EDITORIAL: The proposed European Emergency Response Framework: Old habits die hard
By Julie Lejeune Some old habits die hard. Earlier this month, the idea to temporarily suspend access to asylum in emergency situations was pushed once again by Greece. This time, it has been presented in the guise of the “European Emergency Response Framework” that...
Interview with Hana Franková from the Organization for Aid to Refugees (OPU)
Tell us about your organisation The Organization for Aid to Refugees (OPU) is the oldest and largest non-governmental organisation helping refugees, migrants and stateless people in Czechia, with offices in Prague, Brno, Hradec Králové, Ostrava and Plzeň. Our team...
ECRE Policy Note: The EU Pact on Asylum and Migration: Putting new rules to the test
ECRE has published a policy note which assesses the first few months of application of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. Drawing on information from civil society organisations across Europe, the note examines developments at the EU level and the practical...
European Emergency Response Framework
On 16 September, European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen delivered the annual State of the Union (SOTEU) speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. In a section in which she addressed the ongoing situation in Ceuta, von der Leyen announced the...
MEDITERRANEAN: NGO questions states’ willingness to save lives after latest tragedy ― Trial of human rights defenders in Greece postponed until April 2027 ― European Court condemns Greece over poor reception conditions ― Questions over Italy-Egypt co-operation following convictions in trial related to death of Giulio Regini
A search and rescue (SAR) NGO has raised concerns about Mediterranean countries’ willingness to provide assistance to people on the move following a recent fatal incident. The trial of two human rights defenders (HRDs) who are accused of criminal activities relating...
EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS: NGOs demand release of detained journalists in Egypt ― Egyptian NGO highlights deaths in detention and during deportation procedures― Egyptian government reject s possibility of hosting EU ‘return hub’ ― NGOs renew criticism of Frontex co-operation with authorities in Libya ― EPP head issues border warning to Morocco
NGOs have raised concerns following the arrest of journalists from an investigative news website in Egypt. A new NGO report has highlighted dozens of cases of people dying in detention or during deportation procedures in Egypt. The Egyptian government has indicated...
SPAIN: Government suspends plans for special law to accelerate asylum procedures ― Human rights NGO accuses Spanish armed forces of violence against undocumented people ― Makeshift shelters destroyed by fire ― Demonstration in Madrid
The government has suspended a planned royal decree-law aimed at facilitating the expulsion or return of people who have remained in Ceuta two months after the mass arrival at the end of July. A human rights NGO has reported that members of Spain’s armed forces have...
UK: More deaths in the Channel ― Legal proceedings relating to small boat crossings ― End of ‘One in, one out’ migration scheme ― NGO documents injuries on people returned to France ― NGO reports disappearance of ‘hundreds’ of returnees ― Government announces (re)opening of refugee resettlement routes
At least four people have died in separate incidents in the Channel in September. There have been several legal proceedings relating to small boat Channel crossings in recent weeks. The UK-France migration deal has been scrapped. An NGO has reported multiple injuries...