Bordermonitoring Bulgaria

Excessive police violence in Voenna Rampa, Sofia

Publiziert am 1. August 2014 von mf

A video, published by Bulgarian National Television, shows police men beating an asylum-seeker in the camp in Voenna Rampa, Sofia. The incident has taken place on July 30th 2014, when a group of asylum-seekers protested their removal from the camp in Sofia to the one in Harmanli. A while ago it became clear that there are thousands return applications from all over Europe awaiting approval by the Bulgarian government, where 3,000 come from the German government. In light of the large number of expected returns from other European countries and the increased number of newly registered applications (more than 600 for the months of April, May and June 2014) and border crossings, the Bulgarian government decided to remove status-holders from the camps in Sofia and to accommodate them in the camp in Harmanli so as to free space for the new comers.

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Veröffentlicht unter Uncategorized | Verschlagwortet mit BNT, Bulgarian National Television, Deportation, Harmanli, Homelessness, humanitarian status, Hunger Strike, integration, Integration program, Police brutality, police violence, poverty, resitance, SAR, Sofia, State agency for refugees, status, status-holder, subsidiary protection, Violence, Voenna Rampa | Kommentare deaktiviert

Statement about the latest developments

Publiziert am 19. Juli 2014 von mf

In the light of the latest developments in the situation of refugees and asylum seekers in Bulgaria Bordermonitoring is sad to observe its most feared concerns coming true. It became apparent that the solutions to the refugee crisis with regards to accommodation that offered prolonged stays in the centers were temporary and easy to revoke, as we have underlined in our report. The returns to Bulgaria expose refugees and asylum seekers in the country to homelessness and institutional violence (the Head of SAR has warned that the refugees who do not wish to leave the SAR centers will be forced to do so). Thus, countries returning refugees and asylum seekers to Bulgaria not only add to the chaos but they also willingly send people back to a situation which fosters homelessness, economic disparity, and both institutional and physical violence. Meanwhile the Bulgarian authorities have announced the completion of the 33 km long fence on the turkish-bulgarian border.

Veröffentlicht unter Uncategorized | Verschlagwortet mit accomodation, asylum seekers, Dublin, economic disparity, fence, Homelessness, humanitarian status, Refugees, SAR, State agency for refugees, status, status-holder, Violence | Kommentare deaktiviert

New report available

Publiziert am 7. Juli 2014 von mf

PDF download

Trapped in Europe’s Quagmire: The situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Bulgaria is Bordermonitoring’s report on Bulgaria. The making of the report was undertaken by four independent researchers and follows structural conditions in the country which place asylum-seekers and refugees in an extremely vulnerable position as well as their current precarious situation.

The themes covered in the report are as follows:

Push-backs and violence at the Bulgarian border
From overcrowded camps to the production of homelessness
Integration in flux: a path to exclusion in a state of chaos
Xenophobia and racists assaults: institutions, far-right, street violence
Asylum procedures: the legal experts’ opinion
Europe’s most unwanted: restrictions on free movement

It is available as of now: PDF download.

Bordermonitoring advises against the conduct of Dublin returns to Bulgaria until the country can ensure dignified treatment of all asylum-seekers and refuges on its territory. Bordermonitoring continues to closely follow the developments in Bulgaria.

Veröffentlicht unter Uncategorized | Verschlagwortet mit Asylum procedure, border, Camps, Chaos, Exclusion, Far-Right, Homelessness, humanitarian status, institutions, integration, legal experts, Non-Refoulement, Push-Back, racism, racists assaults, Refoulement, Restrictions, status, status-holder, Street Violence, subsidiary protection, unwanted, Violence, vulnerable, Xenophobia | Kommentare deaktiviert

New report available tomorrow!

Publiziert am 6. Juli 2014 von mf

The reports on stories collected in Bulgaria, while the journalist Andrea Rehmsmeier, visited the country in the months of April and May 2014. The broadcast covers the hardships that status-holders endure after the granting of their status. As a 19 year old Palestinian reports:

If you got this passport, than you have to leave the camp within a transition period of one month. Because the Bulgarian state is taking the view: From us you got what you wanted. Now go to work, or sleep in the street, this is not our problem anymore. From now on you are responsible for yourself!

