by Shelby Vcelka

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

BERLIN, Germany–

Interior Minister, Thomas de Maiziere, announced that Germany would impose temporary border controls on its border with Austria to deal with the massive influx of migrants. While affirming that Germany had the capacity to welcome a significant number of refugees, de Maiziere called on other European Union nations to do more, and reiterated that migrants cannot choose their host country.

Up until now, Germany has had an open policy regarding migration. However, the massive numbers of refugees, who have mainly been turned away from other countries, coming into Germany, has caused an overflow. “The aim of these measures is to limit the current inflows to Germany and to return to orderly procedures when people enter the country,” de Maiziere said at a news conference. Although this goes against the idea of the Schengen zone, which allows for free movement between several different European nations, the agreement permits individual countries to suspend the free movement on a temporary basis.

Germany has also announced that these measures are only temporary, and will only turn away migrants not fleeing war or persecution in their home country. Additional measures include shutting down borders to admit those with passports, and sending police and the army to patrol the borders. The emergency measures are a clear demonstration of how extensive the migrant crisis is, and how Germany has been stretched thin in the past couple of days.

In the meantime, trains between Germany and Austria have been suspended. They are set to resume Monday afternoon. This past Saturday alone, more than 13,000 migrants arrived in Munich, with a total of 800,000 migrants expected to arrive in total. Munich has borne the brunt of the arrivals, as it is the southernmost major city in Germany, closest to the border Austria.

The move to temporarily close the borders also serves as a threat to other European nations. de Maiziere mentioned in his statement that Germany would “first” close its borders with Austria, with the insinuation that borders with other countries would be soon to follow. The implication may be that other European Union countries will have to act to help ease the burden off of Germany.

For many migrants, the move means Germany is no longer pursuing a laissez-faire policy, and that the Dublin Rule of migration is still enforceable. With this, migrants will be forced to register with the first country they arrive in, and any others outside the strict migration quota will be turned away.

For more information, please see–

BBC–Migrant crisis: Germany to start temporary border controls— 13 September 2015

The Telegraph–Border controls return to Europe as continent struggles with refugee crisis— 13 September 2015

Time–Germany Imposes Emergency Border Controls as Migrants Continue to Arrive— 13 September 2015

USA Today–Germany imposes emergency border controls— 13 September 2015

Wall Street Journal–Germany Imposes Border Checks Amid Migrant Wave— 13 September 2015

by Shelby Vcelka

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

BERLIN, Germany–

After ten long days of travel, the first wave of migrants traveling from Austria and Hungary reached Germany, with a second wave to follow shortly. Some 6,000 refugees had reached Munich by Saturday night, with another 1,800 expected to arrive by Sunday morning. Germans waived welcome signs and flags, and offered hot tea and food to those traveling, which was a change from the welcome they received in Hungary.

Earlier this week, violence and chaos broke out in Budapest, Hungary, as the Hungarian government refused to let the refugees pass through the country. However, many migrants refused to allow themselves to be registered as asylum seekers in Hungary, and wished to travel onwards to Germany, as the German government announced it would accept a significant number of refugees. Hundreds broke through security barriers and began walking towards the Hungarian border towards Austria, many of those with small children. Under international pressure, Hungary finally opened its borders and started providing shuttle service to the Austrian border. As many as 10,000 people are expected to cross the border over the weekend.

Hungary’s ultra-right wing government is in the process of erecting a barbed wire fence along its Serbian border to prevent illegal migration into the country. On Friday, lawmakers passed legislation to increase border security, and will vote on harsher legislation later in the month. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Hungary’s borders must be kept, or “tens of millions” will enter the country. “The supply of immigrants is inexhaustible,” Orban said Saturday. “If we let everyone in, we will destroy Europe.”

Austria has stated that they will not limit the number of refugees crossing the border, but will likely attempt to limit the number of asylum seekers who wish to stay in the country.

Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, has announced that Germany has the capacity to deal with a large influx of refugees without raising taxes or jeopardizing its budget. Many refugees are seeking asylum in Germany for this reason.

