Narrative Publications

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What a life in the host country: Narratives of immigrants in Morocco amid the pandemic

The novel pandemic, COVID-19, has acutely affected the lives of countless people worldwide, particularly people with mobile livelihoods such as migrants. Due to border closure, restricted mobility, and economic paralysis, immigrants are left stranded. Neither are they able to return to their homelands, nor are they able to pursue their informal businesses to feed themselves and send remittances to their families. Thus, the labour situation of migrant minorities in Morocco has worsened significantly due to the lockdown. Moreover, they seem to be able to get support and assistance only from the civil community, including charitable organisations and philanthropic associations. It is therefore worthwhile taking a closer look at Morocco’s migration policy vis-à-vis regular and irregular migrants, and the role of civil society organisations (CSOs) that defend the rights of immigrants, especially in the current circumstances.

www-routedmagazine-com-immigrants-morocco-pandemic.pdf
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‘On this journey, no one cares if you live or die’ Abuse, protection, and justice along routes between East and West Africa and Africa’s Mediterranean coast

Research report UNHCR and MMC

Thousands of refugees and migrants are dying, while many are suffering extreme human rights abuses on irregular journeys between West and East Africa and Africa’s Mediterranean Coast.

This report released by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the Mixed Migration Centre (MMC) at the Danish Refugee Council, details how most people taking these routes suffer or witness unspeakable brutality and inhumanity at the hands of smugglers, traffickers, militias and in some cases even State officials.

127_UNHCR_MMC_report-on-this-journey-no-one-cares-if-you-live-or-die.pdf
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To change the migration narrative, we need fact-checkers

A combination of factors influence disinformation’s spread: changes in consumption patterns, lack of media literacy, loss of trust in journalism and the lack of business models for digital media each contribute. Maldita.es is an independent non-profit fact-checking media outlet. One of three inquiries we receive relates to migrants and refugees. The vast amount of disinformation circulating is increasing hate speech towards refugees and migrants and contributes to polarise the public and political debate. The most common migration hoaxes that we find online are the ones where migrants steal jobs from locals, access free health treatments or are involved in criminal activities.

medium-Qto-change-the-migration-narrative-we-need-fact-checkers-a1bca7f4b1cf.pdf
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Negative Sanctions and the EU’s External Migration Policy - “Less for Less” Not Fit for Purpose

The European Commission has announced plans to present a new “Pact on Migration and Asylum” during the German EU Council Presidency. It is expected to provide im-petus for the long-overdue reform of the Common European Asylum System, for the strengthening of the EU’s external borders, and for improved cooperation on migra-tion policy with third countries. Many EU states see the latter as being particularly urgent in order to persuade countries of origin to readmit citizens who are obliged to leave the EU. In addition to positive incentives, sanctions against third countries that are unwilling to cooperate are increasingly being discussed. Although sanctions can have a short-term effect, they do not appear to be sustainable and can jeopardise more far-reaching goals of European foreign and development policy. Therefore, during its Presidency, Germany should instead advocate for migration policy instru-ments that aim to achieve a long-term and fair balance of interests between the EU and third countries.

2020C34_NegativeSanctions.pdf
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Discussions on EU migration and asylum policy ahead of the new pact

2019 was a year of institutional transitions within the EU, as the European Parliament held elec-tions in May and a new European Commission took office in December. On the internal dimension of EU asylum and migration policies, namely the way asylum and mobility are managed within the Union, there was little legislative progress at the EU level. In-stead, there was a distinct proliferation of national and bilateral modes of policy making by member states. At the same time, efforts on the external dimension of migration, including cooperation on migration management with non-EU countries, were notably strengthened. This chapter provides an analytical overview of developments in both areas.

MEDAM-Assessment-Report-2020_web_2_discussions.pdf
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The German Council Presidency –Migration Policy Expectations

Hardly any other topic has been as intensely debated in recent years as the future of the EU’s asylum and migration policy. The refugee crisis of 2014 and 2015 has clearly demonstrated the need for pan-European solutions for all parties involved. Yet despite this realisation, the member states have still not been able to agree on a fair and effective distribution key and clear responsibilities in the reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). During its Presidency, Germany should therefore devote a great deal of political capital to disentangling the positions that have been deadlocked for years.

turkey-fnst-org-german-council-presidency-migration-policy-expectations.pdf
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A migration pact in the spirit of the German government?

For the first time since 2015, the number of asylum applications filed in the EU rose last year compared to the previous year. The German EU Council Presidency is pressing for reforms to the system, but the Commission’s proposals are still some way off, EURACTIV Germany reports.

Several attempts to reform the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) have failed in recent years. Expectations are now high for Germany, which has taken up the cause of reforming the CEAS “on the basis of the proposals of the EU Commission.”

Anis Cassar, the spokesperson for the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), expressed confidence recently, saying “Germany has the political weight to get reform underway.” However, given the urgent negotiations on the EU’s long-term budget and the Recovery Fund, it is unlikely that the Commission will present its migration pact before August.

euractiv-a-migration-pact-in-the-spirit-of-the-german-government.pdf
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The upcoming New Pact on Migration and Asylum: Will it be up to the challenge?

This Discussion Paper argues that a different approach is needed to set up an EU asylum and migration policy that is efficient, respects asylum seekers’ fundamental rights and can prevent and meaningfully address future humanitarian emergencies. It examines the persistent divisions among European countries that the Commission must overcome and provides concrete recommendations on how it can advance an ambitious agenda that is fit for these uncertain times, particularly on responsibility-sharing, asylum procedures, and the external dimension of migration policies.

The_upcoming_New_Pact_on_Migration_and_Asylum.pdf
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Communication on the Global EU Response to COVID-19

The coronavirus outbreak has evolved into a global pandemic. It has killed tens of thousands of people, straining communities, increasing calls for social protection, shrinking business activity and disrupting supply chains. Its consequences will be profound. Having appeared first in China, the pandemic has now spread in Europe and around the globe, with a
spill over on social stability and security.


As the virus does not discriminate between people and knows no borders, this historic crisis requires a fast, massive and coordinated global response to protect all people, save lives and tackle the economic fallout. Now is the time for international solidarity and leadership, not isolation; to reach out more internationally, not less; to provide transparency and facts,
and counter disinformation. The European Union (EU), as the world’s largest donor and a leading economic power, is already at the forefront of this effort.

joint communication on the global EU response to Covid-19.pdf