Quarterly Mixed Migration Updates

| By Mixed Migration Centre

Quarterly Mixed Migration Updates, Quarter 2 – 2023 (April-June)

This article presents the key updates on mixed migration from six regions around the world during the second quarter of 2023. Links to the full Quarterly Mixed Migration Updates (QMMU) per region are included below.

Asia and the Pacific | Eastern and Southern Africa | Europe| Latin America and the Caribbean | North Africa | West Africa

Asia and the Pacific

Key Updates Quarter 2 – 2023

  • Resettlement of Afghans in Europe and UK progressing at a slow pace: As of May 2023, only 54 Afghans were resettled in the UK and 271 Afghans across the EU. Germany announced its intention to pause the acceptance of resettlement applications from Afghans.
  • Protection of migrant workers in Malaysia remains an issue: 500 migrant workers from Nepal and Bangladesh holding temporary work visas are stranded in Malaysia without promised jobs. Two immigration officials arrested for working in conjunction with recruitment agencies and accepting bribes and approving temporary work visas for these workers.
  • Irregular movements from Pakistan to Europe continue: 350 Pakistani migrants and refugees reported dead or missing following the capsizing of an overloaded vessel in the Mediterranean Sea near Greece. 37 suspects arrested by the government of Pakistan for their alleged involvement in smuggling activities related to the tragic incident.
  • Sri Lanka forges new partnerships to combat irregular migration: To prevent irregular migration and the exploitation of its migrant workers, the government of Sri Lanka entered into partnerships, including for maritime cooperation with Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Switzerland.
  • Rohingya living in Bangladesh and Myanmar exposed to aggravated risks: Further cuts to food support from the World Food Program, escalating gang violence in camps, acts of arson as well as the impact of Cyclone Mocha worsened the protection risks Rohingya refugees are exposed to.

Thematic Focus: Climate change amplifies displacement in Myanmar: A perfect storm of conflict, extreme weather and vulnerability

Read the full QMMU

 

Eastern and Southern Africa | Egypt & Yemen

Key Updates Quarter 2 – 2023

  • Crisis in Sudan triggers large-scale internal displacement, cross-border movements and involuntary immobility: Cross-border movements have been recorded in Egypt (255,565), Chad (180,683), South Sudan (135,402) and Ethiopia (55,618).
  • Increase in refugee and migrant arrivals in Yemen: In Q2, 35,677 refugees and migrants arrived in Yemen, compared to 11,614 during the same period last This increase corresponds to earlier IOM reporting expecting arrival numbers to match pre-pandemic figures. Further along the Eastern Route, MMC reported on the widespread and deliberate killing of hundreds of Ethiopian migrants through artillery and mortar attacks by security officials operating under Saudi state authority on the Yemeni- Saudi border.
  • Arrests of undocumented migrants in Djibouti: In May, Djibouti announced a crackdown on all undocumented migrants stranded or transiting through the At least 3,000 were arrested during roundups and detained prior to their deportation.
  • Uganda passes Anti-Homosexuality Bill: Uganda approved its Anti-Homosexuality Bill in May, while similar anti-LGBTQI+ legislation is currently being reviewed in Kenya. Movements out of the country and additional protection needs and legal pathways for LGBTQI+ persons should be anticipated.
  • Uncertainties around UK-Rwanda deal: The UK affirmed it would move ahead with the UK-Rwanda deal, despite the potential for strikes from Home Office staff and the high costs of deportation. At the end of Q2, the UK Court of Appeal ruled the deal was ‘unlawful’.
  • Increase in Egyptian and Eritrean arrivals in Italy: In Q2, Egyptians represented the second-most common nationality to arrive in Italy (3,866). In terms of absolute numbers, Egyptian arrivals were 23% higher than during the same period last year. The number of Eritreans arriving (1,270), representing the 10th most common nationality from January – May, increased by 121% compared to the same period last year.
  • Expulsions from Mayotte: From May–June, France launched Operation Wuambushu on Mayotte, leading to the demolition of irregular settlements on the island mostly inhabited by Comorian migrants, with the goal to expel all undocumented individuals to Comoros.

Thematic Focus: Impact of the Sudan conflict on movements south

Read the full QMMU

 

Europe

Key Updates Quarter 2 – 2023

  • A “historic” agreement to overhaul EU asylum policy – though divisions remain: On 8 June the majority of member states agreed to a radical package of reforms that sought to reach a compromise between the different camps, though Hungary and Poland have continued to publicly denounce the provisions of the agreement.
  • Almost 600 dead and missing in sinking off coast of Messenia, Greece: In one of the worst incidents in recent memory, a boat carrying up to 750 passengers sank near Pylos, Greece, on its way from Libya to Italy, resulting in the deaths or disappearance of 596 people.
  • A new partnership on the horizon between the EU and Tunisia: In response to the growing popularity of the Central Mediterranean route from Tunisia, in June the EU released details of a controversial €1 billion package of financial and technical assistance that included support for increased border control by Tunisia.
  • Italy imposes further restrictions around migration: In the wake of a deadly shipwreck near the coastal town of Cutro in Calabria in February, the Italian government passed the so-called Cutro Decree in May. The provisions, far from increasing protections, make it even harder for arrivals to access humanitarian support and essential services.
  • Pushbacks and returns from Croatia into Bosnia and Herzegovina: Returns from Croatia to Bosnia and Herzegovina have been increasing since the beginning of 2023, coinciding with Croatia’s formal entry into the Schengen zone on 1 January. Violent pushbacks and illegal deportations by Croatian authorities have also continued.
  • Western Balkan countries commit to greater cooperation around migration: At the Third Sarajevo Migration Dialogue on 8 June, the six countries in the Western Balkans region agreed to work more closely together on managing migration through their territory.
  • The United Kingdom (UK)’s Rwanda policy is struck down by the court of appeal: On 29 June the UK’s appeal court ruled that the government’s controversial “Rwanda policy”, whereby asylum seekers deemed to have entered the country illegally are sent to Rwanda to have their claims processed there, was illegal.

