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.
Via News that Move – A Spanish NGO has reportedly rented a former clinic on the island of Chios just three months before they and other NGOs will be required to leave. Salvamento Maritimo Humanitario stated that they plan to use the premises as offices, along with providing space for other NGOs and opening a medical clinic to offer first aid to refugees and migrants on the island.
However, according to officials with the European Commission, all NGOs operating on north Aegean islands will be required to depart by the 31st of July. At that time, all migration issues on the islands will be taken over by the Greek government and local municipalities.
Via Reuters– Turkey could re-evaluate or suspend all agreements under its migration deal with the European Union if the bloc does not give a positive response on visa-free travel for Turks, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Friday.
Via Ekathimerini – A total of 1.690 migrants arrived on Greece’s eastern Aegean islands in March, up by almost a half from February but only 6 percent of the figure from a year ago, Frontex said Wednesday.
The Turkish ministry of defense announced today on Twitter that the construction of the border wall to Syria has been completed with the help of TOKI – the state housing authority. The complete wall is now 566 km long.
TOKİ ile birlikte yürüttüğümüz Sınır Fiziki Güvenlik Sistemi Projesi kapsamında Suriye sınırında 556 km'lik beton duvar inşaatı tamamlandı. pic.twitter.com/j6rDEgQ7ds
— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) April 11, 2017
Via Evrensel – The 29-year-old Syrian refugee lost his life after a self-immolation attempt on the Greek island Chios after being treated in Athens Evangelismos Hospital. He had arrived on the island some weeks ago and was given the decision of deportation.
Via Evrensel – Syrian refugees were attacked in the Torbalı district of Izmir. It was reported that the attack that took place in Pamukyazı neighborhood was carried out on a rumor that a child was beaten by the Syrians. Knives and sticks used in the attack, 1 heavily injured and 30 people were wounded. About 500 Syrians who were trying to save their lives after the attack were forced to leave the neighborhood they lived in.
Via Ekathimerini – A total of 124 migrants and refugees have landed on Greek shores in the past 24 hours, with 80 arriving on the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos, 30 on Chios and 14 on Leros.
According to official figures, 62,204 migrants and refugees are currently stranded in mainland Greece and its islands.
Via ProAsyl* – A Syrian family father was denied family reunification in Germany. After years of waiting, his wife and children crossed the Aegean by boat. A deadly attempt: The boat sank. The family died because there was no legal possibility for them to reunite with their husband and father. Continue reading The refusal of family-reunification has deadly consequences→
Via Daily Sabah – Daily Sabah published an article accusing foreign NGO’s active in Turkey “trying to degenerate the culture of Syrian refugees”, by teaching their children “how to become free”. The author, Yunus Paksoy, writes that “some vulnerable Syrians think that such foreign NGOs are being insensitive while others claim that they have a hidden agenda.”
Via Hurriyet Daily News – Tens of thousands of displaced Syrians have returned to an area which was cleared of terrorists by Turkey and Turkish-backed opposition fighters in northern Syria, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said April 1.
