European Community Countries Research Articles

Regarding the classification of special technical means of covert information acquisition

Based on the analysis of current legal acts and scientific literature, the article examines the issues related to ensuring security during covert investigative (detective) actions with the use of special technical means for covert obtaining of information. At present, these issues are in demand in the context of combating encroachments on the territorial integrity or territorial inviolability of the state, in particular, those related to the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into the territory of our country, the number of which has been increasing in recent years. In legislative and departmental regulations and special literature, scholars and practitioners have paid sufficient attention to the issues of legislative regulation of the organisation and use of special technical means in the course of covert investigative (detective) actions.
 Thus, regulatory documents and technical support for covert investigative (detective) actions conducted with the use of special technical means do not fully meet the current operational tasks of the state law enforcement agencies. Therefore, the issue of further development and harmonisation of legislative and departmental acts, improvement and introduction of the latest technologies and modern equipment in the course of operational search, counterintelligence and investigative activities is relevant.
 In the period of transformation processes which are taking place and changing the state and legal reality of the European Community countries, which Ukraine, in particular, is trying to join, an important issue is to ensure democratic and humane principles of the State’s functioning.
 The scientific novelty of the article is the actualisation of the problems associated with the use of special technical means of obtaining information and the introduction of the author’s system of their classification in the course of covert investigative (detective) actions.

ЄВРОПЕЙСЬКЕ СПІВТОВАРИСТВО В ЗОВНІШНІЙ ПОЛІТИЦІ СРСР В РОКИ «ПЕРЕБУДОВИ»

The article examines the process of slow convergence of the USSR during the years of «perestroika» with the European Community, attempts have been made to determine the reasons for the gradual convergence. The purpose of the study is to characterize the place of the European Community in the foreign policy of the USSR during the years of “perestroika” in the context of the concept of «new thinking». It is noted, that the plans for the creation of the internal market of the European Community countries were met with deep concern in the USSR and other countries of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance. It was they who pushed for more decisive actions and played their role in changing the position regarding the EEC. The economic and political transformations of the second half of the 1980s, which were actively carried out in the USSR, met with approval in Europe. It is emphasized, that the economic factor became a new element of policy regarding the EEC during the Gorbachev period. According to the tradition that developed before this, political and military aspects of the process were taken into account the most. The conclusion of the Agreement on trade and economic cooperation with the EEC was the logical consequence of such a change. Economic cooperation with the EEC was included in the foreign policy priorities. It is concluded, that during the period of «perestroika» the relations of the USSR with the European Community underwent drastic changes. These changes were influenced by a number of factors, among which the most important were the ratification of the Single European Act and the development of the EEC program of the single internal market until 1992. The Community’s concrete assistance to M. Gorbachev’s «perestroika» had an undeniable influence on the position regarding the EEC. Another important change, as a result of which the signing of the agreement with the EEC became possible, was a radical rethinking of the concept of interdependence. It happened gradually from ascertaining the development of the processes of internationalization and integration to the recognition of the fact of interdependence between states of different social systems. Only during the period of perestroika did it become possible to conclude the desirability of interdependence as a factor that stabilizes international relations. However, all these changes in approaches were primarily characteristic of a rather narrow circle of politicians. At the same time, they helped to change the official position. It was these factors that pushed M. Gorbachev to develop the idea of a «common European home», which became a component of the concept of «new thinking» in the foreign policy of the USSR.

Rapid Decline in the Uptake Interests for Different SARS CoV-2 Vaccination Doses Over the Post Vaccination Period in Different European Community Countries

During the corona virus pandemic outbreak, there are a number of vaccinations approved. They are distributed and used in human beings worldwide. Aim of this study is to analyze the changes in pattern of uptake mood during different dose courses in EU /EEA population. Therefore, there was use of the following methods: The data from official European community website was collected and analyzed with the software for total number of doses distributed and total number of doses applied. Similarly, cumulative percentage of uptake of vaccine from primary course, first booster, second booster and third booster were compared. Results are showing that there is difference of around 0.5 billion doses between the doses distributed and doses used. The uptake interest decreased from primary dose to third booster dose from 85% to 0% among the countries over the time. The conclusion was found as follows: there are discrepancies between the total number of doses distributed and used. There is very strong loss of uptake interest in the populations in EU/EEA with different dose courses. One must study the reasons for such a strong loss of uptake interest and economic losses caused leading to burden on the tax payers.

