Migration

Through its regional European Migration Policy Programme, the Heinrich Böll Foundation Office Thessaloniki monitors the developments on the ground and advocates for human rights-based migration policies throughout Europe and its Mediterranean neighbors. In times of growing pressure against people on the move and solidary civil society, we insist on building the resilience of all relevant stakeholders through networking opportunities and the creation of cross-border synergies, as well as by strengthening their voices within EU decision-making procedures.

Programme Coordinator
DOSSIER

Externalisation of migration & asylum

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Recent Articles
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What awaits for Italy-Albania migrant deal?

ANALYSIS
In November 2023, the governments of Italy and Albania presented a migrant deal entailing setting up centers on Albanian territory to offshore asylum procedures to Albania. That meant allowing Italian authorities to transfer migrants intercepted by Italian vessels at international waters to migrant centers in Albania under accelerated procedures. Kristina Millona’s analysis offers us a unique insight into the first agreement of its kind on European soil, exposing the politics behind such deals, as well as the lack of safeguards for people on the move.
By Kristina Millona
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Dossiers
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Shipwrecked. Rethinking migration and asylum in Europe

DOSSIER
The complex issue of migration and asylum, in the light of the new EU Pact, was addressed at the major international congress "Shipwrecked. Rethinking migration and asylum in Europe", which we organised in Thessaloniki in June. Over 130 experts from all over the world – activists, lawyers, journalists, academics, politicians, members of civil society organisations – came to a number of alarming conclusions. Find here texts, as well as audio and visual material from the congress.
Recent Media
Lost in a legal maze

Lost in a legal maze

VIDEO SERIES
This video series explores – perhaps for the first time – the legal difficulties and the legal pitfalls faced by asylum seekers in Greece and Europe, within a legal system designed to fail them. Eleven people at different stages of the asylum procedure talk to the camera about their own cases, revealing with their testimonies the lack of coherence in asylum policy, the high degree of arbitrariness and a systematic attempt to discourage them. In collaboration with Equal Legal Aid.
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Understanding the New Pact: How the EU is abolishing the right to asylum

VIDEO
Our partner organization Border Violence Monitoring Network recently hosted a webinar titled 'Understanding the Pact: How the EU is Abolishing the Right to Asylum', which we were happy to support. In light of the complexity and intransparency of the reform process, this webinar not only provided much needed elaborations on the proposed changes to the Common European Asylum System, but also the potential implications these would have in different EU Member States. 
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Related Publications
In defence of defenders Italian

In difesa dei Difensori

PUBLICATION
This publication is a practical guide created by the Border Violence Monitoring Network and the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Thessaloniki Office, in order to support human rights defenders by showing them mechanisms and avenues for help and self-defence in cases of criminalisation – something that is unfortunately becoming increasingly common in Europe and especially in areas receiving refugees and migrants. After English, Greek and BHS (Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian), it is now also published in Italian by our Paris Office, including a section specifically on the reality in Italy.
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Who guards the guards?

PUBLICATION
This legal opinion written by the non-profit organization front-LEX elaborates on the accountability of Frontex under EU law for ongoing violations of the fundamental rights of asylum seekers, committed in relation to its activities in Greek waters.
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In defence of defenders

In defence of defenders

PUBLICATION
Migration as well as supporting people in flight is increasingly treated as a criminal act in Europe. This toolkit, created by Border Violence Monitoring Network and Heinrich Böll Stiftung Thessaloniki, seeks to support affected Human Rights Defenders by showing them mechanisms and avenues for help and self-defence in cases of criminalisation at various levels.
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