The significant military escalation in the Middle East has claimed civilian lives, damaged and destroyed vital infrastructure and forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes, requiring an immediate response across the region.
➡️ Learn more: www.unhcr.org/news/briefin...
UNHCR is deeply concerned by the escalation of violence in the Middle East and its impact on civilians and further displacement in the region.
Our full statement on the ongoing situation.
“The fear of migratory flows needs to be broken.”
UNHCR Representative in Greece speaks about the challenges on the ground, the tragic loss of lives at sea & the urgent need for legal & safe migration pathways.
www.unhcr.org/gr/en/news/s...
UNHCR is deeply saddened by the Aegean Sea tragedy near Chios island, where at least 15 people died and 24 were injured.
Saving lives at sea is a legal and humanitarian imperative, and everyone must work together to uphold it.
www.unhcr.org/europe/news/...
In Chad, High Commissioner Barham Salih met Sudanese refugees who had just escaped conflict and carnage in Sudan.
He took what he witnessed and the stories he heard to #WEF26. This was his message to the world.
Humanitarian aid saves lives - it’s not a crime.
The acquittal of aid workers in Greece confirmed that those who act in good faith to help people in danger at sea are fulfilling a basic moral & humanitarian obligation & should not be penalized for doing so.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Asylum is life-saving.
Asylum is life-saving.
“When regular pathways shrink, the role of smugglers rises”…
“If policymakers don’t address why people turn to smugglers, they end up strengthening the very networks they’re trying to stop.”
Via @theguardian.com
Violence in El Fasher, Sudan, has forced thousands to flee.
Many have found refuge in Tawila and are now living in makeshift shelters.
Support displaced families. Donate today: unh.cr/6448ccc04
Humanitarian workers must be allowed to reach people in urgent need across Sudan.
Civilians must never be targeted. Aid convoys must never be blocked.
Respect for international humanitarian law is an obligation, not an option.
UNHCR is deeply saddened by the continued loss of life in the Aegean Sea.
So far this year, 37 people died & at least 9 are missing in 24 separate incidents.
Half of all reported deaths occurred in October alone.
These are avoidable & heartbreaking losses.
www.unhcr.org/gr/en/octobe...
High Commissioner @filippograndi.unhcr.org on why putting the Refugee Convention and the principle of asylum on the table would be a catastrophic error.
Via @reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/changi...
Aid cuts are impacting organisations in Greece that support refugee women facing violence. Shelters are closing, services shrinking. Support is sorely needed.
From Gaza to Ukraine to Sudan to Myanmar, peace remains out of reach.
High Commissioner @filippograndi.unhcr.org urges leaders to seize this moment at #UNGA: choose peace over war and end the suffering of millions.
Germany was no longer the EU country that received the most applications, with France and Spain receiving more applications
Greece received the most applications per capita: 1 application for every 380 residents.
euaa.europa.eu/news-events/...
UNHCR said the law risked penalizing migrants in need of international protection.
It suggested the introduction of fast-track asylum procedures could allow for the prompt identification of refugees and non-refugees and their respective administrative treatment.
www.reuters.com/world/europe...
The European Convention on Human Rights
The European Convention on Human Rights came into force on #OnThisDay in 1953.
All 46 Council of Europe member states have signed up to the #ECHR, an international treaty to protect people’s #HumanRights and fundamental freedoms.
How does it work? ⬇️
www.coe.int/en/web/impac...
The world must keep its eyes on Syria.
All she knew was that she had to keep swimming.
But what started as a desperate bid for safety turned into history in the making.
That’s how Yusra Mardini's courage and determination, from fleeing war in Syria to reaching the Olympics, inspired the @netflix.com film The Swimmers.
The @echr.coe.int issued a new interim measures order on 29/8, indicating to the Greek government not to #deport four Eritrean refugees detained in the Amygdaleza #detention centre since mid-July until they are granted access to #asylum procedures. #Greece
rsaegean.org/en/asylum-su...
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An empowered civil society is one of democracy’s strongest safeguards.
www.unhcr.org/gr/en/news/a...
Sharing and remembering: the people, the solidarity, the challenges, the compassion.
Open call by @rsaegean.org for a photo exhibition in Mytilene to highlight an historic period for Lesvos, Greece and Europe.
“Although they represented only around 9 percent of the total labor force in 2022, foreign workers have accounted for half of its growth over the past three years”
Europe’s economy can’t grow without migrants, Lagarde warns
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
The flag of Greece flying in the wind on a bright sunny day
Receiving disturbing news of comments by the Greek Migration Minister indicating an audit of several NGOs in direct retaliation for their work defending the rights of refugees. The Ministry should support #HRDs, not target them with arbitrary interference & restrictions.
Humanitarians are a lot of things: committed, resilient, determined.
But they should never be a target.
Greece has suspended processing of asylum applications from people arriving by sea from North Africa since July.
Human movement can’t be stopped — but fear can be manufactured.
Very insightful opinion article: www.aljazeera.com/opinions/202...
“We are right now facing a deadly cocktail of a mix of forced displacement which is on the increase and at the same time financial aid cuts.”
~ UNHCR’s @dominiquehcr.bsky.social warns. 🧵
But is Greece (and, with it, Europe) really on the cusp of a new refugee crisis like the one ten years ago? All the data indicates that it is not.
www.msn.com/en-us/news/w...
🚨 Growing concern over the escalating hostile rhetoric against refugees & migrants in Greece — especially after recent arrivals in Crete.
Words matter. Dehumanizing language fuels fear & violence.
📢 We call for responsible public discourse.
👉 www.unhcr.org/gr/en/rvrn/c...