Photovoltaic Companies on the Warsaw Stock Exchange—Another Speculative Bubble or a Sign of the Times?

Renewable energy sources are an attractive alternative to fossil fuels for several reasons. Firstly, these are ecological arguments, mainly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Secondly, there are legal issues, particularly the obligations of the European Community countries in the field of climate as part of the implementation of the European Green Deal and the joint achievement of 40% of energy from renewable sources by 2030. Thirdly, these are international issues, primarily regarding reducing dependence on uncertain oil or gas markets. And finally, they may be economic reasons, such as diversification of energy supplies and associated costs, as well as opportunities for profits on the capital market. In Poland, over the last decade, a certain kind of boom in photovoltaics has been visible, both in terms of the number of companies dealing with solar collectors, as well as the annual increase in new capacity, or the level of installed capacity. Also, on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, photovoltaic companies have introduced much confusion in the tier of quotations in recent years. Solar energy has become a kind of gateway for companies to increase their results, stock exchange quotations, or acquire new customers. It is not surprising that more and more investors want to invest their money in this segment. Given the above, this article attempts to answer the question: Is there a risk of a stock market bubble among photovoltaic companies in the near future? For this purpose, we used the financial indicators of photovoltaic companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, and with the help of the Taxonomic Measure of Attractiveness of Investments, we created rankings of the investment attractiveness of these companies in 2017-2019. The leaders include companies listed on the main market as well as in the alternative trading system of the Warsaw Stock Exchange. It should be borne in mind that regardless of the undertaken diversification and analytical activities, the risk of an investment bubble has been and will remain an indispensable element in the functioning of every capital market in the world.

Analysis of greenhouse gas and pollutant emission reduction in Ukraine and European Union countries

Following the European Green Deal, which aims to develop a closed-loop economy and reduce emissions of pollutants, Ukraine is also implementing it in its plans. Therefore, this paper analyzes and compares the reduction of CO2, NOx and SO2 emissions by the European Community countries and Ukraine. Actual data on achievements in reducing emissions of the specified substances and the plans of the countries under study have been analyzed and compared. Based on the elaboration of the energy and climate plans of the countries of the European Union and Ukraine, graph-analytical dependencies have been built, based on which the actual achievements since 1990 by the countries in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants have been analyzed. Also the plans for these data represented by the countries by 2050 have been compared.

Poland in the face of the 2015 migration crisis

The issue of mass migration to the European Union, although it has been present in the public space for several years, is still topical. Following the population movements in Europe and the massive influx of migrants from the Middle East to the borders of the European Union, the accumulation of which occurred in 2015, a number of phenomena related to the so-called migration crisis have been subject to research analysis. The aim of the considerations undertaken in this case study is to present the way in which Poland’s position towards the EU’s proposals for solving the migration crisis has evolved. A content analysis of the literature on the subject and the legal acts provided an answer to the question of how Poland’s attitude changed after the 2015 parliamentary elections. And what factors underpinned the change of approach regarding the reception of refugees. This study uses mainly theoretical research methods such as analysis, which includes content analysis of the literature and available documents, and statistical studies on the research phenomenon. The analysis of the problem leads to the reflection that the proposal for a solution to the EU migration crisis has divided both the European Community and many other countries. In the face of a crisis, solidarity with the community and responsibility for the security of citizens were at stake. In 2015, this issue aroused a lot of emotion during the ongoing political campaign in Poland and was part of the electoral game. The victorious party and the new government have unequivocally rejected the idea of relocation, confirming that security is their overriding priority.

O-082 Patients are requesting to ship their surplus frozen embryos to other countries so that they can be donated to other patients

