The majority of Hungarians did not yield to the government’s xenophobic campaign – Op-ed by Hungarian Helsinki Committee

7th October 2016 | News

On 2 October, the majority of Hungarian voters refused to cast a valid ballot at the so-called ‘quota referendum’. The referendum that asked ‘Do you want the European Union to be able to mandate the obligatory settlement of non-Hungarian citizens into Hungary even...

EU strong-arms Afghanistan to accept back people in exchange for aid

7th October 2016 | News

In the run-up to the Brussels Donor Conference on Afghanistan on 4 and 5 October, leaked documents illustrated how the EU is pressuring Afghanistan to take back Afghan nationals who were refused international protection in Europe and failed to return voluntarily in...

SOS Children’s Villages calls for quality care for children on the move

7th October 2016 | News

In a new position paper on refugee and migrant children, SOS Children’s Villages has outlined recommendations for states to ensure that children’s right to quality care is protected, no matter their migration status. “Half of all refugees are children. When discussing...

ECRE Comments on Commission proposal for reform of the Dublin system

7th October 2016 | News

ECRE has published Comments on the Commission proposal to recast the Dublin Regulation, tabled by the Commission on 4 May 2016 as part of the first package of reforms of the Common European Asylum Systems (CEAS). This paper follows ECRE’s earlier positions on the...

Overcrowded hotspots in Greece: Increased policing and planned transfer of the most vulnerable to the mainland

7th October 2016 | News

Following the fire in the Moria hotspot on the Greek island of Lesvos, the rape of an unaccompanied minor at the same site and reports on rising opposition of local politicians and inhabitants towards refugees, the Greek Alternate Minister of Migration announced plans...

New AIDA briefing on the length of asylum procedures

7th October 2016 | News

A new legal briefing published this week by the Asylum Information Database (AIDA) examines the length of asylum procedures across 20 European countries. The briefing analyses the transposition and implementation of time limits set out in the recast Asylum Procedures...

ECRE Comments on Reception Conditions Directive recast proposal

6th October 2016 | News

ECRE has published its Comments on the European Commission’s proposal to recast the Reception Conditions Directive, laying down standards for the reception of asylum seekers in the European Union. ECRE welcomes the improvements proposed by the Commission with regard...

Advanced ELENA Course: The Rights of Refugees December 2 and 3, 2016

5th October 2016 | News

Registration: Is now closed. Location: NH Berlin Mitte Leipziger Strasse hotel in Berlin, Germany. The Advanced ELENA Course: The Rights of Refugees will take place on Friday 2 December and Saturday 3 December 2016. The Course will be held in the NH Berlin Mitte...

Fear, fences and detention: some of the challenges faced by refugees in Hungary

30th September 2016 | News

Amnesty International and Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks have this week raised serious concerns about the situation for asylum seekers and refugees in Hungary. Unlawful detention, violation of the right to asylum, labyrinthine asylum...

No one deserves to die at sea – Reflections from an independent sea rescue organisation, SOS MEDITERRANEE

30th September 2016 | News

It is widely acknowledged that the Mediterranean Sea is the world’s most dangerous flight route. Since the beginning of this year 3.501 people have died or are considered missing.[1] For those of us working to save people in distress at sea, last week’s sad news of...