Archive
Greece: Tents at Sea: How Greek Officials Use Rescue Equipment for Illegal Deportations
An exposé of the Greek authorities' use of rescue tents to leave refugees floating at sea after interception. Read More
Hungary: No more transit zones, now asylum seekers will have to apply abroad
The Hungarian authorities have responded to a CJEU ruling declaring that the detention of asylum-seekers in 'transit zones' was illegal by announcing a plan to enforce all asylum-seekers to present their requests from protection at Hungarian consulates. Read More
New analysis: reinforcement of Frontex runs into legal problems
An internal Frontex report published today by Statewatch highlights a series of issues in implementing the agency’s new legislation, including uncertain legal terminology and delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More
Risk of repression: New rules on civil society supporting refugees and migrants in Greece
"The operation of civil society in Greece has consistently contributed to strengthening the rule of law, accountability of the state, transparency and the protection of human rights, in particular the rights of minorities and the most vulnerable. Read More
Syrian refugees in Cyprus pushed back to Turkey
"On 15 May 2020, the administration of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) forcibly sent 100 Syrian refugees, including unaccompanied children, to Mersin, Turkey. They have been transferred to Kilis, near the Syrian border, where they are now. Most of the 100 Syrian refugees – 56 – are children and women and girls are in the majority. Read More
EU-Turkey: 369 Syrians deported to Turkey through EU fund for refugees
At the end of April the European Commission slipped out the 'Fourth Annual Report on the Facility for Refugees in Turkey', which summarises how the €6 billion committed by the EU and the member states to projects in Turkey, as part of the March 2016 EU-Turkey deal, has been used. Amongst other things, the funds have paid for the deportation of 369 Syrians from the EU to Turkey. Read More
EU: Border externalisation: European Parliament gives green light to Frontex operations in Serbia and Montenegro
The European Parliament has voted to approve two agreements allowing Frontex operations outside the EU: one between the EU and Serbia, and the other between the EU and Montenegro. Read More
Italy: Thousands of undocumented migrants to get Italian work permits
"Threatened by food shortages and health risks, Rome gives a six-month amnesty for thousands of undocumented migrants. Read More
Fears mount over migrants dying ‘out of sight’ in Mediterranean
"More and more migrants are crossing, Europe is closing its ports and no humanitarian ships are carrying out rescues. As the coronavirus pandemic dominates headlines, activists fear the Mediterranean is the scene of an overlooked “tragedy”. Read More
Greece: Coronavirus cases among refugees on Lesbos spark fresh calls for evacuation
NGOs say infections among arriving refugees show urgent need to move more migrants from Moria camp to mainland. Read More