Abstract Study question Can all patients decide on the destination of their frozen embryos? Summary answer Patients that don’t have the legal right to donate their surplus embryos, still have the opportunity to ship them to centres in Spain What is known already In most European countries the laws do not allow patients to decide on the destination of their surplus vitrified embryos. In Spain, however, all possible options are allowed but certain requirements must be met for each of them: donation, research and destruction. Even though, most couples do not decide on any of them and do not reply to the documents they receive from the Centre. The reasons for this behaviour are not due to an irresponsible attitude but to the fact that it presents them with a difficult situation, which triggers emotional conflicts. Study design, size, duration The goal of this study is to communicate that since 2018 we have received embryo shipment requests from people who have stored their surplus embryos in other countries, where they cannot donate them. We have evaluated 47 cases and accepted 17 from Italy, Belgium, Ireland and Greece. We evaluated the survival rate after thawing and pregnancy rates, and compared them with the results of surplus embryos that have been donated in our Centre. Participants/materials, setting, methods We received applications from patients from different countries. Given the legal difficulties, we only evaluated those from European Community countries. In order to accept the transfer, we require that they meet all the requirements to be “donation eligible”: clinical history and phenotypic features of parents and siblings born from that cycle, serology results prior to treatment, age under 35 years, good embryo morphology score, and all the information from the embryology laboratory of the Centre. Main results and the role of chance According to our Centre's data, only 3% of patients choose to donate their surplus vitrified embryos to others. In a retrospective review of the informed consents of a total of 5,605 IVF cases in which the patients had frozen supernumerary embryos we found that there are no significant differences in this percentage according to the biological origin of the embryos, neither if a couple or a single woman carried out the treatment. Differences are observed between patients from European countries that are close to each other and which are evidence of the idiosyncrasies of each culture. Donation is chosen by 3% of patients from Spain and the UK, 4% from France, 5.5% from Italy, 6% from Germany, 7% from Ireland. We surveyed patients about their reasons for choosing the destination of their embryos: the main reason why they rejected the possibility of donating embryos was the fear that in the future, their children might meet their biological siblings. In these 17 cases that have been shipped from other countries, blastocyst survival rate after thawing was 90% (compared to 97% in donated embryos in our Centre) and pregancy rate was 56% (compared to 59% in our Centre). Limitations, reasons for caution We don’t know the percentage of patients that would agree to donate their cross-border embryos, and most of them are not even aware of this possibility. They concur in a high socio-economic-cultural level that allows them to be informed and if they are accepted, they must pay the shipment fees. Wider implications of the findings We wonder whether all european patients that are interested in donating their embryos and that won’t resign to abandon them should be informed of this possibility. So far, we have had exquisite cooperation from the centres where they remain vitrified. May globalisation allow them to exercise their generosity! Trial registration number Not applicable

The Application and Integration of I.C.T. in the Public Sector: an Overall Literature Review Focused on the E.U. Environment

The aim of this article is to examine the importance and acceptance of Information and Communication Technologies (I.C.T.) in the public sector. Nowadays, the government, businesses and citizens are going through an era of rapid technological developments which is an excellent opportunity to overcome the reluctance of change and to transform the public sector in such a way that it serves the public interest more efficiently and rapidly, so that it leads to a citizen–friendly society. Through the literature review, an attempt is being made to examine the level of utilization of the offered data information systems and infrastructure and to identify the factors that lead to the adoption or avoidance. Following most recent developments in the European community and CEE countries governments are restructuring their formation to evolve and provide modern digital services. Through a reformation program EU aims to secure an efficient and future proofed e-governance.

Unification of gift and inheritance taxes and the protection of taxpayers – the inheritors and recipients of donations

Gift and inheritance tax in the European Union Member States is calculated and charged in numerous ways. In the majority of countries of the European Economic Community it constitutes a separate tax. In several countries it is not charged at all or is part of the income tax. Despite the attempts made by the European Commission to unify the legislation of the Member States in this regard, there has been no success. The article presents the above-mentioned attempts of the European Commission, their results and consequences. It identifies the methods of avoiding a double or even triple taxation on cross-border inheritances or donations. This is of crucial significance also to the Polish citizens who demonstrate higher and higher investment activity in the countries of the European Economic Community and third countries.

A Transnational and Transregional Study of the Impact and Effectiveness of Social Distancing for COVID-19 Mitigation.

We present an analysis of the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and a social distancing metric from data for all the states and most populous cities in the United States and Brazil, all the 22 European Economic Community countries and the United Kingdom. We discuss why the infection rate, instead of the effective reproduction number or growth rate of cases, is a proper choice to perform this analysis when considering a wide span of time. We obtain a strong Spearman’s rank order correlation between the social distancing metric and the infection rate in each locality. We show that mask mandates increase the values of Spearman’s correlation in the United States, where a mandate was adopted. We also obtain an explicit numerical relation between the infection rate and the social distancing metric defined in the present work.

