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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Lorenzo Tondo in Palermo

People helping asylum seekers in Europe face rising violence, report warns

In the foreground, people wearing lifejackets are in a boat. In the background is the NGO's larger boat with the name 'Open Arms' on the side
A Spanish NGO assists people off the Libyan coast in the central Mediterranean. Some NGO workers have documented having gunshots fired at them by the Libyan coastguard. Photograph: Santi Palacios/AFP/Getty Images

People and groups who assist asylum seekers are reporting a disturbing trend of escalating intimidation, with aid workers facing direct threats including being held at gunpoint and having their phone communications monitored by government authorities, according to a report from the Council of Europe’s commissioner for human rights.

Dunja Mijatović has warned of increasing harassment and in some cases criminalisation of people and groups who assist refugees, especially in Hungary, Greece, Lithuania, Italy, Croatia and Poland.

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