Audio & Video
02.06.2024
Migration pressure: Local inspection at the EU's external border
A few weeks ago, the EU agreed on a new asylum and migration agreement aimed at controlling migration and curbing smuggling. Part of this agreement includes detention centres at the EU's external borders, such as the controversial Lipa camp in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Shoura Hashemi, Managing Director of Amnesty International Austria, human rights activist Daniel Landau and international law expert Ralph Janik visited the centre. They warn that human rights should not be ignored despite the migration pressure.
Language(s): Deutsch / German
23.05.2024
Frontex: Costly failure at Europe's borders
Exclusive research into current pushback allegations and massive criticism of an elite unit: in this episode, Reschke Fernsehen takes a look behind the scenes at Frontex, the European border protection agency. Migration is the major topic of conflict in Europe. The far right are using it for their election campaigns. And the EU and its politicians agree on one thing above all: more money, more staff - for Frontex. EU citizens are now paying almost a billion a year for the most expensive EU agency. In return, Frontex is supposed to help the EU states prevent irregular migration and at the same time protect human rights at the borders. The EU now even has its own standing corps for Frontex. However, research by Reschke Fernsehen shows that the new elite unit is deploying fewer people than expected and is being heavily criticised by EU member states. In addition, recent pushback allegations are causing unrest.
Language(s): Deutsch / German
12.05.2024
Refugee agreement. Migration researcher: there is a kind of anarchy in Lebanon
The EU wants to pay Lebanon one billion euros to prevent the immigration of Syrian refugees to Europe. Migration researcher Jochen Oltmer considers this morally questionable. "The country is politically unstable and completely disintegrated."
Language(s): Deutsch / German
05.05.2024
Video: Italy / Albania: Refugee camps abroad
It was a surprise that many in Meloni's own government had not expected: virtually overnight, Italy agreed with Albania that Italian refugee centres would be set up on the soil of the Balkan country.
Language(s): Deutsch / German
23.01.2024
Al Confine - Der borderline-europe Podcast aus Italien - 5
The latest podcast episode is about the experiences and struggles of those who are left behind. The focus is on the story of Jalila, who tells her story to Ludovica, the borderline-europe intern in Tunisia. Jalila lost her two sons while trying to cross the Mediterranean. She fought for a long time to bring her sons' bodies back to Tunisia for burial and continues to fight for justice - together with the other "Tunisian Mothers". Silvia, who co-founded the Mem.Med association and supports people like Jalila in their fight, also has her say in this episode. Judith also explains how all this is connected to the history of borderline-europe.
09.01.2024
Al Confine - Der borderline-europe Podcast aus Italien - 3
In dieser Episode geht es um die Zeit nach der Ankunft. Während das offizielle Aufnahmesystem in Italien, die “accoglienza”, Menschen weitgehend im Stich lässt, gibt es zahlreiche Aktivist:innen und Organisationen, die diese Lücke füllen. Hintergrundinfos dazu kommen von Judith. Interviewt wurden außerdem Jasmine vom Verein Maldusa, Agnese und Giulia von Porco Rosso, Roberta und Malick vom Sozialunternehmen Moltivolti und der Arabisch-Übersetzer Kamal.
Language(s): Deutsch / German
09.01.2024
Al Confine - Der borderline-europe Podcast aus Italien - 4
Im Fokus von Episode 4 steht Henis Geschichte. Sie ist exemplarisch - wie viele war Heni gezwungen, ständig in Bewegung zu bleiben, um zu überleben. Wie eine Spielfigur wurde er von einem Land ins andere (ab)geschoben. Die Podcastfolge erzählt davon, wie Menschen wie Heni Spielball der europäischen Grenzpolitik werden und welche Abkommen und Regelwerke über ihr Leben entscheiden. Den Hintergrund dazu liefern Judith und Kristina von borderline-europe.
Language(s): Deutsch / German
20.11.2023
Al Confine - The borderline-europe Podcast from Italy (German) - 2
Episode 2: Boat Driver & Seenotretter*innen - Über die Kriminalisierung von Flucht und Fluchthilfe
Folge zwei beschäftigt sich mit der Kriminalisierung von Flucht und Fluchthilfe in Italien. Wir sprechen über sogenannte scafisti, Migrant*innen, die dafür im Gefängnis landen, dass sie Boote nach Europa gesteuert haben. Kristina von borderline-europe und Richard von Porco Rosso erzählen, wie ihre Organisationen mit diesen Menschen in Kontakt stehen. Außerdem sprechen wir mit Sascha, einem angeklagten Mitglied der Iuventa-Crew, über die Kriminalisierung ziviler Seenotrettung und ihre weitreichenden Folgen.
