Archive
EU budget proposals: more external migration control, less democratic scrutiny
In mid-July, the European Commission published its proposal for the EU’s next long-term budget, for the period from 2028 to 2034. The Commission wants €200 billion for “external action” – a 75% increase from the current budget. Within this, external migration control remains a high priority. The Commission wants to penalise states that don’t comply with EU migration policies, whilst undermining official development aid standards and limiting democratic oversight. Read More
EU prepares to give US direct access to police and immigration databases
The massive increase in violent immigration raids, detention and deportation underway in the US has put off many people from visiting the country. Soon there may be yet another reason to think twice about taking a trip to the “land of the free”: US immigration and law enforcement agencies could be given the power to search European databases, to identify people posing “a threat to US security.” Read More
Document: Exploitation of new technologies for extremist and terrorist purposes
A note from the Polish presidency of the Council of the EU to the Terrorism Working Party, circulated on 20 June 2025. Read More
Greece: Illegal, violent deportations: the heavy toll of seeking asylum in Europe
Asylum seekers in Lesvos report that violent pushbacks by masked Greek coastguard forces persist, involving physical abuse, strip searches, theft, and potential use of migrants as auxiliaries. Read More
Moving borders with history: new ways of thinking about border externalisation
Europe is doubling down on its outsourcing of border controls to other states, particularly in Africa - and new ways of thinking about border externalisation are needed to generate effective responses. A recent academic article, summarised here, argues that postcolonial and decolonial analysis can help generate those responses. Read More
UK: Facial recognition cameras too racially biased to use at Notting Hill carnival, say campaigners
The Guardian, 16 August 2025. Read More
UK: Peaceful protesters treated as terrorists as politicians fuel far-right activity
Thousands of police were deployed to London last weekend to arrest more than 500 peaceful protesters, as racist protests took place across the country. There is a relentless crackdown on foreign nationals, now including immediate deportation for any non-citizen convicted of a criminal offence. Critics warn that mainstream political rhetoric is legitimating and fuelling violent far-right activity. Read More
UK: More than 200 organisations sign open letter in response to anti-refugee protests
More than 200 refugee organisations, charities, trade unions and more have signed an open letter to party leaders today condemning the anti-refugee protests that took place across the weekend. Statewatch is a signatory to the letter. Read More
UK: Authorities must clarify whether Online Safety Act will lead to Palestine protest censorship
A letter to the UK broadcast regulator and major social media companies seeks clarification over how online freedom of speech will be protected following the government's proscription of the organisation Palestine Action. The letter, signed by 24 individuals and organisations - including Statewatch - raises concerns that the Online Safety Act, combined with the UK’s vague definition of terrorism, could lead to lawful content being wrongly identified as illegal and removed. Read More
Will the EU finally stop financing Israel’s genocide in Gaza?
Last Tuesday, the European Commission proposed to partially suspend Israel from its €80bn Horizon science research programme, citing the “severe” humanitarian crisis in Gaza. But this proposal comes late, after years of funding military-linked research with minimal transparency or accountability. As the death toll mounts and Gazans face man-made famine, the EU’s role in bankrolling violence is under scrutiny. Read More