Migrant crisis in Greece strains EU open borders

Concern over the fate of asylum seekers in Greece has prompted several European Union countries to suspend co-operation with it on migration issues, exposing cracks in the bloc’s wider border-free travel arrangements.

For several months in the latter half of 2010, Greece has faced an unprecedented influx of refugees coming from Asia and Africa via Turkey, as migrants have found a weak link into the EU.

ESO: Background information: Schengen area http://www.europeansources.info/record/schengen-borders-and-visas/

Wikipedia: Dublin Regulation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dublin_Regulation

ECHR: Factsheet – 'Dublin cases', August 2010 http://www.echr.coe.int/NR/rdonlyres/26C5B519-9186-47C1-AB9B-F16299924AE4/0/FICHES_Dublin_Cases_EN.pdf

ECRE (and others): Press Release, 22.10.10: The EU should stop sending asylum seekers to countries that do not guarantee their protection http://www.ecre.org/files/2010_10_22_Joint_PR_Stop_transfers_Greece.pdf

ESO: Background information: Press Release: The European Commission provides an additional €9.8 million and further technical support to Greece on asylum and border issues http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-the-european-commission-provides-an-additional-e9-8-million-and-further-technical-support-to-greece-on-asylum-and-border-issues/

ESO: Background information: Memo: Cecilia Malmström welcomes the extension of RABIT Joint Operation in Greece until 2 March 2011 http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-cecilia-malmstrom-welcomes-the-extension-of-rabit-joint-operation-in-greece-until-2-march-2011/

FRONTEX: Rabit 2010. Evaluation Report http://www.frontex.europa.eu/assets/Attachments_News/fer_rabit_2010_screen_v6.pdf

ECRE: Topics: Asylum in the EU: Determining Responsibility (Dublin) http://www.ecre.org/topics/asylum_in_EU/determining_responsibility

EUObserver, 9.3.11: EU agency hammers Greek response to immigration wave http://euobserver.com/9/31946

FRA: Press Release, 8.3.11: FRA Report 'Coping with a fundamental rights emergency – The situation of persons crossing the Greek land border in an irregular manner' http://fra.europa.eu/fraWebsite/media/pr-080311_en.htm

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