Bronze / 2020 / Press / Feature Story

Violent European Border

Croatia uses systematic violence aginst asylum seekers at the border with Bosnia. The European Union supports Croatia with funding to secure its borders, o condition of 'respect for the laws of the EU'. The refugees are pushed back by Croatia. They eceive beatings, have their portable phones smashed, money taken, clothes burned. After thrown into an ice cold border river, they sit in a van with the airco on cold for hours.

Their situation in Bosnia is dire. Ovecrowded refugee camps, few doctors to treat their wounds or mental state. Many have to live in squats and abandonned factories.

Freelance photojournalist, since 4 years working for Belgian and international media. Publications include De Standaard, Le Monde, Le Courrier International, BBC, Elsevier, De Tijd, De Groene Amsterdammer, Goethe Insitute, among others. I also work for the NGO's Doctors of the World, Doctors Without Borders, Handicap International.

Awards Lensculture one of the 50 best Emerging Photographers Worldwide 2016

IPA (International Photography Awards) General News Third Prize 2018

PX3 Paris Photo Bronze in the categorie Press 2017

Ipoty (Internatiol Photographer of the Year) 3thd place Editorial 2016

Nikon Press Photographers Award in the categorie Stories 2016

IPA (International Photography Awards) honorable mention in the category Photo Essay 2018

IPA (International Photography Awards) second honorable mention in the category Photo Essay 2018

Finalist and featured at Rencontres d'Arles 2016

2nd prize of Life Framer 'Humans of the World' 2015

Ipoty (Internatiol Photographer of the Year) honorable mention category Daily Life 2017

IPA (International Photography Awards) honorable mention in the category Photo Stories 2016

IPA (International Photography Awards) honorable mention in the category Photo Essay 2017

IPA (International Photography Awards) honorable mention in the category General News 2017

IPA (International Photography Awards) second honorable mention in the category General News 2017

Honorable mention ND Awards 2017

Finalist Life Framer 'An instant' 2018

Editor's pick Life Framer 'Contemporary Pilgrims' 2017

Honorable mention Life Framer 'Urban Life' 2018

Finalist Pierre and Alexandra Boulat Grant 2016

Finalist Brussels Street Photography Festival 2016

In 2014-2017 three grants gave me the opportunity to work on longterm projects: Fund Pascal Decroos for reporting on the textile workers of Cambodia. Fund Filip Decock for documenting the eco-sustainibility of Tonle Sap Lake. And International Development Reporting Grant for