EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS: IOM signs agreement on voluntary returns with Algeria – NGO report highlights mass deportations from Algeria to Niger – EU releases €1 billion to Egypt amidst concerns – UN experts issue warning over refugee rights violations in Egypt – Mass grave and secret detention facility discovered in Libya
The International Organization for Migration has signed a partnership agreement with Algeria on voluntary returns. An NGO report has highlighted the mass deportation of people on the move by authorities in Algeria. The European Commission has disbursed €1...
In Memoriam: Richard Williams
ECRE is sorry to share the sad news of the death of our former EU Representative, Richard Williams, who passed away over Christmas. Richard led ECRE’s EU office between 2004 and 2007, during which time he played a crucial role in helping the organisation to establish...
ATLANTIC ROUTE and SPAIN: Decrease in deaths along Atlantic route ― At least 50 people died in two incidents on Atlantic route in late December ― Significant decrease in arrivals on Canary Islands in 2025 ― Work begins on new reception centre on Tenerife ― UN experts condemn mass eviction of people on the move from settlement in Catalonia
There has been a significant decrease in the number of deaths of people trying to reach Spain but the Atlantic route remains particularly deadly. At least 50 people died in two separate incidents on the Atlantic route in the final week of 2025. There has been a...
EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS: EU top leadership visits Middle East ― NGOs decry Israel’s decision to stop them working in Gaza ― EU reportedly planning to expand migration support to eastern Libya – Tunisia releases several detained aid workers but others remain imprisoned
European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa visited Jordan, Syria and Lebanon at the beginning of January. A large group of international NGOs has raised concerns about the severe humanitarian consequences of the...
Joint Statement: EU states must not backtrack on refugee resettlement commitments
EU Member States have now adopted the Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Plan (URP) – a welcome step towards anchoring refugee resettlement at the heart of the EU’s new approach to asylum and migration. Despite this positive development, the newly-adopted...
ECRE Report: Study visit to Sweden on good practices in upholding the rights of asylum-seeking and refugee women and girls
ECRE and a number of its partner organisations from across Europe carried out a study visit to Stockholm, Sweden in June 2025 as part of an analysis of national practices in the protection of self-identified asylum-seeking and refugee women and girls. The specific aim...
Vacancy: Communications Assistant
The European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) is looking to recruit a Communications Assistant to assist its Communications Team for six months starting in January 2026 with the possibility of a four-month extension. Please see below links to the job description...
EU EASTERN BORDERS: Progress in construction of Finland’s costly border fence ― Hungary sues EU court over judgement on asylum rules ― UNHCR urges Lithuania to stop pushbacks ― Over 180 people tunnel into Poland from Belarus
The construction of fencing along Finland’s eastern border is almost complete in Lapland. The Hungarian government has filed a lawsuit against the Court of Justice of the EU over its ruling on the country’s asylum rules. The United Nations Refugee Agency has urged...