Archive
Inside the EU’s flawed $200 million migration deal with Sudan
Amid the horrors of the Sudan civil war, questions are once again being raised over what role EU funds have played in the ongoing conflict and, in particular, alleged genocide in Darfur at the hands of the Rapid Support Forces militia. Statewatch is republishing a powerful 2018 article by the journalist Caitlin L Chandler for The New Humanitarian, which explains the background to and effects of the EU’s “migration management” cooperation with Sudan. Read More
European support for Egypt: billions of euros for a dictatorial “partner” in migration control
A year ago, the EU and Egypt announced the launch of a “strategic and comprehensive partnership.” This comes with a €7.4 billion aid and investment package from the EU to Egypt. This article analyses this development in the context of regional changes, the ineffectiveness of “external solutions” to migration, and the impact of EU-Egyptian cooperation on human rights in Egypt. It argues that European support for Egypt underpins human rights abuses. Those abuses are then ignored or sidelined so that the EU can claim Egypt is a safe and reliable “partner” for managing migration. Read More
New externalisation bulletin: Sudan, North Africa, dozens of official documents
The latest edition of the bulletin Outsourcing borders: Monitoring EU externalisation policy is now available, featuring analyses on the EU’s position with regard to refugees fleeing the war in Sudan, the EU’s ongoing support for authoritarian and violent regimes in North Africa, and the release of dozens of previously-unavailable official documents. Read More
ECHR-Belgium: Deportation of applicant to Sudan: violation of Convention
Belgium's deportation of an individual to Sudan violated the rights to an effective remedy and the prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment, the ECHR has ruled. The case concerns a deportation that took place in 2017, when the Belgian and Sudanese authorities were cooperating closely on forced removals. Read More
New world disorder: digital attacks on freedom of assembly
A new report from Access Now examines how digital infrastructure can be blocked, shut down, or monitored to prevent people exercising their right to freedom of assembly. Read More
A useful summary: Europe’s Determination to Halt African Migration Makes Friends of Dictators
"The integration of the Sudanese security services means that Europeans are working directly with officials involved in propping up al-Bashir’s regime. Among these agencies are the Rapid Support Forces, an organization fashioned out of the Read More
The widespread impunity over migrant deaths by Ana González-Páramo
Ten million stateless people wander or barely survive around the world without nationality, rights or basic freedoms. Another 65 million have been forced to leave their homes, including more than 22 million refugees, the equivalent of half the population of a country like Spain. About 244 million migrants risk their lives in search of a better future in other countries on a life-threatening journey, often facing inhumane conditions, illegal detentions, sexual assaults, violence, slavery or kidnappings. Sometimes, the journey turns out to be the final one. Read More