Archive
How the EU migration pact will increase harms in Serbia and along the Balkan route
The EU's Pact on Migration and Asylum is likely to send the situation for migrants and refugees in the Balkans from bad to worse: more containment of people on the move through cruel tactics such as policing and pushbacks; more bureaucracy and digital controls, without protection or safeguards; and a further closure of civic space. Real protection requires a different approach. Read More
New externalisation bulletin: Sudan, North Africa, dozens of official documents
The latest edition of the bulletin Outsourcing borders: Monitoring EU externalisation policy is now available, featuring analyses on the EU’s position with regard to refugees fleeing the war in Sudan, the EU’s ongoing support for authoritarian and violent regimes in North Africa, and the release of dozens of previously-unavailable official documents. Read More
EU: Hungarian Council presidency takes aim at refugees and asylum-seekers
In a move that is unlikely to surprise anyone, the Hungarian Council Presidency has kicked off discussions on reviewing the status of international protection beneficiaries, and how member states deal with individuals whose asylum applications have been refused, but who cannot be deported. Read More
Tracking the Pact: Derogations all round in Council’s latest crisis Regulation edit
Of the five legislative proposals in the EU's Pact on Migration and Asylum, there is only one for which the Council has not so far adopted a negotiating position: the crisis and force majeure Regulation. The main purpose of the law is to set out derogations from other measures in the Pact, which are all due to be approved by next spring. The latest version of the text (published here) was up for discussion yesterday at the Justice and Home Affairs Council, which failed to reach agreement on it. Another attempt will reportedly be made on Monday. Read More
European Commission wants to boost border spending by billions of euros
In June the European Commission proposed amendments to the EU’s budget for the 2021-27 period, arguing that existing finances are at “the point of exhaustion”. The changes sought by the Commission would increase the budget for “migration and external challenges” by €15 billion. Read More
Schengen states make new call for border wall funds
A group of eight Schengen states has reiterated the now-longstanding call for the European Commission to fund the construction of border walls. Read More
EU: Rule of law: nothing to see here, Hungarian government tells the Council
On 23 May the Council of the EU held a hearing with Hungary as part of the Article 7 procedure concerning the "clear risk of a serious breach" of the EU's founding values: human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights. The response from the Hungarian delegation? Don't worry about a thing. Read More
Frontex: the ongoing failure to implement human rights safeguards
A legal case alleging that Frontex was involved in an illegal deportation and the annual report of its Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights, made up of NGOs and international organisations, show once again that fundamental rights are not at the top of the agency’s agenda. Read More
EU: Data retention strikes back? Options for mass telecoms surveillance under discussion again
In June 2021 the European Commission sought the views of member states on ways to reintroduce the bulk retention of telecoms traffic, location and internet connection data on everyone in the EU. Responses from seven member states, published here, show a divergence of views on what data to retain and when, but a majority in favour of new EU legislation. Read More
Hungary: Attacks on LGBTQIA+ rights raised with UN special rapporteurs
A letter to a number of UN special rapporteurs signed by 23 civil society organisations, including Statewatch, raises serious concerns over the Hungarian government's attacks on the rights of LGBTQIA+ people. The letter calls on the UN special rapporteurs to put pressure on the Hungarian government to change track, and to call on the EU to launch further infringement proceedings against the country. Read More