EU data protection chief launches Frontex investigation
Warsaw-based Frontex is likely violating rights by data dumping migrant testimonies with the EU's police agency Europol, according to a data protection authority.
Opinion
Who's next to lead International Organization for Migration?
On 15 May, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will elect its next leader. Just like five years ago, the contest is not without controversy, with member states divided over prospective candidates.
Frontex policy on rights-abusing EU states 'not fit for purpose'
Rules requiring the EU's border agency Frontex to suspend operations in member states where rights are being violated "are not fit for purpose", said a European Commission official.
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Majority of EU states in 2022 did not resettle a single refugee
A majority of EU states failed to resettle refugees last year, reneging on their past promises to help evacuate a total of 20,000 people vetted by the UN refugee agency.
EU presidency seeks to place kids and families in asylum detention
The Swedish EU presidency is bargaining away rights and punching holes in EU law as means to convince front-line member states like Italy and Greece to take on more responsibilities when it comes to processing asylum claims.
EU: Lithuania can't use untrained volunteer border guards
Lithuania border guards must be properly trained, the European Commission has said — after Lithuania amended its state border law to allow volunteers to patrol alongside its national guards.
Opinion
Why creating a new legal class of 'climate refugees' is a bad idea
Calls for developed countries to prepare for the arrival of "climate refugees" and to expand the UN Refugee Convention accordingly are uninformed and, worse, counter-productive.
EU criminal complicity in Libya needs recognition, says expert
EU and Italian complicity in crimes against humanity in Libya has yet to grip the public debate among EU circles, says the lead author of a new European Parliament study.
EU relying on 'ineffective' Greek body to probe pushback video
The European Commission says it cannot act on latest revelations by the New York Times of illegal pushbacks of asylum-seekers until authorities in Greece first conduct a national investigation. Critics say those same authorities are politically compromised and ineffective.
Predicting migration: the opaque science behind AI technologies
European states and international organisations have developed technologies to detect migration patterns and predict the number of people from third countries seeking asylum in the EU. But doubts have been raised about the effectiveness and desirability of using predictive technologies.
Frontex continues operation after Russian jet interception
Russia appears to be ratcheting up its aggressive tactics after one of its jet fighters intercepted a Polish patrol plane in a Romanian-led operation coordinated by Frontex over the Black Sea.
EU lawmakers 'hold breath' on eve of AI vote
European lawmakers regulating the risks of artificial intelligence are likely to face resistance from EU states ahead of negotiations later this year and possibly even among their peers ahead of a plenary vote.
Croatia carrying out violent and illegal pushbacks, says NGO
Illegal pushbacks of migrants and asylum seekers has fully resumed following Croatia's entry into the border-free Schengen area, according to Human Rights Watch in a new 94-page report.
Lithuania law to allow 'volunteer' border guards to use violence
Lithuania's parliament passed a controversial new law allowing volunteers from around Europe to join its national border guard force — while giving them the right to use violence against asylum seekers and migrants crossing in from Belarus.
MEPs lay out asylum vision as majority back fence funds
MEPs leading files on the EU asylum reform want binding relocations of asylum seekers in times of crisis, a contentious issue for member states. But some capitals will be pleased that most MEPs also endorsed EU funding for border fences.
Dutch raise discrepancy in Sweden's draft EU asylum bill
Internal discussions on a key EU asylum bill have led to a raft of opposition from member states that have yet to agree on numerous issues.
EU asylum relocation scheme struggles to deliver
Just over 300 asylum seekers were relocated from Italy this year under a French-inspired EU scheme. All went to Germany.
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EU to study Italian state of emergency on migration
A European Commission spokesperson told reporters in Brussels that they first need "to see what the state of emergency implies", noting that it is Italy's national competence to make such declarations.
Malta refused to rescue boat in distress, say campaigners
Malta refused to help rescue hundreds of people on a fishing boat in distress in their regional waters, according to campaigners.
NGOs appear in over 1,000 Frontex smuggling documents
Frontex officers regularly interrogate asylum seekers to glean information of possible smuggling and trafficking suspects. This is then shared with the EU's police agency, Europol. Frontex says it has over 1,000 documents linked to those interrogations where NGOs appear.
Opinion
The EU-Turkey migration deal is dead on arrival at this summit
As leaders meet for their Brussels summit on migration, the 2016 "deal" with Turkey is a prime example of why the EU should not transfer its own responsibilities regarding migration to third states.
Sweden worried by EU visa-free deal with Venezuela
Sweden has resumed EU talks on tightening visas for countries with lots of "unfounded" asylum-seekers, mentioning Colombia, Georgia, and Venezuela.
Spain denies any responsibility in Melilla migrant deaths
The Spanish government denies any responsibility over the deaths of some 23 people who attempted to cross from Morocco into its north African Melilla enclave last summer.
EU fears Tunisia turmoil will spark migrant boat departures
The potential economic collapse of Tunisia has startled EU decision-makers amid fears that more migrants may leave on boats towards Europe.
Opinion
Why the EU double standards on mental help for asylum seekers?
In many EU member states, access to services is dependent on successful refugee status determination. Until then, asylum seekers may not be able to get housing, education, or jobs and can also face significant barriers to receiving psychosocial support.
Most Frontex deportations to take place from Germany, Italy
Most return flights carried out by the EU's border police Frontex this year will take place in Italy and Germany. The flights are part of wider push to get EU states to use Frontex to return rejected asylum seekers.
EU says Libya needs more boats after latest drowning tragedy
The European Commission is promising more support for Libya, after some 30 people drowned in Mediterranean Sea — in a response that mirrors Brussels' reaction after 76 died off the Italian coast two weeks ago.
UN envoy criticises Greece for human right defenders crackdown
Mary Lawlor, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, says she has "serious concerns" about Greek criminal investigations into people who help migrants and asylum seekers.
EU responds to Italy drownings with more support for Libya
In a letter to Italy's prime minister, concerning the shipwreck that killed some 70 people, the European Commission suggests shoring up the Libyan coast guard and launching anti-smuggling partnerships with Tunisia and Egypt.
Crotone shipwreck triggers police vs coastguard blame game
As the body count continues to rise from the Crotone shipwreck off the Calabria coast, authorities in Italy are looking for who to blame. At least 68 people are now confirmed dead, including children, after a 20-metre boat sank.
Asylum seekers sleeping rough in Brussels continues to mount
The number of tents of asylum seekers sleeping rough along the canal in the centre of Brussels continues to mount. Over a week ago, the Flemish Refugee Action, a Brussels-based NGO, counted 60. On Thursday (23 February), EUobserver counted 122.
Treat EU asylum stats 'with caution', warn NGOs
Recognition-rates for asylum hovers at around 40 percent across the EU (plus Norway and Switzerland), according to the European Union Agency for Asylum. But this seemingly-low figure doesn't include cases won on appeal and others who received humanitarian status.
Opinion
EU migration policy will turn Greece into the jail of Europe
Europe is stepping back from its core values of human dignity, human rights and the rule of law, which have been the building blocks of the political edifice of the EU, writes Kostas Arvanitis MEP of Syriza/The Left.
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