Archive
Border externalisation: the cost of EU control in West Africa
This issue of the Outsourcing Borders bulletin reveals hundreds of millions of euros in spending for migration control in Mauritania and a plan for Frontex social media monitoring. Read More
Border externalisation: the EU opens a file on Syria
This issue of the Outsourcing Borders bulletin reveals extensive anti-migration spending and projects across Syria, Turkey and Senegal Read More
Border externalisation: the EU’s hidden discussions revealed
This issue of the Outsourcing Borders bulletin reveals discussions behind closed doors and an ambitious agenda in Eastern Libya. Read More
Border externalisation: the EU seeks deeper connection in Libya
This issue of our Outsourcing Borders bulletin covers the EU's latest actions in Libya, disinformation campaigns around West Africa, and more. Read More
How the EU coordinates migration control around Africa
Every year the European Commission produces a report summarising the state of external migration cooperation. Divided by regions and then countries, the report offers insight into the latest projects, spending and diplomacy the EU is using to pursue its goal of keeping people from reaching Europe. The January 2026 edition – covering activity in 2025 – reveals the EU continues to put significant effort into securing deportation agreements with African nations. It is also working to re-establish a diplomatic presence in the Sahel region, with an eye to restricting people moving through the region. Read More
Inside one of Europe’s most hidden detention centres
The charity Collective Aid has published a report on Lukavica, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s only official immigration detention centre. Lukavica is hidden from public view even as there are extensive concerns about the conditions for detainees, legal opacity and a lack of accountability. This article, written for Statewatch by Anna Gruber, Advocacy Manager at Collective Aid, explains the documentation process behind the report and what Collective Aid has managed to learn about detention in Lukavica. Read More
Clear, hold, build: the UK’s new ‘neighbourhood’ policing strategy built on colonial military practice
The UK's new policing strategy, “Clear, Hold, Build”, has deep roots in colonial and military strategy. While it has been re-branded as a successful, community-centric approach, it has resulted in police targeting of some of society’s most marginalised groups. This historical analysis shows how its imperial doctrine represents an introduction of colonial military methods meant to dominate, rather than uplift, local communities. Read More
Border externalisation: Frontex and the EU’s global deportation regime
The latest issue of our bulletin on EU border externalisation policies includes: a "comprehensive" strategy document for a radically expanded Frontex deportation mandate, the EU sees more room to grow in Libya migration partnership, and an internal security strategy presentation hints at further intensifying of border control Read More
EU-US data exchange proposal in conflict with EU laws
Since December 2025, the European Union and the United States of America have been negotiating an agreement to exchange information for security screenings and identity verification related to border procedures and visa applications. The European Commission’s current proposal, published by Statewatch, manifestly violates EU law. It goes much further than their limited mandate for negotiation granted by the Council of the EU and against essential data protection safeguards set out by the European Data Protection Authorities. Anyone’s data exchanged under this proposed agreement could be used for a wide range of purposes. This includes preventing or arresting people travelling to the USA who have voiced opposition to US policies in Europe, or for automated discriminatory profiling of travellers, including EU citizens. Read More
Joint letter to challenge the delay and limited transparency surrounding the establishment of the AI Act Advisory Forum
Statewatch has co-signed a letter to the Head of AI's office to flag concerns surrounding the delay and limited transparecny surrounding the establishment of the AI Advisory Forum. Read More