Mediaboss Marketing

For years, Jaromir Balda lived a mostly quiet life in the northern Czech Republic. But fueled by news reports and politicians spouting anti-immigrant diatribes on television, the 72-year-old developed outspoken political views. Balda began supporting the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy Movement, and neighbors saw him drive around with a poster of an anti-immigrant politician in his car window.

Things got worse. Twice in the summer of 2017, Balda felled trees across a railway line near Prague. He left notes reading Allahu Akbar God is great in Arabic in a bungled attempt to blame Muslim immigrants. Both times trains plowed into the trees, though no one was hurt. Last year, he was sentenced to four years in jail, the first Czech person to be convicted on terrorism charges.

The Czech Republic and Slovakia were a single country for three-quarters of a century, 46 years of that locked together behind the Iron Curtain. Their languages, traditions and histories are closely intertwined. But when it comes to attitudes toward Muslims, Czechs and Slovaks take a very different view.

The Czech Republic is the least friendly country in Europe for Muslims, while Slovakia is nearly the friendliest in Eastern Europe.

A Pew Research poll conducted across 34 European countries between 2015 and 2017, at the height of Europes migrant crisis, found that just 12 percent of Czechs say theyd accept Muslims as members of their families. That and other surveys suggest that Czechs are far more hostile to Muslims than any other country in Europe. Of the 1,497 Slovaks surveyed, however, 47 percent said theyd willingly accept a Muslim as a family member. Of all participating post-Soviet states, only Croatia returned a higher acceptance rate.

In the 27 years since the two states split from their previous combined existence as Czechoslovakia, one has become far more tolerant than the other.

Czech Republic, or Czechia as its now officially known, has a small community of 11,000 well-integrated Muslims 0.1 percent of the population. Just three mosques are open in the country, but Islamophobia is still rampant. The Czech government has refused to accept refugees, many of whom are Muslim, in the fallout of the 2015 migrant crisis.

Some academics have suggested the Czech opposition to Muslims is anchored to the countrys long history of invasion by larger, outside powers that kicked off in the early 17th century and continued for three hundred years under the Habsburgs.

The subjection continued until the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of World War I. Thereafter, the First Czechoslovak Republic was formed, and for more than two decades enjoyed a precarious peace. With the rise of Nazi Germany in the 1930s, Czechs again faced outside threats, forced to cede territory to Germany in 1938 at the behest of European leaders and later occupied by the Nazis. With images of hundreds of thousands of immigrants walking into Europe dominating the media in 2015 and 2016, many on the countrys far-right linked the crisis to previous incursions on Czech territory.

It was unscrupulously whipped up by commercial media, says the University of Glasgows Jan ulk of the anti-migrant sentiment. The media have given wide coverage to Islamist attacks in Western Europe, but almost no coverage to extreme right-wing attacks against refugees.

Slovaks, for their part, dont seem to be as easily wound up.Though it hasnt escaped the overwhelmingly anti-immigrant rhetoric thats dominated political discussions in recent years, Slovakia has accepted some refugees and in 2018 claimed it would house Iraqi Christian asylum seekers and a small number of Syrian orphans (though that, say observers, has yet to happen). Slovakia has also helped its neighbor Austria temporarily house refugees during processing periods.

The mainstream media used to report on Muslim-related issues in a very simplifying and often biased manner, says Mohamad Safwan Hasna, president of the Islamic Foundation in Slovakia. But I must say that this has greatly improved in recent years and during the so-called migration crisis they were actually somewhat fair. Since then the main source of anti-Muslim sentiment are politicians and fake news outlets.

While Slovaks, like Czechs, suffered foreign rule for centuries, they havent had to live under the same perceived historical threat posed by Germany and appear to be more outward-looking. Slovakia joined the Euro currency in 2009 (the Czech Republic has not) and in recent years liberal, pro-human rights politicians have come to the fore.

The difference in attitudes in Czech Republic and Slovakia is that Slovakia now has a liberal-minded president, Zuzana aputov, who openly espouses human rights, says ulk. The Czech Republic, on the other hand, has President Milo Zeman, a populist, who has been whipping up hatred against Muslims and who has repeatedly said that Islam is a criminal ideology.

While Slovakia may be more accepting of Muslims and immigrants than its neighbors, its by no means a sanctuary. Islam is banned from being taught in schools and there isnt a single mosque in the whole country to serve Slovakias 5,000 Muslims. Yes, it is much better compared to [the] Czech Republic, says Hasna of the Pew Research findings, but it is still a horrible result.

