Archive for the ‘Migrant Crisis’ Category

Mass brawl erupts between warring migrants in German park – Express.co.uk

The mass brawl reportedly took place in the city of Gotha, the fifth-largest city in the central German state of Thuringia.

A video shows several men attacking each other, with police reporting several injuries.

It was shot in a snow-covered park close to the Friedenstein Castle, a palace built in the mid-17th century.

As it begins one male is seen being pushed to the floor while a dozen males follow him, punching him and striking with a long wooden stick.

Eventually, he climbs to his feet while a separate fight takes place behind the group.

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Again, one male is forced to the ground and hit repeatedly as the number of males involved in the scuffle grows.

It is not clear what started the fight or whether those involved knew each other.

Police are now searching for witnesses and information about the incident.

Back in December police blamed a number of young asylum seekers for a brawl which took place at famous Christmas market in Munich.

The fighting broke out at the Bautzen Christmas market thought to be the oldest market of its kind in Germany when locals objected to a group of around six migrant youths playing loud music from their mobile phones at the weekend.

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A police source said the group of young asylum seekers initially were in a verbal disagreement with an equally sized group of young locals, according to local media reports.

The source remarked: After a heated debate, individuals from both groups are said to have shoved each other. Two young men are said to have hurt themselves.

As the migrants withdrew from the fight, they damaged a car on their way, causing hundreds of euros of damage.

And in the days after Christmas around 200 migrants from Gambia were involved in a fight with a group of Moroccans at a refugeecentrein Sigmaringen, a town in southern Germany.

One of the men behind the mass brawl was arrested by police and was admitted to a hospital due to psychological symptoms.

Two of the chief ringleaders, aged 20 and 26, on the Moroccan side were taken in judicial custody for a few hours.

Since the migrant crisis began, Germany has accepted more than one million migrants.

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has been heavilycriticisedfor her so-called open door policy.

Towards the end of last year,MrsMerkel admitted she wished she could turn back the clock over her refugee policy.

For some time, we didn't have enough control, she said.

"No one wants a repeat of last year's situation, including me."

Amid a rise in support for the far-right AfD which is vocally opposed to mass migration MrsMerkel has moved to her right to shore up support.

She has pledged to, wherever legally possible, to ban the burka in Germany.

The full veil must be banned, wherever legally possible. Showing your face is part of our way of life, she said.

Our laws take precedence overhonourcodes, tribalcustomsand Sharia.

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Mass brawl erupts between warring migrants in German park - Express.co.uk

‘US interventions a reason for migrant crisis, US should share burden’ Austrian Chancellor – RT

The US shares responsibility for the ongoing migrant crisis, according to Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern. Speaking on the sidelines of an EU summit in Malta, he stated that American interventions are in part to blame for the refugee flows.

There is no doubt that America shares responsibility for the refugee flows by the way how it intervened militarily, Kern said on Saturday, as cited by AFP.

Its unacceptable for the international community if America wants to avoid responsibility. We need to make this clear to our American friends. Im convinced that there will be a high degree of unanimity [among EU leaders] on this question, Kern went on to say.

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The refugee crisis that has engulfed the world due to these conflicts has been the major point of discussion for the EU summit in Malta. The attendees have not been pleased with the agenda of the current US administration with regard to this issue.

While criticizing interventions launched by former US administrations, the Austrian chancellor also lashed out at the newly elected presidents recent move to ban entry to the United States to residents of seven Muslim states.

The entry bans against seven Muslim countries are... highly problematic. We should win these countries as allies in the fight against [radical] Islamism, not define them as adversaries, Kern stated.

Last week, Donald Trump issued an executive order that banned citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen from entering the US for 90 days. The roll-out of the executive order caused mass confusion, deportations, protests, and lawsuits.

The attorneys general of 16 states and the District of Columbia issued a joint statement earlier this week calling the executive order unconstitutional, un-American and unlawful. As a result, US District Court Judge James Robart issued a nationwide restraining order against enforcing the presidents will, noting, however, its temporary nature.

