News

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 our RSS feed to get instant alerts.

25 March 2020

Threats to journalists: The ’new normal’ in Germany

A five-year study of attacks on media workers in Germany reveals that "attacks on the press are the new normal", with the vast majority of attacks the work of right-wing groups.

25 March 2020

Mediterranean: Privatized Pushbacks: How Merchant Ships Guard Europe

It is not only governmental or quasi-governmental actors that are involved in the push- and pull-back of migrants to Libya. Private vessels are also playing a role.

25 March 2020

UK: Oval Four: Black man framed by corrupt police officer at London Tube station cleared 48 years later

All of the Oval Four have now had their names cleared after they were convicted following arrest by a corrupt police officer.

25 March 2020

UK: Rule of Law Monitoring of Legislation - Coronavirus Bill

The Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law looks at two key issues in the UK's Coronavirus Bill - its proposed two-year duration, and the parliamentary reporting requirements.

25 March 2020

UK: COVID-19: Protecting people in places of custody and detention

A new briefing from INQUEST looks at the need to protect people in places of custody and detention from COVID-19.

25 March 2020

Coronavirus derogations from human rights send wrong signal, say MEPs

"At least six European countries have announced plans to derogate from the European Convention on Human Rights, (ECHR), invoking the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Critics, however, fear that this sends the wrong political signal."

25 March 2020

EU: In fight against coronavirus, governments embrace surveillance

A round-up of new surveillance technologies being considered across Europe to deal with the pandemic.

25 March 2020

Hungary: Pandemic as Constitutional Moment: Hungarian Government Seeks Unlimited Powers

A detailed analysis of the Hungarian government's proposal to rule by decree in the name of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

25 March 2020

Greece should move migrants most at risk of coronavirus out of camps, says European Commission

Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson has called on Greece to move migrants most at risk of contracting coronavirus out of overcrowded and squalid camps on the Aegean islands. Rights groups warn that the pandemic opens the door to mass detention.

25 March 2020

UK: The Windrush Report: joint statement

25 organisations have issued a joint statement on the government's Windrush Lessons Learned Review, saying it "must mark a turning point" on immigration policy.

24 March 2020

Italy: Drone use authorised for monitoring quarantine rules

The Italian civil aviation authority (ENAC, Ente Nazionale Aviazione Civile) has authorised the use of drones on city streets to strengthen the capabilities of police forces and municipal councils.

24 March 2020

EU: European Commission will not introduce visas for US citizens, despite non-reciprocity

Despite a failure by the US authorities to introduce visa-free travel for all EU citizens, the European Commission is not planning to introduce visa requirements for US citizens.

24 March 2020

Senior MEP calls for EU action to stop coronavirus spreading to Greek migrant camps

It is impossible for refugees and migrants living in overcrowded Greek camps to socially distance or isolate themselves.

24 March 2020

Hungary’s state of emergency law is a ‘blank cheque’ to Orban, critics say

The Hungarian government wants the power to rule by decree. There is a danger the powers may stay in place indefinitely.

23 March 2020

Two new analyses and one new briefing: EU-Italy-Libya cooperation; Spanish migration policies

Statewatch is today publishing three new in-depth pieces, examining anti-migration cooperation between the EU, Italy and Libya; the renewal of Italy's Memorandum of Understanding with Libya and the accompanying parliamentary debate; and a briefing outlining demands for the new Spanish government to ensure that its migration policy respects human rights.

23 March 2020

UK: Anthony Grainger shooting: Six officers under investigation

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the killing of an unarmed man by the police in Manchester.

23 March 2020

Ireland: Coronavirus legal response: Dáil passes emergency Covid-19 legislation

New powers have been granted to the Irish authorities to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

23 March 2020

UK: Hostile environment risks public health during coronavirus outbreak

A warning that the UK government's "hostile environment" for undocumented migrants needs to be abolished in order to protect public health.

23 March 2020

UK: "Two Years Is Too Long" for "Draconian" Coronavirus Bill, Warn MPs & Rights Groups

The government's proposal to introduce emergency powers for two years needs to be cut down to size, say civil liberties groups.

 

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