In typical cases, the “Dublin Rules” would apply to asylum seekers. This EU rule states that asylum seekers must apply for asylum in the first country they reach. However, due to the nature of the crisis, Germany and Hungary have both agreed that the decision to open the borders was made for humanitarian reasons.

For more information, please see–

BBC–Migrants reach Austria and Germany after long ordeal— 5 September 2015

CNN–Thousands of jubilant migrants arrive in Austria from Hungary— 5 September 2015

Expatica–More migrants on march as refugees stream into Austria— 5 September 2015

New York Times– Germans Welcome Migrants After Long Journey Through Hungary and Austria— 5 September 2015

PBS–Photos: Thousands of migrants reach Austria as European officials call for comprehensive plan— 5 September 2015

by Shelby Vcelka

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

KIEV, Ukraine–

Protests and violence broke out on August 31^st, as the Ukrainian Parliament approved a measure to give more autonomy to local governments in Eastern Ukraine. Although the measures approved constitutional changes to curb violence and add stability in the war torn regions of Ukraine, protesters saw the legislation as “anti-Ukraine” and “pro-Russian,” and believed it would give Russia concessions in exchange for peace.

A yet-unnamed man, who was later identified to be a member of a far-right nationalist party, threw grenades at police lines, immediately killing one member of the National Guard. Two other officers later died while hospitalized for their injuries. 130 other officers were injured in the attack, along with 10 protestors who were standing nearby. 11 of those injured are in critical condition.

Monday’s vote was the first step in changing the status of the Eastern regions from a troubled region to one of stability. Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted upon these changes during peace talks in Minsk, Belarus last winter. Many Ukrainian nationalists oppose the measures because the Russian government, which is seen as the impetus behind the civil war that has claimed the lives of at least 6,500 lives, stipulated them.

The terms, in order to go into effect, involves a constitutional amendment, which requires a supermajority of 300 out of a possible 450 votes. The first reading of the measure passed with 265 votes, which will allow additional changes to be made to the legislation before a final vote is cast.

Ukrainian President Petro O. Poroshenko had previously approved the constitutional change, as was required in the Minsk agreement made last winter. This concession, however, came at a steep price, as Russian-backed rebel soldiers surrounded thousands of Ukrainian soldiers in the East. Opinion polls show that most Ukrainians disagree with this decision, but have no desire to continue on with the war. The three coalition parties that typically side with Mr. Poroshenko oppose the constitutional changes, and it is unclear whether he will ultimately win the approval he needs to implement the legislation.

For more information, please see–

BBC– Ukraine crisis: Deadly anti-autonomy protest outside parliament— 31 August 2015

International Business Times– Ukraine crisis: National guard killed with 90 injured in deadly protests outside parliament— 31 August 2015

Newsweek–Photos: Violence and Protests at Ukraine’s Parliament in Kiev— 31 August 2015

New York Times– 2 More Officers Die in Violent Protest Over Autonomy for East Ukraine— 31 August 2015

Reuters–Ukraine guardsman killed in nationalist protest outside parliament-– 31 August 2015

by Shelby Vcelka

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

VIENNA, Austria–

UN has called on European nations to collectively improve efforts to solve the growing migrant crisis, including prosecuting human traffickers preying on refugees. This mandate has come after 71 migrants were found dead in an abandoned truck this past week in Austria. The refugees were likely fleeing Syria and suffocated in the back, after the truck was abandoned on the side of the road.

The truck was found on August 27^th, after traveling from Hungary to Austria. The partly decomposed bodies were found inside, piled on top of each other. Damage to the inside of the truck suggests that the refugees had attempted to get out before suffocating to death. Those dead include 59 men, 8 women, and 4 children, including one small infant. Papers from Syria suggest that many came to escape war-torn Syria, but Bangladeshi authorities have also claimed that some of the refugees came from there.

