This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/sep/19/thousands-refugees-stranded-croatia-hungary-eu-rise-asylum-applications
The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 17 | Version 18 |
|---|---|
| Refugee crisis: backlog of people stokes tensions in the Balkans - as it happened | Refugee crisis: backlog of people stokes tensions in the Balkans - as it happened |
| (21 days later) | |
| 5.28pm BST | 5.28pm BST |
| 17:28 | 17:28 |
| The German navy has rescued almost 400 refugees from a wooden boat on the Mediterranean off the coast of Libya. | The German navy has rescued almost 400 refugees from a wooden boat on the Mediterranean off the coast of Libya. |
| DPA, a local news agency, reports that members of the German Navy frigate Schleswig-Holstein rescued the group, who were mostly from Sudan and Eritrea, on Saturday afternoon. | DPA, a local news agency, reports that members of the German Navy frigate Schleswig-Holstein rescued the group, who were mostly from Sudan and Eritrea, on Saturday afternoon. |
| The German navy has two frigates in the southern Mediterranean that have picked up 1,980 people since their mission began in late June. | The German navy has two frigates in the southern Mediterranean that have picked up 1,980 people since their mission began in late June. |
| Thousands of refugees have drowned this year while trying the cross the Mediterranean from Libya and Turkey to Europe, prompting a EU-wide mission to intercept people attempting to make the crossing. | Thousands of refugees have drowned this year while trying the cross the Mediterranean from Libya and Turkey to Europe, prompting a EU-wide mission to intercept people attempting to make the crossing. |
| 4.00pm BST | 4.00pm BST |
| 16:00 | 16:00 |
| Summary - war of words between European neighbours | Summary - war of words between European neighbours |
| Here’s a round-up of the latest movements mid-afternoon: | Here’s a round-up of the latest movements mid-afternoon: |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.04pm BST | at 4.04pm BST |
| 3.42pm BST | 3.42pm BST |
| 15:42 | 15:42 |
| 3.35pm BST | 3.35pm BST |
| 15:35 | 15:35 |
| Croatia’s actions over the past 24 hours show it is not ready to join Europe’s free movement agreement, a top advisor to Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban told local radio. | Croatia’s actions over the past 24 hours show it is not ready to join Europe’s free movement agreement, a top advisor to Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban told local radio. |
| “If Croatia puts up its hands and says, no, I don’t want to defend the borders, then Hungary can only say that it isn’t ready to join Schengen when the moment comes to decide,” Antal Rogan told InfoRadio. | “If Croatia puts up its hands and says, no, I don’t want to defend the borders, then Hungary can only say that it isn’t ready to join Schengen when the moment comes to decide,” Antal Rogan told InfoRadio. |
| Orban, a right-winger, has previously said the crackdown on refugees is to defend “Christian Europe”. | Orban, a right-winger, has previously said the crackdown on refugees is to defend “Christian Europe”. |
| 3.29pm BST | 3.29pm BST |
| 15:29 | 15:29 |
| David Cameron has been attacked for his “dehumanising” approach to the refugee crisis by the Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, who has been visiting a refugee art project in Poole, Dorset. | David Cameron has been attacked for his “dehumanising” approach to the refugee crisis by the Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, who has been visiting a refugee art project in Poole, Dorset. |
| Farron condemned the Government’s plan to accept 20,000 refugees from Syria over the next five years. | Farron condemned the Government’s plan to accept 20,000 refugees from Syria over the next five years. |
| Cameron’s refusal to participate in a Europe-wide resettlement scheme was “turning our back” countries shouldering the crisis, he said. | Cameron’s refusal to participate in a Europe-wide resettlement scheme was “turning our back” countries shouldering the crisis, he said. |
| It is certainly not right that over a period of five years we end up accepting as many people as Germany is taking in a weekend. | It is certainly not right that over a period of five years we end up accepting as many people as Germany is taking in a weekend. |
| Not only does that mean that we are showing an inhuman face to desperate people who deserve and need help, but we also show a completely uncollegiate face to the rest of Europe. | Not only does that mean that we are showing an inhuman face to desperate people who deserve and need help, but we also show a completely uncollegiate face to the rest of Europe. |
| If you look at what is happening in the Balkans now, that is an example and it’s the outcome of the European Union not having a single approach to all of this. | If you look at what is happening in the Balkans now, that is an example and it’s the outcome of the European Union not having a single approach to all of this. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.51pm BST | at 3.51pm BST |
| 3.11pm BST | 3.11pm BST |
| 15:11 | 15:11 |
| This video from AP shows several thousand migrants and refugees finally entering Austria on Saturday, where they are set to be processed ahead of travelling to their final destinations. | This video from AP shows several thousand migrants and refugees finally entering Austria on Saturday, where they are set to be processed ahead of travelling to their final destinations. |
| The vast majority appeared relieved but exhausted after gruelling journeys across Europe. “Right now, I feel as if I have been born anew,” says Adeeb Jaafari, a Syrian refugee from Damascus. | The vast majority appeared relieved but exhausted after gruelling journeys across Europe. “Right now, I feel as if I have been born anew,” says Adeeb Jaafari, a Syrian refugee from Damascus. |
