European Parliament Assesses Croatia’s Readiness to Join Schengen
This week the LIBE Committee in the European Parliament (EP) discussed Croatia’s accession to the Schengen zone. The exchange was part of the development of the EP’s opinion on Croatia’s accession, which is a prerequisite for the final decision, which must be taken by...
Reception Crises: Dutch Authorities Appeal Ruling Ordering Respect For Right to Reception, Belgium Leaves Vulnerable Asylum Seekers in the Streets Without Shelter
Following a legal victory for ECRE member the Dutch Council for Refugees (DCR), the Dutch government has appealed a ruling ordering respect for the right to reception. In Belgium, people are denied access to apply for asylum and reception with authorities leaving 21...
Mediterranean: Pope Francis Calls Exclusion of Migrants “Criminal” as Meloni Vows to Crack Down on Immigration, Med5 Urges Frontex Operations in Third-Countries to Stop Departures, Cycle of Deaths and Distress Continues
Strong defense of migrants from Pope Francis as Giorgia Meloni expected to lead a far-right government coalition in Italy vows to crack down on immigration. Med5 countries float ideas of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) preventing departures from...
Frontex: EU’s Largest Agency Facing Scrutiny on All Fronts
The European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex has long faced critique, court cases and investigations and saw its former Director, Fabrice Leggeri resign in April amid scrutiny and revelations of misconduct and complicity in rights violations by the agency...
ECRE-PICUM Policy Note: Displacement from Ukraine – the EU’s Financial Response
ECRE and PICUM have published a joint policy note and factsheet that analyses the European Union financial response to support displaced people from Ukraine inside the EU. Since the invasion of Ukraine, more than 7.5 people have fled to the EU, including over 1.5...
UK: From Bad to Worse as Government Continues Policies Gone Rouge with Proposal to Ban Asylum for People Arriving Via the Channel and “Obsession” to See Rwanda Deportations Implemented
Under the new Home Secretary, Suella Braverman failed policies continue and even hardens through the announcement of plans to ban people arriving across the channel from asylum in the UK with no exceptions and the “dream” and “obsession” to see deportations to Rwanda...
Search and Rescue: Tragedies Off the Canary Islands and Greece as Death Count Continue to Rise for People Trying to Reach Europe – Civilian Rescuers Save Thousands of Lives
Dozens of people dead and missing after tragedies off the Canary Islands and Greece as death toll continues to raise across irregular sea routes to Europe. Civilian rescue operators have reportedly rescued and disembarked 10,000 survivors in Italy in 2022 but could...
Eastern Borders: Partial Mobilisation Sparks Arrivals to EU, Commission Calls for Reinforced Security Scrutiny on Visas
After the partial mobilisation order, increasing numbers of Russians have left the country including towards the EU. The European Commission has published guidelines calling on member states to ensure reinforced security scrutiny when issuing visas to Russian citizens...