In fact, experts say Slovakia has many more extremist parties than its northern neighbor. Ex-Prime Minister Robert Fico averred in 2016 that Islam has no place in this country.But Fico who was charged last month for his racist comments against the countrys Roma minority is no longer commanding the spotlight as in the past. That could be a hopeful sign for Slovakias Muslims.

Follow this link:
What Divides Czechs and Slovaks on Muslims? - OZY

Greeces Migration and Asylum Minister, Notis Mitarachis confirmed that migrants who fail to prove they are genuine asylum seekers, will be returned to Turkey.

Mitarachis made the comments on Sunday during his visit to the island of Kos where he met with local authorities following last weeks protests over the migrant crisis on the islands.

The Minister met with police authorities and Kos mayor Theodosis Nikitaras, and visited the islands hotspot where he was briefed on the prevailing situation.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to present the governments plan for the reduction of the migrants/refugees flows and the repercussions to the local community to the municipal council. We had a constructive discussion that will continue with the islands mayor. I visited the reception centre and saw the plans of the new upgraded structure that will, on one hand offer better living conditions and on the other hand will allow us to operate according to the new asylum legislation. Today, we had a migrant boat arrival from Turkey and asked for the implementation, for the first time, of the new legislation.

The migrants/refugees will stay on the island for 25 days. Additionally, I asked from the asylum service to act rapidly and according to the new procedures to separate those people entitled to asylum while the others will be sent, as soon as possible, back to Turkey.

Our country is implementing a balanced migration policy and respects its international obligations but we also have national rules and those migrants or refugees not entitled to asylum will be sent back to Turkey. We believe that this will play a key role in the reduction of the flows, concluded the Minister.

A.C.

Visit link:
Government confirmed return of unsuccessful 'asylum' seekers to Turkey - Greek City Times

By TNH Staff January 22, 2020

A protester holds a placard that reads "Moria demands the camp be withdrawn" outside the Municipality of Mytilene during a rally on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Greece, on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Aggelos Barai)

MYTILENE, Lesvos A general strike has been called on Wednesday on the islands of the north Aegean affected by the refugee and migrant crisis.

All activities were at a standstill, the municipality of Mytilenes Tax Bureau closed, as did all the kiosks on the island. Most stores were closed and public services were halted Wednesday on the Greek islands of Lesbos, Chios and Samos, where the camps in some cases have more than 10 times the number of people they were built for.

Several protests have been organised for midday.

People were protesting against the creation of new migrant facilities on the islands and demanding a solution for migrants and refugees seeking asylum, the control of non-governmental organisations operating on the island, better guarding of the borders and support for local communities and health and security structures.

Nearly 75,000 people crossed illegally to European Union member Greece from Turkey in 2019, according to the U.N. refugee agency, an increase of nearly 50% from the previous year.

Island authorities are urging the Greek government to step up migrant transfers to the Greek mainland and are seeking further information on its plans to build additional facilities that would be used to detain migrants listed for deportation.

KINAL supports islanders strike over migration issue

Opposition Movement for Change (KINAL) on Wednesday announced its support for a general strike on the islands of Chios, Lesvos and Samos in protest against the handling of migration.

The party said that the government should stop hiding as nobody has the right to sacrifice the islands, for any reason. An immediate, real and sustainable decongestion is as essential as ever. The support of health structures and of local administration is a self-evident obligation.

The party noted that there is no time to draw up supposedly long-term plans. The islanders have had enough of fake promises and prevarication. The Movement for Change supports the democratic mobilisations on the islands, KINAL said.

Continue reading here:
General Strike on Greek Islands Hit by Migration Crisis - The National Herald

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to visit Turkey Friday to discuss the migration crisis with President Recep Tayyip Erdoan.

The agenda of the two leaders meeting includes Syrian refugees heading toward the Turkish border after fleeing the regime attacks on Idlib and the Turkey-EU migration pact.

While Merkel is expected to express her countrys concerns about a new migration wave that could arrive in Europe from Syria through Turkey, Erdoan is expected to highlight Turkeys disappointment over EUs failure to deliver its commitments stemming from the migration pact.

Erdoans plan to build a safe zone in northern Syria for refugees is another topic to be discussed. The latest developments in the conflict-ravaged countries of Syria and Libya are other important topics of the two leaders main agenda.

Bilateral relations between the two countries, possible steps to enhance cooperation, and Turkeys process of accession to the EU are also among the agenda items for leaders meeting. Germany is preparing to take over the term presidency of the union in June.

