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| Refugee crisis: UK will resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees over five years - as it happened | Refugee crisis: UK will resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees over five years - as it happened |
| (4 months later) | |
| 3.57pm BST | |
| 15:57 | |
| UK to take 20,00 refugees | UK to take 20,00 refugees |
| Britain is to resettle up to 20,000 refugees from Syria over the next four and a half years, David Cameron has told the commons. He said Britain would take in vulnerable refugees only from camps in the region, and not those who have crossed the Mediterranean into Europe. | Britain is to resettle up to 20,000 refugees from Syria over the next four and a half years, David Cameron has told the commons. He said Britain would take in vulnerable refugees only from camps in the region, and not those who have crossed the Mediterranean into Europe. |
| He told MPs: “We will continue to show the world that this country is a country of extraordinary compassion, always standing up for our values and helping those in need.” | He told MPs: “We will continue to show the world that this country is a country of extraordinary compassion, always standing up for our values and helping those in need.” |
| The acting Labour leader, Harriet Harman, asked Cameron if the pledge to take 20,000 Syrian refugees over the course of this parliament meant just 4,000 this year? | The acting Labour leader, Harriet Harman, asked Cameron if the pledge to take 20,000 Syrian refugees over the course of this parliament meant just 4,000 this year? |
| Updated | |
| at 4.00pm BST | |
| 3.12pm BST | |
| 15:12 | |
| David Cameron is preparing to make his statement to the Commons about Britain’s response to the crisis. Politics Live will be covering the details and reaction, so we’re going to pause this blog for now. | David Cameron is preparing to make his statement to the Commons about Britain’s response to the crisis. Politics Live will be covering the details and reaction, so we’re going to pause this blog for now. |
| 3.09pm BST | |
| 15:09 | |
| Here’s a summary of the latest developments: | Here’s a summary of the latest developments: |
| 2.59pm BST | |
| 14:59 | |
| Mona Mahmood | Mona Mahmood |
| Mona Mahmood has been speaking to a Mustafa Abu Yazen, from Damascus, a 40 year old father of two, forced to leave Syria after spending three months in detention. Speaking after making it to Germany he said: | Mona Mahmood has been speaking to a Mustafa Abu Yazen, from Damascus, a 40 year old father of two, forced to leave Syria after spending three months in detention. Speaking after making it to Germany he said: |
| ‘Is it worth it?’ I’ve been asking myself since leaving Azmir, in Turkey. I had to leave my wife and two kids in Damascus after being detained by the Syrian security for more than three months. I was accused of helping foreign terrorists, when I was just working for the German sportswear company Adidas. | ‘Is it worth it?’ I’ve been asking myself since leaving Azmir, in Turkey. I had to leave my wife and two kids in Damascus after being detained by the Syrian security for more than three months. I was accused of helping foreign terrorists, when I was just working for the German sportswear company Adidas. |
| The fear of being rearrested pushed take the bus to Azmir in Turkey. | The fear of being rearrested pushed take the bus to Azmir in Turkey. |
| I thought I could establish a new live in Turkey and bring my family. But after trying several odd jobs, the income was too low, and I hardly could meet my own daily expenses. | I thought I could establish a new live in Turkey and bring my family. But after trying several odd jobs, the income was too low, and I hardly could meet my own daily expenses. |
| Like most of the desperate Syrian refugees in Turkey, I had to find a smuggler who could take me to Greece for $1,200, by putting me in a boat with other 40 refugees at night. The good thing there is that Greeks understand the hardship of the Syrian people and they will tell you which way to take to get to Macedonia and then to Serbia. | Like most of the desperate Syrian refugees in Turkey, I had to find a smuggler who could take me to Greece for $1,200, by putting me in a boat with other 40 refugees at night. The good thing there is that Greeks understand the hardship of the Syrian people and they will tell you which way to take to get to Macedonia and then to Serbia. |
| The biggest hurdle was how to cross into Hungary without being fingerprinted. Me and my four friends took a taxi from the Hungarian border to Budapest, to try to dodge the authorities. It cost €1,250 but after two hours, the driver ordered us to leave the car immediately or he would inform the police. | The biggest hurdle was how to cross into Hungary without being fingerprinted. Me and my four friends took a taxi from the Hungarian border to Budapest, to try to dodge the authorities. It cost €1,250 but after two hours, the driver ordered us to leave the car immediately or he would inform the police. |
| We had to walk all the way to Budapest and stayed over night in a hotel for another €160. We then had to find another smuggler who could take us to Germany. They suck your blood for every move you take from one country to another. To get to Germany I paid another €1,000. Once, we got to the camp in Munich in, the German authorities confiscated €5,000 from us. They said, “As a refugee you should have only €500 with you, we will divide this money among other Syrian refugees.” It was a big shock for us as we had saving the money to send it to our families in Syria. | We had to walk all the way to Budapest and stayed over night in a hotel for another €160. We then had to find another smuggler who could take us to Germany. They suck your blood for every move you take from one country to another. To get to Germany I paid another €1,000. Once, we got to the camp in Munich in, the German authorities confiscated €5,000 from us. They said, “As a refugee you should have only €500 with you, we will divide this money among other Syrian refugees.” It was a big shock for us as we had saving the money to send it to our families in Syria. |
| The treatment in the camp in Munich was not that good as it was run by Turkish and Cypriot security men. I had to collect all my luggage and blankets every day at 8 am and wait till 4 pm to find if I would be transferred to another camp. | The treatment in the camp in Munich was not that good as it was run by Turkish and Cypriot security men. I had to collect all my luggage and blankets every day at 8 am and wait till 4 pm to find if I would be transferred to another camp. |