Language(s): Deutsch / German
02.11.2023
Al Confine - The borderline-europe Podcast from Italy (German) - 1
In our podcast we give you insights into our everyday work, talk about the criminalization of migration and refugee support and the Italian reception system and we speak with people who are directly affected by European migration policy. We're talking to Judith, co-founder of borderline-europe, Kristina, staff member of the Italy office and producer Joanna Wiseman as well as other exciting guests.
Listen to the Podcast on: Podbean ・Spotify ・Apple Podcasts
Learn more about the podcast here.
25.09.2023
Livestream Event: Solidarity with SUDAN
In Khartoum state alone, there have been 451 documented cases of civilians who have been forcibly disappeared since the war began on 15 April. The actual number is feared to be much higher.
Africa Center of Justice and Peace Studies and borderline Europe started to set up a digital data base to document and secure information on enforced disappearances only a few weeks before the outbreak of the war. Now 10 monitors are observing the deteriorating situation in Sudan. First results are presented to the UN Committee to Protect People against Enforced Disappearances early September. How can we support civil society and the revolutionary committees in Sudan?
Language(s): Deutsch / German
30.08.2023
Global Trouble - Knast statt Asyl
In the latest edition of the Medico International podcast, we talk in detail about our latest study on the systematic criminalization of migrants in Greece, who are sentenced to decades in prison just for steering the boat. Together with Mahtab Sabetara, daughter of #FreeHomayoun, and Maximilian Pichl, we discuss the massive violations, the political calculations behind them, and individual cases. You can listen to the whole episode here. (German only)
Language(s): Deutsch / German
18.07.2023
Von der Küste in den Knast
This episode of the podcast "Über Macht (About Power) was created in cooperation with borderline-europe and deals with the criminalization of "Boat Drivers" in Italy. You can listen to the whole episode here (german only).
29.06.2023
Livestream Gala of the Day of Smuggling Part 4/4
Who or what is officially honoured and appreciated in our society and when? At the anniversary of the awarding of the Federal Cross of Merit for her smuggling activities to Lisa Fittko, who helped people to flee during the Third Reich, we would like to honour people who have contributed to undermining the EU border regime through their actions today.
Smugglers are demonised and criminalised by the EU. The so-called "fight against smuggling" serves as a justification for repressive measures and the use of large resources. Under the pretext of protecting migrants from violence and exploitation, a moral legitimisation is often given. Even in circles that advocate freedom of movement, "the smuggler" often does not have a good reputation.
The event confronts the political narrative and public discourse around the topic of "smuggling" and critically questions: What exactly do we mean by "smuggling"? Who or what is criminalised? Why is assistance in crossing the border considered morally (and legally) right in some cases, while it is condemned in others? To what extent does the criminalising discourse serve as an important stabiliser of the EU border regime?
We are pleased to welcome experts, artists and activists to the gala, as well as our special guests of honour: convicted smugglers.
Language(s): Englisch / English
29.06.2023
Livestream Gala of the Day of Smuggling Part 1/4
Who or what is officially honoured and appreciated in our society and when?
At the anniversary of the awarding of the Federal Cross of Merit for her smuggling activities to Lisa Fittko, who helped people to flee during the Third Reich, we would like to honour people who have contributed to undermining the EU border regime through their actions today.
Smugglers are demonised and criminalised by the EU. The so-called "fight against smuggling" serves as a justification for repressive measures and the use of large resources. Under the pretext of protecting migrants from violence and exploitation, a moral legitimisation is often given. Even in circles that advocate freedom of movement, "the smuggler" often does not have a good reputation.
The event confronts the political narrative and public discourse around the topic of "smuggling" and critically questions: What exactly do we mean by "smuggling"? Who or what is criminalised? Why is assistance in crossing the border considered morally (and legally) right in some cases, while it is condemned in others? To what extent does the criminalising discourse serve as an important stabiliser of the EU border regime?
We are pleased to welcome experts, artists and activists to the gala, as well as our special guests of honour: convicted smugglers.
Language(s): Englisch / English
29.06.2023
Livestream Gala of the Day of Smuggling Part 2/4
Who or what is officially honoured and appreciated in our society and when?
At the anniversary of the awarding of the Federal Cross of Merit for her smuggling activities to Lisa Fittko, who helped people to flee during the Third Reich, we would like to honour people who have contributed to undermining the EU border regime through their actions today.
Smugglers are demonised and criminalised by the EU. The so-called "fight against smuggling" serves as a justification for repressive measures and the use of large resources. Under the pretext of protecting migrants from violence and exploitation, a moral legitimisation is often given. Even in circles that advocate freedom of movement, "the smuggler" often does not have a good reputation.
The event confronts the political narrative and public discourse around the topic of "smuggling" and critically questions: What exactly do we mean by "smuggling"? Who or what is criminalised? Why is assistance in crossing the border considered morally (and legally) right in some cases, while it is condemned in others? To what extent does the criminalising discourse serve as an important stabiliser of the EU border regime?