Internetional Experience Of Legal Regulation Of The Status Of Non-Entrepreneurial Legal Entities

The article deals with studying the legislation of individual countries on the legal status of non-entrepreneurial legal entities. It is stated that in international practice there is no single term that would describe all non-entrepreneurial legal entities. Typically, several terms are used, such as non-for-profit orgnisation, non­governmental organization, charity organization, private voluntary organization, civil social organization.
 In the scientific work authors analyzed the documents that are common to the whole European community and individual countries. The main features of non­entrepreneurial legal entities according to European standards are outlined. Among them: the main goal can not be making a profit, and in the case of making a profit it is aimed at achieving the goals for which the organization was created, non­entrepreneurial legal entities with legal personality acquire the same rights as other legal entities, the possibility of creating member organizations and organizations without membership. It is noted that the division of non-entrepreneurial legal entities on the basis of the system is the fundamental in Poland. That is why non­entrepreneurial legal entities in Poland are divided into companies and foundations. German law provides the creation of not only companies and foundations, but also associations that may not be intended for business purposes.
 The scientific work studies not only the provisions of legislative acts, but also the scientific developments of domestic and foreign scientists. In particular, doctrinal approaches to non-entrepreneurial legal entities in Germany, Japan, England and Wales were studied.
 It is concluded that it is not possible to accept the legal model of a non­entrepreneurial legal entity of a certain country and introduce it into national legislation, because each country has its own peculiarities.

Impact of ICT development on economic growth. A study of OECD European union countries

Most of the scientific literature recognizes a positive impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on economic growth. In contrast, different investigations suggest that this impact is limited or even null, that is, there are mixed results.In view of this problem, we conducted a study whose objective is to analyse the impact of ICT on economic growth.To address the study, we apply Partial Least Squares (PLS), using the databases of Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which allowed us to analyse those European Economic Community countries, members of the OECD, in order to reduce the differences in economic development between the countries analysed. As far as we know, this is the only work that studies the relationship between ICT and economic growth by measuring ICT with the Digital Economy and Society Index database (DESI), in European Union countries that belong to the OECD and that apply the PLS-SEM technique.Based on the empirical results, the paper suggests that progress in the deployment and use of ICT drives the economic growth of countries that are within the framework of developed European economies.

АНАЛІЗ КРИТЕРІЇВ ОЦІНКИ ФАСАДНИХ СИСТЕМ З ШТУКАТУРНИМ ШАРОМ З УРАХУВАННЯМ ЄВРОПЕЙСЬКОГО ДОСВІДУ

Abstract. Strategic problem of ensuring the update of energy profile of residential and public buildings may be solved if only recent design concept of facade thermal insulation is applied. As the design concept, facade thermal insulation appeared in reconstruction of buildings and structures. In domestic construction practice, this design concept is also widely used in new structures and that is why the system of criteria that determine the possible reduce of specific heat loss in heating of buildings should be updated, and the desired operational heat safety of buildings should be ensured. The paper deals with the development and implementation of new criteria for assessment of façade insulation systems with rendering, addresses the European experience and features the implementation of European standards in the national regulatory framework. The paper follows the previous research conducted by the State Research Institute of Building Constructions for the last fifteen years with main scientific papers being referenced and aimed at the development of methodological base for system of norms and standards that ensure the implementation of innovations in the practice of domestic construction sector. The paper covers the details of conformity assessment and suitability for use of facade thermal insulation in accordance with the methodological principles applied both in Ukraine and countries of European Community. The paper provides the analysis of the requirements set for facade thermal insulation with rendering by a national regulative document, DSTU B V.2.6-36:2008, and compares the requirements for ETICS (Exterior Thermal Insulation Composite System) set by Guideline for European Technical Approval of Exterior Thermal Insulation Composite System with Rendering (ETICS), ETAG 004.

