While the Greek islands used to be places of transit where asylum seekers and migrants spent only days on their way to other European countries, as a result of an EU agreement with Turkey, thousands are stranded on Greece’s Aegean islands.
Humanitarian Concerns Should be at the Forefront of Erdoğan-Trump Meeting
As Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump prepare to meet in Washington, D.C. next week, Refugees International calls on both leaders to place humanitarian concerns at the forefront of their discussion of the Syrian conflict and their shared desire to defeat the Islamic State.
Statement on the EU-Turkey Agreement Anniversary
On March 18, the EU and Turkey will mark the one-year anniversary of their joint statement, which sought to stem the flows of asylum-seekers and migrants crossing from Turkey’s shores to the Greek islands.
The Anniversary of the EU-Turkey Agreement
On March 18, the EU and Turkey will mark the one -year anniversary of their joint statement , which sought to stem the flows of asylum-seekers and migrants crossing from Turkey’s shores to the Greek islands. But as this anniversary approaches, Refugee International believes there little cause to celebrate and much more cause for concern.…
“Except God, We Have No One”: Lack of Durable Solutions for Non-Syrian Refugees in Turkey
The Turkish government has taken a number of positive steps to improve the lives of Syrians in Turkey.
Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Turkey: A Photo Essay
In December 2016 Refugees International (RI) carried out a mission to Turkey, visiting refugees and asylum-seekers in several cities including Istanbul, Denizli, Konya, Aksaray, and Kayseri. Pictured here is a family of Afghan refugees living in Denizli.
Many Refugees in Turkey Struggle to Keep Warm
For many refugees in Turkey, the struggle to keep warm is a daily battle. Some refugees said they received a small amount of coal from the government, but that it is not enough. Others said they received no assistance of any kind at all.
Planting the Seeds of Success? Turkey’s New Refugee Work Permits
Turkey’s December 2015 announcement of a work permit option for registered Syrian refugees is a momentous step.
Refugees International response to the EU Turkey deal
Today’s deal between the European Union and Turkey marks a troubling precedent in the search for a principled and effective response to the refugee crisis confronting Europe. While Refugees International is relieved to see that the agreement appears to consider elements of respect for the right to seek asylum in Greece, we are concerned with the provision that states that the EU will return all new irregular migrants, an apparent contradiction that must be clarified.
Refugees become trading chips in EU-Turkey negotiations
On March 7th, European and Turkish leaders announced a breakthrough in agreeing to a framework for a possible deal on managing the flow of refugees and migrants arriving from Turkey onto Greece’s shores. If the framework is implemented as it has been presented, it appears that the deal would strike a major blow to refugee rights.