AIDA Statistical Update: The Implementation of the Dublin III Regulation in 2023
The latest AIDA statistical update provides an update on developments in legislation, policy and practice relating to the implementation of the Dublin III Regulation in 2023, and an overview of case law on the suspension of Dublin transfers. It includes the following...
EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS: Criticism over EU transfer of € 1 billion to Egypt for ‘credible steps’ on democracy and human rights ― New cases of migrant abuses by the Libyan authorities include mass deportation and torture in detention ― Tunisia’s detention of prominent refugee rights activists sparks international solidarity campaign ― Türkiye introduces new measures to facilitate voluntary return of Syrians ― Humanitarian agencies express readiness to relieve humanitarian crisis in Gaza following announcement of ‘tragically overdue’ ceasefire
Critics have argued that EU aid to Egypt strengthens President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s authoritarian rule and enables the repression of refugees and dissidents. Libyan authorities have deported more than 600 people to Niger. NGOs and advocates in have launched a...
MEDITERRANEAN: Major fall in crossings in 2024 ― Fewer deaths and disappearances in 2024 ― ECtHR rules against Greece in ‘landmark’ case on pushbacks
There has been a major decrease in the number of recorded irregular crossings in the Mediterranean. Although the number of recorded deaths and disappearances in the Mediterranean fell in 2024, at least 2,300 lives may have been lost. The European Court of Human Rights...
MEDITERRANEAN: NGOs accuse Greece of continuing to subject people in detention to ‘inhuman’ treatment ― Sharp rise in number of child arrivals in Greece and ‘alarming conditions’ in refugee camps ― Major increase in number of arrests for ‘people smuggling’ in Greece ― Council of Europe criticises conditions in pre-removal detention centres in Italy ― Geo Barents rescue vessel ceases operations ― Search and rescue NGOs fear ‘Flows Decree’ could further criminalise their activities
Three NGOs have accused Greek authorities of continuing to subject people held in pre-removal detention centres (PRDCs) to conditions which could amount to “torture or inhuman and degrading treatment”. An NGO report has revealed that the number of child arrivals in...
EU EASTERN BORDERS: New EC Communication on ‘Instrumentalisation’ ― Poland accused of pushbacks into Belarus ― EC refuses to release frozen funding for Hungary ― NGOs in Finland urge government to reopen crossing points on border with Russia
The European Commission (EC) is planning to increase the support it provides to EU member states to counter the instrumentalisation of people trying to cross the EU’s eastern border irregularly. An NGO report has revealed that Polish authorities have been using...
Op-ed: The fall of the Assad regime: A time for hope but tinged with uncertainty
By Tareq Alaows, Refugee Policy Spokesperson at ECRE member organisation PRO ASYL The fall of the Assad regime in Syria is undoubtedly a historic event – one that many people in Syria and around the world experienced with mixed emotions: full of hope yet tinged with...
EDITORIAL: Syria in the headlines; undermining the right to asylum in the background
By Catherine Woollard While Europe grappled with the momentous events in Syria, other developments this week may also have a lasting impact on refugees in Europe. As well as a heavy agenda at and in the margins of the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council, on...
Syria: European reactions to the overthrow of the Assad regime
Following the dramatic events that took place in Syria over the weekend of 7-8 December and which culminated in the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, the EU’s response has followed two tracks. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas led...