| 3.07pm BST | 3.07pm BST |
| 15:07 | 15:07 |
| Croatia lied to our faces, says Hungarian minister | Croatia lied to our faces, says Hungarian minister |
| Croatia “lied in the face” of Hungary and the EU when it appeared to claim there was an agreement to send almost 1,000 refugees to the Hungarian border last night, foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said. | Croatia “lied in the face” of Hungary and the EU when it appeared to claim there was an agreement to send almost 1,000 refugees to the Hungarian border last night, foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said. |
| Speaking at a press conference, Szijjarto accused Croatia of “violating Hungary’s sovereignty” because the migrants had been sent unannounced and were accompanied by Croatian policemen. | Speaking at a press conference, Szijjarto accused Croatia of “violating Hungary’s sovereignty” because the migrants had been sent unannounced and were accompanied by Croatian policemen. |
| “Instead of honestly making provision for the immigrants, it sent them straight to Hungary. What kind of European solidarity is this? | “Instead of honestly making provision for the immigrants, it sent them straight to Hungary. What kind of European solidarity is this? |
| “Once again, Hungary has been left in the lurch. We will defend the European Union, the borders of the Schengen zone, and we will defend Hungary in accordance with European rules.” | “Once again, Hungary has been left in the lurch. We will defend the European Union, the borders of the Schengen zone, and we will defend Hungary in accordance with European rules.” |
| Hungary would speed up the building of a fence “where necessary” along its Croatian border. | Hungary would speed up the building of a fence “where necessary” along its Croatian border. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.33pm BST | at 3.33pm BST |
| 2.56pm BST | 2.56pm BST |
| 14:56 | 14:56 |
| Slovenia: 1,500 have entered the country from Croatia | Slovenia: 1,500 have entered the country from Croatia |
| Slovenian police have released a statement confirming more than 1,500 migrants have entered the country, while 600 more are waiting to get in at border crossings with Croatia. | Slovenian police have released a statement confirming more than 1,500 migrants have entered the country, while 600 more are waiting to get in at border crossings with Croatia. |
| A third of them are from Syria and another third from Afghanistan, with the others from various African and Middle Eastern countries, mainly Iraq, police said. | A third of them are from Syria and another third from Afghanistan, with the others from various African and Middle Eastern countries, mainly Iraq, police said. |
| The Slovenian interior ministry official Bostjan Sefic said: “Police are fully in control and the security situation is good.” | The Slovenian interior ministry official Bostjan Sefic said: “Police are fully in control and the security situation is good.” |
| Around 250 people have decide to cross the small country on foot in order to reach Austria from the refugee centre in the city of Maribor. | Around 250 people have decide to cross the small country on foot in order to reach Austria from the refugee centre in the city of Maribor. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.01pm BST | at 3.01pm BST |
| 2.49pm BST | 2.49pm BST |
| 14:49 | 14:49 |
| “I love this dog,” says 17-year-old Aslan, from Damascus, arriving on the Greek island of Lesbos. “I need him. I walked 500km with the dog.” | “I love this dog,” says 17-year-old Aslan, from Damascus, arriving on the Greek island of Lesbos. “I need him. I walked 500km with the dog.” |
| He told the UNHCR, which posted the video on its Facebook page, that he had even drawn a passport for his dog, Rose, who he carried in a small plastic carrier. | He told the UNHCR, which posted the video on its Facebook page, that he had even drawn a passport for his dog, Rose, who he carried in a small plastic carrier. |
| Some people will ask - you have only a small bag?” the interviewers asks. | Some people will ask - you have only a small bag?” the interviewers asks. |
| “Yes.” | “Yes.” |
| “And you bring your dog?” | “And you bring your dog?” |
| “Yes.” | “Yes.” |
| “Why?” | “Why?” |
| “I love my dog!” | “I love my dog!” |
| As the refugee agency points out, many animal lovers around the world would probably feel the same. | As the refugee agency points out, many animal lovers around the world would probably feel the same. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.46pm BST | at 7.46pm BST |
| 2.35pm BST | 2.35pm BST |
| 14:35 | 14:35 |
| In Harmica, a Croatian border crossing with Slovenia, a trickle of refugees are now being allowed over the border. Last night several dozen refugees were hit with pepper spray as they faced off with a cordon of Slovenian riot police on the frontier. | In Harmica, a Croatian border crossing with Slovenia, a trickle of refugees are now being allowed over the border. Last night several dozen refugees were hit with pepper spray as they faced off with a cordon of Slovenian riot police on the frontier. |
| Police in Slovenia say more than 1,000 migrants have entered the country, but hundreds more are waiting at the border as they let in only limited numbers. Refugees are camped out in Harmica and at another crossing a few miles south in Bregana, where people are hoping to transit at Slovenia’s Obrezje crossing. | Police in Slovenia say more than 1,000 migrants have entered the country, but hundreds more are waiting at the border as they let in only limited numbers. Refugees are camped out in Harmica and at another crossing a few miles south in Bregana, where people are hoping to transit at Slovenia’s Obrezje crossing. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.07pm BST | at 3.07pm BST |
