Koraki

Arrivals to Eastern Aegean islands, 1 January – 4 April 2018, inclusive Lesvos, 3,079. Total arrivals since 30 March: 351. Chios, 397. Total arrivals since 30 March: 220. Samos, 1,429. Total arrivals since 30 March: 376. Leros, 110. Total arrivals since 30 March: 1. Kos, 553. Total arrivals since 30 March: 511. Tilos, 0. Total arrivals since 30 March: 0. Kastellorizo, 27. Total arrivals since 30 March: 0. Rhodes, 15. Total arrivals since 30 March: 7 Other islands, 242. Total

The exact date of the anniversary of the initiation of the EU/Turkey Deal is a matter of some debate, as the document was signed on 16 March, and the deal came into ‘full effect’ on 4 April. But, as those most affected by the Deal – the refugees who are searching for a place to be safe and to create new lives for themselves and their families – were ‘marked’ by it on the grounds of whether they arrived in Greece on 20 March 2016, or earlier, we are regarding today, 20 March 2

Seawatch, Refugee Rescue and Lighthouse Relief have called for the UNHCR to investigate an incident in which the Turkish coastguard opened fire on a boat carrying refugees, attacked the refugees on the boat, and forced them back to Turkey, all of which took place outside of Turkish waters. Richard Heard of Refugee Rescue said: ‘the Turkish Coast Guards approached the refugees’ dinghy, started shooting in the air and then rammed them. Soon, one of the Turkish Coast Guards hims

Lesvos’ leading politicians, including its Mayor Spiros Galinos, have warned the Greek government that it must take actions to reverse the island’s current status as an overcrowded prison camp, or face prolonged and sustained protests. Galinos said: ‘We are utterly opposed to policies that are turning Lesbos and other border areas into concentration camps where all human dignity is denied. The government has failed to keep to its commitment to effectively deal with this probl

Those of you who have been receiving these updates for a little while now will be well aware that the EU’s policy in Libya has less to do with the safety of refugees, and more to do with preventing people from entering the EU. This goes for the UK – still a member until March 2019, and a leading ‘light’ in the programme to hand cash to Libya in exchange for preventing people getting across the Mediterranean – as much as any other member. This piece is a long read, but details