Thematic Focus: Pakistani Nationals on the Move to Europe: New Pressures, Risks, Opportunities

Read the full QMMU

 

Latin America and the Caribbean

Key Updates Quarter 2 – 2023

Read the full QMMU

 

North Africa

Key Updates Quarter 2 – 2023

  • Thousands of migrants expelled from Libya: In early June, authorities in Eastern Libya carried out the expulsion of thousands of migrants, predominantly Egyptians. It is reported that at least 4,000 individuals were forced to cross the borders into Egypt. Local and international NGOs have voiced their concerns regarding the treatment of these individuals, including deprivation of food and water when crossing into Egypt in the heat of the day.
  • Continued EU support to Tunisia: The EU has continued to engage in talks about support to Tunisia. This quarter saw multiple visits from heads of government and other key political leaders. In a trilateral visit alongside the Italian and Dutch Prime Ministers, the President of the European Commission announced the EU’s preparedness to provide more than 1 billion euros in aid. An additional 100 million euros could be provided for anti-smuggling activities and border management.
  • Surge in anti-migrant violence in Sfax, Tunisia: Since the last quarter, Sfax has witnessed an upsurge in public xenophobia and violence against sub–Saharan African individuals. One incident involved an attack on a house inhabited by sub-Saharan African individuals, resulting in the death of one migrant. Additionally, altercations escalated between sub-Saharan African nationals and local residents following protests against the presence of irregular migrants in Sfax.
  • One year passes since Melilla incident: this quarter saw the one-year mark since the deadly incident that unfolded in Melilla on 24 June 2022. To this day, the fate of 76 people remains unknown, leaving their families without any answers. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have criticized the responses by the Spanish and Moroccan governments, deeming them inadequate. In June, five Spanish NGOs filed a complaint hoping to initiate a trial and seek justice for the victims.
  • Boat departing from Eastern Libya ends in tragedy at Pylos, Greece: On 9 June, an overcrowded ship embarked from Libya with hundreds of individuals aboard, aiming to reach Italy. On June 14, the ship sank off the coast of Greece. The confirmed death toll has surpassed 80 people, while around 500 individuals are still missing and presumed dead. The incident occurred amidst a noticeable increase in departures from eastern Libya, which began in late 2022.
Read the full QMMU

 

West Africa

Key Updates Quarter 2 – 2023

  • New Action Plan for the Western Mediterranean and Atlantic Route: On 6 June, the European Commission shared its new Action Plan to strengthen its partnership with key countries of origin and transit along the Western Mediterranean and Atlantic Routes. Among other things, the plan foresees enhanced cooperation between Frontex and Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal. It also aims to increase border management capacity of these three countries as well as the Gambia, and calls for assessment of surveillance needs and the possibility of joint operations along the route.
  • Relative increase in arrivals on the Atlantic Route: The overall number of arrivals to the Canary Islands more than doubled from the first quarter to the second quarter, with UNHCR reporting 5,000 between April and June. While arrivals are still down 19% in the first half of the year as compared to 2022, this is a much smaller year-to-date decline than was seen at the end of the first quarter (64%).
  • Spanish Ombudsman launches inquiry into failed search and rescue: On 23 June the Spanish Ombudsman announced the launch of an investigation into the rescue coordination of a boat carrying West Africans that sank on 21 June. Following distress calls that were picked up by the Spanish Salvamento Maritimo in Las Palmas, the boat waited nearly 12 hours for assistance from Morocco, at which time 34 people were missing and two bodies were recovered, including that of a five-year-old girl.
  • Humanitarian emergency continues for stranded migrants in Niger: A variety of local and international aid organizations have been expressing deep concern over the humanitarian situation of expelled migrants in northern Niger. A spike in expulsions from Algeria early in the year overwhelmed humanitarian infrastructure to receive these migrants in the northern Nigerien desert town of Assamaka. While local and international actors have worked to ramp up assistance, according to an IOM/OCHA report, it is still necessary to “improve and broaden the response.”
  • Proportion of West Africans on Central Mediterranean Route rises: Of the 64,846 irregular arrivals by sea to Italy in the first half of 2023, at least 38% came from West and Central African nations, a substantial increase over the approximately 10% seen in 2022.

Thematic Focus: Social media usage among Nigerians on the move

Read the full QMMU
Topics: PolicyTrends in migration
Region: Asia and the PacificEast and Southern AfricaEuropeLatin America and the CaribbeanNorth AfricaWest Africa