We are pleased to welcome experts, artists and activists to the gala, as well as our special guests of honour: convicted smugglers.
Language(s): Englisch / English
29.06.2023
Livestream Gala of the Day of Smuggling Part 3/4
Who or what is officially honoured and appreciated in our society and when?
At the anniversary of the awarding of the Federal Cross of Merit for her smuggling activities to Lisa Fittko, who helped people to flee during the Third Reich, we would like to honour people who have contributed to undermining the EU border regime through their actions today.
Smugglers are demonised and criminalised by the EU. The so-called "fight against smuggling" serves as a justification for repressive measures and the use of large resources. Under the pretext of protecting migrants from violence and exploitation, a moral legitimisation is often given. Even in circles that advocate freedom of movement, "the smuggler" often does not have a good reputation.
The event confronts the political narrative and public discourse around the topic of "smuggling" and critically questions: What exactly do we mean by "smuggling"? Who or what is criminalised? Why is assistance in crossing the border considered morally (and legally) right in some cases, while it is condemned in others? To what extent does the criminalising discourse serve as an important stabiliser of the EU border regime?
We are pleased to welcome experts, artists and activists to the gala, as well as our special guests of honour: convicted smugglers.
Language(s): Englisch / English
22.04.2023
Smuggler-Portraits: Hamza Haddi - #TagdesSchmuggels
Hamza Haddi is one of the thousands of smugglers arrested by the EU. Because he steered the boat on which he and three others - including his own brother - crossed the Evros River to Greece, he was found guilty of smuggling. #TagdesSchmuggels SMUGGLERS PORTRAITS - Over the next weeks we will be publishing portraits of people criminalized for #smuggling in the EU. The "fight against smugglers" is at the heart of European migration policy. Every year, millions of euros are poured into the "fight against unscrupulous criminals who put the lives of people on the move at risk", numerous charges are pressed, trials are held, thousands of people are imprisoned. But what is behind all this? Since when has the EU been interested in the welfare of refugees? What is really behind the "fight against smugglers" becomes clear, among other things, by looking at WHO is being criminalized.
Language(s): Englisch / English
28.03.2023
Podcast "Arbitrary Criminalization of Migrants" with borderline-europe and Can't Evict Solidarity
This episode of "Voices Of Mytilene" by Radio Helsinki is about the arbitrary criminalization of migrants in Greece. Currently there are over a thousand migrants spending time in jail in Greece as they are accused of smuggling or other highly dubious charges. It is a not too well-known but nevertheless highly efficient method used by Greece – but also in other parts of Europe – to oppress and intimidate migrants.
We spoke to Kim from Can’t Evict Solidarity and Julia from borderline-europe in order to get some more information about the structural nature of these incarcerations. Also, there we will highlight some individual cases like the „Samos 2“ trial, the „Amir & Razuli“ trail and the „Moria 6“ trial, among others.
Kim and Julia are both directly involved with supporting some these migrants by organizing solidarity campaigns and providing judicial and emotional support.
Language(s): Englisch / English
23.03.2023
1 year after Russais attack on Ukraine #TagdesSchmuggels
A year ago, #Russia began its attack on #Ukraine. Thousands of people were forced to flee. Helping them cross the border was not only no longer illegal, it was applauded. At the same time, any support for ppl at the Belarusian border was criminalized as #smuggling. The example of Ukraine has shown very clearly that aiding and abetting border crossings is not only necessary but also legally possible. What is labeled as something good or as something criminal is often very much shaped by political considerations. In the coming weeks, we want to take a critical look at the political narrative around smuggling. What is meant when we talk about smuggling? Who or what is being criminalised? Why is aiding border crossings considered morally (and legally) right in some cases and wrong in others? And we want to shift the focus back to the actual problem: the EU border regime. Fight borders, not smugglers!
Language(s): Deutsch / German
23.03.2023
Smuggler-Portraits: Homayoun Sabetara - #TagdesSchmuggels
Homayoun Sabetara is one of the thousands of smugglers arrested by the EU. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison in Greece. Listen to his story - told by his daughter Mahtab. #TagdesSchmuggels SMUGGLERS PORTRAITS - Over the next weeks we will be publishing portraits of people criminalized for #smuggling in the EU. The "fight against smugglers" is at the heart of European migration policy. Every year, millions of euros are poured into the "fight against unscrupulous criminals who put the lives of people on the move at risk", numerous charges are pressed, trials are held, thousands of people are imprisoned. But what is behind all this? Since when has the EU been interested in the welfare of refugees? What is really behind the "fight against smugglers" becomes clear, among other things, by looking at WHO is being criminalized.
Language(s): Englisch / English