| Eventually, I was moved to another camp in Nuremberg where there are more than 250 Iraqi and Syrian refugees. The treatment is better but the procedures are so slow and nothing has been done since I arrived. Only today I got a check for €183 but my main concern is how to bring my family to Germany as soon as possible. And the Syrian security is still chasing me and they might take my wife if they don’t get hold of me. | Eventually, I was moved to another camp in Nuremberg where there are more than 250 Iraqi and Syrian refugees. The treatment is better but the procedures are so slow and nothing has been done since I arrived. Only today I got a check for €183 but my main concern is how to bring my family to Germany as soon as possible. And the Syrian security is still chasing me and they might take my wife if they don’t get hold of me. |
| The camp here is so noisy with Syrian young men spending the night singing and playing cards and shouting all night, in a way it is so hard to sleep. I’m not that sure about the future here and in fact I want to go to the Netherlands, where people say asylum procedures are quicker. But at the end of day, it is much safer to be here rather than being in Syrian under the mercy of the cruel Syrian army. | The camp here is so noisy with Syrian young men spending the night singing and playing cards and shouting all night, in a way it is so hard to sleep. I’m not that sure about the future here and in fact I want to go to the Netherlands, where people say asylum procedures are quicker. But at the end of day, it is much safer to be here rather than being in Syrian under the mercy of the cruel Syrian army. |
| 2.41pm BST | |
| 14:41 | |
| The UN’s refugee agency has applauded Austria and Germany for its welcome of refugees, but suggested more will need to be done in the coming days and weeks. | The UN’s refugee agency has applauded Austria and Germany for its welcome of refugees, but suggested more will need to be done in the coming days and weeks. |
| In a blogpost the UNHCR’s Don Murray praised Austria, Germany and civil society groups for the way they had reacted to the crisis. He did not praise Hungary’s response and suggested that the mass busing of migrants through Hungary should be allowed to continue. | In a blogpost the UNHCR’s Don Murray praised Austria, Germany and civil society groups for the way they had reacted to the crisis. He did not praise Hungary’s response and suggested that the mass busing of migrants through Hungary should be allowed to continue. |
| As the Austrian buses arrived to pick up the stream of people – as many as 4,000 – the Hungarian government insisted there would be no more mass busings. It said this singular effort had been undertaken to protect the security of its transport network. For three days Hungary had cancelled all international trains serving Western Europe to frustrate refugee attempts to leave the country. | As the Austrian buses arrived to pick up the stream of people – as many as 4,000 – the Hungarian government insisted there would be no more mass busings. It said this singular effort had been undertaken to protect the security of its transport network. For three days Hungary had cancelled all international trains serving Western Europe to frustrate refugee attempts to leave the country. |
| At the Keleti train station where thousands had camped for days, there were only a few families left on Saturday. But more than 2,000 new refugees arrived in the country from Serbia overnight. | At the Keleti train station where thousands had camped for days, there were only a few families left on Saturday. But more than 2,000 new refugees arrived in the country from Serbia overnight. |
| 2.09pm BST | |
| 14:09 | |
| Helena Smith | Helena Smith |
| Emergency measures are being taken in Greece to deal with the increasingly explosive situation on the far-flung Aegean island of Lesbos, according to our correspondent Helena Smith. | Emergency measures are being taken in Greece to deal with the increasingly explosive situation on the far-flung Aegean island of Lesbos, according to our correspondent Helena Smith. |
| Local officials on Lesbos are voicing growing concerns over what is fast becoming an increasingly chaotic – and, some say, inflammable situation – on the island. The sight of thousands of frustrated refugees and migrants marching on Mytilini, the capital, prompted Greece’s migration minister to announce that transit of the newcomers would be speeded up immediately.. | Local officials on Lesbos are voicing growing concerns over what is fast becoming an increasingly chaotic – and, some say, inflammable situation – on the island. The sight of thousands of frustrated refugees and migrants marching on Mytilini, the capital, prompted Greece’s migration minister to announce that transit of the newcomers would be speeded up immediately.. |
| Ioannis Mouzalas said at least two-thirds of the estimated 15-18,000 refugees and economic migrants currently stranded on the island would be ferried to Athens by the end of the week. “It is imperative that the burden is taken off the island,” he told the state run television channel ERT. Greece’s caretaker government has made handling of the crisis its top priority until general elections are held on 20 September. Visiting Lesvos on Sunday, Mouzalas, a physician with the aid organization Doctors of the World, announced a series of emergency measures to defuse tensions. | Ioannis Mouzalas said at least two-thirds of the estimated 15-18,000 refugees and economic migrants currently stranded on the island would be ferried to Athens by the end of the week. “It is imperative that the burden is taken off the island,” he told the state run television channel ERT. Greece’s caretaker government has made handling of the crisis its top priority until general elections are held on 20 September. Visiting Lesvos on Sunday, Mouzalas, a physician with the aid organization Doctors of the World, announced a series of emergency measures to defuse tensions. |
| Chaotic scenes followed two days of street fighting this morning as Afghans, Syrians and Iraqis, abandoning a camp outside the capital, attempted to occupy the port. By 2pm they had managed to cut the capital in two with riot police being rushed to the scene amid fears of looting. Newsites showed some carrying placards that read: “we will destroy the island.” | Chaotic scenes followed two days of street fighting this morning as Afghans, Syrians and Iraqis, abandoning a camp outside the capital, attempted to occupy the port. By 2pm they had managed to cut the capital in two with riot police being rushed to the scene amid fears of looting. Newsites showed some carrying placards that read: “we will destroy the island.” |