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Trumps travel ban has not been met well by the international community or the American public.

Just ahead of the Malta meeting, EU President Donald Tusk took an unprecedented step, warning European leaders that Trumps policies posed a potential threat to the bloc, along with China, Russia, and radical Islam. German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated at the summit that fighting international terrorism is not something that will justify throwing a general suspicion on people of a certain faith or a certain origin.

French President Francois Hollande also expressed concern over Trumps recent statements, whether regarding US membership in NATO, Brexit, or criticism of the EUs migrant policies, noting that what matters is solidarity at the EU level because who knows what the US president really wants, particularly in relation to the Atlantic alliance and burden-sharing?

The European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said there was nothing to fear with regard to Trump, yet he voiced concern that the new US administration may not be entirely on top of the current world affairs.

Spanish MEP Javier Couso told RT that the EU states are united in their criticism of Trumps migrant policies, as they contradict European values.

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Trump's comments are quite aggressive... It should be noted that the actions of Trump, responsible for governing a UN member-country, against migrants and refugees are in stark contrast with our culture, our judgments. With regard to this we share the same opinion... We believe that we can not judge one nation, or one religion, can not generalize, because it makes no sense. After all, a lot of the terrorists were from Saudi Arabia, and the measures were not taken against this country, as it is one of the main US allies in the region.

According to Couso, it is unlikely the EU will adopt any preventive measures against the policies of the US administration as the US holds great power, while European leaders bark but never bite.

I think there are two opinions in the EU. On the one hand, there is a part that wants a unified approach to face the challenges associated with the new administration more aggressively. On the other hand, there are leaders, like Mariano Rajoy, who expressed the need to calmly observe the actions of the administration. These claim that it is necessary to defend the unity of Europe, but to do it in a more relaxed manner.

I do not know where we will come at the end. Whether we will start confrontation or not. After all, enormous power is concentrated in the US, while European leaders bark much, but never bite, so it is difficult to predict the course the future events.

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'US interventions a reason for migrant crisis, US should share burden' Austrian Chancellor - RT

Migrant crisis and defence on agenda as May meets EU leaders – ITV News

Donald Trump has unnerved some European leaders.

European Union leaders have signalled caution and confusion about America's potential new direction under Donald Trump.

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said he did not feel threatened by the new president, but "there is room for explanations because of the impression that the new administration does not know the EU in detail but in Europe details matter".

Austria's Christian Kern said: "Today we have pretty mixed feelings, to be honest, because the tangible aspects of Mr Trump's policies are raising some concerns.

"It's not a threat, it could be a catalyst for a strong, more united Europe. It is an alarm call to see if we are the right track."

French President Francois Hollande stressed the need for a united Europe in the face of uncertainty from the US.

Asked what he thought of leaders, like those in Hungary and Poland, who were leaning towards Mr Trump, Mr Hollande said: "Those who want to forge bilateral ties with the US are of course well understood by the public.

"But they must understand that there is no future with Trump if it is not a common position. What matters is solidarity at the EU level. We must not imagine some sort of external protection."

German chancellor Angela Merkel said: "Europe has its destiny in its own hands. I believe that the more strongly we make clear that we will define our own role in the world, the better we will be able to cultivate our transatlantic relationship."

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Migrant crisis and defence on agenda as May meets EU leaders - ITV News

Theresa May announces 30m package to ease migrant crisis – ITV News

Theresa May made the announcement during an EU summit in Malta.

Britain will help countries in Asia and Latin America to take in refugees in Europe, Theresa May has announced.

The move is part of a 30 million package announced by the prime minister at an EU summit in Malta, which will bring UK humanitarian support regarding the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean to more than 100 million.

The cash will go towards measures to protect vulnerable migrants from freezing conditions and the threat of people-trafficking and sexual violence.

It will also encourage them to return home rather than continue to embark on dangerous journeys to Europe.

