Archive
Outsourcing Borders: Bulletin 10
“To begin with optimism, and once the inadequacy of optimism is borne in by an inevitably hostile world, to retreat… Read More
Franco-British “one in, one out” deal condemned as absurd and dangerous
British and French organisations, including Statewatch, have denounced the "one in, one out" deal between the French and British governments. The deal is ostensibly aimed at limiting unauthorised migration across the Channel/La Manche. The statement, published in Le Monde, highlights the dangerous consequences for migrants' rights. Read More
Annual activity report 2024
Seeking optimism in troubling times Read More
EU deportation proposals: the member states sink to new depths
A new compromise text for the upcoming deportation Regulation was recently circulated by the Danish presidency of the Council of the EU. Alongside two other legal proposals currently under discussion, the deportation Regulation forms the legal basis for the EU’s plan to increase deportations, in particular by forging new ‘Euro-Rwanda’ deportation schemes. The latest text makes even more cuts to safeguards and protections. Read More
EU Council seeks swifter deportations with even lower standards on “safe” countries
Discussions are ongoing in the Council of the EU on proposals to establish an EU list of “safe countries of origin” to which people can be deported, and to revise the principle of the “safe third country.” The Danish presidency of the Council, taking into account delegations’ comments, presented proposed new versions of the texts at the beginning of September. Read More
UK: Police footage of protests can be held for decades
Police in London and across the UK regularly film protests, with multiple officers often deployed to do so. A response to a recent freedom of information request says that footage of “a public order event without targeted individuals” can be held “for a period of up to 6 years.” However, if it contains “intelligence” it can potentially be held for decades. Read More
Bosnia and Herzegovina: “a society that has gone through a genocide is more prone to it happening again”
The Srebrenica massacre remains the only event on European soil since the Holocaust to be formally recognised as genocide - and, in a tale all too familiar, it unfolded as Europe looked on. Read More
More profiling and surveillance under new EU anti-money laundering rules
Last year, the EU adopted new rules against money laundering and terrorist financing. Member states are currently implementing the rules that will come into force in July 2027. Dutch non-governmental organisation Privacy First is calling for safeguards to prevent unchecked surveillance, monitoring and profiling. 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
Document: Trends and dynamics in international right-wing extremism and terrorism
A document circulated in the Council of the EU in early July on the issue of international right-wing extremism and terrorism. The note says: "Transnational links between foreign VRWE groups are increasing, with the phenomenon of accelerationism posing the most concerning threat." Read More