BELGIUM: New government presents ‘strictest migration policy ever’ ― Highest number of asylum applications for a decade ― Reception crisis continues amid decrease in local accommodation initiatives ― Legal Helpdesk assists 10,000th asylum applicant ― Planned reduction in housing for Ukrainian refugees in Wallonia
The new federal government led by the Flemish nationalist New Flemish Alliance has promised major reforms to the asylum system. 39,615 people applied for international protection in 2024, the highest number since 2015. 3,000 single men continue to be denied reception...
UK: More crossings and record number of deaths in Channel ― Government presents draft migration and asylum law ― Migration deal with Tunisia
There was a 25% increase in the number of people who crossed the Channel in small boats in 2024, and a record number of deaths. The government has unveiled a draft law aimed at strengthening border security and repealing various elements of its predecessor’s migration...
EDITORIAL: Europe tested or what to do when the world’s most powerful country goes rogue…
By Catherine Woollard Before the inauguration of Trump, there was a lot of discussion both inside and outside the US of strategies for managing his pending arrival. It already looks very naïve after the blitz of measures unleashed, many of them truly alarming in terms...
MEDITERRANEAN: Four children lost in two shipwrecks ― People seeking asylum subjected to invasive surveillance in Greek camp ― Italy resumes transfers to detention centres in Albania ― Recriminations over Italian government’s repatriation of Libyan general wanted by ICC ― El Hiblu 3 lose latest appeal against criminal charges in Malta
Four children have died in two shipwrecks in the Mediterranean. A recent NGO report has revealed that people housed in the closed controlled access centre on the Greek island of Samos are subjected to invasive surveillance practices. The Italian government has made a...
NETHERLANDS: Government urged to delay new asylum laws ― Inspectorate issues another damning report on Ter Apel reception centre ― Major cut in government funding for leading NGO’s legal protection programme
The Council for the Judiciary has urged the government to delay the introduction of its planned new asylum laws until the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum enters into force in 2026. The Inspectorate of Justice and Security has called on Minister of Asylum and Migration...
EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS: Commission planning overhaul of funding to Tunisia following abuse revelations ― Commission signs € 3 billion agreement with Jordan ― Tunisian MPs scrutinising draft deportation law ― More doubts over possible impacts of EU funding to Libya ― Record number of deportations from Algeria to Niger ― NGOs urge caution over Europol agreement with Egypt
The European Commission (EC) is planning to overhaul its funding to Tunisia in response to revelations of abuses committed by EU-funded security forces. The EC has signed a € 3 billion agreement with Jordan. The Tunisian parliament is deliberating a draft law that...
Training Seminar on Pact on Migration and Asylum
The European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) is organising an in-person training seminar on the legislative instruments of the Pact on Migration and Asylum on 5-6 March 2025 in Brussels. Objective The aim of this 1.5 day training seminar is to provide an...
Balkan Route: NGO warning about Frontex data showing major fall in irregular crossings ― Agreement on Frontex deployment in Bosnia and Herzegovina ― Agreement on border control co-operation between Croatia, Italy and Slovenia ― NGO shines spotlight on EU funding for ‘assisted voluntary return’ programme in Bulgaria ― Activists accuse Bulgarian border police of ‘deliberate neglect’ in deaths of three minors ― NGO highlights EU funding for border surveillance in Serbia ― Another European court ruling against Hungary for unlawful detention of people seeking asylum
The Italian Consortium of Solidarity has called for ‘careful’ reading of new data from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) that shows a significant decrease in the number of irregular crossings on the Western Balkan route in 2024. The EU and Bosnia...