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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/sep/14/refugee-crisis-eu-emergency-meeting-as-cameron-visits-lebanon-live-updates
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| Refugee crisis: EU plans new detention measures – as it happened | Refugee crisis: EU plans new detention measures – as it happened |
| (7 months later) | |
| 3.19pm BST | 3.19pm BST |
| 15:19 | 15:19 |
| We’re going to pause the live blog for now but here’s a roundup of the latest developments: | We’re going to pause the live blog for now but here’s a roundup of the latest developments: |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.59pm BST | at 5.59pm BST |
| 3.13pm BST | 3.13pm BST |
| 15:13 | 15:13 |
| Hungary’s anti-immigraton prime minister, Viktor Orban, has vowed to push ahead with a controversial border crackdown due to come into force at midnight, amid UN claims that his government is transporting migrants from the Serbian border to the Austrian frontier ahead of the change. | Hungary’s anti-immigraton prime minister, Viktor Orban, has vowed to push ahead with a controversial border crackdown due to come into force at midnight, amid UN claims that his government is transporting migrants from the Serbian border to the Austrian frontier ahead of the change. |
| Under the plans Hungary will deport to Serbia migrants who do not use police-supervised border checkpoints to register with authorities. Speaking to border police, Orban said: “Illegal border crossings will no longer be misdemeanors but felonies punishable with prison terms or bans.”But Orban advised police to use minimum force and treat the newcomers as fellow human beings. | Under the plans Hungary will deport to Serbia migrants who do not use police-supervised border checkpoints to register with authorities. Speaking to border police, Orban said: “Illegal border crossings will no longer be misdemeanors but felonies punishable with prison terms or bans.”But Orban advised police to use minimum force and treat the newcomers as fellow human beings. |
| The UNHCR said Hungary is using special trains to transport thousands of migrants from Roszke near the Serbian border to the Austrian frontier without registration. | The UNHCR said Hungary is using special trains to transport thousands of migrants from Roszke near the Serbian border to the Austrian frontier without registration. |
| The move suggested a record surge in arrivals in Hungary has prompted the authorities to abandon efforts to have all those entering European Union territory registered on the spot, according to Reuters. | The move suggested a record surge in arrivals in Hungary has prompted the authorities to abandon efforts to have all those entering European Union territory registered on the spot, according to Reuters. |
| “The situation is that after crossing the border these people have arrived at the collection point in Roszke, where there is no official procedure, people are just being collected,” UNHCR spokesman Erno Simon said. | “The situation is that after crossing the border these people have arrived at the collection point in Roszke, where there is no official procedure, people are just being collected,” UNHCR spokesman Erno Simon said. |
| “Earlier these people were being taken to the registration points ... this is not happening now, but rather, buses are taking people from the collection point to the Roszke train station according to our information,” he told Reuters. | “Earlier these people were being taken to the registration points ... this is not happening now, but rather, buses are taking people from the collection point to the Roszke train station according to our information,” he told Reuters. |
| Government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said those arriving were still registered, although at other locations in Hungary to ease pressure on authorities in the south. “Hungary is fulfilling all its international and European obligations, including registration,” Kovacs said: | Government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said those arriving were still registered, although at other locations in Hungary to ease pressure on authorities in the south. “Hungary is fulfilling all its international and European obligations, including registration,” Kovacs said: |
| “At the same time we are trying to ease the pressure on Roszke, therefore the protocol is being followed at those locations (i.e. at Szentgotthard) where we provide shelter for migrants,” he said. | “At the same time we are trying to ease the pressure on Roszke, therefore the protocol is being followed at those locations (i.e. at Szentgotthard) where we provide shelter for migrants,” he said. |
| Simon said since 10am on Sunday, special trains have been leaving Roszke train station one after the other without stopping en route to the Austrian border. On Sunday alone more than 2,000 people left Roszke on three trains, he said. | Simon said since 10am on Sunday, special trains have been leaving Roszke train station one after the other without stopping en route to the Austrian border. On Sunday alone more than 2,000 people left Roszke on three trains, he said. |
| “That these people are not being taken to registration points is confirmed by our information, given that these registration points are empty,” he said. Simon said the UNHCR learned from volunteers at the Austrian border that after a four-hour journey the trains arrived there. A Reuters reporter on the Serbian border saw police putting people on buses. | “That these people are not being taken to registration points is confirmed by our information, given that these registration points are empty,” he said. Simon said the UNHCR learned from volunteers at the Austrian border that after a four-hour journey the trains arrived there. A Reuters reporter on the Serbian border saw police putting people on buses. |
