Detain refugees arriving in Europe for 18 months, says Tusk

European Council president Donald Tusk defended in an interview with several European newspapers on 2 December 2015 that refugees arriving in Europe should be detained for up to 18 months in holding centres across the European Union while they are screened for security and terrorism risks.

Mr Tusk also described German chancellor Angela Merkel's open-door policy on refugees as 'dangerous' and derided data claiming that Syrian-war refugees made up a majority of those trying to get to Europe.

• Primary Source

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

Politico, 03.12.15: Donald Tusk calls for 18-month screening of refugees http://www.politico.eu/article/donald-tusk-calls-18-month-screening-of-refugees-migration-merkel-greece-italy/

EUObserver, 03.12.15: Tusk: 'Wave of migrants too big not to be stopped' https://euobserver.com/migration/131363

EurActiv, 03.12.15: Tusk: Detaining migrants for up to 18 months is legal http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/tusk-detaining-migrants-18-months-legal-320065

ECFR: Commentary, 03.12.15: Germany's hunt for a coalition of the willing http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_germanys_hunt_for_a_coalition_of_the_willing5041

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