European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) Press Releases

• Published on February 13, 2025 - 19:30 GMT

  ITALY: Government considering new use for detention centres in Albania after third failed transfer ― Continued controversy and ICC ...

  The government is reportedly investigating the possibility of repurposing its controversial detention centres in Albania into repatriation centres. The impacts of the government’s decision to release and deport a Libyan general who is subject to an …

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• Published on February 13, 2025 - 19:30 GMT

  EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS: Egypt urged to stop abusing people on the move – Two mass graves uncovered in Libya ― Tunisian authorities ...

  An NGO has called on the Egyptian government to respect its international obligations and provide protection to people in need. Two mass graves containing 49 bodies have been discovered in Libya. The authors of a new report have accused the Tunisian …

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• Published on February 13, 2025 - 19:30 GMT

  GREECE: Council of Europe calls for accountability for human rights violations against people seeking asylum ― Greek Ombudsman ...

  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 …

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• Published on February 7, 2025 - 00:54 GMT

  ECRE Comments Paper: Screening Regulation

  6th February 2025 | News ECRE has published a comments paper on the Regulation introducing the screening of third-country nationals at the external borders, commonly known as the Screening Regulation. The Screening Regulation was adopted in June 2024 as …

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• Published on February 6, 2025 - 16:53 GMT

  UK: More crossings and record number of deaths in Channel ― Government presents draft migration and asylum law  ― Migration deal ...

  There was a 25% increase in the number of people who crossed the Channel in small boats in 2024, and a record number of deaths. The government has unveiled a draft law aimed at strengthening border security and repealing various elements of its predecessor …

  Distribution channels: Politics
• Published on February 6, 2025 - 16:53 GMT

  BELGIUM: New government presents ‘strictest migration policy ever’ ― Highest number of asylum applications for a decade ― ...

  The new federal government led by the Flemish nationalist New Flemish Alliance has promised major reforms to the asylum system. 39,615 people applied for international protection in 2024, the highest number since 2015. 3,000 single men continue to be …

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• Published on February 6, 2025 - 16:53 GMT

  GERMANY: Migration law proposal rejected despite far-right support ― Thousands protest against co-operation with far right ― ...

  The German parliament has narrowly rejected a migration law that was proposed by the conservative opposition and supported by the far-right. Thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest against mainstream political parties’ co-operation with …

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• Published on February 6, 2025 - 16:24 GMT

  OP-ED: The Christian Democrats’ Dangerous Gamble with the Far Right in Germany

  By Karl Kopp and Wiebke Judith By aligning itself with the far right, so-called Alternative for Germany (AfD), to push through brazenly unlawful asylum and migration policies, Germany’s Christian Democrats (CDU) under Friedrich Merz are not merely …

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• Published on January 30, 2025 - 17:22 GMT

  NETHERLANDS: Government urged to delay new asylum laws ― Inspectorate issues another damning report on Ter Apel reception centre ― ...

  30th January 2025 | News The Council for the Judiciary has urged the government to delay the introduction of its planned new asylum laws until the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum enters into force in 2026. The Inspectorate of Justice and Security has …

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• Published on January 30, 2025 - 17:21 GMT

  EDITORIAL: Europe tested or what to do when the world’s most powerful country goes rogue…

  By Catherine Woollard Before the inauguration of Trump, there was a lot of discussion both inside and outside the US of strategies for managing his pending arrival. It already looks very naïve after the blitz of measures unleashed, many of them truly …

  Distribution channels: Politics
• Published on January 30, 2025 - 17:19 GMT

  MEDITERRANEAN: Four children lost in two shipwrecks ― People seeking asylum subjected to invasive surveillance in Greek camp ― ...

  Four children have died in two shipwrecks in the Mediterranean. A recent NGO report has revealed that people housed in the closed controlled access centre on the Greek island of Samos are subjected to invasive surveillance practices. The Italian government …

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• Published on January 30, 2025 - 09:39 GMT

  EU External Partners: Commission planning overhaul of funding to Tunisia following abuse revelations ― Commission signs € 3 ...

  The European Commission (EC) is planning to overhaul its funding to Tunisia in response to revelations of abuses committed by EU-funded security forces. The EC has signed a € 3 billion agreement with Jordan. The Tunisian parliament is deliberating a draft …

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• Published on January 23, 2025 - 23:54 GMT

  ATLANTIC ROUTE and SPAIN: Record number of arrivals on Canary Islands in 2024 ― New NGO report reveals shocking scale of deaths on ...

  23rd January 2025 | News The number of recorded irregular arrivals on the Canary Islands reached an all-time record in 2024. A new NGO report has revealed that at least 10,457 people died or disappeared trying to reach Spain via maritime routes in 2024. …

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• Published on January 23, 2025 - 23:54 GMT

  Balkan Route: NGO warning about Frontex data showing major fall in irregular crossings ― Agreement on Frontex deployment in Bosnia ...

  The Italian Consortium of Solidarity has called for ‘careful’ reading of new data from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) that shows a significant decrease in the number of irregular crossings on the Western Balkan route in 2024. The EU …

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• Published on January 23, 2025 - 23:54 GMT

  Training Seminar on Pact on Migration and Asylum

  The European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) is organising an in-person training seminar on the legislative instruments of the Pact on Migration and Asylum on 5-6 March 2025 in Brussels. Objective The aim of this 1.5 day training seminar is to …

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• Published on January 23, 2025 - 14:33 GMT

  EU EASTERN BORDERS: Major increase in crossings in 2024 ― Polish presidency to focus on on border security ― Polish government ...

  There has been a threefold increase in the number of recorded irregular crossings on the Eastern Borders route. The Polish government has made border security a priority of Poland’s presidency of the Council of the EU. The Polish government has adopted a …

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• Published on January 22, 2025 - 16:19 GMT

  AIDA Statistical Update: The Implementation of the Dublin III Regulation in 2023

  22nd January 2025 | News The latest AIDA statistical update provides an update on developments in legislation, policy and practice relating to the implementation of the Dublin III Regulation in 2023, and an overview of case law on the suspension of Dublin …

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• Published on January 22, 2025 - 16:19 GMT

  AIDA Comparative Report: Access to Socio-economic Rights for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection

  22nd January 2025 | News The latest AIDA comparative report provides an overview of access to socio-economic rights for beneficiaries of temporary protection (TPBs) in Europe. It covers the main trends, challenges and good practices regarding access to …

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• Published on January 16, 2025 - 21:08 GMT

  EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS: Criticism over EU transfer of € 1 billion to Egypt for ‘credible steps’ on democracy and human rights ― New ...

  Critics have argued that EU aid to Egypt strengthens President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s authoritarian rule and enables the repression of refugees and dissidents. Libyan authorities have deported more than 600 people to Niger. NGOs and advocates in have …

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• Published on January 16, 2025 - 12:58 GMT

  MEDITERRANEAN: Major fall in Mediterranean crossings in 2024 ― Fewer deaths and disappearances in Mediterranean in 2024 ― ECtHR ...

  16th January 2025 | News There has been a major decrease in the number of recorded irregular crossings in the Mediterranean. Although the number of recorded deaths and disappearances in the Mediterranean fell in 2024, at least 2,300 lives may have been …

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