Daily Report
Arrivals and Departures
In Greece, as of 20 April, 53,978 people are present in country with 7,645 people on the islands and 46,333 people on mainland in 34 facilities. On the islands, 5,164 people are in closed facilities, while 2,328 are in open centres or hotels (as of 18 April).
In Turkey, according to the Turkish General Directorate of Migration, 2,749,410 Syrian refugees are currently registered.
Some 265,494 non-Syrian asylum-seekers and refugees have registered with UNHCR in Turkey.
In Italy, the trend of arrival figures fluctuated in the first months of 2016 in comparison to 2015. The number of arrivals in April is lower than in March, and if this trend continues then the number of arrivals in April 2016 may be less that in April 2015 (16,063). Italian Interior Minister, Angelino Alfano, stated in a media interview that compared to last year, the number of people arriving irregularly to Italy by sea has increased by 4.7% in 2016.
Conditions of People
In Greece, while on the mainland the authorities make efforts to decongest Piraeus port and the location at Eidomeni, the media reports that people who are located at hotspot closed facilities on Lesvos and Chios islands, are gradually being released as they complete the maximum detention period of 25 days. However, this does not imply that they have had their asylum claims processed. On Lesvos, people can be accommodated at the open facility in Kara Tepe awaiting the assessment of their asylum applications. On Chios, alternative open accommodation sites are overcrowded.
In Turkey, so far (as of 18 April), 326 people were returned boat to Dikili (Turkey) since the implementation of the EU-Turkey agreement, including 202 people on 4 April and 124 people on 8 April. Main nationalities include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, India, Morocco, Egypt and Palestine. Two Syrians have been returned to date. All non-Syrians returned by sea were referred to Kirklareli removal centre, while Syrians are transferred to Duzici camp for processing. Despite written requests, UNHCR still does not have access to them, including to the 13 persons who had expressed their wish to apply for asylum. Discussions are on-going with authorities on UNHCR’s access to removal centres.
In Italy, so far, overall the top ten nationalities of those arriving are (in rank): Nigeria, The Gambia, Somalia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Mali, Eritrea, Sudan and Morocco. There has been no change observed regarding the nationality of those arriving to the Italian shores since the implementation of the EU-Turkey agreement.
Critical Developments
According to media reports, Turkish authorities are seeking to conclude readmission agreements with several countries, including Iraq and Iran, for the purpose of returning individuals re-admitted from the EU and not in need of international protection. While it has not yet been published in the official Gazette, the Turkish National Assembly reportedly approved a readmission agreement with Pakistan.
The Italian government has presented a "strategic coordination" proposal regarding the EU and NATO operations in the Mediterranean. The proposal, shared by Germany, France, Spain and the UK, was delivered by Defence Minister, Roberta Pinotti, during an EU Foreign and Defence Ministers meeting in Luxemburg held on 19 April, to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
In Greece, on 20 April, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Economic and Social Committee of Greece and the Permanent Representation of the European Commission in Athens co-chaired a conference entitled: "Human flows and the world we share: Can Europe Tackle the Refugee and Migrant Issue?". Speaking at the conference, the Greek Alternate Defence Minister, responsible for coordinating efforts to tackle the refugee crisis, said that given the fact many people will remain in the country for one, two or more years, and rights should be granted as required; in this context, the government may consider issuing a refugee passport. The Minister also said that there are 34 operating host centers across Greece, noting that Eidomeni and Piraeus are not included in the list.
During the European Union Justice & Home Affairs (JHA) Council on 21 April, EU Interior Ministers reached agreement on the Council position on the proposed EU Border and Coastguard Agency, to support ‘the future management of the EU's external borders’. The Council and European Parliament must agree on a common text before it can enter into force.
The European Parliament should reach its initial position by the end of May before starting negotiations with the Council.
The European Council and Commission hope for this file to be concluded as a matter of urgency before the end of the Netherlands presidency in June to allow the new force to be operational by the end of the summer.