Via Hürriyet (Link in Turkish) – A total of 50,000 migrants were caught while trying to cross to Greece or Bulgaria in Edirne throught the last year. Compared to the number of migrants caught in 2016 (31,000), the number of arrests increased by 19%. Among the arrested were around 15,000 Pakistanis, 12,000 Afghans and 10,000 Syrians. The number of Syrian refugees fleeing the war in their countries fell from 16,000 to 10,000 from 2016 to 2017. Further migrants from Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq and Iran had been arrested throughtout 2017. Continue reading 50.000 irregular immigrants arrest in Edirne in 2017
Category Archives: News Digest
HarekAct offers a topical and chronological collection of news on the EU-Turkish border regime under this section. We link to external newspapers and websites and do not hold the copyright.
Views and opinions expressed in the articles published on HarekAct are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of all editorial board members.
Social Cohesion in Turkey: Refugee and Host Community Online Survey
Via World Food Programme – The current social cohesion perception survey takes place within the monitoring framework of the Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) programme. The Turkish name for the ESSN programme is Sosyal Uyum Yardimi programi; the literal English translation is Social Cohesion Assistance programme. This Turkish name underlines the idea that providing basic needs assistance to refugees is intended to support the social cohesion of refugees within Turkish communities. Continue reading Social Cohesion in Turkey: Refugee and Host Community Online Survey
Turkish Coast Guard: Migrant deaths in Aegean down 85 percent in 2017
Via Hurriyet Daily News – Migrant deaths in the Aegean Sea plummeted by 85 percent in 2017 compared to 2016, according to Turkey’s Coast Guard Command. A total of 61 people lost their lives trying to cross the Aegean in 2017, down from 434 people in 2016 and 806 people in 2015, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. Continue reading Turkish Coast Guard: Migrant deaths in Aegean down 85 percent in 2017
Over 1,600 undocumented migrants detained across Turkey
Via Hürriyet Daily News- A total of 1,632 undocumented migrants were detained across Turkey on Jan. 2, according to military figures.
Border troops detained a total of 1,556 migrants from Syria trying to illegally cross into Turkey, as well as five from Greece and two from Iran, according to the Turkish General Staff website. Turkey has been a main route for refugees trying to cross into Europe since the Syrian civil war begun.
Sixty-four migrants were also caught while trying to illegally enter Greece from Turkey, while five others were held at the Syrian border attempting to enter Syria.
‘Flying Library’ project brings together Syrian, local children in Istanbul
Via Hürriyet Daily News – A mobile library with aims to bring local and refugee children together has been receiving great interest at its second stop in Istanbul, in the district of Avcılar.
Here children can come and learn about Turkish, Syrian and world literatures thanks to a partnership between the Goethe Institute, Yuva Association, and Solidarity for Refugees Association. Continue reading ‘Flying Library’ project brings together Syrian, local children in Istanbul
Greece gives asylum to fled Turkish soldier
Via Die Welt (Link in German) – A Turkish soldier who fled to Greece after the failed coup attempt in mid-2016 has received asylum. As reported on Saturday from legal circles, it is the copilot of a helicopter, which landed on 16 July 2016 with a total of eight Turkish soldiers in the northern Greek border town of Alexandropoulis. After sharp criticism from Ankara, the Greek government requested a cancellation of the asylum decision in the late evening. Continue reading Greece gives asylum to fled Turkish soldier
67 migrants and asylum seekers arrested in Edirne
Via Son Dakika (Link in Turkish) – In Edirne, 67 migrants and asylum seekers were caught trying to cross to Greece and Bulgaria illegally. The 67 people arrested are from Syria, Palestine, Afghanistan, Morocco, India and Bangladesh.
Migrant’s Body Recovered from Evros River
Via Greek Reporter – The body of a 20-25 year-old migrant, possibly African, was recovered from the waters of River Evros on the Greek-Turkish borders. The dead body was located by police officers on Thursday afternoon, inside the river. Continue reading Migrant’s Body Recovered from Evros River
Information on what to do in case of Interceptions or Readmission/ Deportation to Turkey
Welcome2Europe updated their information on Turkey and added information for migrants who have been intercepted back to Turkey at sea or land and for those who have been readmitted/deported to Turkey from Greece.
For now the information are available in English. Arabic, Farsi and French will follow soon.
On the Situation in Moria, Lesvos – Open the Islands
OpenTheIslands video on the unbearable situation in the EU-hotspot Moria on Lesvos. Winter is approaching and thousands of refugees are still trapped in the horrible conditions of Moria