| Refugees and migrants have become increasingly frustrated by the slow pace of processing and the long waits they are having to endure to get proper documentation on Greek isles. Lesbos, which lies close to the Turkish coast, receives an estimated 1,000 desperate men, women and children fleeing war and deprivation every day. | Refugees and migrants have become increasingly frustrated by the slow pace of processing and the long waits they are having to endure to get proper documentation on Greek isles. Lesbos, which lies close to the Turkish coast, receives an estimated 1,000 desperate men, women and children fleeing war and deprivation every day. |
| The Greek government has now pledged to put on an extra two ships daily to transport the newcomers to the mainland and has deployed 60 coastguard officials and police to the island to expedite registration of the refugees. Once processed, newcomers will be immediately housed on the cruiseship, Eleftherios Venizelos, now pressed into service on a 24-hour basis. The liner, which will be running between Athens and Lesbos, has a capacity for 2,500 passengers. | The Greek government has now pledged to put on an extra two ships daily to transport the newcomers to the mainland and has deployed 60 coastguard officials and police to the island to expedite registration of the refugees. Once processed, newcomers will be immediately housed on the cruiseship, Eleftherios Venizelos, now pressed into service on a 24-hour basis. The liner, which will be running between Athens and Lesbos, has a capacity for 2,500 passengers. |
| Mouzalas said a new reception and registration centre would also be created in a disused army camp while conscripts had, as of today, been ordered to bake and handout 1,500 loaves of bread to the migrants and refugees. | Mouzalas said a new reception and registration centre would also be created in a disused army camp while conscripts had, as of today, been ordered to bake and handout 1,500 loaves of bread to the migrants and refugees. |
| Updated | |
| at 2.11pm BST | |
| 1.54pm BST | |
| 13:54 | |
| Ahead of David Cameron’s statement on refugees, dozens of MPs from all parties in the UK have taken part in a “Refugees Welcome” vigil outside Parliament. | Ahead of David Cameron’s statement on refugees, dozens of MPs from all parties in the UK have taken part in a “Refugees Welcome” vigil outside Parliament. |
| Joined colleagues at Parliament for a Vigil marking the Refugee Crisis #refugeeswelcome pic.twitter.com/hckeQ8UJuY | Joined colleagues at Parliament for a Vigil marking the Refugee Crisis #refugeeswelcome pic.twitter.com/hckeQ8UJuY |
| Moving cross-party vigil fir refugees led by Speakers Chaplain #refugeeswelcome pic.twitter.com/6CP14xrMGV | Moving cross-party vigil fir refugees led by Speakers Chaplain #refugeeswelcome pic.twitter.com/6CP14xrMGV |
| Updated | |
| at 2.12pm BST | |
| 1.44pm BST | |
| 13:44 | |
| Former UN diplomat and foreign minister in the last Labour government, Mark Malloch-Brown, has added to calls for the UK to accept more refugees. Speaking on the BBC Radio 4’s World at One, he called for “generous asylum here in the UK - a little bit of Angela Merkel’s magic dust needs to be sprinkled on our response.” | Former UN diplomat and foreign minister in the last Labour government, Mark Malloch-Brown, has added to calls for the UK to accept more refugees. Speaking on the BBC Radio 4’s World at One, he called for “generous asylum here in the UK - a little bit of Angela Merkel’s magic dust needs to be sprinkled on our response.” |
| 1.37pm BST | |
| 13:37 | |
| Scuffles broke out earlier on Monday between police and thousands of people attempting to enter Macedonia from with Greece. | Scuffles broke out earlier on Monday between police and thousands of people attempting to enter Macedonia from with Greece. |
| About 2,000 people gathered at the Greek border near the village of Idomeni just after dawn. The Macedonian authorities allowed only small groups to cross every half hour, leading to tension. The situation later calmed after more were allowed to cross, with about 1,000 having passed the border by mid-day, AP reported. | About 2,000 people gathered at the Greek border near the village of Idomeni just after dawn. The Macedonian authorities allowed only small groups to cross every half hour, leading to tension. The situation later calmed after more were allowed to cross, with about 1,000 having passed the border by mid-day, AP reported. |
| Updated | |
| at 2.12pm BST | |
| 1.24pm BST | |
| 13:24 | |
| Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, has urged Catholics in England and Wales to respond to the crisis with “practical action” and promised the church will issue guidance on how people can help. | Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, has urged Catholics in England and Wales to respond to the crisis with “practical action” and promised the church will issue guidance on how people can help. |
| In a statement he said: | In a statement he said: |
| “We urge government to respond positively to this crisis and to provide the necessary resources and funding to ensure the effective reception and long-term resettlement of these desperate people. We will work with both government and other responsible authorities to meet this grave challenge. | “We urge government to respond positively to this crisis and to provide the necessary resources and funding to ensure the effective reception and long-term resettlement of these desperate people. We will work with both government and other responsible authorities to meet this grave challenge. |
| “We invite all Catholics to respond in prayer and in real, practical action. It is my hope to join the prayer vigil which is taking place outside Westminster Cathedral tomorrow night. | “We invite all Catholics to respond in prayer and in real, practical action. It is my hope to join the prayer vigil which is taking place outside Westminster Cathedral tomorrow night. |
| “Guidance will follow shortly on how the Catholic community in England and Wales can practically respond to this refugee crisis.” | “Guidance will follow shortly on how the Catholic community in England and Wales can practically respond to this refugee crisis.” |
| On the subject of candle lit vigils GuardianWitness have a callout on the #LightTheDark candlelit vigils being held across Australia. Here’s a sample of contributions so far. | On the subject of candle lit vigils GuardianWitness have a callout on the #LightTheDark candlelit vigils being held across Australia. Here’s a sample of contributions so far. |
| Lighting the dark in Adelaide tonight #LightTheDark | Lighting the dark in Adelaide tonight #LightTheDark |
| Sent via Guardian Witness | Sent via Guardian Witness |
| By Weishaupt | By Weishaupt |