The importance of large enterprises for the development of the furniture industry in the selected EU countries

The importance of large enterprises for the development of the furniture industry in the selected EU countries. In theoretical and empirical research, the role of small and medium-sized enterprises in the economic development of the country is usually explicitly emphasized, highlighting their importance for innovation and competitiveness of the economy. However, despite the small percentage of companies employing over 249 persons in most industries, these enterprises generate a significant value of industrial production and to a large extent create jobs. The main purpose of the research was to assess the importance of large companies for the development of the furniture industry in the selected EU countries. Five European Community countries were selected for the research, which are among the largest furniture manufacturers (Italy, Germany, Poland, Great Britain and France). A comparative analysis was carried out against all Member States of the Community, and the time range of the research covered the years 2010-2017. The analysis shows that overall, the importance of large enterprises for the development of the EU furniture industry has increased, although these trends were varied in analysed countries. The countries selected for the analysis play a significant role in creating value in production and jobs in the EU furniture industry. Enterprises with the highest level of employment are of great importance for the increase in production and the development of the labour market in this industry. These economic entities constituted less than 1% of the total functioning enterprises. The added value per employee in enterprises employing over 249 persons in the EU was clearly higher than the average for business entities in general.

European Databases on Stability and Compatibility of Injectable Medicinal Products in Europe

AbstractIn hospitals, the majority of medication therapy is administered intravenously. Especially, in intensive care units, simultaneous of various injectable drugs is a common practice Drug incompatibilities have been reported to be associated with up to 60 % of all serious and life-threatening adverse drug events. Several databases are used by hospital pharmacists to answer the questions of (in)compatibility of co-administered injectable drugs. The objective of this article is to present the European databases on compatibility and stability of injectable drugs. According to a questionnaire which was sent to the National Hospital Pharmacy Associations of the 28 countries of European Community there are three national databases available in EU countries which are in alphabetical order, Belgium, France and Germany. The Belgian database is dedicated to injectable medications, is updated and distributed annually in French language on a USB key. STABILIS® is an international database giving information with pictograms translated into 29 languages. This database contains also monographs of non-injectable drugs. The internet-based ADKA STABIL-Datenbank is focused on anticancer drug therapy, listing detailed datasets in German language on stability and compatibility including the references.

Transitional Society in Modificatory Conditions and Challenges of Fourth Industrial Revolution

The object of this study is the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0.) on social life and modernization processes in Ukraine. The prognostic analysis of the Fourth industrial revolution consequences for modern Ukrainian society is the purpose of this research. The article deals with the obvious consequence of Industry 4.0 elements (such as the Internet providing, robotics, and digitization) implementation in both the countries of the center of the "World-system" as well as transition societies. It's the threat of mass increase in unemployment, the spread of spontaneous forms of population migration, incessant marginalization of social life and urbanistic environment threats deepening. It is proved in this research that it’s the richest and most intellectual part of society who gets benefits and is able to take full advantage of the latest technologies from the implementation of Industry 4.0 results. At the same time low-skilled workers will face the threat of job loss and permanent job searching process due to the implementation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution achievements. To our mind, massive increase in unemployment in Ukraine as well as other Central and Eastern European countries due to Industry 4.0 will turn into a serious source of social protests and instability, causing unprecedented challenges for the social life. It is stated in the research work that in a situation of economic backwardness, obsolescence of fixed industrial assets, merging of authorities with oligarchy, and the spread of corruption, the over-rapid implementation of Industry 4.0 elements in transition societies can lead to social disintegration processes increasing. Thus, the key criterion for the implementation of Industry 4.0 in transitional societies should be matching public needs with the interests of a particular citizen. We consider that the research of its impact on symbolic production and exchange, the way of everyday life, and the transformation of the urban environment in the Europe, in particular the countries of Central and Eastern European community, is particularly important. It’s necessary because the marginalization of a large part of the population, social pessimism and high migration expectations diminished critical thinking and developed of fascination with historical mysteries, myths or plots of TV programs, and etc.

Does Really One in Ten Believe Capital Punishment Exists in a Contemporary European Community Country? An Endorsed, Prereviewed, Preregistered Replication Study and Meta-Analysis.

