Archive
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
Turkey: Open letter calls for inclusive and comprehensive democratic reform and amnesty process
Together with 50+ others, Statewatch has signed an open letter to Turkish leaders calling for a reform and amnesty process in Turkey. 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: new documents show EU states want to further ease deportations
The latest issue of our bulletin on EU border externalisation policies includes: second revision of the deportation Regulation proposal; the EU parliament's development committee urged to tie aid to deportation cooperation; and the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU hailing Turkey-EU migration cooperation as a "success". Read More
Moving borders with history: new ways of thinking about border externalisation
Europe is doubling down on its outsourcing of border controls to other states, particularly in Africa - and new ways of thinking about border externalisation are needed to generate effective responses. A recent academic article, summarised here, argues that postcolonial and decolonial analysis can help generate those responses. Read More
Turkey: Political prisoners must be freed as part of drive to end prison overcrowding
A statement signed by 12 organisations, including Statewatch, calls on the Turkish government to release political prisoners as part of a push to stop prison overcrowding. Political prisoners are currently exempt from the scheme due to anti-terrorism laws passed in 2020 and 2023. Those affected include lawyers, journalists, politicians, artists, judges and prosecutors, and human rights defenders. Read More
Border externalisation: billions of euros, visa sanctions, and a wealth of documentation
The second issue of our bulletin on EU border externalisation policies is now available. Read More
New report examines redress for systemic human rights violations in Turkish messaging app prosecutions
PRESS RELEASE: A new report published today by Statewatch provides a comprehensive analysis of the Turkish authorities’ prosecutions of individuals for using an encrypted messaging app, providing insight into systemic human rights violations and potential remedies for those who have been wrongfully convicted. Read More
ByLock Prosecutions and the Right to Fair Trial in Turkey: The ECtHR Grand Chamber’s Ruling in Yüksel Yalçınkaya v. Türkiye
This report analyses the European Court of Human Rights' judgement in the case Yalçınkaya v Türkiye, which found that a conviction based on the use of the encrypted messaging app ByLock violated a number of rights: no punishment without law; the right to a fair trial; and freedom of assembly and association. The judgement represents a milestone in the legal and political discourse surrounding ByLock convictions, and should be used as the basis for retrials for the tens of thousands of people who have been punished for their alleged use of the app. Read More
European Commission wants to boost border spending by billions of euros
In June the European Commission proposed amendments to the EU’s budget for the 2021-27 period, arguing that existing finances are at “the point of exhaustion”. The changes sought by the Commission would increase the budget for “migration and external challenges” by €15 billion. Read More