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.
Including: Greece: Situation for migrants and refugees goes from bad to worse / Frontex wants to disembark refugees in Senegal / Council Presidency and EU agencies want biometric databases for migrants and refugees in the Western Balkans
The Greek government is in the midst of an unprecedented crackdown against migrants and refugees already on the Aegean islands, as well as against those who are attempting to reach Greece from Turkey. Deploying police and military forces to the land border with Turkey in an attempt to prevent crossings, Greece has also said it will suspend the possibility to request asylum, a clear breach of EU and international law.
An annual report published by EU border agency Frontex suggests that arrangements could be made with Senegal for the disembarkation of people intercepted at sea.
An article in Slate argues that facial recognition technology revitalises some very long-standing problems concerning policing and the presumption of innocence.
A French court has ruled that the use of facial recognition technology by two schools in Nice and Marseille was illegal.
Steve Peers analyses the post-Brexit negotiating positions of the UK and EU in relation to justice and home affairs issues.
"OUTSIDE SARAQEB, Syria/ANKARA (Reuters) - Refugees in Turkey headed towards European frontiers on Friday after an official said the borders had been thrown open, a response to the escalating war in Syria where 33 Turkish soldiers were killed by Russian-backed Syrian government troops."
"In an unexpected move, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis decided on Thursday (27 February) to upgrade border controls to the “maximum deterrent” level to prevent migrants affected with coronavirus from entering EU territory."
Instead of providing sea rescue capabilities in the Mediterranean, the EU is expanding air surveillance. Refugees are observed with drones developed for the military. In addition to numerous EU states, countries such as Libya could also use the information obtained.
ECRI Chair to the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers: alarm bells are ringing over racism and intolerance
A review of the relationship between drugs and serious violence finds that a failure to treat drug addiction and an over-zealous policing response are two key factors.
The Cairo Institute of Human Rights calls on the EU to reconsider its relationship with the Egyptian government.
"The UK is to abandon a crucial tool used to speed up the transfer of criminals across borders with other European countries."
The EU should help introduce the biometric registration of migrants and refugees travelling on the 'Balkan Route', according to the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the EU, as part of a series of measures to tackle the "threats arising from an increase in migratory flows and smugglers' networks".
The European Roma Rights Centre warns that the Hungarian government is making anti-Roma statements.
"In a reversal of its previous position, the Scottish Government now says it will seek the UK government’s support in obtaining the full US Senate torture report, in order to establish what role Scottish airports played in CIA rendition flights."
Commissioner Ylva Johansson on sea rescues, relocations and a secret Libyan deal
Spotted an error? If you've spotted a problem with this page, just click once to let us know.
Statewatch does not have a corporate view, nor does it seek to create one, the views expressed are those of the author. Statewatch is not responsible for the content of external websites and inclusion of a link does not constitute an endorsement. Registered UK charity number: 1154784. Registered UK company number: 08480724. Registered company name: The Libertarian Research & Education Trust. Registered office: MayDay Rooms, 88 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1DH. © Statewatch ISSN 1756-851X. Personal usage as private individuals "fair dealing" is allowed. We also welcome links to material on our site. Usage by those working for organisations is allowed only if the organisation holds an appropriate licence from the relevant reprographic rights organisation (eg: Copyright Licensing Agency in the UK) with such usage being subject to the terms and conditions of that licence and to local copyright law.