The European Union Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) has released its latest Migration Quarterly bulletin covering the period between 1 July and 30 September 2020. It concludes that the COVID pandemic has led to increasingly worsening conditions for migrants and refugees trying to reach and settle in Europe. Some of those challenges include rising number of cases of pushbacks and violence at the borders, worsening living conditions in reception centres and difficulties to enter the EU.
The Bulletin covers the most recent developments in a number of areas:
- Legal and policy changes – these two sections focus on the newly launched “Pact on Migration and Asylum” and its implications.
- The situation at the border – in this chapter FRA notes that during the examined period over 300 people have died or gone missing while trying to reach European shores.
- Asylum procedures – in this part the authors observe that the number of asylum applications is still significantly below pre-COVID-19 levels.
- Reception centers – in this section the investigators report that many facilities remain overcrowded, making it difficult to follow COVID-19 hygiene and physical distancing measures.
- Child protection – in this chapter FRA notes that thousands of unaccompanied children continue living in unsuitable conditions.
- The final section pays attention to the cases of hate speech and violent crimes directed towards third-country nationals.
For more information, please read the full Bulletin.
Learn more about our advocacy work in the area of migration on our thematic webpage.