Launched in 1999 and updated regularly, Statewatch News includes our own reporting and writing as well as articles, announcements, documents and analyses from elsewhere on civil liberties, EU policies and state practices. You can receive updates in your inbox by signing up to our mailing list, or use an RSS feed to get instant alerts.
The Council of Europe's Commission on Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) calls for Belgium to uphold the rights of undocumented migrants.
It has emerged that Metropolitan Police officers shredded files relevant to the ongoing, and long-stalled, enquiry on the infilitration of political groups and justice campaigns.
A new online book examines how the arrival of refugees in Europe from 2016 onwards "played into fears of cultural, religious, and ethnic differences across the continent."
The International Organization for Migration has called the returns "unacceptable".
The UK Home Office has announced the existence of a previously secret "joint state threats assessment team" (JSTAT) run by MI5, but has provided no meaningful details on its operations or how it is held accountable for its actions.
An article looking at resistance to the UK government's deportation flights programme, in the context of new authoritarian measures being deployed in a variety of contexts.
A statement from the Transbalkan Solidarity Group.
A new paper on how to ensure access to territory for persons in need of international protection during the COVID-19 pandemic.
(But Sure, We're Probably Being Paranoid About Face Surveillance)
Last week the European Commission published a communication setting out a plan for a "comprehensive strategy with Africa", which includes "migration and mobility" amongst its five key themes. The document is intended to frame talks between the EU and the AU as they move towards a summit in October this year.
On 12 March 2020, Italian press agency ANSA reported the contents of an interior ministry circular issued concerning restrictions on mobility first decreed on 23 February and repeatedly expanded upon in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, from Lombardy and 14 provinces (the initial "red zone") to the entire national territory. Presence on the streets must be duly motivated in a justification form, for essential activities, going to work and essential shopping.
"Over the past few days, people have been killed on the Greek-Turkish border! This is a direct consequence of political decisions by European leaders who would like to seal off European Union borders at all costs, notably by subcontracting the examination of asylum applications to non-European States and the encampment of undesirables. Everyday brings new unbearable images showing asylum seekers being pushed out or deliberately put in danger.
A petition started by dozens of human and civil rights organisations calling for a halt to the deadly situation at the borders between Greece, Tureky and Bulgaria.
"Germany's domestic security agency will run surveillance on the far-right Alternative for Germany's (AfD) most nationalistic group, the agency's president announced on Thursday.
"REVEALED: 1 Year-On After the Christchurch Terror attacks, Tell MAMA Reveals a 692% Increase in Anti-Muslim Hatred that Spiked in the UK After the Attacks...
A new analysis by ECRE looks at the use of the EU's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) for the relocation and resettlement of refugees.
"At the EU-Turkey border the situation remains alarming, and ECRE continued to speak out against the actions of the Greek government and the apparent support from the EU’s political leadership, and to promote the alternative response set out in our statement and urged by Greek NGOs. It is a relief though to see some signs of a change in approach.
"BRUSSELS — Turkey has signaled that it is winding down its two-week operation to aid the movement of tens of thousands of people toward Europe, following a tough on-the-ground response from Greek border guards and a tepid diplomatic reaction from European politicians.
Italy's fellow EU member states have failed to send assistance to aid the country with the coronavirus pandemic, but help has arrived from the Chinese government.
"Migrants on the Greek islands are to be offered €2,000 (£1,764) per person to go home under a voluntary scheme launched by the European Union in an attempt to ease desperate conditions in camps.
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