logo
Greek parliament passes suspension of asylum claims despite international criticism

Greek parliament passes suspension of asylum claims despite international criticism

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece's parliament approved a three-month suspension of asylum claims for migrants arriving from Libya on Friday, despite strong criticism from the United Nations refugee agency and Europe's top human rights official.
The measure suspends asylum application processing for those arriving by sea from North Africa, following a dramatic surge in Mediterranean crossings that has overwhelmed reception facilities on the island of Crete.
The suspension passed by a vote of 177-74 despite fierce opposition from left-wing parties, which unsuccessfully challenged the amendment as unconstitutional.
Thanos Plevris, the migration affairs minister, told lawmakers up to 1,000 migrants were arriving daily and described the situation as resembling an 'invasion.'
Authorities are continuing efforts to intercept boats south of Crete and take migrants directly to mainland facilities.
The emergency measures drew sharp criticism from international human rights organizations. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees expressed 'deep concern.' While acknowledging Greece's right to manage borders, UNHCR said border control 'must be in line with international and European law.'
Michael O'Flaherty, the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, also condemned Athens' response, arguing it 'would legalize returning people to face a risk of torture and other serious violations, in breach of (Greece's international) obligations.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

What to know about the clash between Thailand, Cambodia
What to know about the clash between Thailand, Cambodia

The Hill

time18 minutes ago

  • The Hill

What to know about the clash between Thailand, Cambodia

The fighting between Thailand's and Cambodia's militaries has continued for a second day in a row, with the clash progressively escalating in a border battle that has killed at least 16 people and displaced thousands of individuals. The two militaries have fired rockets and artillery, while Thailand has struck a Cambodian military target with an F-16 fighter plane. Both countries are blaming the other side for kickstarting the clash, which began on Thursday, with Cambodia accusing Thailand of using cluster munitions, highly controversial weapons that have multiple bomblets that explode over a large area. The weapon is banned by over 100 countries. Thailand has accused Cambodia of intentionally targeting civilians. 'The current situation involves acts of intrusion and aggression that are causing harm to the people's lives,' Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters on Friday. 'The situation has intensified and could escalate into a state of war. At present, it's a confrontation involving heavy weapons.' On Thursday, at least four civilians were injured and more than 4,000 people were displaced in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province, according to Gen. Khov Ly, the head official there. The clash has grown in size, with the border conflict expanding from six to 12 locations. Both militaries have steadily ramped up their use of heavy weaponry. The conflict has exploded along the long-disputed border, which was charted mostly by France. The two Southeast Asian countries have clashed multiple times over portions of the border since it was drawn out in 1907, during French colonial rule. Thailand's decision to recall its ambassador and boot Cambodia's envoy helped set off the clash. The diplomatic shunning came after another Thai soldier got blown up by a landmine, losing a limb. Thai officials blamed Phnom Penh, an assertion that was rejected by Cambodia. In total, over 130,000 people were evacuated near the combat zone in Thailand. The number of casualties has gone up to 15, including 14 civilians, according to Thailand's health ministry. At least 46 people were injured, including 15 Thai soldiers. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is 'following with concern' the reports of the clash, according to his spokesperson Farhan Haq. 'The Secretary-General urges both sides to exercise maximum restraint and address any issues through dialogue and in a spirit of good neighbourliness, with a view to finding a lasting solution to the dispute,' the spokesperson said. The U.S. government on Thursday called for the fighting to end on Thursday. 'The United States is gravely concerned by reports of the escalating fighting along the Thailand-Cambodia border. We are particularly alarmed by reports of harm to innocent civilians. We express our deepest condolences on the loss of life,' the State Department said in a statement. 'We strongly urge the immediate cessation of attacks, protection of civilians, and peaceful settlement of disputes.'

India's Modi announces credit worth $565 million to the Maldives and launches free trade talks
India's Modi announces credit worth $565 million to the Maldives and launches free trade talks

San Francisco Chronicle​

time18 minutes ago

  • San Francisco Chronicle​

India's Modi announces credit worth $565 million to the Maldives and launches free trade talks

