News

While Europe is holding its breath in anticipation of another COVID-19 related lockdown, with people still adapting to closed borders and movement restrictions, the people of Afghanistan are all too familiar with this situation. For Afghans, the pandemic is merely one additional threat to health and life to cope with. Taking a holistic approach, this article will look at how COVID-19 might affect the migration patterns of Afghans, and which new threats and opportunities will develop.

By Marija Raus

Vienna: To bridge the gap between theory and practice, it is vital that key concepts related to migration are understood. With this in mind, we have prepared a series of three videos which explain some key migration topics: Irregular migration, the Smuggling of migrants and Human trafficking, which were used in recent law enforcement trainings.

The Budapest Process network was invited to join a webinar on 30th September focused on migration narratives and how they shape public perceptions and attitudes toward migration.

Dhaka: On October 1 2020, ICMPD organised a session on Integrated Border Management (IBM) Awareness for the Bangladesh Customs, National Board of Revenue (NBR). The awareness session was attended by Deputy and Assistant Commissioners from 12 Customs Houses and Commissionerates across Bangladesh, as well as by officials from training, investigation and intelligence directorates based in the Custom’s Headquarters in Dhaka. Deputy and Assistant Commissioners are responsible at their respective posts for the monitoring of VAT collection, enforcing anti-smuggling activities, examination of imported goods, and management of international passenger movements.

We are happy that our work in the Silk Routes region is recognised and applaud the commitment that the EU should build on the important progress made through dedicated dialogues and frameworks. Working in partnership with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, and Pakistan is highlighted in the new EU Migration Pact and we welcome this.

Dushanbe: Today ICMPD signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment of the Republic of Tajikistan. This Memorandum represents the starting point of a new chapter in bilateral cooperation and marks the establishment of a Migrant Resource Centre in Dushanbe.

ICMPD Director General Michael Spindelegger highlighted that “this MoU marks an important step in strengthening our relations with Tajikistan. From this moment onwards, both parties have agreed to engage in a partnership which will build - and manage - regular, orderly and safe migration”. 

Islamabad: ICMPD organised training on document security for the 20 front-line officers of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan working at Islamabad International Airport. The fraudulent use of identity and travel documents represents a threat to the security of countries and their citizens, the economy, and global commerce, as it facilitates a wide range of cross border crimes and terrorism. Funded by the European Union, the training was organised to strengthen the capacity of the participating officers to detect forged documents, profile counterparts and take a decision during the 1^st line document check for further investigation.

Vienna: The EU-funded Integrated Border Management in the Silk Routes (IBM Silk Routes) project seeks to promote prosperity and enhance security through supporting better intra-service, inter-agency and international cooperation on border management in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Iran and Pakistan. 21 months into the project we take stock of the impact we have had, how border management has changed in the region during this period and assess what is coming next.

Read our status report here.

Dhaka: We have launched a two-month campaign in Bangladesh to raise awareness on migration issues.

Vienna/ Islamabad: We are delighted to announce the publication of our Policy Brief “NATIONAL EMIGRATION AND WELFARE POLICY FOR OVERSEAS PAKISTANIS: Processes, Challenges and Responses for Action”.

Dushanbe/Vienna:  We are happy to inform that on 10 September, ICMPD team had as very productive online meeting with a high-level delegation from Tajikistan, headed by the Labour Minister Ms. Gurlu Jabborzoda.The Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment of Population of the Republic of Tajikistan informed us that the government gave its approval to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ICMPD. The MOU will become the cornerstone of a deeper, more targeted cooperation and pave the way for the establishment of a Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Baghdad/Vienna: We are delighted to learn that after four years working with the Ministry of Migration and Displaced to develop a national-level policy for Iraqis abroad, this is one step closer to adoption. The funding of the European Union enabled ICMPD to deliver and support policy development in the Republic of Iraq.

Vienna: It is purely a matter of luck that many lives were not lost. Irregular migration - along with human trafficking and people smuggling - can lead to exploitation and misery. Well-managed migration is the only solution that benefits destination countries as well as migrants.

Link to BBC article:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-kent-54000755

Vienna and Dhaka: Today marks the official launch of our Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) website and Facebook page in Bangladesh.

Kabul: Afghanistan’s capacity to strategically manage its national borders in an effective and efficient manner was bolstered through technical support provided to senior government officials in two events held from 23 – 26 August 2020 in Kabul, with international experts and trainers connecting online.