| 7 September 2015, 12:00 | 7 September 2015, 12:00 |
| #NooneIsIllegal | #NooneIsIllegal |
| #refugeeswelcome #LightTheDark | #refugeeswelcome #LightTheDark |
| Sent via Guardian Witness | Sent via Guardian Witness |
| By Tanyia Maxted-Jamieson | By Tanyia Maxted-Jamieson |
| 7 September 2015, 12:40 | 7 September 2015, 12:40 |
| Updated | |
| at 1.26pm BST | |
| 1.18pm BST | |
| 13:18 | |
| Ian Traynor | Ian Traynor |
| The Guardian’s Europe editor, Ian Traynor, rounds up the latest diplomatic developments on the crisis: | The Guardian’s Europe editor, Ian Traynor, rounds up the latest diplomatic developments on the crisis: |
| French president François Hollande has called for a Paris summit of European leaders to tackle the refugee crisis. He said Europe’s passport-free Schengen zone could not survive without a new system of binding quotas for sharing newcomers, and said France has agreed to take 24,000 people under a new EU scheme. | French president François Hollande has called for a Paris summit of European leaders to tackle the refugee crisis. He said Europe’s passport-free Schengen zone could not survive without a new system of binding quotas for sharing newcomers, and said France has agreed to take 24,000 people under a new EU scheme. |
| Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, is to outline a new three-pillar system for dealing with refugees on Wednesday in a speech to the European parliament. He will propose the obligatory sharing of 160,000 asylum-seekers moved from Italy, Greece, and Hungary across the rest of the EU, although the countries of eastern Europe are bitterly opposed to being forced to accept refugees. | Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, is to outline a new three-pillar system for dealing with refugees on Wednesday in a speech to the European parliament. He will propose the obligatory sharing of 160,000 asylum-seekers moved from Italy, Greece, and Hungary across the rest of the EU, although the countries of eastern Europe are bitterly opposed to being forced to accept refugees. |
| The eastern Europeans will be offered the option of buying themselves a year’s grace, delaying acceptance of their quota in return for returning money to EU coffers. It is not clear whether they will accept. Under the quotas, Germany, France, and Spain are to take around half of the total, although Madrid is also balking. | The eastern Europeans will be offered the option of buying themselves a year’s grace, delaying acceptance of their quota in return for returning money to EU coffers. It is not clear whether they will accept. Under the quotas, Germany, France, and Spain are to take around half of the total, although Madrid is also balking. |
| Britain and Denmark do not need to take part in the new scheme. | Britain and Denmark do not need to take part in the new scheme. |
| The Juncker proposals will also effectively put EU agencies in charge of registering and fingerprinting newcomers in Italy and Greece, taking on powers previously reserved for national governments. This is being pushed by Germany, which is furious that for two years the Greeks and Italians have been deliberately not registering people to avoid having to take them back from other EU countries. | The Juncker proposals will also effectively put EU agencies in charge of registering and fingerprinting newcomers in Italy and Greece, taking on powers previously reserved for national governments. This is being pushed by Germany, which is furious that for two years the Greeks and Italians have been deliberately not registering people to avoid having to take them back from other EU countries. |
| Juncker is also to table a list of agreed so-called safe countries of origin, replacing the patchwork of different national lists with a standardised number of countries accepted across the EU. This will be politically divisive. It will apply mostly to the countries of former Yugoslavia and Albania. Migrants from these countries currently make up more than 40% of people going to Germany. The Germans have Serbia, Bosnia, and Macedonia on their own safe list, but not Kosovo, Albania, and Montenegro which will be on Juncker’s list. | Juncker is also to table a list of agreed so-called safe countries of origin, replacing the patchwork of different national lists with a standardised number of countries accepted across the EU. This will be politically divisive. It will apply mostly to the countries of former Yugoslavia and Albania. Migrants from these countries currently make up more than 40% of people going to Germany. The Germans have Serbia, Bosnia, and Macedonia on their own safe list, but not Kosovo, Albania, and Montenegro which will be on Juncker’s list. |
| Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Germany needs a new system, separate from asylum procedures, for dealing with migrants from the Balkans. Juncker is also expected to include Turkey on his list, controversial since the 30-year-old conflict between the Turkish state and Kurdish militants has re-erupted and is escalating. And almost one quarter of asylum applications of people arriving from Turkey in Europe are currently accepted. | Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Germany needs a new system, separate from asylum procedures, for dealing with migrants from the Balkans. Juncker is also expected to include Turkey on his list, controversial since the 30-year-old conflict between the Turkish state and Kurdish militants has re-erupted and is escalating. And almost one quarter of asylum applications of people arriving from Turkey in Europe are currently accepted. |
| The right to claim asylum is an individual, not collective nor national right. People from countries on the safe list will still be able to claim asylum, but the chances of them obtaining it will be reduced while their applications will be fast-tracked, making deportation a quicker prospect. | The right to claim asylum is an individual, not collective nor national right. People from countries on the safe list will still be able to claim asylum, but the chances of them obtaining it will be reduced while their applications will be fast-tracked, making deportation a quicker prospect. |
| 1.12pm BST | |
| 13:12 | |
| Germany’s foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has heaped more pressure on David Cameron by calling on other EU states to take part in a “massive joint effort” to tackle the refugee crisis. In a statement issued on Monday he said: | Germany’s foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has heaped more pressure on David Cameron by calling on other EU states to take part in a “massive joint effort” to tackle the refugee crisis. In a statement issued on Monday he said: |