Though their identities are unknown as of yet, at least four people in Austria have been arrested in connection with the deaths. “We are talking about human trafficking, homicide, even murder,” said Johann Fuchs, state prosecutor of Eisenstadt. Autopsies are currently being conducted, with charges of human smuggling, danger to public safety leading to death, or murder being contemplated for those arrested.

The deaths are in connection with the biggest rise in migrants to Europe since the end of the Second World War. A UN report states that migration by boat alone has risen by 40% compared to 2014; the total number of refugees that had crossed the Mediterranean to reach Europe had increased from 219,000 in 2014, to 310,000 as of August 2015. More than 2,500 people have died at sea attempting to cross the Mediterranean, not including the 150 people that died crossing from Libya on Thursday. The cause of the deaths, officials say, is due to overcrowding of boats and the way people are packed into those boats.

Melissa Fleming, a UN spokeswoman, said the deaths of the refugees found in Austria clearly demonstrate “the desperation of people seeking protection or a new life in Europe….We believe this [event] underscores the ruthlessness of people-smugglers who have expanded their business from the Mediterranean Sea to the highways of Europe. It shows they have absolutely no regard for human life.”

For more information, please see–

Al-Jazeera–Arrests made after 71 dead refugees found in Austria— 28 August 2015

CNN–Italy arrests 10 in migrant deaths at sea; Austrian officials sort out deaths on land— 28 August 2015

The Guardian–A week in Europe’s migrant crisis – a visual guide— 28 August 2015

Miami Herald–Austrian officials: 71 migrants likely suffocated in truck— 28 August 2015

Miami Herald– Europe’s migrant crisis brings tragedy by land and sea— 28 August 2015

The New York Times-Europe Reels From More Migrant Deaths on Land and Sea— 28 August 2015

BBC–Migrant deaths: UN warns of ‘crisis of solidarity’— 29 August 2015

by Shelby Vcelka

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

PRISTINA, Kosovo–

On August 3^rd, the Kosovo Parliament will vote on a constitutional amendment that will create an ad hoc war crimes court to try former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army that allegedly committed crimes during the Kosovo War.  After facing escalating pressure from the United States and the European Union, officials believe that there is enough support to pass the amendments necessary for the court’s creation, after a failure to pass the amendments last month.

No changes have been made to the amendments that were brought before Parliament last month, but President Isa Mustafa is confident that the amendments will pass.  At a recent cabinet meeting, Mustafa commented, “we have to be aware that we cannot build and develop this country if we are isolated by friendly countries. Voting for these changes in parliament will bring long-term benefit for Kosovo.”  The amendments, he believes, will be good for Kosovo and maintain powerful allies and ties the country has managed to obtain.

Veterans associations are opposed to the new amendments and the creation of the courts, as they find it insulting to the struggle for freedom against Serbian control of the region.  Many major parties are also opposed, as the creation of the courts would open investigations into party members.  However, members that were previously against the amendments are expected to vote in favor of the measures as international pressure mounts.

The court structure would entail the creation of special chambers to deal with specific allegations of atrocities committed by members of the KLA.  KLA members are accused of murdering, abducting, and illegally detaining Serbs, Roma and Kosovo Albanians who were believed to collaborate with the previous Serbian regime.  New allegations of atrocities are still coming to light, as more information is being uncovered.

US diplomats have warned the Kosovo government that the UN Security Council will set up the courts if Parliament fails to ratify the amendments.  Russia, Serbia’s ally and member of the Security Council, proposed the measure to the Council to protect Serbia’s interests in the region.

For more information, please see–

Balkan International Justice– Kosovo Govt Prepares New War Crimes Court Vote— 30 July 2015

Politico– Kosovo needs to show no one is above the law— 31 July 2015

B92– Kosovo: Draft resolution on genocide submitted to assembly— 31 July 2015

Balkan International Justice– Kosovo Sets Date for War Crimes Court Vote— 31 July 2015

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty– Kosovo’s Government Urges Parliament To Set Up War Crimes Court— 31 July 2015

Reuters– Under Western pressure, Kosovo to put war crimes court to new vote— 31 July 2015