Archive
Submission to Home Office consultation on a new legal framework for law enforcement use of biometrics, facial recognition and similar technologies
On 12 January, Statewatch responded to the Home Office’s consultation on developing a new legal framework for governing the use of biometrics, facial recognition and similar technologies. Read More
The EU’s “new and innovative solution” to migration: pay other countries to intercept people
An EU Council document obtained by Statewatch shows EU policymakers dredging up an old idea - paying non-EU states to intercept and detain irregular migrants - in service of their larger project to prevent irregular migration to Europe. Read More
UN report warns of “existential threat” to civil liberties
Shrinking aid systems and expanding security policies are eroding democratic rights and freedoms, a UN expert warned in a report published last year that received no coverage from mainstream media. Read More
Swiss government urged to rethink mass telecoms surveillance plan
The Swiss government should halt its plans to extend the widespread surveillance of telecommunications, says a letter signed by 19 organisations including Statewatch. The country’s federal government is planning to revise a law that obliges telecoms companies to retain data about users, in case it is of interest to the police. The letter warns this would violate rights, run counter to European jurisprudence, and create huge cybersecurity risks. Read More
Border externalisation: “new and innovative” solutions for migration control
The latest issue of our bulletin on EU border externalisation policies includes: plans to pay third countries to intercept and detain irregular migrants, an update on visa sanctions as leverage for deportation cooperation, a new EU-funded pullback coordination centre in Eastern Libya and the EU's partnership with the Taliban for deportations Read More
Other
Visa Working Party discusses AI in “visa shopping” /// EMWP delegates reportedly discussed exporting digital visa systems /// The EU and Lebanon discussed future of Syrian refugees /// The UK is making more inroads on migration cooperation in Europe /// Italy and Germany to partner more closely on migration in Africa /// UK introduces absurd new migration-related offenses /// Portuguese MEP demands clarity on Solidarity Pool /// Frontex and EU Agency for Asylum publish new cooperation agreement /// Civil society scores rare win on Frontex judicial review Read More
Migration partnerships
Place of safety arrangements: a “new and innovative solution” for offshoring migration control /// The EU is funding a pullback coordination centre in Benghazi Read More
Deportation and readmission
France, other member states, displeased with limited use of Article 25a visa sanctions /// Deputy home commissioner updates parliament on readmissions cooperation /// The Commission targets Guinea for Article 25a sanctions /// Ukraine and the EU are working on a Frontex status agreement /// The EU is beginning to think about ‘returning’ Ukrainian refugees /// Frontex submits report card for 2025 Read More
Border management
Schengen Snapshot 2025 // The EU’s ‘long-term’ migration strategy /// Significant activity on digital border regime /// Update on Visa Facilitation Agreement with Armenia /// Visa restrictions for Georgian diplomats (and maybe citizens) Read More
Outsourcing Borders: Bulletin 13
“Nothing is inevitable, the future is not written and we are not powerless.” – Ann Fordham, International Drug… Read More