| “It is still an illusion to think that we can get a grip on that crisis without a really comprehensive and differentiating approach. In all our efforts, we must not forget the people who are currently considering embarking on the extremely dangerous and risky journey to Europe from refugee camps in Turkey, Lebanon or Jordan. | “It is still an illusion to think that we can get a grip on that crisis without a really comprehensive and differentiating approach. In all our efforts, we must not forget the people who are currently considering embarking on the extremely dangerous and risky journey to Europe from refugee camps in Turkey, Lebanon or Jordan. |
| “We have to do even more in collaboration with our partners to create fresh prospects for them in the places currently sheltering them. That means, for example, supporting the UN efforts to stabilise Libya and the endeavour to launch a real peace process in Syria, which may for the first time in a long time have a chance of success now that agreement has been reached in the nuclear dispute with Iran.” | “We have to do even more in collaboration with our partners to create fresh prospects for them in the places currently sheltering them. That means, for example, supporting the UN efforts to stabilise Libya and the endeavour to launch a real peace process in Syria, which may for the first time in a long time have a chance of success now that agreement has been reached in the nuclear dispute with Iran.” |
| Steinmeier echoed earlier remarks by the German chancellor Angela Merkel. She said that other EU countries must take in more migrants because “only with common European solidarity can we master this effort”. | Steinmeier echoed earlier remarks by the German chancellor Angela Merkel. She said that other EU countries must take in more migrants because “only with common European solidarity can we master this effort”. |
| She called for a “solidarity-based and fair distribution of refugees” and said the “Europe based on values must show its face”. | She called for a “solidarity-based and fair distribution of refugees” and said the “Europe based on values must show its face”. |
| 12.25pm BST | |
| 12:25 | |
| The Hungarian security forces are struggling to to contain migrants trying to break out of the Röszke camp on the Serbia border, according to reports. | The Hungarian security forces are struggling to to contain migrants trying to break out of the Röszke camp on the Serbia border, according to reports. |
| Frustrated migrants waiting for bus to Budapest rush the police lines. pic.twitter.com/P9a2Bc4LdJ | Frustrated migrants waiting for bus to Budapest rush the police lines. pic.twitter.com/P9a2Bc4LdJ |
| Migrants on Hungarian/Serbian border sit in the road in front of the police line as photographers mingle with them. pic.twitter.com/l7zd4bxyxg | Migrants on Hungarian/Serbian border sit in the road in front of the police line as photographers mingle with them. pic.twitter.com/l7zd4bxyxg |
| Updated | |
| at 12.25pm BST | |
| 12.18pm BST | |
| 12:18 | |
| A UN committee has urged Gulf States to do more to help tackle the crisis. | A UN committee has urged Gulf States to do more to help tackle the crisis. |
| In a statement the UN Committee on the Protection on the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families said: “While neighbouring states have opened their borders to millions of Syrian migrants, other countries, especially in Europe and elsewhere, notably the Gulf States, should do more to address one of the most tragic mass displacements of people since World War II.” | In a statement the UN Committee on the Protection on the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families said: “While neighbouring states have opened their borders to millions of Syrian migrants, other countries, especially in Europe and elsewhere, notably the Gulf States, should do more to address one of the most tragic mass displacements of people since World War II.” |
| The Guardian’s migration correspondent Patrick Kingsley said persuading the Gulf States to take more Syrians was one of the key ways to tackle the crisis. He wrote: | The Guardian’s migration correspondent Patrick Kingsley said persuading the Gulf States to take more Syrians was one of the key ways to tackle the crisis. He wrote: |
| Most Arab countries don’t allow entry to Syrians. Some of them have reasonable excuses – Lebanon’s refugee population is already a quarter of the country’s total. But the Gulf countries – Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar – have less justification, not least because their support for various sides in the Syrian war is one of the reasons the conflict has lasted so long. | Most Arab countries don’t allow entry to Syrians. Some of them have reasonable excuses – Lebanon’s refugee population is already a quarter of the country’s total. But the Gulf countries – Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar – have less justification, not least because their support for various sides in the Syrian war is one of the reasons the conflict has lasted so long. |
| The Guardian has met some Syrians in the Balkans who led safe lives in the UAE for years but had to leave because their residencies were recently rescinded. If Europe has a moral duty to help Syrians, then the Gulf certainly does too.” | The Guardian has met some Syrians in the Balkans who led safe lives in the UAE for years but had to leave because their residencies were recently rescinded. If Europe has a moral duty to help Syrians, then the Gulf certainly does too.” |
| 12.03pm BST | |
| 12:03 | |
| We want to hear experiences from refugees who are making a journey in Europe this summer, as well as their friends and families, and from people whose communities are receiving refugees. You can share your stories, pictures and videos with us via WhatsApp by adding the contact +44 (0) 7867 825056 and starting your message with refugees, or by contributing to GuardianWitness. | We want to hear experiences from refugees who are making a journey in Europe this summer, as well as their friends and families, and from people whose communities are receiving refugees. You can share your stories, pictures and videos with us via WhatsApp by adding the contact +44 (0) 7867 825056 and starting your message with refugees, or by contributing to GuardianWitness. |
| 12.01pm BST | |
| 12:01 | |
| Here’s a summary of the latest developments: | Here’s a summary of the latest developments: |
| Updated | |
| at 12.01pm BST | |
| 11.32am BST | |
| 11:32 | |
| In his press conference President Hollande, said France was considering air strikes in Syria, but ruled out sending not send ground troops into the country. AFP quoted him saying this would be “inconsequential and unrealistic.” | In his press conference President Hollande, said France was considering air strikes in Syria, but ruled out sending not send ground troops into the country. AFP quoted him saying this would be “inconsequential and unrealistic.” |
