Punitive social handouts to dissuade "Dublin" asylum-seekers are wanted by interior ministers of the 16 regional states, a report says. One in three applicants arriving in Germany via other EU nations could be affected.

Italy has its own category of protection for some failed asylum seekers, but the government has recently legislated against this. Thousands of protesters have hit the streets to defend refugee rights.

Croatian authorities have denied a report that police are illegally pushing migrants back into neighboring Bosnia. Migrants are struggling to survive in makeshift camps as winter sets in and temperatures plunge.

The UN General Assembly is set to endorse the Global Compact on Refugees, a week after a similar accord for migrants. Nearly 170 countries have pledged help to nations that host those fleeing war and persecution.