BackgroundTill et al. (2016) reported that in an Austrian sample approximately one in ten respondents incorrectly believed that Austria still practices, or recently practiced, the death penalty, and that there is a positive association between the amount of weekly television viewing and this gross misperception of the Austrian justice system.MethodsAn endorsed, prereviewed, preregistered close (N = 597) served to test the veracity of these reported effects. This was coupled with the conceptual extension part, which (a) investigated the potential influence of watching American crime series, (b) accounted for further possible confounds, and (c) tested the generalizability of the effect of television viewing to online streaming.ResultsOnline survey data (N = 597) replicated the one-in-ten prevalence of incorrect answers with the 5-item death penalty questionnaire used in the original study, but not, when asking directly about Austria’s death penalty practices (prevalence: 0.3%). Younger age, but not the amount of television viewing or online streaming, suggestibility, or preferred TV genre consistently predicted incorrect answers in the death penalty questionnaire. Incorrect answers were Mokken-scalable (i.e., formed a common scale, complying with a non-parametric item response model) and were highly consistent. In contrast to the replication study results, a small meta-analysis of all available evidence (three studies, including the present replication) suggested that the aggregate effect of television viewing nominally was significant, albeit small.ConclusionThe replication study yielded mixed results, which indicate the perception of a high prevalence of beliefs that there is capital punishment in a country without death penalty probably is due to a faultily designed questionnaire and thus a research artifact. Also, positive associations of television viewing with such beliefs likely are only small at best.

Optimizing Protection of Geographical Indications in Indonesia by Special State Agency

This study aims at analysing special state agency in order to optimize the protection of geographical indications. The agency plays crucial role in supervising the use of geographical product. The protection of geographical indications in France has been well-developed because it is not only supported by comprehensive regulation but also by special agency called INAO which is based on special regulation formulated by European Community Countries to protect product trademark including AOC/PDO and PGI. INAO is an independent public organization which is controlled by citizen and work together with professional organization in wine beverage industries and food product and it is supported by National Committee chaired by professionals. Indonesia with its natural resources should be protected as geographical indications. Therefore, there must be special state agency for comprehensive and optimum protection. This study employs normative method and comparative approach to France. Keywords: geographical indications, INAO, French, TRIP’s agreement DOI : 10.7176/JLPG/82-10

Resíduo Urbano em Portugal – Uma Análise dos Resíduos Plástico

O presente artigo trata das políticas públicas no tratamento e destino correto do resíduo plástico em Portugal, e as consequências que estes resíduos podem provocar nos mares a onde é o destino de grande parte depois do uso. O plástico em Portugal é um dos itens com menor índice de reciclagem nas cinco características dos resíduos domésticos urbanos, ficando atrás de muitos países da Comunidade Europeia que possuem um índice superior a 42% apresentado pelos Portugueses, conforme Ponto Verde, 2018. O artigo também direciona o melhor tratamento destes resíduos e como deve ser aproveitado para gerar emprego e renda a milhares de pessoas, ao invés de ser destinado a aterros sanitários ou jogado nos mares através dos rios.

Syrian refugees in Greece: experience with violence, mental health status, and access to information during the journey and while in Greece

BackgroundSince 2015, Europe has been facing an unprecedented arrival of refugees and migrants: more than one million people entered via land and sea routes. During their travels, refugees and migrants often face harsh conditions, forced detention, and violence in transit countries. However, there is a lack of epidemiological quantitative evidence on their experiences and the mental health problems they face during their displacement. We aimed to document the types of violence experienced by migrants and refugees during their journey and while settled in Greece, and to measure the prevalence of anxiety disorders and access to legal information and procedures.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional population-based quantitative survey combined with an explanatory qualitative study in eight sites (representing the range of settlements) in Greece during winter 2016/17. The survey consisted of a structured questionnaire on experience of violence and an interviewer-administered anxiety disorder screening tool (Refugee Health Screener).ResultsIn total, 1293 refugees were included, of whom 728 were Syrians (41.3% females) of median age 18 years (interquartile range 7–30). Depending on the site, between 31% and 77.5% reported having experienced at least one violent event in Syria, 24.8–57.5% during the journey to Greece, and 5–8% in their Greek settlement. Over 75% (up to 92%) of respondents ≥15 years screened positive for anxiety disorder, which warranted referral for mental health evaluation, which was only accepted by 69–82% of participants. Access to legal information and assistance about asylum procedures were considered poor to non-existent for the majority, and the uncertainty of their status exacerbated their anxiety.ConclusionsThis survey, conducted during a mass refugee crisis in a European Community country, provides important data on experiences in different refugee settings and reports the high levels of violence experienced by Syrian refugees during their journeys, the high prevalence of anxiety disorders, and the shortcomings of the international protective response.