Caution necessary on refugee returns: Focus on Syrian-led transition
By Catherine Woollard Developments in Syria are welcome and the fall of al-Assad may open the door for return of refugees from Europe – eventually. However, there is a risk that European states prematurely revoke protection for Syrian refugees in Europe, in a rush to...
Online Event – Women and Girls’ Access to International Protection: Challenges and Legal Developments
ECRE is organising a webinar on women and girl’s access to international protection. Title: Women and Girls’ Access to International Protection: Challenges and Legal Developments Date: Tuesday 10 December Time: 11.00-12.45 CET (Brussels time) The webinar...
EDITORIAL: Do’s and really just Don’ts on Asylum and Migration
By Catherine Woollard As the new Commission takes office, and the politics suggests darker days for asylum in Europe, ECRE suggests some Do’s and Don’ts on asylum and migration. Do… implement the law Should go without saying but in this area of law it doesn’t. The...
IRELAND: More than 3,000 unaccommodated protection applicants on first anniversary of ‘No accommodation policy’ ― Report reveals violence and harassment experienced by volunteers helping protection applicants ― Significant reduction in protection applications in past six months
The number of protection applicants without accommodation has surpassed 3,000 and the situation has been exacerbated by the end of the government’s cold weather initiative. A new NGO report has revealed the “harrowing conditions” experienced by volunteers who help...
ATLANTIC ROUTE and SPAIN: ‘All-time record’ number of migrant arrivals on the Canary Islands in 2024 ― Crossing attempts and rescues continue on Atlantic route ― Spanish authorities announce ‘most comprehensive and ambitious’ migration reform in more than a decade
There has been an “unprecedented increase” in the number of irregular arrivals on the Canary Islands in 2024. People are continuing to try to reach the Canary Islands from northwest Africa despite the huge risks involved in trying to make the crossing. The Spanish...
UK: People stranded on Diego Garcia for years finally relocated to UK ― Government signs joint statement with Iraq as part of its ‘Smash the gangs’ policy ― Small boat arrivals surpass 20,000 since change of government ― France warns of ‘showdown’ with UK over irregular Channel crossings ― More evidence of ‘brutal and inhumane’ conditions in UK migration centre revealed ― Final asylum applicants leave Bibby Stockholm barge
Most of the people who have been stranded on the remote Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia for more than three years have finally been relocated to the UK. The government has signed a joint statement with Iraq, as part of its efforts to tackle the people-smuggling...
GREECE: Greek authorities accused of yet another maritime pushback ― Investigation reveals that Greek authorities knew that ‘Pylos 9’ were not human traffickers ― UNHCR expresses concern about deaths in Aegean ― UN raises concerns about identification and protection of victims of human trafficking in migration centre in Samos ― Protests in refugee camps over lack of interpreters
Authorities in Greece have been accused of yet another maritime pushback. A journalistic investigation has revealed that the Greek authorities were aware that the nine people who they imprisoned for almost a year on charges relating to one of the Mediterranean’s...
EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS: Egypt to ratify controversial new asylum law ― European Ombudsman finds maladministration by Commission regarding EU-Tunisia deal ― Civil society activists taken into custody in ‘anti-terrorism’ investigation in Tunisia
Egypt is on the verge of ratifying a controversial new asylum law. The European Ombudsman has found maladministration in the European Commission’s handling of documents relating to the EU-Tunisia agreement. Several civil society activists who support people on the...