Archive
Film screening: Viva Palastina: Reason of Resistance
Join MayDay Rooms, the Palestinian Youth Movement Britain and Statewatch for a screening of the documentary 'Viva Palastina: Reason of Resistance', examining the repression of the Palestinian solidarity movement in Germany. Read More
EU wants to deport people to countries with which they have no connection
A German diplomatic cable obtained by Statewatch shows that 13 member states would like to be able to deport people to any country they wish – even if the person has no connection to it. The demands have been accommodated in the most recent version of the proposed law on “safe third countries.” The cable also shows plans to remove the “suspensive effect” of appeals against deportation, while refugee resettlement pledges from member states are lower than ever. Read More
Police racism and criminalisation across Europe increasingly fuelled by digital ‘prediction’ and profiling systems
London, 30 June 2025 – The civil liberties organisation Statewatch has published a report that reveals how police and criminal legal system authorities across Europe are using data-based, algorithmic and AI systems to ‘predict’ where crimes may occur and profile people as criminals, despite the EU’s apparent ban on so-called ‘predictive policing’ systems in the Artificial Intelligence Act. Read More
New Technology, Old Injustice: Data-driven discrimination and profiling in police and prisons in Europe
Police and criminal legal system authorities across Europe are increasingly using data-based systems and tools to ‘predict’ where crime will occur, to profile people as criminals and to assess the ‘risk’ of crime or criminality in the future. Read More
New report examines Algeria’s role in the European border regime
A new report looks at the way the Algerian government has increased its involvement in border control initiatives promoted by European governments, after decades of reluctance to do so. Read More
Germany and UK unveil new joint action plan on Channel migration
A new action plan on irregular migration is being agreed between the UK and Germany today. A document summarising the plan, obtained by Statewatch, says it marks a joint “commitment to secure borders” that will involve increased political and police cooperation. The plan is to be adopted at a meeting of the Calais Group, made up of Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. Read More
France, Germany and the Netherlands push for EU-wide “tracking and bugging of vehicles”
Germany, France and the Netherlands are advocating for a reform of the European Investigation Order (EIO) to simplify cross-border surveillance of vehicles. A joint non-paper sent to other EU member states aims to amend the 2014 law to enhance cross-border surveillance cooperation. The reform would allow police to continue using GPS trackers and bugging devices on vehicles when they travel into other EU member states, without requiring additional legal approval in each country. Read More
EU: Definition of “potential terrorists” opens door to broad information-sharing
EU member states can now collect and share information on “potential terrorists”. This category is based on a new informal definition that was agreed with no democratic scrutiny. While claiming to target those who may engage in political violence, there is potential for far broader application. Read More
German police recommend “intensive” social media investigations into visa applicants
In a document obtained by Statewatch, the German police call for “intensive use” of open source research on visa applicants. The document, a handbook on Schengen visa fraud, also recommends developing “risk profiles”. This would use criteria such as “gender, age, groups of persons, origin, itinerary” to assess applicants’ risk of committing visa fraud. Read More
Who’s a “potential terrorist or violent extremist threat”? Plans to exchange information about “future” criminals
EU member states have finalised a set of “non-binding” criteria for assessing when someone may be labelled a potential terrorist or violent extremism threat. The intention is to feed European databases such as the Schengen Information System (SIS) and the Europol Information System (EIS), as well as Europol analysis projects such as “Hydra” and “Traveller”, according to a note circulated by the Belgian Council Presidency last month. Read More