| 2.08pm BST | 2.08pm BST |
| 14:08 | 14:08 |
| The BBC’s Piers Scholfield reports that refugees arriving from Tovarnik in Croatia at Beremend, the Hungarian border crossing, are being let through without hindrance. | The BBC’s Piers Scholfield reports that refugees arriving from Tovarnik in Croatia at Beremend, the Hungarian border crossing, are being let through without hindrance. |
| First arrivals of the day at Beremend - men, women, children. Ushered smoothly off Croatian bus and on to Hungarian. pic.twitter.com/NwZzL4xcx8 | First arrivals of the day at Beremend - men, women, children. Ushered smoothly off Croatian bus and on to Hungarian. pic.twitter.com/NwZzL4xcx8 |
| Convoy of full buses, waiting at Beremend - arrived from Tovarnik. One in, 9 to go. All going smoothly. pic.twitter.com/MvyN793lEW | Convoy of full buses, waiting at Beremend - arrived from Tovarnik. One in, 9 to go. All going smoothly. pic.twitter.com/MvyN793lEW |
| There are approximately 2,500 people still in Tovarnik, and heavy rain is forecast tonight, but the Croatian government is apparently intending to provide more shelters. | There are approximately 2,500 people still in Tovarnik, and heavy rain is forecast tonight, but the Croatian government is apparently intending to provide more shelters. |
| #Croatia update: weather forecast said it should rain in Tovarnik, govmnt setting up tents for #refugees... | #Croatia update: weather forecast said it should rain in Tovarnik, govmnt setting up tents for #refugees... |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.08pm BST | at 3.08pm BST |
| 1.55pm BST | 1.55pm BST |
| 13:55 | 13:55 |
| The Croatian government has put out the full remarks of the prime minister, Zoran Milanovic, who was speaking in the eastern town of Beli Manastir on Saturday. He is extremely unhappy with the Hungarians, to put it mildly. | The Croatian government has put out the full remarks of the prime minister, Zoran Milanovic, who was speaking in the eastern town of Beli Manastir on Saturday. He is extremely unhappy with the Hungarians, to put it mildly. |
| The PM called Hungary’s conduct in shutting the borders “incomprehensible because none of the refugees wanted to stay in Hungary”. | The PM called Hungary’s conduct in shutting the borders “incomprehensible because none of the refugees wanted to stay in Hungary”. |
| The border could be completely sealed only with brutal force, he said. | The border could be completely sealed only with brutal force, he said. |
| Even if that were possible under the constitution – and it is not – it means killing people. | Even if that were possible under the constitution – and it is not – it means killing people. |
| Milanovic said refugee taskforces in Croatia had done their job much better than other countries, rejecting the Hungarian government’s accusation yesterday that it had panicked. | Milanovic said refugee taskforces in Croatia had done their job much better than other countries, rejecting the Hungarian government’s accusation yesterday that it had panicked. |
| He said certain political groups in the country had been whipping up anti-migrant sentiment. | He said certain political groups in the country had been whipping up anti-migrant sentiment. |
| One should not believe hysteria mongers who want to profit politically from it. That’s the ugliest thing I have seen in Croatia since the war. | One should not believe hysteria mongers who want to profit politically from it. That’s the ugliest thing I have seen in Croatia since the war. |
| The situation was “a humanitarian crisis but not a disaster”, he said, reiterating that completely closing the border without a fence, as had been done by Hungary, “is possible only if the army is deployed to the border and shoots at people”. | The situation was “a humanitarian crisis but not a disaster”, he said, reiterating that completely closing the border without a fence, as had been done by Hungary, “is possible only if the army is deployed to the border and shoots at people”. |
| That is what some wish for. It is physically possible, but impossible in terms of law. One should declare a state of war, or a state of direct threat, and the government should propose it to the parliament. Please do not take this out of context because I am saying this only to illustrate how crazy such proposals are. | That is what some wish for. It is physically possible, but impossible in terms of law. One should declare a state of war, or a state of direct threat, and the government should propose it to the parliament. Please do not take this out of context because I am saying this only to illustrate how crazy such proposals are. |
| Milanovic meant what he said about continuing to force Hungary to take more people over the border. A 10-carriage train is on its way to Tovarnik to pick up refugees who cross from Serbia, and take them to the border, though we’re not sure at this point if that means Hungary or Slovenia. | Milanovic meant what he said about continuing to force Hungary to take more people over the border. A 10-carriage train is on its way to Tovarnik to pick up refugees who cross from Serbia, and take them to the border, though we’re not sure at this point if that means Hungary or Slovenia. |
| A train w/ 10 passenger cars is on its way to Tovarnik to pick up more #refugees. It should be there around 4:30pm. #refugeescrisis | A train w/ 10 passenger cars is on its way to Tovarnik to pick up more #refugees. It should be there around 4:30pm. #refugeescrisis |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.11pm BST | at 3.11pm BST |