| He said it was unrealistic “because we would be the only ones” and also risked being “transformed into an occupation force”. | He said it was unrealistic “because we would be the only ones” and also risked being “transformed into an occupation force”. |
| “So we won’t do it,” he said. “It’s for regional forces to take their responsibilities. France, however, will work to find political solutions.” | “So we won’t do it,” he said. “It’s for regional forces to take their responsibilities. France, however, will work to find political solutions.” |
| He said that finding a political transition that sidelined Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was “essential”. | He said that finding a political transition that sidelined Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was “essential”. |
| “The transition is an essential point. Nothing must be done that can consolidate or maintain Bashar al-Assad,” he said. | “The transition is an essential point. Nothing must be done that can consolidate or maintain Bashar al-Assad,” he said. |
| France has so far only carried out airstrikes against IS in neighbouring Iraq. Hollande said the French military had so far carried out 200 strikes in Iraq. | France has so far only carried out airstrikes against IS in neighbouring Iraq. Hollande said the French military had so far carried out 200 strikes in Iraq. |
| Britain is also thought to be considering military strikes in Syria, with Prime Minister David Cameron trying to organise a new parliamentary vote on the issue in the coming weeks. | Britain is also thought to be considering military strikes in Syria, with Prime Minister David Cameron trying to organise a new parliamentary vote on the issue in the coming weeks. |
| British MPs rejected such action two years ago, in a decision that embarrassed Cameron and drew criticism from the United States. | British MPs rejected such action two years ago, in a decision that embarrassed Cameron and drew criticism from the United States. |
| 11.22am BST | |
| 11:22 | |
| Tougher EU approach on Syria? | Tougher EU approach on Syria? |
| Is Europe on the verge of taking a tougher stance on the war in Syria? Hot on the heels of Hollande’s announced that France is considering airstrikes in Syria, Germany says it wants to “expand its commitment to fight the actual causes of [the migration] crisis”. | Is Europe on the verge of taking a tougher stance on the war in Syria? Hot on the heels of Hollande’s announced that France is considering airstrikes in Syria, Germany says it wants to “expand its commitment to fight the actual causes of [the migration] crisis”. |
| This doesn’t go nearly as far as France, but taken together with Cameron’s announcement that he will couple his statement on refugees with remarks on counter terrorism, it suggests something is afoot. | This doesn’t go nearly as far as France, but taken together with Cameron’s announcement that he will couple his statement on refugees with remarks on counter terrorism, it suggests something is afoot. |
| Chancellor #Merkel: #Germany will expand its commitment to fight the actual causes of crisis. MT @RegSprecher #refugees | Chancellor #Merkel: #Germany will expand its commitment to fight the actual causes of crisis. MT @RegSprecher #refugees |
| Updated | |
| at 11.28am BST | |
| 11.09am BST | |
| 11:09 | |
| Hollande heaps more pressure on Cameron. | Hollande heaps more pressure on Cameron. |
| #BREAKING Without united EU migrant policy Schengen 'will collapse': Hollande | #BREAKING Without united EU migrant policy Schengen 'will collapse': Hollande |
| The PM’s office has revealed that his statement will include details of counter terrorism strategy. | The PM’s office has revealed that his statement will include details of counter terrorism strategy. |
| I'll be making a statement on "Syria: Refugees and Counter Terrorism" in the House of Commons at 330pm today. | I'll be making a statement on "Syria: Refugees and Counter Terrorism" in the House of Commons at 330pm today. |
| Updated | |
| at 11.11am BST | |
| 11.04am BST | |
| 11:04 | |
| In Australia, thousands of people have gathered in major cities across the country to urge action on the humanitarian crisis arising from the conflict in Syria. | In Australia, thousands of people have gathered in major cities across the country to urge action on the humanitarian crisis arising from the conflict in Syria. |
| The call went out on social media under the hashtags #refugeeswelcome and #LightTheDark, with gatherings planned in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin and Perth. | The call went out on social media under the hashtags #refugeeswelcome and #LightTheDark, with gatherings planned in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin and Perth. |
| Many people lit candles in Sydney’s Hyde Park and Melbourne’s Treasury Gardens as they stood together in the growing gloom, echoing the scenes in February 2014 when vigils were held across the country for Reza Barati, the Iranian man killed during violent scenes at the Manus Island detention centre. | Many people lit candles in Sydney’s Hyde Park and Melbourne’s Treasury Gardens as they stood together in the growing gloom, echoing the scenes in February 2014 when vigils were held across the country for Reza Barati, the Iranian man killed during violent scenes at the Manus Island detention centre. |
| There’s more here. | There’s more here. |
| Updated | |
| at 11.27am BST | |
| 11.02am BST | |
| 11:02 | |
| The UK is notably absent from the list of countries prepared to accept extra refugees under the EU’s plan. David Cameron’s government has repeatedly rejected the idea of EU quotas. But he is due to announce plans to resettle “thousands more” Syrians, when he addresses the Commons later today. | The UK is notably absent from the list of countries prepared to accept extra refugees under the EU’s plan. David Cameron’s government has repeatedly rejected the idea of EU quotas. But he is due to announce plans to resettle “thousands more” Syrians, when he addresses the Commons later today. |
| France’s plans to accept 24,000 extra refugees will add to the pressure on Cameron to do more. | France’s plans to accept 24,000 extra refugees will add to the pressure on Cameron to do more. |
| In this context it is also worth noting President François Hollande announce that France will begin reconnaissance missions over Syria and is considering launching airstrikes against Islamic State militants. | In this context it is also worth noting President François Hollande announce that France will begin reconnaissance missions over Syria and is considering launching airstrikes against Islamic State militants. |
