This week on the Beyond the Byline podcast we are discussing migration and more specifically, pushbacks. The topic is back on the priority list for EU leaders meeting on the 9th and 10th of February with the aim of reaching a joint EU system to manage migration. In the shadows of these discussions are the pushbacks from Italy to Greece and numerous reports of human right violations.

Italy and Greece have been condemned internationally for their actions, with the latest investigation showing that the staff of commercial ferries have become responsible for pushing back migrants that travel from Greece to Italy.

Why are workers on these ferries detaining migrants and in which ways are they violating the laws and human rights of migrants?

With us this week are investigative journalist Stavros Malichudis, who has been investigating and reporting on the pushbacks and EURACTIV’s editor Nathalie Weatherald.