Statements & Press Releases

BALKANS: ‘The emergence of white supremacism adds another layer of vulnerability for migrants and refugees’

CIVICUS speaks with Myriam Correa, director of Collective Aid, about the situation of migrants across the Balkan migration route.

What effects have recent policy changes had on migration along the Balkan route?

In early 2023, we witnessed an increase in migration along the Balkan route, particularly in Bosnia and Serbia, even though migrants were staying for a shorter time. This posed challenges for organisations like ours in locating and assisting people. Increased movement and rapid turnover made migrants harder to reach and rendered the phenomenon less visible – just as the authorities wanted. However, from a humanitarian standpoint, this only heightened risks.

The Balkan Route and the EU - A Vacuum of Inaction to Safeguarding Human Rights - Collaboration with Kolner Spendenkonvoi  

Collective Aid and Kolner Spendenkonvoi have partnered to formally condemn the presence of German police forces in Serbia at the Northern border with Hungary. The lack of transparency, the increasing violence, and the normalization of the violent arena of border monitoring must be stopped. 

We demand an end to pushbacks and for the EU and EU-bordering countries responsible for the normalization of border violence. We demand the EU and the German government take accountability not just with words but also with actions and remedy the active endangerment of people on the move in Europe that has been occurring for decades now. It is time the reality changes. It is time safe passages are ensured for all. 

Press Release with Europe Must Act on Advocacy in Northern Serbia

We collaborated on a press release with Europe Must Act to advocate for the harsh conditions people on the move endure in northern Serbia. The lack of adequate facilities in camps, the police brutality reported, and the increasing evictions across the border areas that cause people to be on the move and sleep rough through the harsh Balkanic winter must come to an end. We require humane conditions to be provided for all. We demand better safeguarding of human rights for all.

#NEWYEAROLDPOLICIES - Press Release with Refugee Women’s Centre - Project Play - Refugee Community Kitchen - Calais Food Collective - Human Right Observers - Auberge des Migrants - Utopia 56

With the support of the members of Calais Appeal, we have released a press release disclaiming the lack of human rights provisions in northern France.

“The lack of State-provided sanitation, food, water or shelter forces people to endure appalling living conditions. The constant threat of evictions, in which State violence is coupled with the stealing of tents, warm clothing and other personal belongings, exerts further physical and psychological exhaustion on people on the move in northern France. Though in the name of dissuasion, these policy approaches do not stop people’s journeys - they simply make them more dangerous.”

"New year, old policies" a campaign that focuses on raising the voices of refugees - Press Release with Europe Must Act

In support of our #NYOP campaign, Europe Must Act collaborated with Collective Aid to advocate for a new Europe that focuses on and listens to the voices of displaced people in Europe.

“By welcoming so many Ukrainian refugees with solidarity over the last year the EU and its citizens proved that another way is possible. It’s very worrying that attempts to form a coalition of willing countries to support and relocate PoM from EU borders to cities across the continent has not made any progress. On the other side, the EU and Member States manage to increase efforts to make crossing borders more dangerous, agree on plans to return people to the countries they fled and even discuss building more fences around Europe.”

Joint Statement on Violence and Push Backs at the Serbian-Hungarian Border

In collaboration with other NGOs on the ground in Serbia, this joint statement was released to advocate against the violence that has become a daily reality at the Hungarian border.

“There has been a marked trend of increasingly severe injuries affecting people on the move who have been pushed back.These injuries include fractures, dislocations, hematomas, and lacerations that are consistent with reports of physical assaults using boots, batons, belts, rubber bullets, and electric shocks, as well as the impact of razor wire or falls from the four meter high fence infrastructure along the Serbian-Hungarian border.”

Signatories: Medical Volunteers International, Médecins Sans Frontieres, No Name Kitchen, HCIT, KlikActiv, BVMN, Infopark Serbia