After attending the World Economic Forum in Switzerlands Davos, Merkel will come to Istanbul. The two leaders are also scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of Turkish-German Universitys new campus. Merkel also plans to meet with representatives of the business world from the German-Turkish Chamber of Trade and Industry, in addition to civil society representatives.

Merkels visit comes amid fears that a renewed conflict in Syria could unleash a new refugee wave.

Erdoan warned that Turkey, which already hosts about 3.7 million Syrian refugees, would not be able to handle a new wave of migrants if attempts by the Syrian regime and Russia to retake opposition-held Idlib sent more people fleeing.

The two leaders last met in December in London where they discussed the situation in Syria with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Turkey has been a key transit point for irregular migrants aiming to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution. To reduce the number of illegal migrants on the dangerous Aegean Sea route and to find a solution to the influx of refugees heading to the union, Turkey and the EU signed an agreement in March 2016. The deal stipulates that Greece is to send illegal migrants held on its Aegean islands back to Turkey. In return, Turkey is to send Syrian migrants with documents to various EU countries.

According to the deal, Turkey was also promised a total of 6 billion euros in financial aid, which was initially planned to be given to the country in two installments to be used by the Turkish government to finance projects for Syrian refugees. Visa freedom for Turkish citizens traveling to the EU was also promised under the agreement.

The deal also pledged an update of the customs union Turkey enjoys with the EU. In return, Turkey took the responsibility of discouraging irregular migration through the Aegean Sea by taking stricter measures against human traffickers and agreed to maintain suitable conditions for accommodating more than 3.5 million Syrians living in Turkey.

Despite significant developments in the control of migration traffic, the EU has not delivered on its commitments. Similarly, although the first installment of the funding pledged has been provided to Turkey, the EU has yet to fulfill other articles, including visa-free travel for Turkish citizens and an update of the customs union.

Turkey hosts the largest number of refugees and spends the most on humanitarian aid per capita in the world. According to Interior Ministry figures, the number of refugees was 4.2 million in 2017 and has now reached 4.9 million. While 3.7 million Syrians are living in Turkey, more than 415,000 Syrian children have been born in Turkey since the start of the civil war in 2011. Furthermore, Ankara has spent $40 billion on the refugees so far, according to official figures.

Few in the German government want to see a repeat of the migrant crisis of 2015, when Germany had to open its doors to over 1 million people, most of whom were seeking refuge from the Syrian conflict.

The migration wave, the largest Europe had seen since World War II, transformed Germany and Europe's politics, spurring far-right, anti-immigration politicians into legislatures across the continent and fueling Britain's vote to leave the EU.

Migrant numbers have started to pick up again recently as Damascus and Moscow move to retake Idlib, the last significant opposition-held enclave in Syria, where up to 3 million people live.

"If the violence toward the people of Idlib does not stop, this number will increase even more. In that case, Turkey will not carry such a migrant burden on its own," Erdoan said.

The president has previously warned to "open the gates" for migrants to Europe unless Turkey received more support in hosting the refugees.

Turkey has frequently warned the international community of the imminence of a humanitarian disaster and fresh wave of refugees unless actions are taken and the Syrian regime is restrained. Yet, no worthwhile actions have taken place, as airstrikes and artillery shelling continue to target thousands of civilians.

Ankara has also proposed the establishment of a safe zone in northern Syria cleared from all terrorist elements to allow for the resettlement of Syrians who have fled to Turkey from war-torn areas. Turkeys safe zone plan aims to host millions of Syrians in a safe and stable environment.

Read this article:
Merkel to visit Turkey Friday to discuss migration crisis with Erdoan - Daily Sabah

Just last Friday, on my last full day of reporting for the Center for Immigration Studies on the Mexico-Guatemala border, I found myself with the leading elements of the just-arrived, first migrant "caravan" of 2020. It was in Tecn Umn, the Guatemalan border town just on the other side of the Puente Rodolfo Robles International Bridge.

About 300-400 of the mostly young, male Hondurans, some of whom had donned masks after I began videotaping the crowd, were excitedly chanting "Hon-dur-as! Hon-dur-as! Hon-dur-as!" Guatemalan police had blocked them from the bridge over to Hidalgo, Mexico, for the time being. Which was fine, they told me, because the plan was to wait for more migrants to arrive and then push over the bridge in the morning and continue on north up Mexico's spine to the American border, just like past caravans. Everyone I interviewed said they were coming for jobs, except for one man who said he wanted American cancer treatment for the child at his side.

