EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS: EU accused of funding forced deportations from Türkiye ― European Commission President calls for development of ‘return hubs’ ― Egypt and Tunisia reportedly reluctant to co-operate with EU on migration deals; Libya showing more ‘commitment” ― NGOs denounce Tunisia as ‘not a safe place’ for disembarking rescued people and call for end of EU-Tunisia migration co-operation ― More than 300,000 people flee into Syria from Lebanon
A new investigative report has revealed the EU’s indirect involvement in forced deportations from Türkiye to Syria and Afghanistan. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for the development of ‘return hubs’ in advance of an upcoming...
ECRE Working Paper 21 – The EU-Mauritania Partnership: Whose Priorities?
ECRE has published a working paper on the EU-Mauritania migration partnership agreement (the ‘Partnership’) which was signed by the European Commission and the Government of Mauritania in March 2024. The working paper, entitled ‘The EU-Mauritania Partnership: Whose...
EU EASTERN BORDERS: Significant increase in irregular crossings on eastern borders ― Finland plans stricter rules on detention and entry bans― More ECtHR rulings related to Hungarian transit zones ― Poland unveils new migration strategy, including ‘temporary’ suspension of asylum rights
The number of irregular crossings into the EU via the eastern borders increased significantly in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The Finnish government has proposed to tighten its rules governing detention and entry bans. The...
ATLANTIC ROUTE and SPAIN: Spanish Prime Minister calls for early implementation of Pact ― Political row over arrivals in Canary Islands escalates ― EU announces € 14 million support for reception in Canary Islands ― Major boat tragedy off El Hierro ― Bodies found in boat adrift in Atlantic
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced that he will ask the European Commission to bring forward the implementation of the recently adopted EU Pact on Migration and Asylum from 2026 to 2025. A major political row is developing over Spain’s response to the...
NORWAY: Fence on Russian border under consideration ― End to automatic asylum for refugees from Ukraine ― NGOs express concern about proposed changes to migration law
Norway is considering following Finland’s lead in building a fence along its border with Russia. The government has announced that it will no longer grant automatic asylum to all refugees from Ukraine. A group of NGOs have expressed their concerns about proposed...
EDITORIAL: Irony Overload: Turning against the Pact
By Catherine Woollard In a strange reversal, the most ardent proponents of the Pact are now arguing against it, while those who opposed it – ECRE included – are focusing on implementation. Chief amongst the Pact repenters is the Netherlands, futilely proposing an...
NETHERLANDS: Netherlands leads group of countries calling for EU to speed up migrant returns ― Migration minister wants to install controversial warning signs in asylum centres and reduce length of residency permits for refugees ― Political agreement on proposed ‘Distribution Law’ despite government opposition
The Netherlands is one of two main proponents of a call by 17 European countries for the EU to speed up the return of irregular migrants to their countries of origin. Minister of Asylum and Migration Marjolein Faber reportedly wants to install warning signs that read...
MEDITERRANEAN: Disagreement About Funding for New Fence and Concerns About Surveillance on Greece-Türkiye Border ― Investigation into Migrant Death in Greek Police Station ― Italy Considers Further Clampdown on Civilian Search and Rescue Activities; Detains Another Rescue Ship ― Commemorations to Mark 11th Anniversary of Lampedusa Tragedy
The Greek government is planning to build a new fence on the country’s border with Türkiye and a new report by the Border Violence Monitoring Network has condemned the ongoing ‘lack of transparency’ regarding the use of surveillance technology on the borders with...