Featured Countries

Greece

Traditionally an emigrant-producing country, since the 1990s, Greece has become a key entrance point into the European Union for increasing numbers of migrants, many of whom arrive without appropriate documentation. Between 1993 and 2008, the number of immigrants in Greece quadrupled. Migration pressures have been particularly noticeable in Evros, which shares a land border with Turkey, and on the islands of Samos, Chios, and Lesvos, where immigrants from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East arrive. Greece has responded with a series of measures, including hardened border controls, regularization programmes, and stepped up expulsion efforts. There has also been a dramatic increase in the reported number of apprehensions of both irregular migrants and asylum seekers. In 2005, approximately 40,000 migrants were apprehended; by 2008, the number had jumped to 146,337.

 

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Ukraine

Ukraine is a key source and transit country for irregular migrants attempting to enter the European Union (EU). In recent years, particularly since the extension of the passport-free Schengen zone in 2007, Ukraine has increased efforts to police the borders it shares with neighbouring countries in the EU—in particular, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary. The country has used EU money and partnered with local non-profits and international organizations like the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to expand its detention capacity, refurbish facilities, and/or provide humanitarian services. Despite these efforts, observers continue to characterize Ukraine’s detention facilities as very poor, pointing to severe overcrowding, insufficient medical care, and prolonged detention, among other problems.

 

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Libya

An important transit country for migrants en route to Europe as well as a destination for many African migrants, Libya has an estimated undocumented population of more than one million. Under pressure from the European Union, Libya has tightened its immigration laws and border controls, and expanded its immigration detention infrastructure. Human rights groups and international organizations have staunchly criticised the country for its deplorable detention conditions, widespread corruption, and flourishing migrant smuggling rings. Scores of undocumented migrants die yearly during perilous journeys to and from the country, in the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean. European countries have also attracted criticism for negotiating with Libya—which is not a party to the Refugee Convention—a deal to provide tens of millions of euros to house and process asylum seekers expelled from or intercepted en route to Europe.

 

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