Poland: Rule of Lawlessness Continues as State of Emergency is Extended

10th September 2021 | News

The Polish parliament has voted to maintain the state of emergency along the border with Belarus announced by the government on 31 August. NGOs have expressed concern over charges against two journalists seeking to report on the implementation of the measures in a...

Greece: Appeals Committee Rejects ‘Safe Third Country’ Return of Afghan Family, Pushbacks Continue with NGO Monitoring Prevented

10th September 2021 | News

An appeals committee has rejected the return of a vulnerable Afghan family, ruling that Turkey could not be considered a safe third country for them. Systematic violent pushbacks by Greek authorities continue as the parliament has approved legislation preventing NGO...

UK: Plans to Return Boats Face Headwind as Channel Crossings Rise, Discouragement of “Illegal” Arrivals Continues, NGOs Call for Safe Routes, Home Office Spends Millions Deporting Hundreds

10th September 2021 | News

The Home Secretary Priti Patel wants to authorise the Border Force to turn back boats crossing the channel, despite opposition from France, trade unions, international lawyers, refugee advocates and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).  As many as 1,200 people crossed the...

France: Asylum Court Changes Approach to Afghans, Obstacles to Family Reunification Continue, Judges Denounce “Pressure”, Evictions Continue

10th September 2021 | News

The decision of the French National Court of Asylum (CNDA) to consider Afghan applications through the lens of the UN Refugee Convention marks a change from the previous practice of granting most Afghans subsidiary protection under EU law. Afghans enjoying protection...

Bulgaria: Pushbacks Escalate as Government Discusses Reinforcements at Borders

10th September 2021 | News

Bulgarian politicians are debating reinforcement of police stationed at borders with Greece and Turkey, citing moderately increased numbers of people attempting irregular crossings. More than 1,000 indirect pushbacks were recorded over the first eight months of 2021,...