In this episode of Fractured we trace how EU migration policy has shifted since 2015. We unpack the initial emergency measures, including the relocation scheme that aimed to redistribute 160,000 asylum seekers across EU member states but ultimately relocated only around 35% of that target. And since March marked 10 years since the EU–Turkey deal, we devote part of the episode to remind you that under this deal Turkey agreed to prevent irregular crossings to Greece in exchange for €6 billion in aid and political concessions. While arrivals to the Greek islands dropped significantly, we highlight how this “success” came at the cost of containment policies that effectively turned Greek islands into long-term holding zones, with overcrowded camps and asylum processes stretching for years.

We also examine how these approaches have evolved into the more formalized framework of the EU Migration Pact, which prioritizes border externalization, accelerated asylum procedures, and increased returns. We highlight the human consequences of these policies in Greece, where stricter laws have curtailed access to asylum and contributed to the criminalisation of humanitarian actors. We discuss the growing legal risks faced by NGOs and volunteers, including the case of Tommy Olsen, founder of Aegean Boat Report, for whom Greece issued a European Arrest Warrant.

FOLLOW AND SUPPORT TOMMY OLSEN: https://www.instagram.com/aegeanboatreport/

SUPPORT:

"Fractured" is an original production of ReFOCUS Media Labs citizen journalists. To support this program donate on ⁠https://refocusmedialabs.org/donate

or join us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/refocusmedialabs

PRODUCTION FAMILY:

Host: Douglas Herman, Sonia Nandzik-Herman

Production Family:

Dawoud Nouri, Yaser Akbari, Ziad Ibrahim, Antonis Lytrianis, Angel Sifontes, Rahel Dejen, Melek Moussa, Wassim Ahmed

Citizen Journalists:

Yaser Taheri, Milad Ebrahimi, Yaser Akbari, Naqib Rasuli, Mohammad Ali Alami

Mentorship: Douglas Herman

Producers: Sonia Nandzik-Herman, Douglas Herman

Graphic Design: Eli Fazlollah for designs by Eli go to: ⁠https://refocusmedialabs.org/shop⁠

MUSIC:

Theme- "Intro for Legends" by Bonkers Beat Club (Epidemic Sound)

Additional- "Mogul" by Blue Steel (Epidemic Sound)

SPECIAL THANKS:

To the extended ReFOCUS Family for their dedication, passion and creativity all year long. We’re not where we are today without all the effort from Dominika Pawlik, Weronika Pawlik, Liz Nasyrova, Evi Amersfoort, Alina Mieniailova, Florian Krauer, Louise Holm, Chryssa Kouroukli, Natalia Tsarenko, Fine Bieler, Tommaso Stingo, Nazanin Foroghi, Yaser Akbari, Dariia Stepanova, Rada Valchanova, Walker Watson, Eleonora Giacomelli, Joseph Murray, Omer Butt, Wojtek Paluch, Matthew Goncalves O’Kelly, Jennifer Perez, Jule Pehnt, Majid Bakhshi, Paul “Al” Simon, Jaime Moro Saavedra, Joëlle Hübscher, Beni Rietmann, Jakob Mayr, Jurek Edel, Francisco Ibanez, Bart Van Son, Federico Bustamente, Myriam Rey, Lotta Luley, Federico Rinaldi, Fatima Al Ali, Karina Kozłowska, Grace Neely, Marion Olang, Beryl Waindi.

CONTACT:

Thoughts or questions about this episode? Suggestions for topics we can cover later in the season?

Contact: ⁠sonia@refocusmedialabs.org

No other topic feels right this week but the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full scale invasion on Ukraine. In this episode of Humanitarian Watch we discuss where we are so many years into this conflict and what is the situation of millions of displaced Ukrainians. As of early 2025, around 6.7-6.9 million refugees from Ukraine have fled abroad. About 93 % into the EU countries. The number of internally displaced people who decided to stay in Ukraine despite harsh conditions and everyday threat to their lives is much greater. Are the international efforts leading us towards the end of this conflict or just polarising it further?

SUPPORT:"Fractured" is an original production of ReFOCUS Media Labs citizen journalists. To support this program donate on ⁠https://refocusmedialabs.org/donate

or join us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/refocusmedialabs

PRODUCTION FAMILY:

Host: Douglas Herman, Sonia Nandzik-Herman

Production Family:

Dawoud Nouri, Antonis Lytrianis, Ziad Ibrahim, Angel Sifontes,Rahel Dejen, Melek Moussa, Maria Zhuk, Wassim Ahmed,Philomene Cazaubon, Coralie Duteil

Citizen Journalists:

Yaser Taheri, Milad Ebrahimi, Yaser Akbari, Naqib Rasuli, Mohammad Ali Alami

Mentorship: Douglas Herman

Producers: Sonia Nandzik-Herman, Douglas Herman

Graphic Design: Eli Fazlollah for designs by Eli go to: ⁠https://refocusmedialabs.org/shop⁠

MUSIC:

Theme- "Intro for Legends" by Bonkers Beat Club (Epidemic Sound)

Additional- "Mogul" by Blue Steel (Epidemic Sound)

SPECIAL THANKS:

To the extended ReFOCUS Family for their dedication, passion and creativity all year long. We’re not where we are today without all the effort from Florian Krauer, Louise Holm, Chryssa Kouroukli, Natalia Tsarenko, Fine Bieler, Tommaso Stingo, Nazanin Foroghi, Yaser Akbari, Dariia Stepanova, Rada Valchanova, Walker Watson, Eleonora Giacomelli, Joseph Murray, Omer Butt, Wojtek Paluch, Matthew Goncalves O’Kelly, Jennifer Perez, Jule Pehnt, Majid Bakhshi, Paul “Al” Simon, Jaime Moro Saavedra, Joëlle Hübscher, Beni Rietmann, Jakob Mayr, Jurek Edel, Francisco Ibanez, Bart Van Son, Federico Bustamente, Myriam Rey, Lotta Luley, Federico Rinaldi, Fatima Al Ali, Karina Kozłowska, Grace Neely, Marion Olang, Beryl Waindi. Evi Amersfoort, Dominika Pawlik

CONTACT:

Thoughts or questions about this episode? Suggestions for topics we can cover later in the season?

Contact: ⁠sonia@refocusmedialabs.org