Migration Commissioner seeks new migration deals in Libya eualive.net/migration-comm…

EU Migration chief Brunner has begun talking about the 'weaponisation' of migration from Libya to the EU, orchestrated by Russia and Belarus. The comments suggest he's considering invoking 'hybrid warfare' to justify harsher methods in the Mediterranean. eualive.net/migration-comm…

In 2019, Campsfield immigration prison was closed amid mass outcry over the conditions under which people were forced to live by the company running it, Mitie. Campsfield is due to re-open later this year, and you'll never guess who's got the contract. forbes.com/sites/freylind…

Apparently Commissioners Brunner & the delegations from Italy, Greece and Malta were declared personae non gratae at Benghazi airport after their visit to Tripoli.

Greece's PM Mitsotakis announced a freeze on asylum claims from those arriving from Africa by boat for 90 days. New arrivals will be detained. His gov't suspended the right to apply for asylum in 2020, drawing EU criticism. Now, they are only suspending the processing of claims.

For EUAlive Georgi Gotev & EUalive: Last week the Greek gov announced asylum suspension for people arriving from N. Africa. Now the new migration minister's pushing a bill to send rejected asylum seekers to prison if they don't (or can't) go back home or to Libya. eualive.net/prison-or-exit…

@Amnesty's comment on the unfolding migration and asylum developments in Greece, incl. reports of a proposed new bill providing for the detention of people whose asylum application is denied and do not accept to return voluntarily/ for Frey Lindsay eualive.net/prison-or-exit…

For the World Service, I've been speaking with people struggling with gambling problems in South Africa. The SARGF and researchers also told me how Covid and cost-of-living crises have seen an alarming amount of people turning to gambling, just to make ends meet

The European Commission has unveiled plans for its next long-term budget, totaling €2 trillion. What does it include on migration—and what could it mean for migrants and asylum seekers? In this explainer, InfoMigrants looks at what's in the plan so far👇🏾 infomigrants.net/en/post/65892/…

In the last months I've been speaking with young people, NGOs and influencers in Nigeria about how online gambling and gambling scams are exploding - with thousands of young Nigerians (many underage) falling into serious gambling problems and addiction bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3c…

A coalition of migrant aid organizations has criticized the Italian government for allegedly transferring 132 migrants to Albania with no written provision stating the reasons for their transfer. infomigrants.net/en/post/66110/…

Today at 3pm, the #OceanViking has been deliberately and violently attacked in intl. waters by the Libyan Coast Guard, who fired hundreds of shots at our ship. The 87 survivors and crew on board were not wounded. We are currently working on a detailed reconstruction of events.

Migrant workers’ legal precarity reveals the incompatibility of Labour’s policies on worker’s rights and immigration. How seasonal workers continue to face exploitation as the visa scheme expands ✍️ Frey Lindsay ⤵️ opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-traf…

Workers on the UK seasonal visa scheme told me about the abuse and exploitation they face on British farms. FLEX & Worker Support Centre say exploitation is written into the scheme itself. The government - terrified of farmer protests - has done little to improve things

Kate Roberts from FLEX says the Employment Rights Bill – soon back in parliament – “won’t do much” for seasonal workers. She says the rules are essentially incompatible with Labour’s commitment to improving labour standards. ✍️ Frey Lindsay opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-traf…

“Ultimately workers and employers both need to know that the workers have the option to withdraw their labour and find another job, and won’t lose their immigration status or risk destitution if they are unable to work" says FLEX in this new piece by Frey Lindsay

Our latest briefing looks at how gendered discrimination on the Seasonal Worker Scheme can result in higher levels of debt, underemployment, lower income and sexual harassment on UK farms. Read The Grocer's write-up here:

The German government has approved two draft laws to implement the EU's sweeping asylum reform. Rights groups have warned the move could undermine fundamental protections for refugees, including children. infomigrants.net/en/post/66781/…

Rescue ship shooting: Where is the EU’s red line with Libya? bit.ly/46H9c4R | read more ⤵️

Everybody who pays attention knows the Libyan Coast Guard is involved in the mass abuse/torture/murder of people in Libya. Over the years, this has not been enough for the EU to break off its partnership with them. Now, the LCG has begun directly targeting NGOs like SOS MEDITERRANEE