EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS: Frontex Denies Involvement in Pushbacks and Defends €400 Million ‘Expansion’ Tender ― Thousands Pushed Back to Niger from Algeria, Libya and Tunisia ― Discussions on Closer EU-Egypt Co-operation on Migration ― NGO Report Reveals Pushbacks and Pullbacks in Cyprus and Lebanon ― UN Increases Aid for Sudanese Refugees in Libya

EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS: Frontex Denies Involvement in Pushbacks and Defends €400 Million ‘Expansion’ Tender ― Thousands Pushed Back to Niger from Algeria, Libya and Tunisia ― Discussions on Closer EU-Egypt Co-operation on Migration ― NGO Report Reveals Pushbacks and Pullbacks in Cyprus and Lebanon ― UN Increases Aid for Sudanese Refugees in Libya

13th September 2024 | News

The executive director of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) has denied allegations of the agency’s involvement in pushbacks and defended the need for €400 million of surveillance equipment. Alarme Phone Sahara has reported that nearly 20,000 people...
BALKAN ROUTE: Decrease in Number of People Using Balkan Route ― More Deaths in Drina River on Serbia-Bosnia & Herzegovina Border ― Frontex Officers Intimidated Into Silence Over Migrant Abuse in Bulgaria ― Immigration ‘Most Significant Challenge’ for Croatia, Says President ― Criticism Over Closure of Reception Centres in Serbia ― Slight Decrease in Number of Irregular Arrivals in Slovenia

BALKAN ROUTE: Decrease in Number of People Using Balkan Route ― More Deaths in Drina River on Serbia-Bosnia & Herzegovina Border ― Frontex Officers Intimidated Into Silence Over Migrant Abuse in Bulgaria ― Immigration ‘Most Significant Challenge’ for Croatia, Says President ― Criticism Over Closure of Reception Centres in Serbia ― Slight Decrease in Number of Irregular Arrivals in Slovenia

13th September 2024 | News

The European Union Coast Guard and Border Agency (Frontex) has reported a major decrease in the number of irregular border crossings along the Balkan Route At least 12 people have died while trying to cross the Drina river that forms part of the border between Serbia...
MEDITERRANEAN: Over 1,000 Recorded Deaths in Central Mediterranean Sea in 2024 ― NGOs Mark Ten Years of Civilian Sea Rescue in Central Mediterranean Sea Amid Accusations of ‘Double Standards’ Surrounding Bayesian Yacht Tragedy ― Human Rights NGO Accuses Cyprus of ‘Secondary Refoulement’ of Syrian Refugees ― Greek Coastguard Warns of Dangerous New Tactics Used By People Smugglers; Stands Accused of Causing Death of Migrant By Firing on Boat ― Third Detention Order for Geo Barents Rescue Ship ― Human Rights Award for Maltese NGO

MEDITERRANEAN: Over 1,000 Recorded Deaths in Central Mediterranean Sea in 2024 ― NGOs Mark Ten Years of Civilian Sea Rescue in Central Mediterranean Sea Amid Accusations of ‘Double Standards’ Surrounding Bayesian Yacht Tragedy ― Human Rights NGO Accuses Cyprus of ‘Secondary Refoulement’ of Syrian Refugees ― Greek Coastguard Warns of Dangerous New Tactics Used By People Smugglers; Stands Accused of Causing Death of Migrant By Firing on Boat ― Third Detention Order for Geo Barents Rescue Ship ― Human Rights Award for Maltese NGO

6th September 2024 | News

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has estimated that more than 1,000 people have died or been reported missing in the central Mediterranean Sea since the start of 2024. Civilian search and rescue (SAR) organisations have commemorated the tenth...
ATLANTIC ROUTE and SPAIN: Canary Islands Government Accuses Spanish State of Abandoning Its Responsibilities Amid Serious Migration ‘Crisis’; Invites European Commission President to Witness Situation ― Up to 1,500 People Swim to Ceuta ― Spanish Prime Minister Visits West Africa; Signs New Agreements ― Spanish Police Boat Runs Over Migrant Boat Near Melilla

ATLANTIC ROUTE and SPAIN: Canary Islands Government Accuses Spanish State of Abandoning Its Responsibilities Amid Serious Migration ‘Crisis’; Invites European Commission President to Witness Situation ― Up to 1,500 People Swim to Ceuta ― Spanish Prime Minister Visits West Africa; Signs New Agreements ― Spanish Police Boat Runs Over Migrant Boat Near Melilla

6th September 2024 | News

The Canary Islands government has accused the Spanish state of ‘abandoning’ its responsibility towards the archipelago as it faces a serious migration “crisis”, and has invited European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to witness the situation. Up to 1,500...
In Memoriam: Frits Florin (1937 – 2024)

In Memoriam: Frits Florin (1937 – 2024)

6th September 2024 | News

The European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) is sorry to share the sad news about its co-founder Frits Florin who died on 15 August 2024 aged 87. Frits was the director of the Foundation for Refugee Students (UAF) from 1969 to 1976 and co-founded ECRE in 1974....
Advanced ELENA Course 2024

Advanced ELENA Course 2024

20th August 2024 | News

The 2024 Advanced ELENA Course will take place on 22-23 November in Porto, Portugal. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in European asylum and migration law and to engage with practitioners, academics and decision-makers from...
AIDA Country Report on Serbia – 2023 Update

AIDA Country Report on Serbia – 2023 Update

13th August 2024 | News

The updated AIDA Country Report on Serbia provides a detailed overview of legislative and practice-related developments in asylum procedures, reception conditions, detention of asylum seekers and content of international protection in 2023. It also includes an annex...