Migration deal: Quick start, tough implementation

Series Title
Series Details 19.03.16
Publication Date 19/03/2016
Content Type

At the European Council, Brussels, 17-18 March 2016 a EU-Turkey statement was agreed which aimed to end irregular migration from Turkey to the EU.

The first element of the agreement was that all new irregular migrants crossing from Turkey to the Greek islands from the 20 March 2016 would be returned to Turkey. People who did not have a right to international protection would be immediately returned to Turkey. People who applied for asylum in Greece would have their applications treated on a case by case basis, in line with EU and international law requirements and the principle of non-refoulement.

In practice, what would happen on the 20 March 2016?

Kathimerini reported on the 19 March 2016 that Greek officials signaled that implementation of the migration agreement between the European Union and Turkey could only occur gradually, with key details still to be worked out on how migrants newly arriving from Turkey would be processed and returned.

Greece was expecting some 2,300 European experts, including migration officers and translators, to help implement the deal.

The UNHCR said on the 22 March 2016 that it was concerned that the EU-Turkey deal was being implemented before the required safeguards were in place in Greece. 'At present, Greece does not have sufficient capacity on the islands for assessing asylum claims, nor the proper conditions to accommodate people decently and safely pending an examination of their cases.

UNHCR is not a party to the EU-Turkey deal, nor will we be involved in returns or detention. We will continue to assist the Greek authorities to develop an adequate reception capacity'.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.ekathimerini.com/207156/article/ekathimerini/news/migration-deal-quick-start-tough-implementation
Related Links
ESO: Background information: European Council, Brussels, 17 - 18 March 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-council-brussels-17-18-march-2016/
The Guardian, 20.03.16: Greece delays sending refugees back to Turkey under EU deal http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/20/greece-delays-sending-refugees-back-to-turkey-under-eu-deal
European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: MEMO/16/963: Factsheet: EU-Turkey Agreement: Questions and Answers http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-963_en.htm
European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: Press Release,IP/16/942: President Juncker appoints EU Coordinator to organise operational implementation in Greece http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-942_en.htm
ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/
ESO: Background information: Press Release: Refugee crisis: the Council sets up emergency support http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-refugee-crisis-the-council-sets-up-emergency-support/
Deutsche Welle, 20.03.16: Greece struggles as EU-Turkey refugee deal comes into force http://dw.com/p/1IGTz
BBC News, 20.03.16: Migrant crisis: EU-Turkey deal comes into effect http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35854413
EurActiv, 20.03.16: Refugees still arriving, as EU-Turkey deal enters into force http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/refugees-still-arriving-as-eu-turkey-deal-enters-into-force/
Politico, 21.03.16: Turkey and Greece to discuss migrant deal as influx continues http://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-and-greece-to-discuss-migrant-deal-as-influx-continues/
EUObserver, 21.03.16: Greece struggles to launch EU-Turkey plan https://euobserver.com/migration/132756
Kathimerini, 21.03.16: Refugee deal 'uphill effort,' Greek PM says, as more keep arriving http://www.ekathimerini.com/207181/article/ekathimerini/news/refugee-deal-uphill-effort-greek-pm-says-as-more-keep-arriving
Euro|Topics: Debates, March 2016: EU-Turkey deal won't stop migrants http://www.eurotopics.net/en/156034/eu-turkey-deal-won-t-stop-migrants
Deutsche Welle, 21.03.16: Crunch time for refugees on the island of Lesbos http://dw.com/p/1IH7M
BBC News, 21.03.16: Migrant crisis: Turkish monitors on Greek islands for EU deal http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35858392
EUObserver, 21.03.16: EU-Turkey deal gets reality check https://euobserver.com/migration/132762
EurActiv, 22.03.16: [Opinion]: Safeguards needed for EU-Turkey migration deal (by Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights) http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/opinion/safeguards-needed-for-eu-turkey-migration-deal/
EurActiv, 22.03.16: UN refugee chief concerned about EU-Turkey deal http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/un-refugee-chief-concerned-about-eu-turkey-deal/
EurActiv, 23.03.16: UNHCR refuses to play ball with EU, as ‘hotspots’ become prisons http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/unhcr-refuses-to-play-ball-with-eu-as-hotspots-become-prisons/
UN: UNHCR: Briefing Note, 22.03.16: UNHCR redefines role in Greece as EU-Turkey deal comes into effect http://www.unhcr.org/56f10d049.html
Kathimerini, 22.03.16: Refugees and migrants lose hope as Greece’s northern border shuts for forseeable future http://www.ekathimerini.com/207234/article/ekathimerini/community/refugees-and-migrants-lose-hope-as-greeces-northern-border-shuts-for-forseeable-future
Politico, 23.03.16: Greek hot spots ‘used as detention facilities’ http://www.politico.eu/article/refugee-registration-centers-detention-facilities-hotspots/
EurActiv, 23.03.16: NGOs abandon Greece, oppose EU-Turkey refugee plan http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/ngos-abandon-greece-oppose-eu-turkey-refugee-plan/
EUObserver, 24.03.16: Aid agencies suspending operations in Greece https://euobserver.com/migration/132798
Kathimerini, 26.03.16: Greece starts evacuating Idomeni border camp as new arrivals slow http://www.ekathimerini.com/207346/article/ekathimerini/news/greece-starts-evacuating-idomeni-border-camp-as-new-arrivals-slow
Politico, 29.03.16: 5 deadlines to watch on the EU-Turkey migration deal http://www.politico.eu/article/5-deadlines-to-watch-on-the-eu-turkey-migration-deal-refugee-crisis-asylum-greece-mediterranean-syria-war/
EurActiv, 29.03.16: Ankara accused of forcibly repatriating at-risk Afghans http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/ankara-accused-of-forcibly-repatriating-at-risk-afghans/
EurActiv, 31.03.16: Turkey, Greece scramble to start EU deal as refugee arrivals rise http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/turkey-greece-scramble-to-start-eu-deal-as-refugee-arrivals-rise/
EUObserver, 01.04.16: Turkey accused of crimes against refugees, as EU returns begin https://euobserver.com/migration/132870

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