Migration News Sheet Summary June 2009

Issued on 09/06/2009

Summary

Every month the Migration Policy Group produces the Migration News Sheet, an information bulletin on immigration, refugees and ethnic minorities with updates on migration law and policies, news on irregular migration, asylum, racism and discrimination at the EU and across countries in Europe.

The Migration News Sheet is available by subscription only

Description

Below is a small selection of articles in the June 2009 issue:

MNS Summary June 2009

Migration Policies/Law

ITALY: Italy's Lower House passes tough Aliens Bill
On 13 May 2009, the Government managed to get his tough Aliens Bill passed by the Lower House in spite of the fact that some of the provisions were opposed by members of Prime Minister Silvio BERLUSCONI's own party. In order to win approval for three major amendments, the Government made use of the confidence vote, thus obliging those members of the Prime Minister's party to choose between voting for the Bill or voting against the Government....to read more, subscribe here

EU: Proposed visa-free travel within Schengen Area for Balkan nationals: Macedonia well-placed for green light
SPAIN: Unemployed Romanians to continue receiving Spanish unemployment benefits if return to Romania
SWITZERLAND: Federal Government won't invoke safeguard clause to limit EU nationals' access to the labour market
UK: Government makes u-turn on Gurkhas and grants settlement rights to all veterans
UK: British Immigration Minister admits Government underestimated scale of migration from new EU states

Irregular migration

EU: Italian Interior Minister urges EU to assist 'frontline States' against illegal immigration
In an urgent appeal to the European Union as if his country were being submerged by a major influx of irregular migrants, the Italian Minister of Interior, Roberto MARONI, urged the European Union to act with solidarity and help those Member States which were bearing the brunt of unauthorised migration by sea in the eastern Mediterranean....to read more, subscribe here

EU: Unauthorised stay in a Schengen Member States - is expulsion mandatory or can a Member State merely impose a fine?
ITALY: Trial of German humanitarian agency heads for rescuing migrants at sea
SPAIN: Immigration Minister reassures NGOs they do not risk prosecution for helping irregular migrants
SPAIN: Meagre results of law to protect victims of forced prostitution

Asylum/Refugees

EU: UNHCR revised guidelines on Iraqi refugees - improved security situation in southern Iraq
On 5 May 2009, the UNHCR issued its revised guidelines for Iraqi asylum-seekers, the first time since the end of 2007. Given the improved security situation in Iraq, particularly the southern governorates and Al-Anbar governorate, the international protection needs of those originating from these regions should be individually assessed....to read more, subscribe here

EU: UNHCR calls for meeting of eastern Mediterranean Member States to address return of asylum-seekers to Libya
ITALY-MALTA: European Commission refuses to criticise Italy despite call by European Parliament members to clarify position on new Rome policy of returning asylum-seekers to Libya
UK: Afghan opposed to return to Greece as 'Dublin case' loses House of Lords appeal
UK: Strong likelihood that suicide threat will be carried out may reach ECHR threshold on violation of Article 3 - Tamil siblings' appeal upheld

Racism/Discrimination

CZECH REP: TV advert advocates 'final solution' for Roma
On 21st May 2009, the Government strongly protested against a televised video of the National Party (NS) which called for "a final solution to the Gypsy issue" and carried the slogan "Stop Favouring Gypsies" over images of Roma people.....to read more, subscribe here

EU: Excessive use of ethnic profiling by police, security forces
FRANCE: Anti-discrimination watchdog reports 25% increase in complaints
IRELAND: Job applicants with non-Irish names stand 50% chance of reaching interview
SWEDEN: Afghan family's complaint on high rent dismissed

Other Issues

EU: Cancer drug makes finger prints disappear
FRANCE-GERMANY-UK: Muslim citizens identify more with their country of nationality than so-called natives
ITALY: Prime Minister against 'multi-ethnic' Italy
SPAIN: Conservative Muslims denied Spanish citizenship
SWEDEN: Somali mother ordered to pay 450,000 SEK to daughter for forced excision carried out 8 years ago