Archive
Border externalisation: radical expansion of Frontex powers in the works
The latest issue of our bulletin on EU border externalisation policies includes: council discussion documents on upcoming Frontex mandate revision; the IOM presents a dire picture for returnees to Afghanistan; and an internal human rights presentation warns the EU is "not there yet" Read More
Documents: EU plans to radically expand border agency’s mandate
Two recent European Council documents reveal internal discussions over the potential expansion of Europe's border agency Frontex. One aim is to make it easier for the agency to operate outside EU borders. The discussions come ahead of the expected formal revision of Frontex’s mandate in 2026 and give a glimpse of what member states and the European Commission have in mind for the agency’s role in the EU’s future deportation machine. Read More
Networks of (in)security: how global counter-terrorism and security norms threaten civic space and human rights
Global counter-terrorism and security norms are propelling the introduction of pre-emptive, automated and algorithmic forms of surveillance and profiling, says new research published today by Statewatch. This is reinforcing racism and discrimination, inhibiting free movement, and giving authoritarian states new tools of control. The research calls for an organised response to this long-term state project, and sets out some guiding questions for future work. Read More
Networks of (in)security: how global counter-terrorism and security norms threaten civic space and human rights
Global counter-terrorism and security norms are propelling the introduction of pre-emptive, automated and algorithmic forms of surveillance and profiling, says new research published today by Statewatch. This is reinforcing racism and discrimination, inhibiting free movement, and giving authoritarian states new tools of control. The research calls for an organised response to this long-term state project, and sets out some guiding questions for future work. Read More
Outsourcing Borders: Bulletin 12
“He at that time was no longer just an ordinary, low, coarse henchman; by then he wore a uniform and… Read More
UK: Inquiry needed over lack of enforcement against “egregious and repeated data breaches”
More than 70 civil society organisations, academics and data protection experts, including Statewatch, have called for an inquiry into the collapse in enforcement activity by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The call comes after the ICO failed to launch an investigation after the Ministry of Defence published a spreadsheet containing the details of over 19,000 people fleeing the Taliban in Afghanistan. Read More
Exporting carceral migration “management”: €30 million from the EU to Senegal for migration control
€30 million from the EU's aid budget has been provided to Senegal for migration control. An examination of European Commission documents makes clear the main focus of the funding: border surveillance and control, maritime interception of people trying to leave Senegal to travel to European territory, and reception/detention infrastructure. Read More
Document: Drones – internal security implications
A document circulated by the Danish presidency of the Council of the EU on 11 November sets out internal security issues raised by the use of drones, and outlines measures being put in place by the EU to try to address the problem. The aim is to prepare a discussion due to take place at the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in December. Read More
EU-Staaten uneins über US-Zugriff auf Polizeidaten
Netzpolitik, 12 November 2025. Read More
US searching for “security threats” in European data: not a problem for EU member states
US law enforcement authorities want direct access to EU member state police and immigration databases to identify people considered “a threat to US security.” They may also be seeking access to EU databases. Some member states have concerns over timing, the legal basis and data protection requirements, according to a document obtained by Statewatch – but none have any fundamental problems with the proposal. Read More