Archive
Greece: Two arrested and charged with “facilitating illegal immigration” for refugee transport effort denouncing EU policies
Two political activists from the Basque Country have been detained in Greece and charged with "facilitating illegal immigration" after attempting to transport eight refugees out of the country, in an "initiative of solidarity in denunciation of unjust European migration policies and in defence of human rights." Read More
The EU’s military mission against Mediterranean migration: what “deterrent effect”? by Chris Jones
Operation Sophia, the EU’s military mission targeting migrant smuggling in the Mediterranean, has a “deterrence effect” that “by its presence alone, enhances security in the Mediterranean,” according to an internal report by the Italian naval officer in charge of the deployment. Yet as people continue crossing the central Mediterranean, and increasing numbers of them die whilst trying to do so, the only reasonable question to be asked is: what deterrent effect? Read More
Eurodac: Member States want wider police access to biometric database despite most having never made use of it by Chris Jones
A European Commission proposal to expand the Eurodac biometric database has provided the perfect opportunity for national interior ministries to demand that police forces be able to obtain asylum-seekers’ and irregular migrants’ data more easily, despite the fact that half of all Member States do “not yet have experience with law enforcement access” to the system, according to an official document obtained by Statewatch. Read More
EU-UK: May to let MPs ‘scrutinise’ Brexit plan
"British Prime Minister Theresa May signalled ahead of a House of Commons debate Wednesday (12 October) that she would let parliament scrutinise her plan for Brexit before she begins the formal process to exit the Read More
EU: Council, Europol and “expert group” press on with plans to boost “information exchange and information management”
In May this year the Council of the EU drew up an extensive "roadmap to enhance information exchange and information management" in relation to justice and home affairs policies - principally policing, migration and counter-terrorism. Read More
UK: Help reunite refugee families, faith leaders urge May
"More than 200 religious leaders have urged the UK to relax immigration rules so refugees from Syria and other areas can be reunited with their families. In a letter to the prime minister, they say Read More
EU-TURKEY: 13 migrants returned from Greece to Turkey with no opportunity to access legal assistance
On 8 September, 13 migrants were returned from Lesvos to Turkey without being given the opportunity to access legal assistance. 10 of the migrants - from Pakistan, Iraq, Yemen, Egypt, Algeria, Palestine and Lebanon - Read More
Brexit: EU justice and home affairs without the UK
"On 16 September, the heads of state or government of the 27 will meet in Bratislava. They will continue a political reflection to give impetus to further reforms and to the development of the EU Read More
Refugee crisis: latest news from across Europe (12.9.16)
- GREECE: Open letter from Syrian and Iraqi refugees in Ritsona camp A translation of a letter written by Syrian and Iraqi refugees living in the Ritsona camp near Chalkida in Greece, around one hour Read More
EU: France and Germany propose EU ‘defence union’
"Germany and France have drawn up plans for closer EU defence cooperation, including a new military HQ and swifter deployment of overseas missions. The ideas were outlined by the two countries’ defence ministers, Ursula Von Read More