Irregular migrants afraid to request for asylum: Report

By Serife Cetin

BRUSSELS

Irregular migrants "in transit" are afraid to request for asylum in Europe because of repressive and intimidating policies against them, a recent report said Wednesday.

Medecines Sans Frontieres (MSF) -- also known as Doctors Without Borders -- and Belgian NGO Coordination and Initiatives for Refugees and Foreigners (CIRE) said in a joint report that the migrants "in transit" do not have courage to request for asylum and protection in Belgium.

"The inhumane conditions in the refugee camps on European borders, Dublin Regulation, repressive actions of police and dissuasion campaigns conducted in Belgium and elsewhere in Europe are weakening the confidence of migrants in public authorities and worsening their vulnerability," the report said.

EU's Dublin Regulation calls on asylum seekers to be processed in the first country they arrive.

This rule places the responsibility to deal with asylum requests with Europe’s border states, where migrants most often first enter the EU.

The report added the migrants feel alienated in Europe and current policies deprive them of their fundamental rights.

By Serife Cetin

BRUSSELS

Irregular migrants "in transit" are afraid to request for asylum in Europe because of repressive and intimidating policies against them, a recent report said Wednesday.

EU's Dublin Regulation calls on asylum seekers to be processed in the first country they arrive.

This rule places the responsibility to deal with asylum requests with Europe’s border states, where migrants most often first enter the EU.

The report added the migrants feel alienated in Europe and current policies deprive them of their fundamental rights.