Greece: Detainees on Hunger-strike Protesting Torture, Government to Pay Compensation for Inhumane Conditions, New Reports of Systematic Pushbacks
A group of detainees in the Paranesti pre-removal detention centre in the Northeast Drama region of Greece began a hunger-strike on 30 January, protesting torture by police officers. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has confirmed a settlement in which the...
Balkan Route: Croatia Blocks MEPs from Visiting Border where Abuse and Pushbacks also Target Children
Croatia has blocked MEPs from visiting its border with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and claims the intention of the visit was to damage the country’s reputation. Several thousand people continue to fend for themselves in neighbouring BiH, including families with small...
Atlantic Route: Ombudsman Demands Free Movement for Asylum Seekers, Investigations into Possible Hate Crimes, Covid Outbreak in Reception Centre
As several thousand people continue to be trapped in the Canary Islands, the Spanish Ombudsman has called on the interior ministry to stop preventing asylum seekers to move freely within Spanish territory. The public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation...
New EU Agreement with Afghanistan Amid Deteriorating Security Situation
A new agreement called the ”Joint Declaration on Migration Cooperation between Afghanistan and the EU’ (JDMC) is set to be approved by the Council of the EU. The agreement which is leaked by Statewatch aims to increase deportations amid a deteriorating security...
Agreement on the European Social Fund+ for Social inclusion, Including Integration of Third Country Nationals
Last week, on the 28 of January, the European Parliament and the Council have reached a provisional agreement on the EU Social Fund Plus (ESF+), which will replace the current ESF by merging it with the existing Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), Fund for European Aid...
Malta: Detainees Report Torture, Health Personal Claims Detainees are Purposely Self-harming, Rights Gap for Children of Parents on Humanitarian Protection
The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) confirms receiving reports of torture and abuse in Maltese detention facilities. ECRE members aditus foundation and JRS Malta, within the Malta Refugee Council, express shock over the lack of sensitivity by the Malta Union of...
UK: Court Urges Rehousing from Napier Barracks where Conditions Deteriorate After Fire, Home Office Fears Offering More “Generous” Housing, ‘Stansted 15’ Convictions Quashed
The dire conditions asylum seekers are facing at Napier barracks further deteriorate following a fire on 29 January. The High Court ruled that an asylum seeker must be urgently transferred out of the barracks, opening the door for more people to be rehoused. This...
Op-ed: The Pact’s Statelessness Blind Spot Must be Remedied: Here’s How
By Chris Nash, Director, European Network on Statelessness This week the European Network on Statelessness is launching its detailed analysis of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. Our commentary focuses on the impact the proposals set out by the European Commission...