But the excitement visible in their faces and body language went dark fast, then dissolved into disbelieving glance exchanges as I explained to the dozen Hondurans surrounding me what I had just found over the previous week of reporting on the Mexican side. This time, I told the young men listening to me with keen interest now, they were going to run headlong into a new defensive bulwark the Mexicans had put up.

It was evident that these men, unbelievably, had not heard that Mexico now had the means, will, and preparation to stop the caravans by force on that bridge with riot troops and reinforced spiked gating I'd just inspected, but also that Mexico had built an inland national guard skein that would catch most everyone else and send them into a deportation machine that would transport their masses home by plane and bus. I said my reporting had just found that those who did manage to get through this particular area would not likely get anywhere near the American border due to an interlocking system of National Guard roadblocks throughout the Mexican border state of Chiapasthat was proving pretty effective in feeding caught migrants back into the border deportation machine.

I told them those who didn't want to be deported had only the choice of applying for Mexican asylum, but that this would take many months, with success disqualifying them from making a U.S. asylum claim for years, and entrap them in southern Mexico during the long wait on pain of deportation, hemmed in by the national guard.

The caravanners, of course, heedlessly and violently charged right into this buzz saw anyway in a series of dramatic melees this week after I flew home, as can be seen from my CIS colleague Jason Pea's collection of reporting on the caravan's destruction and the mass deportations of its participating ranks. This particular caravan now stands broken and repulsed, as was one in October that fell upon the same Mexican shoals.

But the caravans keep forming and coming, defying deterrence in what appears to be a purposeful campaign to probe, test, and shake Mexico's will to stand fast.

America needs Mexico to do so, and the stakes in the outcome of these battles couldn't be higher for border security against mass illegal migration. Because while Americans and policymakers who oppose unfettered mass illegal immigration may feel relief or even take delight in the fates of these violent caravans, the relentless probing highlights the dependency on Mexico of President Donald Trump's successful initiatives that effectively ended the million-strong mass migration crisis of 2018-2019 and portends a resumption of that unwanted population transfer at any moment.

These caravans bring into sharp relief the fact that Mexico's cooperation forms the most important membrane standing between an unimpeded resumption of the crisis. And it's a thin one.

It should be pointed out that Mexico is doing all of this not out of friendship or informed self-interest, but under duress. With a Democratic House of Representatives blocking all legislative remedies to deter Central America's population transfers, President Trump had to scare Mexico into acting by threatening progressive trade tariffs of up to 25 percent on all exports if it did not stop the moving populations at its southern border.

Should even one of these testing, probing caravans be allowed to find and exploit a breach in the Mexican defense, or should President Andrs Manuel Lpez Obrador (AMLO) falter for a moment, many more will no doubt follow through the breach. That happening would quickly overwhelm the American deterrence policies such as the "Remain-in-Mexico" pushbacksof asylum applicants, the efficient administration of which depends on currently manageable volumes. The whole house of cards can fall on a Mexican political whim, or an unfortunate incident amplified by the media.

That day may well come anyway in November 2020, should Trump lose the election and his credible threat of debilitating tariffs leave the White House with him. With the tariff threat removed, AMLO might well return the national guard to their barracks and reopen his nation as the transit country it has always been.

That's why permanent legislative remedies are necessary to, for instance, reform U.S. asylum law, close certain incentivizing loopholes, and finish a barrier, among other needed permanent measures.

It's still unclear who organized these latest caravans and what their agenda is. That there is a political agenda at play here is almost beyond doubt, though while I was among the caravan migrants, I asked everyone I could who the leaders were and who was leading them to which locations. The answers I got back were typical: No one knew of any leader; they just heard about a new caravan on social media, then the regular media picked up on that, and a kind of herd formed up that kind of directed itself as to where to go.

But it seems likely that whoever is going onto social media and announcing new caravans is doing so well understanding the stakes involved in forming new ones that will continuously press and challenge the Mexicans to hold fast.

Yet another one is already on its way from Honduras, this one described as "massive" and "violent and lawless".

Until Congress legislates more permanent remedies, the Trump administration right now should be whispering in AMLO's ear that those trade tariffs are back on the table and would be far worse for Mexico than the violent and lawless people on their way to his border.

Read more from the original source:
Video: Why the 2020 Caravans Threaten the Fragile Success of Trump's Border Policies - Immigration Blog