| “We have proof that attacks have been planned from Syria against several countries, notably France,” Hollande told a news conference. | “We have proof that attacks have been planned from Syria against several countries, notably France,” Hollande told a news conference. |
| “My responsibility is to ensure that we are informed as much as possible on the threats to our country ... so I have asked the defence minister that on Tuesday reconnaissance flights begin over Syria that will enable us to consider air strikes against Islamic State.” | “My responsibility is to ensure that we are informed as much as possible on the threats to our country ... so I have asked the defence minister that on Tuesday reconnaissance flights begin over Syria that will enable us to consider air strikes against Islamic State.” |
| Updated | |
| at 11.27am BST | |
| 10.48am BST | |
| 10:48 | |
| El Pais has published details of the EU’s new quota plan, Open Europe points out. | El Pais has published details of the EU’s new quota plan, Open Europe points out. |
| New refugee quotas prepared by EU Commission (via @el_pais). Germany, France & Spain would take nearly 60% of total. pic.twitter.com/MrhT90WcJ4 | New refugee quotas prepared by EU Commission (via @el_pais). Germany, France & Spain would take nearly 60% of total. pic.twitter.com/MrhT90WcJ4 |
| 10.41am BST | |
| 10:41 | |
| EU quota plan to accept an extra 120,000 people | EU quota plan to accept an extra 120,000 people |
| More details are emerging about the EU’s quota plan. | More details are emerging about the EU’s quota plan. |
| The EU executive has drawn up a new set of national quotas under which Germany will take in more than 40,000 and France 30,000 of a total of 160,000 asylum-seekers it says should be relocated from Italy, Greece and Hungary, an EU source told Reuters. | The EU executive has drawn up a new set of national quotas under which Germany will take in more than 40,000 and France 30,000 of a total of 160,000 asylum-seekers it says should be relocated from Italy, Greece and Hungary, an EU source told Reuters. |
| European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is due to unveil new proposals on Wednesday. EU officials have said he will propose adding 120,000 people to be relocated on top of a group of 40,000 the Commission previously proposed relocating. | European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is due to unveil new proposals on Wednesday. EU officials have said he will propose adding 120,000 people to be relocated on top of a group of 40,000 the Commission previously proposed relocating. |
| Germany would, if EU leaders agree to the scheme, be asked to take in 31,443 and France 24,031. Earlier on Monday, French President Francois Hollande said France would take 24,000 of the additional 120,000 people seeking refuge. | Germany would, if EU leaders agree to the scheme, be asked to take in 31,443 and France 24,031. Earlier on Monday, French President Francois Hollande said France would take 24,000 of the additional 120,000 people seeking refuge. |
| Confirming figures published by Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant, the source said the Commission also planned to put Turkey and all the non-EU states of the Western Balkans on a new list of “safe” countries, whose citizens would face accelerated reviews of asylum claims to speed deportation for most of them. | Confirming figures published by Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant, the source said the Commission also planned to put Turkey and all the non-EU states of the Western Balkans on a new list of “safe” countries, whose citizens would face accelerated reviews of asylum claims to speed deportation for most of them. |
| Updated | |
| at 10.44am BST | |
| 10.30am BST | |
| 10:30 | |
| France and Germany reported to take extra 55,000 refugees | France and Germany reported to take extra 55,000 refugees |
| France and Germany are reported to be prepared to take an extra 55,000 refugees over the next two years, according to reports in the French press. | France and Germany are reported to be prepared to take an extra 55,000 refugees over the next two years, according to reports in the French press. |
| The European Commission has asked France to accept 24,000 refugees and Germany 31,000 refugees under a new plan, according to the English language French news site The Local. | The European Commission has asked France to accept 24,000 refugees and Germany 31,000 refugees under a new plan, according to the English language French news site The Local. |
| Speaking on Monday French president François Hollande said that France is “willing to play its part”. | Speaking on Monday French president François Hollande said that France is “willing to play its part”. |
| Hollande told the media that it was a “fundamental principle” of France to accept asylum seekers. | Hollande told the media that it was a “fundamental principle” of France to accept asylum seekers. |
| Reports in Le Monde on Monday claim Germany will be asked to take in 31, 000 refugees. | Reports in Le Monde on Monday claim Germany will be asked to take in 31, 000 refugees. |
| Later Hollande confirmed the reports. | Later Hollande confirmed the reports. |
| BREAKING: French president says country will welcome 24,000 refugees | BREAKING: French president says country will welcome 24,000 refugees |
| The EU commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, is expected to present his plan to distribute refugees across the EU in his state of the union address on Wednesday. | The EU commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, is expected to present his plan to distribute refugees across the EU in his state of the union address on Wednesday. |
| Updated | |
| at 10.38am BST | |
| 10.20am BST | |
| 10:20 | |
| Fire and riots in the Kara Tepe transit camp as well as protests on the streets of Mytilini, are putting the lives and safety of refugees stranded on the island of Lesbos at risk, the US agency the International Rescue Committee has warned. | Fire and riots in the Kara Tepe transit camp as well as protests on the streets of Mytilini, are putting the lives and safety of refugees stranded on the island of Lesbos at risk, the US agency the International Rescue Committee has warned. |
| The turmoil has made it harder and harder for aid organisations to provide assistance, according to Kirk Day, its field director on Lesbos. | The turmoil has made it harder and harder for aid organisations to provide assistance, according to Kirk Day, its field director on Lesbos. |
