Archive
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
EU deportation law must be rejected
The EU's proposed deportation law must be rejected by governments and MEPs, says a statement signed by more than 300 organisations from across Europe and beyond. The proposed law, which was published in March this year, would facilitate massive rights violations. It includes provisions for offshore deportation centres, the elimination of safeguards and increased detention periods, amongst other things. Read More
Celebrating the life and legacy of Tony Bunyan
Join us as we celebrate investigative journalist Tony Bunyan’s life and work exposing state violence and documenting popular resistance. Read More
Participants in Israeli “counter-terrorism” summit must withdraw
State officials planning to participate in a "counter-terrorism" summit hosted by Reichman University in Israel must withdraw, says a statement signed by more than 50 organisations, including Statewatch. The statement says that participation in the event is "particularly unconscionable at a time when, just 80 kilometres away, over two million Palestinians are subjected to constant bombardment and mass starvation." Read More
Border externalisation: Deportation law negotiations, EU budget proposals, projects in Africa
The latest issue of our bulletin on border externalisation, Outsourcing Borders, is out now. Including: updates on EU deportation law negotiations; EU budget proposals and external migration control; details on EU projects designed to increase deportations and limit "irregular remigration"; and much more. Read More