Thousands of migrants have reached the shores of Italy in recent years. How does Italy deal with the new arrivals and what does the Italian asylum process look like?

Thousands of migrants have been embarking on a perilous journey to the Mediterranean - their fate is determined by refugee rescue ships and government policy in Europe. Who are the major players involved?

Refugees and volunteers working in asylum shelters often face violence, sexual assaults and discrimination. Several German cities have set up ombudsmen offices where victims can register complaints.

Relocating refugees from the two main countries of first arrival, Italy and Greece, has proven to be a difficult process in the past two years. When implemented correctly, however, the EU scheme promises lasting solutions for migran1