| In an email he said: “Failure to recognise the severity of this situation has allowed it to reach a point where we are truly in the midst of a humanitarian disaster. There are upwards of 17,000 – 25,000 people stuck on Lesbos, with thousands more arriving every day with no systems or capacity to receive them. There is need for a transit center in the north to alleviate the suffering of every refugee landing on the island. | In an email he said: “Failure to recognise the severity of this situation has allowed it to reach a point where we are truly in the midst of a humanitarian disaster. There are upwards of 17,000 – 25,000 people stuck on Lesbos, with thousands more arriving every day with no systems or capacity to receive them. There is need for a transit center in the north to alleviate the suffering of every refugee landing on the island. |
| “Refugees are finding themselves in Lesbos for weeks, every free inch of ground has been taken over with makeshift camps and people sleeping rough in the open, sanitation and hygiene conditions in the transit camps and in the city of Mytilini itself are rapidly declining while tensions are rapidly rising. None of these things can be addressed with this many people here, and the backlog has become so enormous that even the best of systems will not be able to catch up. The only way forward is to move these people off the island immediately.” | “Refugees are finding themselves in Lesbos for weeks, every free inch of ground has been taken over with makeshift camps and people sleeping rough in the open, sanitation and hygiene conditions in the transit camps and in the city of Mytilini itself are rapidly declining while tensions are rapidly rising. None of these things can be addressed with this many people here, and the backlog has become so enormous that even the best of systems will not be able to catch up. The only way forward is to move these people off the island immediately.” |
| 10.08am BST | |
| 10:08 | |
| Tension appears to be mounting at the Roszke border crossing between Serbia and Hungary. | Tension appears to be mounting at the Roszke border crossing between Serbia and Hungary. |
| Many here in Röszke are exhausted after a long journey into Hungary - some have collapsed. pic.twitter.com/1QJQOJqZsL | Many here in Röszke are exhausted after a long journey into Hungary - some have collapsed. pic.twitter.com/1QJQOJqZsL |
| 9.50am BST | |
| 09:50 | |
| Merkel: number refugees 'breathtaking' | Merkel: number refugees 'breathtaking' |
| Josie Le Blond | Josie Le Blond |
| Angela Merkel described the number of people crossing the border into Germany over the weekend as “breathtaking” and said Germans should be “proud” of their response, writes Josie Le Blond in Berlin. | Angela Merkel described the number of people crossing the border into Germany over the weekend as “breathtaking” and said Germans should be “proud” of their response, writes Josie Le Blond in Berlin. |
| Speaking at press conference press in Berlin following a government meeting last night to address the crisis, she said: “We’ve experienced a moving and breathtaking weekend want to thank everyone who has helped. We can be proud.” She said the efforts by average Germans to support thousands of arriving refugees had “painted a picture of Germany which can make us proud of our country”. | Speaking at press conference press in Berlin following a government meeting last night to address the crisis, she said: “We’ve experienced a moving and breathtaking weekend want to thank everyone who has helped. We can be proud.” She said the efforts by average Germans to support thousands of arriving refugees had “painted a picture of Germany which can make us proud of our country”. |
| Merkel added: “I want to emphasise that Dublin III is still in force for all EU countries. I’ve discussed this with the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.” | Merkel added: “I want to emphasise that Dublin III is still in force for all EU countries. I’ve discussed this with the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.” |
| The German leader said her government planned to pass a new raft of legal measures next month to deal with the crisis. “We know we were quick to save the banks. We have to be quick to meet this challenge too,” she said. | The German leader said her government planned to pass a new raft of legal measures next month to deal with the crisis. “We know we were quick to save the banks. We have to be quick to meet this challenge too,” she said. |
| She also repeated her call for a common European response, not only to address the influx of new arrivals, but also to address the problems in the middle east. “Only together with the rest of Europe can we meet this challenge. We have to work together within the international community to fight the root causes of migration, civil war, the dangers of terrorism.” | She also repeated her call for a common European response, not only to address the influx of new arrivals, but also to address the problems in the middle east. “Only together with the rest of Europe can we meet this challenge. We have to work together within the international community to fight the root causes of migration, civil war, the dangers of terrorism.” |
| Thousands more refugees are expected to arrive in German after 20,000 came in over the weekend. | Thousands more refugees are expected to arrive in German after 20,000 came in over the weekend. |
| Christoph Hillenbrand, a senior official in Bavaria, told reporters that 2,500 new asylum seekers were likely to arrive in Germany by early afternoon. | Christoph Hillenbrand, a senior official in Bavaria, told reporters that 2,500 new asylum seekers were likely to arrive in Germany by early afternoon. |
| German and Austrian officials appeared to have been surprised by the numbers that continued to flow in from Hungary. | German and Austrian officials appeared to have been surprised by the numbers that continued to flow in from Hungary. |
| Over the weekend there have been signs of dissent within Merkel’s conservative camp, with officials from the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) criticising her handling of the crisis. | Over the weekend there have been signs of dissent within Merkel’s conservative camp, with officials from the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) criticising her handling of the crisis. |
| “There is no society that could cope with something like this,” said CSU leader and Bavarian premier Horst Seehofer said. “The federal government needs a plan here.” | “There is no society that could cope with something like this,” said CSU leader and Bavarian premier Horst Seehofer said. “The federal government needs a plan here.” |
| Updated | |
| at 10.13am BST | |