| At Roszke railway station police were putting hundreds of migrants on a special train which had at least 15 carriages, a Reuters reporter said. A policeman told Reuters the trains were bound for Hegyeshalom at the border with Austria. | At Roszke railway station police were putting hundreds of migrants on a special train which had at least 15 carriages, a Reuters reporter said. A policeman told Reuters the trains were bound for Hegyeshalom at the border with Austria. |
| 2.45pm BST | 2.45pm BST |
| 14:45 | 14:45 |
| The reintroduction of border controls by some EU member states has led to fears for the future of the free borders Schengen system and the coining of a new Euro mouthful: “Schexit”. | The reintroduction of border controls by some EU member states has led to fears for the future of the free borders Schengen system and the coining of a new Euro mouthful: “Schexit”. |
| After #Grexit and #Brexit, a diplomat coins #Schexit | After #Grexit and #Brexit, a diplomat coins #Schexit |
| 2.31pm BST | 2.31pm BST |
| 14:31 | 14:31 |
| Ian Traynor has more on the EU’s detention plans. | Ian Traynor has more on the EU’s detention plans. |
| Plus, further confirmation from Ireland’s justice minister, Frances Fitzgerald, that Juncker’s hope for binding quotas is off the agenda. | Plus, further confirmation from Ireland’s justice minister, Frances Fitzgerald, that Juncker’s hope for binding quotas is off the agenda. |
| Arriving at the meeting of interior ministers, Fitzgerald, said: “Mandatory is not on the table today.” The quota plan did not apply to Ireland, but Fitzgerald confirmed that Ireland would “opt in”. | Arriving at the meeting of interior ministers, Fitzgerald, said: “Mandatory is not on the table today.” The quota plan did not apply to Ireland, but Fitzgerald confirmed that Ireland would “opt in”. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.00pm BST | at 6.00pm BST |
| 2.19pm BST | 2.19pm BST |
| 14:19 | 14:19 |
| Theresa May has confirmed that Britain will be opting out of the EU’s quota plan for the resettlement of refugees. | Theresa May has confirmed that Britain will be opting out of the EU’s quota plan for the resettlement of refugees. |
| Arriving in Brussels for the extraordinary meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Council, May said Britain’s approach of resettling 20,000 over five years from refugee camps in the region would ensure that the most vulnerable are helped. | Arriving in Brussels for the extraordinary meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Council, May said Britain’s approach of resettling 20,000 over five years from refugee camps in the region would ensure that the most vulnerable are helped. |
| “What we need to do urgently is set up registration centres so that people are properly fingerprinted and registered when they arrive in Europe,” the Home Secretary said. | “What we need to do urgently is set up registration centres so that people are properly fingerprinted and registered when they arrive in Europe,” the Home Secretary said. |
| 2.02pm BST | 2.02pm BST |
| 14:02 | 14:02 |
| The aunt of Alan Kurdi the Syrian toddler who drowned earlier this month trying to reach Europe has made an emotional plea to Europe’s leaders to open their borders to those seeking sanctuary. | The aunt of Alan Kurdi the Syrian toddler who drowned earlier this month trying to reach Europe has made an emotional plea to Europe’s leaders to open their borders to those seeking sanctuary. |
| At an event in Brussels organised by the campaign group Avaaz, Tima Kurdi said: | At an event in Brussels organised by the campaign group Avaaz, Tima Kurdi said: |
| “It’s too late for Alan and Ghalib and Rehanna, but it’s not too late for thousands of children and their families who risk everything trying to reach safe haven. The world has to do more. Instead of putting up fences, I appeal to Europe and the world’s politicians to open their doors. They’ve neglected these refugees for far too long, it’s time for action now and a shared plan to save them from war and misery.” | “It’s too late for Alan and Ghalib and Rehanna, but it’s not too late for thousands of children and their families who risk everything trying to reach safe haven. The world has to do more. Instead of putting up fences, I appeal to Europe and the world’s politicians to open their doors. They’ve neglected these refugees for far too long, it’s time for action now and a shared plan to save them from war and misery.” |
| 1.52pm BST | 1.52pm BST |
| 13:52 | 13:52 |
| Europe’s interior ministers have begun arriving in Brussels for their emergency talks on the crisis. | Europe’s interior ministers have begun arriving in Brussels for their emergency talks on the crisis. |
| The EU’s has clips of ministers arriving. | The EU’s has clips of ministers arriving. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.07pm BST | at 2.07pm BST |
| 1.45pm BST | 1.45pm BST |
| 13:45 | 13:45 |
| Poland’s prime minister Ewa Kopacz has confirmed her government’s opposition to the imposition of binding EU quotas for the resettlement of refugees. | Poland’s prime minister Ewa Kopacz has confirmed her government’s opposition to the imposition of binding EU quotas for the resettlement of refugees. |
