Glocal Roots (NGO on Samos) suggested we focus on the Restrictive Measures since this is the issue affecting MOST people right now, and one that we may have the chance to change...

Stand By Me Lesvos/Moria White Helmets encouraged us to focus on restrictive measures as it worsened the already awful conditions in camps. The different quality of life btw the local population and the asylum seekers gets bigger, and the restrictive measures fostered the aggravation of the situation in hotspots while didn't impact much locals' life.

Mare Liberum said that they think the illegal pushbacks are more important to highlight. They agree that restrictive camp measures are a major issue (because of dichotomy of treatment) but felt they could not strongly argue against this without expertise to judge whether removing the restrictive measures was going to further risk camp residents.

In short: though more should have been done to ensure camps were COVID-19 secure initially (i.e. improved medical care, social distancing etc), the fact is that they are not prepared for outbreak. Mare Liberum believe they do not have enough knowledge to confidently argue for restrictions being lifted.

Response from Help and Hope for Refugees: Maybe ministers in individual EU countries could also be recipients of the information on illegal pushbacks and not just the EU?

I will not propose to to be a Focal Point as we are in France and I haven't the first hand informations.

(this is all was said)

Response from Sea-Watch e.V :the focus should be on option 2) Illegal Push-Backs , Another point which is pressing and relevant and basically one of the main reasons for the situation in which the European migration policy currently stands: the non-relocation of people arriving European coastal states.

Together for Better Days: Undecided/Both

Point 1 (Restrictions): 

Pro) Restrictions are very controversial. It’s absolutely against freedom to move. Restrictions also do not help people’s mental health at all and tensions rise up easily in the camps. There is a feeling that the measures are being extended in order to finally realise this as a long-term measure.

Con) Restrictions are potentially something that is helping them to be protected. The opinion that it could be transformed into a long-term measure is just a feeling. 

Point 2 (Push-backs):

Pro) It is obviously really bad with no excuses. 

Con) The problem is that there is less information about it and it is related to restrictions.

Conclusion: Instead of denying human rights, they should find a measure to protect the islands that does not impress upon human rights.

The Highlands Supports Refugees: Illegal pushbacks 

In terms of a timeline, this would be good to focus on first. A refugee making their way to Greece may face an illegal pushback first and then only if they managed to reach Greek shores they would then face the other issues.