MEDITERRANEAN: Greece under renewed pressure to end pushbacks ― Cyprus accused of failing to protect vulnerable groups from exploitation ― First deportation from controversial Italian centre in Albania ― IOM reports almost 25,000 deaths in Central Mediterranean since 2014

MEDITERRANEAN: Greece under renewed pressure to end pushbacks ― Cyprus accused of failing to protect vulnerable groups from exploitation ― First deportation from controversial Italian centre in Albania ― IOM reports almost 25,000 deaths in Central Mediterranean since 2014

The Council of Europe (CoE) Commissioner for Human Rights has demanded that Greece adopts a zero-tolerance approach to pushbacks and strengthens border safeguards. A report by the CoE Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has...
GERMANY: New government takes office; immediately orders police to turn away most undocumented people at border ― Far right party labelled ‘extremist’ by intelligence agency ― Proposal to let Syrian refugees visit home ― Rise in attacks against people seeking asylum in Berlin ― Court approves deportations to Greece

GERMANY: New government takes office; immediately orders police to turn away most undocumented people at border ― Far right party labelled ‘extremist’ by intelligence agency ― Proposal to let Syrian refugees visit home ― Rise in attacks against people seeking asylum in Berlin ― Court approves deportations to Greece

Friedrich Merz has become chancellor after securing a majority in the Bundestag after an unprecedented two rounds of voting. The new government has announced that it will refuse entry to most people seeking asylum with immediate effect. The domestic intelligence...
MEDITERRANEAN: Greece under renewed pressure to end pushbacks ― Cyprus accused of failing to protect vulnerable groups from exploitation ― First deportation from controversial Italian centre in Albania ― IOM reports almost 25,000 deaths in Central Mediterranean since 2014

MEDITERRANEAN: Fall in recorded crossings in first quarter of 2025 ― Greece redesignates Türkiye as ‘safe third country’ ― Frontex investigating allegations of pushbacks by Greece ― Three of ‘Moria 6’ acquitted on appeal ― First relocation of people from Italy to repurposed centres in Albania ― Malta steps back from plan to reform human rights conventions

The significant decrease in the number of irregular border crossings into the EU via the Mediterranean routes that was observed in 2024 has continued into the first quarter of 2025. Greece has redesignated Türkiye as a “safe third country” for people seeking asylum...
MEDITERRANEAN: Greece under renewed pressure to end pushbacks ― Cyprus accused of failing to protect vulnerable groups from exploitation ― First deportation from controversial Italian centre in Albania ― IOM reports almost 25,000 deaths in Central Mediterranean since 2014

MEDITERRANEAN: New data reveals large number of deaths in 2024 ― Controversy surrounding recent shipwreck and pushbacks continues in Cyprus ― Two key rulings in favour of people seeking asylum in Greece ― New plans for Italy’s detention centres in Albania ― Possible admission of government involvement in spyware scandal ― Backlash after Maltese prime minister’s remarks on reforming human rights conventions

International Organization for Migration (IOM) data reveals that 2,452 people lost their lives in the Mediterranean in 2024 The Cypriot government has refused to investigate recent pushbacks despite a journalist’s offer to present key evidence. The Greek Council of...
GREECE: Council of Europe calls for accountability for human rights violations against people seeking asylum ― Greek Ombudsman recommends disciplinary action over Pylos shipwreck ― NGO report reveals serious concerns about rule of law ― Court acquits Palestinian refugee on trial for people smuggling ― ECtHR grants request for urgent action to address ‘horrific’ living conditions in Samos centre

GREECE: Council of Europe calls for accountability for human rights violations against people seeking asylum ― Greek Ombudsman recommends disciplinary action over Pylos shipwreck ― NGO report reveals serious concerns about rule of law ― Court acquits Palestinian refugee on trial for people smuggling ― ECtHR grants request for urgent action to address ‘horrific’ living conditions in Samos centre

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights has called for accountability for human rights violations committed against people seeking asylum in Greece. The Greek Ombudsman has recommended disciplinary action for eight coastguard officers in relation to the...