoutheastAsia #HumanitarianLaw #ASEAN #SocialImpact #PublicPolicy💐💐💐💐💐

🚨 Big news for S permit immigration in Switzerland: Switzerland has extended Protection Status S for Ukrainian citizens until at least 4 March 2027, recognizing that a return is not yet viable under current conditions. The announcement also introduces regional eligibility distinctions (from Nov 1, 2025), which may affect new applicants from certain areas. Find out more by reading our news alert : https://lnkd.in/eZJDhxt8 #ImmigrationUpdate #GlobalMobility #Switzerland #ProtectionStatusS #RelocationSupport

Good to explore prospects of supporting refugee host countries with Dr. Tania Fabricius; Katharina Thote and Susan Fratzke as part of a conference on "Host Countries under Pressure", organized by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and Caroline Schmidt Some top-line take-aways from//thoughts about the discussion: - There remains, in theory, strong momentum behind integrated or “nexus” approaches. The open question is how/whether this momentum can survive the significant cuts in humanitarian and development funding. - Examples of success exist and could be scaled, but for this, (de)prioritization will become unavoidable. All this when cuts are not just about longer-term nexus programs - even life-saving aid is under pressure. The size and speed of reductions are making it difficult to adapt strategically, and to some extent are also undermining the space for reform discussions. - Host countries manage both the international and domestic dimensions of refugee responses. We can already see how the readiness for inclusive approaches is shrinking in countries previously hailed for their approach. Host countries elsewhere are also watching closely restrictive domestic developments in OECD countries, including cuts on small but meaningful measures like resettlement. - The Ukraine response offers lessons given large-scale displacement was met with fast, sizable funding, legal status, and a focus on inclusion — but the response also happens in a quite particular political context. The system is under strain, and navigating this moment will require realism, hard choices, clarity about what works (and what doesn’t), but also continued emphasis and communication, including on the value of intl support and solidarity.

Rethinking the Refugee and Asylum Framework: Legal and Policy Implications Recent U.S. proposals to reinterpret or “reinvent” the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol have prompted renewed debate over states’ obligations toward asylum seekers and refugees. The proposed changes aim to redefine how asylum is granted, including requiring individuals to apply in the first safe country they reach, limiting the duration of refugee status, and narrowing the definition of who qualifies for protection. According to recent analyses by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), legal scholars, and human rights organizations, these proposals raise fundamental questions about compliance with international law. In particular, the principles of non-refoulement, due process, and equal access to asylum procedures are central to the current discussion. Critics argue that the reforms could weaken established legal safeguards and create precedents that allow states to reduce their protection responsibilities under the Refugee Convention and international human rights law. From a legal standpoint, the tension lies between the sovereign right of states to regulate immigration and their binding international obligations toward those fleeing persecution. The outcome of this debate will likely shape the future interpretation of international refugee law and influence global migration governance. Sustaining the integrity of the international protection framework requires balancing national policy objectives with long-standing legal commitments that uphold human dignity and the rule of law.

Shabana Mahmood has to discuss the complexities of irregular migration and the credibility of nation-states. Mahmood's assertion that the failure to bring order to borders is eroding public trust in political leaders and the state is valid. However, it is essential to recognise that these challenges cannot be tackled solely through national efforts or border enforcement. Mahmood's emphasis on international cooperation as a way forward is commendable. Irregular migration is a multifaceted issue that transcends borders and requires a collaborative, comprehensive strategy. Nations must unite not only to address migration concerns but also to confront the underlying drivers that compel individuals to undertake perilous journeys, such as conflict, economic instability, and human rights abuses. The situation in the western Balkans underscores the importance of collective action against people-smuggling and trafficking networks. This region has become a pivotal transit route, making effective coordination among European nations and local authorities essential for dismantling these criminal operations. It is encouraging to see discussions aimed at enhancing cooperation between the UK, Europe, and regional border agencies. Additionally, acknowledging the role of foreign policies and international dynamics in influencing migration patterns is crucial. A comprehensive approach must involve enforcement and border management alongside a commitment to addressing the root causes of forced migration, which may include diplomatic efforts, development aid, and genuine support for governance reform in countries of origin. While the call for stronger measures to control borders is understandable, proposed solutions should not alienate international partners or disregard humanitarian obligations. A singular focus on enforcement, particularly through isolationist policies, may ultimately prove counterproductive, risking the exacerbation of the very conditions that drive irregular migration. In conclusion, a collaborative and multifaceted approach is essential to restoring trust in political institutions while effectively managing migration. Leaders must unite in their efforts, acknowledging the international community's shared responsibility to address this pressing global challenge. https://lnkd.in/ez5F_2dX

Public debate about migration is often driven by sensationalist news and emotional, polarising statements. Distinguishing between opinions, facts and manipulation can be challenging. Here are seven facts to help understand #MigrationEU:   1️⃣ Europeans tend to overestimate share of migrants in the population ➡️ Latest Eurostat data shows 29 million people living in the EU were non-EU citizens, representing 6.4% of total EU population. 2️⃣ Irregular crossings of external EU borders decreased by 25% in 2024 compared to 2023. 3️⃣ Legal arrivals to the EU significantly outnumber irregular arrivals. 4️⃣ The EU needs more workers and migrants can fill these jobs. 5️⃣ Respect of fundamental rights is at the heart of EU Migration policy. 6️⃣ Learning the local language helps migrants to integrate. 7️⃣ Ukrainian refugees contribute to EU economies.   🔗 Dive into more details: https://lnkd.in/eVrJ6XGz