| In a statement she said European Union’s outside borders must be strictly controlled. | In a statement she said European Union’s outside borders must be strictly controlled. |
| She also said that Poland would restore its own border controls if it saw any outside threats. She did not elaborate. | She also said that Poland would restore its own border controls if it saw any outside threats. She did not elaborate. |
| For Polish speakers, here’s the clip. | For Polish speakers, here’s the clip. |
| 1.38pm BST | 1.38pm BST |
| 13:38 | 13:38 |
| Harriet Sherwood | Harriet Sherwood |
| The Dalai Lama has urged governments to put humanity ahead of national interests in their responses to refugee crisis, as he praised Germany and Austria for helping those “crying, starving and asking for help”, writes Harriet Sherwood. | The Dalai Lama has urged governments to put humanity ahead of national interests in their responses to refugee crisis, as he praised Germany and Austria for helping those “crying, starving and asking for help”, writes Harriet Sherwood. |
| However, speaking in Oxford on Monday at the start of a nine-day trip to the UK, the Tibetan spiritual leader declined to criticise the UK government’s proposal to take only 20,000 refugees over five years. “You have to consider many factors, whether you can take care of these people,” he said, adding that Britain was a small country and “you have to be practical”. | However, speaking in Oxford on Monday at the start of a nine-day trip to the UK, the Tibetan spiritual leader declined to criticise the UK government’s proposal to take only 20,000 refugees over five years. “You have to consider many factors, whether you can take care of these people,” he said, adding that Britain was a small country and “you have to be practical”. |
| Ultimately the only solution to the mass movement of people fleeing war and persecution was “genuine peace” in their home countries and regions, added the Dalai Lama, who will address MPs at Westminster and give a talk at London’s O2 during his visit. | Ultimately the only solution to the mass movement of people fleeing war and persecution was “genuine peace” in their home countries and regions, added the Dalai Lama, who will address MPs at Westminster and give a talk at London’s O2 during his visit. |
| Referring to conflict and instability in the Middle East, a major factor behind the current refugee crisis, he said that the US’s forceful response to 9/11 had produced “a lot of unintended consequences”. He added: “The billions of dollars spent on weapons could be spent on education and health instead.” | Referring to conflict and instability in the Middle East, a major factor behind the current refugee crisis, he said that the US’s forceful response to 9/11 had produced “a lot of unintended consequences”. He added: “The billions of dollars spent on weapons could be spent on education and health instead.” |
| He called for religious harmony across the globe, saying that faith was depicted as the cause of conflict. “People feel religion is a troublemaker [but in fact] religion teaches compassion, tolerance, forgiveness and contentment.” | He called for religious harmony across the globe, saying that faith was depicted as the cause of conflict. “People feel religion is a troublemaker [but in fact] religion teaches compassion, tolerance, forgiveness and contentment.” |
| The media, he said, should report love and harmony, not just focus on division. “The idea of a clash of civilisations is dangerous,” he said, adding that Islam emphasised love, not bloodshed. | The media, he said, should report love and harmony, not just focus on division. “The idea of a clash of civilisations is dangerous,” he said, adding that Islam emphasised love, not bloodshed. |
| 1.30pm BST | 1.30pm BST |
| 13:30 | 13:30 |
| New detention measures planned | New detention measures planned |
| Ian Traynor | Ian Traynor |
| EU governments are expected to back radical new plans on Monday for the detention of “irregular migrants”, the creation of large new refugee camps in Italy and Greece and longer-term aims for the funding and building of refugee camps outside of the EU to try to stop the people coming to Europe, writes Ian Traynor in Brussels. | EU governments are expected to back radical new plans on Monday for the detention of “irregular migrants”, the creation of large new refugee camps in Italy and Greece and longer-term aims for the funding and building of refugee camps outside of the EU to try to stop the people coming to Europe, writes Ian Traynor in Brussels. |
| A crunch meeting of EU interior ministers in Brussels called to grapple with Europe’s worst modern refugee crisis was also expected to water down demands from the European Commission, strongly supported by Germany, for the obligatory sharing of refugees across at least 22 countries. | A crunch meeting of EU interior ministers in Brussels called to grapple with Europe’s worst modern refugee crisis was also expected to water down demands from the European Commission, strongly supported by Germany, for the obligatory sharing of refugees across at least 22 countries. |
| A four-page draft statement, prepared on Monday morning by EU ambassadors before the ministers met, focused on “Fortress Europe” policies amid increasing confusion and random setting up of border controls in the Schengen free-travel area embarcing 26 countries. | A four-page draft statement, prepared on Monday morning by EU ambassadors before the ministers met, focused on “Fortress Europe” policies amid increasing confusion and random setting up of border controls in the Schengen free-travel area embarcing 26 countries. |