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced a $565-million line of credit to the Maldives during a visit to the Indian Ocean archipelago, as the two countries launched formal talks for a free-trade agreement. Modi is visiting the Maldives, known for its upmarket tourist resorts, to mark the 60th anniversary of its independence and diplomatic relations between the two countries. The announcement came during Modi's joint media statement with Maldives' President Mohamed Muizzu. The two-day visit is crucial to India's ambition to control the seas and shipping routes of the Indian Ocean in a race with its regional rival China. It also marks the further easing of diplomatic tensions between the two nations that followed the election of pro-China Muizzu in 2023. Regional powers India and China compete for influence in the archipelago nation, which is strategically located in the Indian Ocean. On Friday, Modi witnessed the exchange of agreements to cooperate in sectors such as fisheries, health, tourism and digital development. He also formally handed dozens of heavy vehicles to the Maldives' defense forces. 'India is Maldives' closest neighbor. Maldives holds an important place in both India's neighborhood- first policy and ocean vision," Modi said. 'India is also proud to be Maldives' most trusted friend.' The line of credit will be used for 'infrastructure and development projects in line with the priorities of the people of the Maldives,' he said. "India will continue to support Maldives in developing its defense capabilities. Peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region is our common goal," he added. During Muizzu's visit to India last October, India announced financial support to the cash-strapped Maldives in the form of a $100-million treasury bills rollover and the countries signed a $400-million currency swap agreement. Tensions between India and the Maldives grew since Muizzu, who favored closer ties with China, was elected in 2023 after defeating India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Leading up to the election, Muizzu had promised to expel Indian soldiers deployed in the Maldives to help with humanitarian assistance. Last year New Delhi replaced dozens of its soldiers in the Maldives with civilian experts. Measure by Modi to promote tourism in India's Lakshadweep archipelago, off the southwestern coast of the Indian mainland, also sparked anger from Maldivians, who saw it as a move to lure Indian tourists away from their country. Indian celebrities then called for a tourism boycott to the Maldives. The dispute deepened when Muizzu visited China ahead of India in January last year, a move seen by New Delhi as a snub. On his return, Muizzu spelled out plans to rid his tiny nation of dependence on India for health facilities, medicines and import of staples. Relations started to improve after Muizzu attended Modi's swearing-in ceremony for a third five-year term. Muizzu has toned down his anti-Indian rhetoric, and official contacts with New Delhi have intensified as concerns grew about Maldives' economy. India has long been a critical provider of development assistance to the Maldives. Meanwhile, the Maldives joined China's Belt and Road Initiative in 2013 to build ports and highways and expand trade as well as China's influence across Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Trump administration clears way to keep Alina Habba as New Jersey's top federal prosecutor
Trump administration clears way to keep Alina Habba as New Jersey's top federal prosecutor

San Francisco Chronicle​

time18 minutes ago

  • San Francisco Chronicle​

Trump administration clears way to keep Alina Habba as New Jersey's top federal prosecutor

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — President Donald Trump has moved to keep his former defense attorney Alina Habba on the job as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey, even though a panel of judges refused to extend her tenure. Habba's term was set to expire this week, and federal judges in New Jersey had moved to appoint someone else to the position. But the Republican president on Thursday withdrew Habba's nomination to hold the role permanently, setting in motion a series of steps that allow her to transition from being an interim U.S. attorney to an acting U.S. attorney and remain in the job for the next 210 days. 'Donald J. Trump is the 47th President. Pam Bondi is the Attorney General. And I am now the Acting United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey,' Habba posted on X. 'I don't cower to pressure. I don't answer to politics. This is a fight for justice. And I'm all in.' The Trump administration's decision resolves what had threatened to become a high-profile clash over who would serve as New Jersey's top prosecutor, a post with sweeping authority over public corruption, violent crime and organized crime cases. The move allows Habba, one of the most visible and controversial U.S. attorneys in the country, to remain in charge and cements the administration's preference for loyalists in key Justice Department positions. Habba, who became interim U.S. attorney for the state in March, appeared to lose the position on Tuesday when judges in the district declined to keep her in the post while she awaited confirmation by the U.S. Senate. Instead, the judges appointed one of Habba's subordinates, Desiree Leigh Grace, to take her place. But hours later, Bondi removed Grace, accusing the judges who replaced Habba of being 'rogue' and 'politically minded.' In a post on LinkedIn, Grace addressed her appointment by the district's judges, saying it would 'forever be the greatest honor that they selected me on merit.' Habba, whose term as interim U.S. attorney was set to end Friday, was designated as acting United States attorney, a Justice Department official said. Federal law would have precluded her from serving as acting U.S. attorney while her nomination for the role was pending in the Senate. During her four months as interim U.S. attorney, Habba's office tangled with two prominent New Jersey Democrats — Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver — over their actions during a chaotic visit to a privately operated immigration detention center in the state's largest city. Baraka was arrested on a trespass charge stemming from his attempt to join a congressional visit of the facility. Baraka denied any wrongdoing, and Habba eventually dropped that charge. U.S. Magistrate Judge Andre Espinosa rebuked Habba's office over the arrest and short-lived prosecution, calling it a 'worrisome misstep.' Baraka is now suing Habba over what he says was a 'malicious prosecution.' Habba then brought assault charges against McIver, whose district includes Newark, over physical contact she made with law enforcement officials as Baraka was being arrested. The prosecution, which is pending, is a rare federal criminal case against a sitting member of Congress for allegations other than fraud or corruption. McIver denies that anything she did amounted to assault. Besides the prosecution of McIver, Habba had announced she launched an investigation into New Jersey's Democratic governor, Phil Murphy, and attorney general, Matt Platkin, over the state's directive barring local law enforcement from cooperating with federal agents conducting immigration enforcement. In social media posts, Habba highlighted her office's prosecution of drug traffickers, including against 30 members of a fentanyl and crack cocaine ring in Newark. Trump had formally nominated Habba as his pick for U.S. attorney on July 1, but the state's two Democratic U.S. senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim, signaled their opposition to her appointment. Under a long-standing Senate practice known as senatorial courtesy, a nomination can stall out without backing from home state senators, a phenomenon facing a handful of other Trump picks for U.S. attorney.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store