After the threat of “Covid-19” recedes

Europe prepares for massive waves of illegal immigration

Illegal immigrants heading to Europe by sea.

From the source

While the closure due to the “Covid-19” pandemic significantly reduced illegal immigration flows to Europe in 2020, these numbers are now increasing as 2021 progresses, if we add to this the poor condition in which migrants arrive in Europe, and the economic effects On the continent, the European Union may face another storm after “Covid-19”.

More than a year and a half after the pandemic began, a body of data and analyzes indicates how Covid-19 restrictions are affecting migrants and asylum seekers in European countries. to Europe.

In 2020, “the EU as a whole recorded a 33% year-on-year decrease in asylum applications,” the European Commission reported at the start of 2021, meanwhile irregular border crossings have fallen to rates not seen since 2013.

This also included some disturbing human rights developments, as many asylum offices and consulates were closed, some ports were declared unsafe, asylum seekers were unable to submit applications in some cases, and restrictions on freedom of movement at times made Asylum seekers live in unsanitary conditions, for example isolated outside cities on the Greek island of Lesbos.

But the coronavirus measures have not only reduced migration to Europe, they have also altered flows, specifically border closures in Greece pushing people away from the eastern Mediterranean and into the more deadly central Mediterranean, that is, across North Africa to Italy. Many migrants lose their lives at sea.

According to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), from January to August 2021 there was a 64% increase in irregular migration to the EU compared to the previous year, and traffic on the Western Balkan Route - which passes through Turkey and through Balkan countries such as Albania - doubled. And Serbia and North Macedonia - and in the middle of the Mediterranean.

"The increase can be attributed to the resumption of immigration movements after the lifting of (Covid-19) restrictions," Frontex said.

Meanwhile, the eastern Mediterranean has seen a decrease in illegal border crossings, likely linked to the Greek border closure.

Of the approximately 41,000 people registered as having crossed the dangerous Central Mediterranean route illegally, so far in 2021, the largest group by far has been Tunisians, followed by nationals of Bangladesh and Egypt, with Libya and Tunisia being the main countries of departure.

Due to the increasing number of illegal crossings through the Central Mediterranean route from 2020 to 2021, the International Organization for Migration recorded 1,163 migrants missing at sea in the region as of September this year, compared to 619 maritime deaths during the same time period the previous year.

• From January to August 2021, there was a 64% increase in irregular migration to the European Union compared to the previous year, and traffic on the Western Balkans route doubled.

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