UK money will help countries like Egypt, Greece, and the Balkan states to provide for refugees who have reached their territory from places like Syria, and to integrate newcomers into local communities.

And Britain is ready to offer support for countries in Asia and Latin America which need migrants but do not have the required infrastructure in place to receive them.

International Development Secretary Priti Patel said migration challenges cannot be ignored.

International Development Secretary Priti Patel said: "Global Britain is stepping up its support for the most vulnerable refugees who are at risk and need our help.

"Conflict, drought and political upheaval have fuelled protracted crises and driven mass migration. We cannot ignore these challenges.

"This latest support from the UK will help those who decide they want to return home to do so safely, protect men, women and children from exploitation, and ensure that those caught in freezing conditions get the basic help they need to survive."

The new funding will help provide:

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Theresa May announces 30m package to ease migrant crisis - ITV News

May to pledge continued support for EU on Mediterranean migration crisis – The Guardian

Theresa May will pledge the UKs support over the migrant crisis when she meets EU leaders in Malta. Photograph: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images

The UK will remain a reliable partner for the EU in helping to tackle the Mediterranean migration crisis even after Brexit, Theresa May is to tell her fellow European leaders at a summit in Malta on Friday.

The prime minister will use the meeting to reassure the remaining 27 EU members that Britain will not step back from such international obligations, Downing Street said, while also urging them to spend more on defence in the era of Donald Trumps scepticism about Nato.

The summit, held at the Grand Masters Palace in Valletta, will be Mays first encounter with the other EU nations since a meeting in Bratislava in December, which at one point saw May pictured standing alone as other leaders chatted around her.

May is expected to stay only for the morning session and working lunch, which is focused on how to deal with the number of migrants and refugees seeking to enter Europe via the Mediterranean and Libya, and the human cost, both in terms of assistance and the large numbers who drown trying to cross.

The agenda is directed at trying to stop people smugglers, and seeking ways the EU can better cooperate with the authorities in Libya, a major exit point for those seeking to enter Europe.

A Downing Street statement released in advance of the meeting said May would stress that migration has been one of her political priorities during her time in government and remains so.

It added: She will say that the UK has played a central part in tackling this crisis and will remain a reliable partner.

May is also expected to have some bilateral chats with fellow EU leaders, though details of any plans have yet to be released.

The prime ministers spokeswoman said she wanted to keep strong EU links after Brexit. We are very clear we want to see a strong and successful EU, now and into the future, that we can have a mature and constructive partnership, she said.

The summit comes amid a busy period of international meetings for May. Last week she made a high-profile and controversial visit to Washington to see Trump, before holding talks in Ankara with Turkeys president, Recep Tayyip Erdoan.

On Monday she is due to host the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, at Downing Street.

Her office said she would brief EU leaders over her US visit, and what May said was a guarantee from Trump to be completely supportive over Nato. She will also stress the need for other Nato members to meet the commitment of spending 2% of their GDP on defence, so that the burden is more fairly shared.

May will miss the afternoon session of the Valletta summit, at which the remaining 27 EU leaders will resume discussion of how Brexit can be handled, and preparations for next months 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, which set up the EUs precursor, the European Economic Community.

It comes a day after the UK government set out its longest statement of intent yet on Brexit, with the publication of a 77-page parliamentary white paper about the plans for the process.

In a letter this week to EU leaders, Donald Tusk, president of the European council, who will chair the talks, said the anniversary would be a chance to strongly reiterate these two basic, yet forgotten, truths: firstly, we have united in order to avoid another historic catastrophe, and secondly, that the times of European unity have been the best times in all of Europes centuries-long history.

He added: It must be made crystal clear that the disintegration of the European Union will not lead to the restoration of some mythical, full sovereignty of its member states, but to their real and factual dependence on the great superpowers: the United States, Russia and China. Only together can we be fully independent.

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May to pledge continued support for EU on Mediterranean migration crisis - The Guardian