Andrea Rehmsmeier shows the dangerous situation in Bulgaria that arises from the spread of extreme far-right tendencies. As one of her interviewees, a volunteer who helps asylum-seekers and refugees, shares:

On Facebook people write things that I don’t really want to say publicly. They also threaten me that they will send the “hooligans” after me.

Tomorrow, on July the 7th, Bordermonitoring is releasing a report of its findings in Bulgaria. „Trapped in EUs Quagmire: The situation of Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Bulgaria“ covers topics ranging from push-backs and racism in Bulgaria to the newest developments in regards to integration and the spread of homelessness.

Veröffentlicht unter Uncategorized | Verschlagwortet mit Bordermonitoring Bulgaria, Deutschlandradio, Far-Right, Homelessness, hooligans, integration, racism, Report, status, status-holder, subsidiary protection | Kommentare deaktiviert

Child beaten at EU-Border: Brutal Push-Backs continue in Bulgaria

Publiziert am 25. April 2014 von mf

On April 21st, 2014 Border Monitoring Bulgaria (BMB) recorded yet another case of a push-back of a single Syrian mother with her four children (10, 17, 22, 24 years old) accompanied by severe police violence. Relatives reported that in their attempt to receive protection in Bulgaria, the family was forcefully returned to Turkey. After a day spent in Bulgaria, the family now finds itself in Turkey without their request for asylum having been respected, heard, or evaluated. BMB spoke to the victims who are now in a Turkish hospital treating their broken limbs and ribs.

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Veröffentlicht unter Uncategorized | Verschlagwortet mit border, Borderpolice, Dublin, Elhovo, Harmanli, Human Rights Watch, Pastrogor, Push-Back, Refoulement, Syrian Refugees, Turkey, UNHCR, Violence | Kommentare deaktiviert

The struggle in the camps continues

Publiziert am 19. Dezember 2013 von mf

On 19th of November, refugees in Harmanli have gone on a hunger strike in the „closed type“ camp of Harmanli, among them more than 100 people, including children. Refugees tried to prevent a truck to enter the camp. Several refugees in Busmantsi and Lyubimets are striking with them. They are protesting against the miserable conditions, the lack of information and strained relation with security guards and dilapidated equipment. The camp was built for 450 people, but as of now more than 1200 inhabit it – according to the State Agency for Refugees (SAR) 1296 people are living there, but many more are still waiting to be registered. Many of the refugees are living in tents now. The filthy three toilets and eight showers are definitely not enough. The people there say that you can only get out of the camp if you have some money, the refugees suffering from the cold.

: Camp in Harmanli

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Veröffentlicht unter Uncategorized | Verschlagwortet mit Busmantsi, Camps, Dublin, Harmanli, Hunger Strike, Lyubimets, Nils Muižnieks, Ovcha Kupel, Refugees of the Syrian civil war, resistance, SAR, Sofia, State agency for refugees, struggle, UNHCR | Kommentare deaktiviert

Is Bulgaria violating the Non-Refoulement Principle?

Publiziert am 18. November 2013 von mf

In 2012, the Bulgarian lawyer Valeria Ilareva stated that Bulgaria is sending asylum seekers to Greece without registering them as subjects that have sought protection. On the 11th of November, 2013, Bulgaria „closed the border“ to Turkey by sending 1166 policemen at the border. In a statement, the authorities explained that in 24 hours 97 “illegal immigrants” have been prevented to enter the territory of the country and have been sent back to the Turkish border police. The group was stopped in the Strandzha mountains, the prevention of crossing over happens at the so-called „green border“. This could be considered a violation of the Non-Refoulement principle, yet no sanctions have followed. In the coming days 300 more police officers will be deployed at the border with all-terrain-vehicles and trained dogs. The UNHCR warned Bulgaria about this treating of the, mostly, Syrian refugees and is searching more information about these incidents. Meanwhile the construction of the border fence, that will be 33 km long, goes further.

