Refugees are no longer allowed to simply leave the new Moria on Lesbos. I have asked the Commission questions about these conditions. The Commissioner writes in her answer to my parliamentary question asking about push-backs at the Greek-Turkish maritime border and the role of the EU border and coast guard Frontex: „An effective and well-functioning agency for the …
Refugees in Greece receive money from the EU through this programme
In order to support the protection seekers on the Greek islands, the UNHCR has set up a Cash Assistance Programme. Under this programme, a fixed monthly amount is transferred to an account for the protection seekers, which they can then dispose of freely. In principle, the Cash Assistance Programme is intended to offer protection seekers the opportunity to arrange basic care according to their individual needs. It should …
Question on the involvement of Frontex in illegal pushbacks
Together with other MEPs, I put the following questions to the EU Commission, to which it replied on 14 April 2021: Subject: Alleged involvement of Frontex in illegal pushbacks of asylum seekers On 23 October 2020, Der Spiegel published its investigation entitled 'Frontex implicated in illegal pushbacks of refugees'. At the LIBE Committee meeting of 6 July 2020 …
Study shows: EU Commission may finance sea rescue operations
I have commissioned a study (German / English), which examines which legal obligations and competences the European Union has in sea rescue. This also applies to military operations of the EU. In March 2020, the EU decided to launch the naval mission Irini, to prevent arms smuggling to Libya using satellite information, at sea and from the air …
New EU agreement facilitates deportations to Afghanistan
Afghanistan is considered the most dangerous country in the world, ahead of Syria. Despite this, deportations to Afghanistan are taking place, and despite this the EU has once again adopted an agreement that is intended to further facilitate deportations to Afghanistan. This document, drawn up between the Commission and the Council, was signed at the beginning of February without the EU Parliament being given a say. New Afghanistan agreement The new repatriation agreement …
The Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument is launched
I am shadow rapporteur for the future Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument. NDICI stands for Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument. With a total volume of almost EUR 80 billion, linked to the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021 – 2027, the instrument will manage a large part of the EU's external funding. On Thursday, 18 …
Five years of the EU-Turkey deal: How time was bought and not used
Five years ago, the European Council and the Commission agreed on a deal with Turkey. The aim of this deal was to prevent people from Turkey from fleeing to Europe in larger numbers. The peak of the 2015 crisis, in which hundreds of thousands came to Europe, had long since passed and the arrival figures declined;
These legal migration possibilities to the EU exist
There are too few legal migration opportunities to the EU. This is especially a problem for refugees, who often have to risk their lives to apply for asylum. Because the EU fails to create legal escape and migration routes, people die trying to reach Europe. The EU's externalisation policy is designed to make people already …
Question: Frontex and refoulement at sea
In order to be able to exercise my parliamentary control function as an MEP, I have the opportunity to put questions to the European Commission. I have put the following questions to the Commission: Subject: Refoulement at sea and Frontex's call for more lax rules on the disembarkation of rescued persons in third countries In response to media research according to which …
Frontex inquiry group in the European Parliament starts its work
Today, 23 February 2021, the European Parliament's Frontex Inquiry Group met for the first time. It consists of 14 MEPs, of which I am one. The central question is whether the agency has systematically committed human rights violations. The group will present its first report in four months' time. Even after the first investigation, the …