Bram Frouws

This year's Mixed Migration Review #MMR2025 examines how migration dynamics are reshaping in response to a context of intensified geopolitical turmoil. Join us for the online launch on Nov 20, 14:00-15:30 CET.
💻➡️ Register on Zoom: https://f.mtr.cool/qhbvurkhfe

Smugglers as influencers on the decision to migrate | Mixed Migration Centre Evidence from 60,000 migrant surveys shows smugglers rarely influence migration decisions, challenging common media and policy narratives.

A persistent myths in media, policy & political debates: #smugglers are luring migrants into irregular #migration journeys. Is that so? We asked 60,000 migrants. The simple answer is: NO. Coming soon: more evidence on how smuggling really works mixedmigration.org/smugglers-as...

BBC Audio | Focus on Africa | Mauritania accused of widespread abuses against migrants Human Rights Watch allege EU deal fuelling Mauritania's abuse of African migrants

Listen to the full interview on the lack of human rights safeguards in #migration deals between #Mauritania and the EU.
🎧⬇️

“The priority is really stopping people from departing from the Mauritanian coast, and that priority takes precedence over making sure there is a strong monitoring of human rights violations” said @BramFrouws, Director of MMC, to @BBC Focus on Africa.

Don't miss the launch of this year's Mixed Migration Review, Thursday 20th November. This year's theme: Migration in times of geopolitical turmoil. You can register here: mixedmigration.org/events/virtu...

I spoke to the BBC’s Focus on Africa today about the new @hrw.org report on violence against refugees & migrants in #Mauritania, a country the EU closely cooperates with to contain #migration towards Europe. Listen here (from minute 08:40) www.bbc.com/audio/play/p...

Happy to have contributed to this great article by @eloisehardy96 in @Parlimag, on the current state of ‘Schengen’, discussing the risks of not sufficiently valuing #Schengen anymore, #migration diplomacy & more www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article...

Protection and assistance for Afghans in mixed migration | Mixed Migration Centre This paper examines the protection and assistance needs of Afghans in mixed migration, highlighting the risks, gender-specific vulnerabilities, and gaps in humanitarian support along routes to Pakistan and Türkiye

What have we learned about the experiences of Afghans taking perilous journeys to Pakistan & Türkiye? 📊 Key insights from 𝟮,𝟴𝟳𝟯 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟭𝟳 𝗶𝗻-𝗱𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗵 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 (Sept 2023 - Sept 2024): ⬇️

“Aid cuts are driving migrants to Europe”, warns UN refugee chief www.ft.com/content/976f... via @financialtimes.com Sad to see this “we need more aid otherwise migrants will come” threat narrative still being used. Here’s what we wrote about this last year www.thenewhumanitarian.org/opinion/2024...

MMR2025 | Mixed Migration Centre The Mixed Migration Review 2025 will focus on how the current geopolitical turmoil and shifting world order is shaping migration.

🌍 How is migration being reshaped by intensified geopolitical turmoil?  In October, we’re launching the 2025 Mixed Migration Review — exploring how global upheaval is transforming mobility. 
🔔 Subscribe for launch updates: https://mixedmigration.org/mmr2025/
#MMR2025

Are Crete and the Balearics Revealing Cracks in the EU Migration Deterrence? | Mixed Migration Centre Read about the uptick in arrivals at the Greek island of Crete, predominantly from Libya, and the sudden popularity of the Balearic islands as an entry point to Spain.

Uptick in arrivals in Crete & the Balearics seem to result from EU’s short-term migration strategy: securitising routes & targeting smugglers via deals with third countries—without addressing migration drivers or the links between regular & irregular migration.

"Meanwhile, the externalization of border controls – through deals with a growing number of third countries, often with poor human rights records – become increasingly fragile and unsustainable."

Very useful & timely analysis from @mixedmigration.org.
”…the current EU externalization strategy looks increasingly unsustainable, as the seemingly never-ending number of deals with external partners becomes increasingly financially and politically costly to maintain.” 👇

Moving beyond deterrence: The need for a fresh approach to migration to Europe | Mixed Migration Centre Read about the uptick in arrivals at the Greek island of Crete, predominantly from Libya, and the sudden popularity of the Balearic islands as an entry point to Spain.

What’s behind the increasing arrivals on the Balearic Islands from Algeria and Crete from Libya? What does it tell us abt EU #migration policies? Our latest article: mixedmigration.org/moving-beyon...

In Belgium, a mother fears for her children under Israel’s bombs in Gaza Belgium has approved visas for Rawan Alkatari’s husband and three children, but they remain stuck in the Strip.

Why are people with approved visas still stuck in Gaza? And why aren’t more people receiving documents to leave? 
@bramfrouws.bsky.social  tells @al-jazeera-english.bsky.social : Countries could loosen documentation rules — it’s not impossible. What’s missing is political will.

The criminalisation of solidarity is an incredible worrying element of the EU's response to migrant smuggling.

We went deep on this issues with @gesanchez.bsky.social , @bramfrouws.bsky.social and @bernd-parusel.bsky.social in this seminar hosted by @sieps.bsky.social

sieps.se/en/seminars/...

