Benjamin Bathke is a multimedia journalist who works for Deutsche Welle (DW). With a focus on migration and asylum issues, Benjamin's reporting explores the complexities and challenges faced by individuals seeking refuge and the policies and actions of governments and organizations involved. His work also covers a range of other topics, including technology, European politics, and human rights.
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By: Benjamin Bathke
Finland has introduced a number of policies that restrict the rights of asylum seekers over the past year, including closing its border crossings with Russia and cutting social benefits. What has been the impact of these measures?
The rollout of the payment card for asylum seekers, designed to streamline the distribution of benefits, is reportedly imminent in some German states, with a nationwide launch expected soon after. Some states, such as Bavaria, already introduced a payment card months ago.
The far-right Dutch government has decided to launch previously announced border checks in early December. Since it came to power in July, the governing coalition has agreed on a number of tough measures against asylum seekers.
Ever since Latvian authorized its border guards to use "physical force" to return irregular migrants to Belarus in 2021, there have been reports about human rights violations against migrants. We spoke to an Afghan migrant who made strong allegations.
Libyan military officials say they have rounded up more than 300 migrants crossing the country's desert en route to the Mediterranean. Libya has long been a key transit route for migrants trying to reach Europe.
Saleh Othman from Yemen arrived in Latvia in 2023 as an asylum seeker. InfoMigrants recently spoke with him there about his dream to live in Germany, the trials and tribulations of his eight-year journey, injustice – and how he wishes Europeans treated migrants.
By: Srećko Matić, Benjamin Bathke
Last year, German authorities sent more than 16,000 requests to Croatia to accept rejected asylum seekers who first got registered in Croatia. But only one in 50 of all planned deportations were actually carried out. This year, however, the number of deportations to other EU countries from Germany is on the rise.
Mauritanian police have reportedly arrested 125 Pakistani migrants who were trying to cross to Spain's Canary Islands. The northwestern African country has again become a crucial launchpad for migrants aiming for Europe.
By: Benjamin Bathke
The Islamist rebel offense has renewed violence and suffering in Syria. Some 50,000 people have been displaced inside the country and dozens of civilians died since fighting broke out last week. In the EU, the escalation is expected to affect discussions about deportations to Syria and taking in Syrian refugees.
The deportation of a Somali man from the German city of Bremen to Finland failed due to resistance from up to a hundred people in a church. Church and city officials then traded accusations. In recent months, church asylums have been repeatedly evicted by the authorities.
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