No Access To Protection: The reality for migrants on the other side of the European borders

We currently witness the most successful closure of European Union borders to any kind of person in need of protection. The border of Spain has been effectively closed off a while ago, and there are now almost no new arrivals to Malta and Italy. And now European border guards have been dispatched to Greece in order to strengthen the border there.

At the same time access to the EU territory is still the only way a person can ask for asylum protection in Europe. But travelling to the EU is increasingly difficult for most protection-seekers. Instead they are stranded in countries like Algeria, Libya and Morocco – countries with atrocious human rights records.

At this media breakfast and public event, JRS-Europe will present first hand information gathered from migrants living on the other side of the European borders. Two new booklets on this topic will be launched.

 PROGRAMME

·  Libya: A cruel place

Testimony by Mr Hassan Muhumet Saleban, Somali refugee in Malta, who was detained in

Libya for several months

·  Algeria and Morocco: From transit countries to “mouse traps”

Information from interviews with stranded migrants by Ms Rozemarijn Vanwijnsberghe,

Researcher, JRS Europe

·  European borders: The urgent need for change

Recommendations to EU policy makers by Stefan Kessler, Senior Policy & Advocacy Officer,

JRS Europe

Reply: Ms Barbara Lochbihler, MEP (Coordinator of the Green/EFA group in the EP

Subcommittee for Human Rights [tbc])

·  Opportunity for personal interviews and exchange of views

Please register with Stefan Kessler: europe.senioradvocacy@jrs.net

Financial support for the work on this issue came from the EU's Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Programme.