Helping undocumented migrants in Netherlands could soon be a crime Dutch MPs on Thursday are set to vote on asylum laws proposed by the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), headed by Geert Wilders.

MMC Director @bramfrouws.bsky.social  in @euobserver.com on the political chaos around 2 Dutch asylum laws up for vote tonight. A last-minute clause to criminalise undocumented migrants & those who support them may sink the gov’s promise of the strictest asylum regime ever.

#SaudiArabia will host the 2034 #FIFAWorldCup. But what about the millions of #migrant workers in KSA? Based on fieldwork in Saudi Arabia, surveying hundreds of migrants, we examined interactions btwn #climate stressors, labour conditions & migration trajectories mixedmigration.org/behind-the-s...

New MMC article exploring mixed migration consequences of the recent Israel Iran war; what are the scenarios if conflict re-escalates or in case of domestic unrest & instability in Iran? With particular focus on the situation for Afghan refugees in Iran mixedmigration.org/mixed-migrat...

Missed our recent @sieps.bsky.social webinar on migrant smuggling and the EU’s counter-smuggling policies, with @gesanchez.bsky.social, @bramfrouws.bsky.social & @svaroschi.bsky.social?
There is now a recording you can watch! 👇 sieps.se/en/seminars/...

Many Latin Americans in transit hit by new US migration policies are heading south. But the cost of the journey north has left people with few resources to return, forcing riskier travel. 3 routes from Panama to Colombia - many avoid the Darien after traumatic northbound journey.

Situation in the US & changes in US policy since #Trump took office led to reverse migration in the Americas, from north to south. Based on hundreds of interviews with returning migrants our new article & report shed light on this new #migration dynamic mixedmigration.org/return-towards…

Webinar announcement!
@gesanchez.bsky.social, @bramfrouws.bsky.social, @svaroschi.bsky.social and I will discuss the EU's response to the smuggling of migrants. Join us online on 17 June, 15:00-16:15 CEST!
Info, related @sieps.bsky.social papers & and registration here. 👇
sieps.se/en/seminars/...

The instrumentalisation of migration in the populist era | Mixed Migration Centre The instrumentalisation of migration in the populist era. The following essay was originally compiled for the Mixed Migration Review 2024 “Migration […]

@profayhankaya.bsky.social  from Bilgi Istanbul University, looks at the surge of right-wing populism and its strategic use of anti-migration narratives in his contribution to Mixed Migration Review 2024  #MMR2024:

The instrumentalisation of migration in the populist era | Mixed Migration Centre The instrumentalisation of migration in the populist era. The following essay was originally compiled for the Mixed Migration Review 2024 “Migration […]

"Even when the economic realities suggest increased migration is a significant opportunity, if not a necessity, the scapegoating argument requiring reduced migration normally wins."   @profayhankaya.bsky.social  on right-wing populism &  anti-migration narratives in #MMR2024

"Not only are migrants used as scapegoats, but it may be entirely in the interests of populist parties – when in gov or close to power – to actively obstruct reforms or instigate new policies which exacerbate a sense of crisis around immigration & asylum." @profayhankaya.bsky.social  #MMR2024

Between Pledges and Practices: Egypt’s complex mixed migration policy landscape | Mixed Migration Centre This research paper sheds light on the mixed migrationlandscape in Egypt, discussing trends, dynamics, andpolicy developments.

With Sudan to the south, Libya to the west, Gaza to the East & the EU to the north, #Egypt holds a key position in mixed migration governance. MMCs new policy paper - Between Pledges & Practices - analyses Egypt’s complex mixed migration policy landscape mixedmigration.org/resource/egy...

Between Pledges and Practices: Egypt’s complex mixed migration policy landscape | Mixed Migration Centre This research paper sheds light on the mixed migrationlandscape in Egypt, discussing trends, dynamics, andpolicy developments.

With Sudan to the south, Libya to the west, Gaza to the East & the EU to the north, #Egypt holds a key position in mixed migration governance. MMCs new policy paper - Between Pledges & Practices - analyses Egypt’s complex mixed migration policy landscape mixedmigration.org/resource/egy...

Europe failing to smash people smuggling gangs Under the guise of combating the ‘smuggling’ crisis, authorities have arrested migrants, journalists and advocates

"The policy in Europe is aimed at disrupting business model of smugglers, but “what we see that’s primarily doing is boosting it – the more difficult you make it, the more profitable the business will be” My contribution to this
@telegraphnews.bsky.social article www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...

Deadly US airstrike in Yemen highlights enduring suffering of African migrants - The Africa Report.com Trapped between dreams of a better life and the harsh reality of war, dozens of African migrants were killed when their detention facility in northern Yemen became the latest victim of US airstrikes.

"The journey is one of extreme violence & danger. Migrants risk trafficking, kidnapping, sexual violence & torture". And now they were killed while detained. My contribution to the Africa Report coverage on the horrible airstrike on detention centre in #Yemen www.theafricareport.com/382671/deadl...