| The draft statement, obtained by The Guardian, said that “reception facilities will be organised so as to temporarily accommodate people” in Greece and Italy while they are identified, registered, and finger-printed. Their asylum claims are to be processed quickly and those who fail are to be deported promptly, the ministers say in the draft statement. | The draft statement, obtained by The Guardian, said that “reception facilities will be organised so as to temporarily accommodate people” in Greece and Italy while they are identified, registered, and finger-printed. Their asylum claims are to be processed quickly and those who fail are to be deported promptly, the ministers say in the draft statement. |
| “It is crucial that robust mechanisms become operational immediately in Italy and Greece to ensure identification, registration and fingerprinting of migrants; to identify persons in need of international protection and support their relocation; and to identify irregular migrants to be returned.” | “It is crucial that robust mechanisms become operational immediately in Italy and Greece to ensure identification, registration and fingerprinting of migrants; to identify persons in need of international protection and support their relocation; and to identify irregular migrants to be returned.” |
| The Europeans are to set up new “rapid border intervention teams” to be deployed at “sensitive external borders.” Failed asylum-seekers who are expected to try to move to another EU country from Greece or Italy can be detained, the statement says. | The Europeans are to set up new “rapid border intervention teams” to be deployed at “sensitive external borders.” Failed asylum-seekers who are expected to try to move to another EU country from Greece or Italy can be detained, the statement says. |
| “When voluntary return is not practicable and other measures on return are inadequate to prevent secondary movements, detention measures ... should be applied.” | “When voluntary return is not practicable and other measures on return are inadequate to prevent secondary movements, detention measures ... should be applied.” |
| The European Commission demanded last week that at least 22 EU countries accept a new system of quotas for refugees, with 160,000 being redistributed from Greece, Italy and Hungary under a binding new system. | The European Commission demanded last week that at least 22 EU countries accept a new system of quotas for refugees, with 160,000 being redistributed from Greece, Italy and Hungary under a binding new system. |
| Germany is insisting on the binding nature of the proposed new scheme and its unilateral decision on Sunday to re-establish national border controls within the Schengen area was widely seen as an attempt to force those the resisting mandatory quotas to yield. The resistance is strongest in eastern and central Europe. | Germany is insisting on the binding nature of the proposed new scheme and its unilateral decision on Sunday to re-establish national border controls within the Schengen area was widely seen as an attempt to force those the resisting mandatory quotas to yield. The resistance is strongest in eastern and central Europe. |
| The draft says that the ministers “committed” to sharing the 160,000, but made no mention of the system being obligatory, said no formal decision on the matter would be taken until next month and appeared to dilute the commission’s call by describing it as “the basis” for a decision which would also pay “due regard to the flexibility that could be needed by Member States in the implementation of the decision, in particular to accommodate unforeseen developments.” | The draft says that the ministers “committed” to sharing the 160,000, but made no mention of the system being obligatory, said no formal decision on the matter would be taken until next month and appeared to dilute the commission’s call by describing it as “the basis” for a decision which would also pay “due regard to the flexibility that could be needed by Member States in the implementation of the decision, in particular to accommodate unforeseen developments.” |
| In the medium-term, the draft says, the EU should aim at funding and building refugee camps outside Europe and that failed asylum-seekers could be sent from Europe to these camps which would not be in their countries of origin. | In the medium-term, the draft says, the EU should aim at funding and building refugee camps outside Europe and that failed asylum-seekers could be sent from Europe to these camps which would not be in their countries of origin. |
| The EU should aim “at developing safe and sustainable reception capacities in the affected regions and providing lasting prospects and adequate procedures for refugees and their families until return to their country of origin is possible.” | The EU should aim “at developing safe and sustainable reception capacities in the affected regions and providing lasting prospects and adequate procedures for refugees and their families until return to their country of origin is possible.” |
| EU governments would then be “in a position to find asylum applications of these persons inadmissible on safe third country grounds ... after which swift assisted return can follow.” | EU governments would then be “in a position to find asylum applications of these persons inadmissible on safe third country grounds ... after which swift assisted return can follow.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.01pm BST | at 6.01pm BST |
| 1.13pm BST | 1.13pm BST |
| 13:13 | 13:13 |
| Here’s a roundup of the latest developments: | Here’s a roundup of the latest developments: |