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Veröffentlicht unter Uncategorized | Verschlagwortet mit Blood & Honour, border, Borderpolice, Bulgarian National-Radical Party, Council of Europe, fence, Greece, National Resistance, Nationalist Party of Bulgaria, Non-Refoulement, Ovcha Kupel, Refoulement, Strandzha, Syrian Refugees, Telish, Turkey, UNHCR, Xenophobia | Kommentare deaktiviert

Hungerstrike, revolt and xenophobia

Publiziert am 31. Oktober 2013 von mf

The last refugee hungers strike in Bulgaria took part less than a month ago. As of currently new strike has swept the detention center in Busmantsi, near Sofia. A few days later, refugees went on a hunger strike in Lyubimets and Harmanli, too. The main demand of the people in the detention centers concerns the slow proceeding of their asylum application. Yet, they also criticize the conditions in the facilities, the brutality of the security and nonetheless, the fact that they are being detained. For right now, the capacity of the camps that belong to the State Agency for Refugees and the Bulgarian Interior Ministry in Sofia has been exceeded by 714 places. A number that is expected to grow.

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Veröffentlicht unter Uncategorized | Verschlagwortet mit Busmantsi, Detention Center, Harmanli, hooligans, Hungerstrike, Ministry of Interior, Pastrogor, racism, Refugee, Revolt, SAR, State agency for refugees, Syria, Telish, VMRO, Xenophobia | Kommentare deaktiviert

Europe is building a new wall at the external border

Publiziert am 22. Oktober 2013 von mf

In the beginning of October 2013, the executive director of FRONTEX called the Bulgarian-Turkish border the „the most important land border in the EU„. In another interview, he admitted that – from time to time – the agency is involved in the Refoulement on migrants. The Interior Minister of Bulgaria said, that the agency will send 29 employees to deal with the situation at the border. He added that almost 100% of the people crossing the border are detained. The Bulgarian parliament just voted for a 30 km wall with 3 m high barriers on the Bulgarian-Turkish border. The Bulgarian Army began with the construction on the 24th of October 2013. UNHCR Bulgaria commented, that this may lead people to undertake more dangerous crossings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBtV-tkUG2c

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Veröffentlicht unter Uncategorized | Verschlagwortet mit border, Borderpolice, cameras, checkpoints, control, Elhovo, European Union, fence, FRONTEX, Harmanli, Kazanlak, racism, Refoulement, SAR, State agency for refugees, Syrian Refugees, Xenophobia | Kommentare deaktiviert

NGO calls for resignation of the Council of Ministers

Publiziert am 12. Oktober 2013 von mf

In Sofia, in the three shelters Ovcha Kupel, Voenna Rampa and Vrazhdebna, there are more than 2000 refugees now. Some places are in a very bad condition, the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC) said, one could find fleas, lice and worms. There is already a health risk of hepatitis and dysentery. The Bulgarian National Television (BNT) reports, that there are already diseases spreading, like for instance tuberculosis. The mayor of Sofia said, there are deplorable conditions in the camps – as a lack of heating, vacancies, food and space – 30 people have to share one room. The interior minister claimed, that he won’t accept any more refugees in the city.

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Veröffentlicht unter Uncategorized | Verschlagwortet mit Aspia, BHC, BNT, Bulgarian National Television, Council of Minister, European Union, Eurosur, FRONTEX, Harmanli, Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, Kaliakra, Momchilgrad, Ovcha Kupel, racist, SAR, State agency for refugees, vessel, Voenna Rampa, Vrazhdebna, Xenios-Zeus, Xenophobia | Kommentare deaktiviert

Bordermonitoring Bulgaria

Excessive police violence in Voenna Rampa, Sofia

Statement about the latest developments

New report available

New report available tomorrow!

Child beaten at EU-Border: Brutal Push-Backs continue in Bulgaria

The struggle in the camps continues

Is Bulgaria violating the Non-Refoulement Principle?

Hungerstrike, revolt and xenophobia

Europe is building a new wall at the external border

NGO calls for resignation of the Council of Ministers

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