Asylum seekers face abuse at the gates of Europe

The numbers of migrants trying to cross into the EU from Ukraine appear to be falling, no doubt because EU assistance has reinforced Ukrainian border patrols. But an alarming report by Human Rights Watch suggests that ill-treatment of migrants on the Ukrainian side may also be part of the deterrent.

FOCUS

By Gulliver CRAGG

As Italy panics over an influx of migrants to its shores from North Africa, concern is also growing over the plight of those who try to enter the European Union by a different route: from the East, via Ukraine.

The former Soviet state borders EU members Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania. Last year, more than 1,000 migrants were detained on those borders. Another 700 were returned to Ukraine from the EU, under a year-old agreement between Kiev and Brussels.

The numbers trying to cross appear to be falling, partly because EU assistance has reinforced Ukrainian border patrols. But an alarming report by Human Rights Watch suggests that ill-treatment of migrants on the Ukrainian side may also be part of the deterrent. Of 50 migrants interviewed for the report, says HRW's Simone Troller, "half said they had been beaten, and eight reported electric-shock torture."

The Ukrainian border service say eight officers suspected of ill-treatment have been fired or transferred, but they have yet to face further disciplinary action.

France 24 met a group of Somali migrants in Uzhgorod, nestled between the Hungarian and Slovakian borders in the far south-western corner of Ukraine. Somalis and Afghans form the largest national groups trying to reach the EU via Ukraine. Of those in Uzhgorod, some reported ill-treatment, others did not.

But all of them seemed to agree that Ukraine had nothing to offer them. "They have no chance of working, they have no chance of gaining refugee status, they have no rights and they are constantly hassled by the police, the border guard, the secret services", says Natacha Kabatsi of the Medical Aid Committee, a local NGO.

Hassan, a 20-year-old Somali who lives in a small flat with five others, said that although he lived in fear of racist beatings, he understood why many Ukrainians feel their country should not have to bear the burden of helping refugees: "When I checked their history and their economy, I realised... they are suffering too".

Migrants who are caught or sent back to Ukraine are first held for a week or so in temporary detention centres run by the border guard. The worst stories of ill-treatment come from these places. They are usually then either housed indefinitely in "temporary" accommodation centres, or released. In the latter case they have to obtain permits to remain in the country, of a duration of one to three weeks, and can often only do so with the help of a lawyer.

The accommodation centres have received funding from the EU, but due to changes to the Ukrainian system they have not received any state funds since the end of 2010. They are overcrowded and nutrition is poor. The most glaring lack, however, is that of any prospect for improvement in the migrants' lot in the long term: "the system", Kabatsi sums up simply, "does not work".

Hassan agrees. "Here, our only opportunity is to stay and hear bad words, or worse. My only plan... is to try again to cross". Fortress Europe's assistance to Ukraine is clearly helping to make that harder to do. But the alternatives are much less clear…

Programme prepared by Kate Williams, Marie Billon and Patrick Lovett

24/05/2013 - GERMANY

Dilemna for Berlin in nuclear power replacement plan

It's THE major paradox in the energy debate: Germay's plans to fast-track renewable energy are coming under fire by green activists. And even by many Germans as well. Although the majority are happy with the government's decision to get rid of nuclear power, the space needed for all the solar parks and wind farms and to feed the biogas networks, means that tens of thousand of acres of countryside and forests are will have to go. s Angela Merkel's government on the right track with German energy?

23/05/2013 - NIGER

Islamists attack French ally Niger

Members of the Islamist movement Mujao have claimed responsibility for the double car bombing in Niger on Thursday morning. The group had declared on the internet back in February that it would retaliate against those who had sent troops into Mali in the French-led military intervention earlier this year. The bombs went off at a Nigerian Army barracks and a French-owned uranium mine, a reminder that France is heavily reliant on African countries such as Niger to create nuclear energy back home.

23/05/2013 - CHINA

Chinese corruption continues, despite president's promise

China's new President, Xi Jinping, has sworn to crack down on the corruption that is rife in the country, although the issue does not seem to be high on the government's list of priorities. While individuals who try to expose high-ranking officials for their wrongdoings are lauded in the media, they are persecuted by the authorities - and often end up being thrown in prison.

22/05/2013 - DR CONGO

Ban Ki-Moon arrives in DRC amid fresh M23 violence

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He's set to tour the east of the country, before travelling to neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda. His visit comes as violence has again flared up between the M23 rebel movement and the Congolese army, causing 30,000 people to flee the area. Mr Ban's trip also coincides with the arrival of 3,000 extra peacekeeping troops, the first time the UN will have an "offensive" mandate.

22/05/2013 - ISRAEL

Israeli government cracks down on civilians' illegal firearms

In a country where weapons abound, gun owners may sometimes lose track of a gun or a rifle, tucked away at the back of a cupboard. Now, after several deadly incidents involving firearms, Israel's Ministry of Public Security and police are collaborating to rein in some of the country's illegally-held weaponry, including guns, assault rifles and cartridges, for which permits have expired. Officials are poring over their files in an attempt to locate the firearms and their current owners.