European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) Press Releases

• Published on December 19, 2024 - 13:48 GMT

  EU Eastern Borders: New EC Communication on ‘Instrumentalisation’ ― Poland accused of pushbacks into Belarus ― EC refuses to ...

  The European Commission (EC) is planning to increase the support it provides to EU member states to counter the instrumentalisation of people trying to cross the EU’s eastern border irregularly. An NGO report has revealed that Polish authorities have been …

  Distribution channels: Politics
• Published on December 19, 2024 - 13:48 GMT

  MEDITERRANEAN: NGOs accuse Greece of continuing to subject people in detention to ‘inhuman’ treatment ― Sharp rise in number of ...

  Three NGOs have accused Greek authorities of continuing to subject people held in pre-removal detention centres (PRDCs) to conditions which could amount to “torture or inhuman and degrading treatment”. An NGO report has revealed that the number of child …

  Distribution channels: Politics
• Published on December 13, 2024 - 20:54 GMT

  EDITORIAL: Syria in the headlines; undermining the right to asylum in the background

  By Catherine Woollard While Europe grappled with the momentous events in Syria, other developments this week may also have a lasting impact on refugees in Europe. As well as a heavy agenda at and in the margins of the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council …

  Distribution channels: Politics
• Published on December 13, 2024 - 15:11 GMT

  Op-ed: The fall of the Assad regime: A time for hope but tinged with uncertainty

  By Tareq Alaows, Refugee Policy Spokesperson at ECRE member organisation PRO ASYL The fall of the Assad regime in Syria is undoubtedly a historic event – one that many people in Syria and around the world experienced with mixed emotions: full of hope yet …

  Distribution channels: Politics
• Published on December 13, 2024 - 15:11 GMT

  Syria: European reactions to the overthrow of the Assad regime

  Following the dramatic events that took place in Syria over the weekend of 7-8 December and which culminated in the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, the EU’s response has followed two tracks. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja …

  Distribution channels: Politics
• Published on December 11, 2024 - 14:46 GMT

  ECRE Policy Paper: Rights of Women and Girls in the Asylum Procedure

  11th December 2024 | News ECRE has published a policy paper on the rights of women and girls in the asylum procedure and the implications of the recently adopted Asylum Procedures Regulation (APR). The paper highlights the challenges faced by women and …

  Distribution channels: Politics
• Published on December 10, 2024 - 22:57 GMT

  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, …

  Distribution channels: Politics
• Published on December 6, 2024 - 15:03 GMT

  Online Event – Women and Girls’ Access to International Protection: Challenges and Legal Developments

  6th December 2024 | News 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 ( …

  Distribution channels: Politics
• Published on December 6, 2024 - 09:57 GMT

  IRELAND: More than 3,000 unaccommodated protection applicants on first anniversary of ‘No accommodation policy’ ― Report reveals ...

  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 …

  Distribution channels: Politics
• Published on December 6, 2024 - 09:57 GMT

  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 …

  Distribution channels: Politics
• Published on December 5, 2024 - 21:58 GMT

  UK: People stranded on Diego Garcia for years finally relocated to UK ― Government signs joint statement with Iraq as part of its ‘...

  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- …

  Distribution channels: Politics
• Published on December 5, 2024 - 21:58 GMT

  ATLANTIC ROUTE and SPAIN: ‘All-time record’ number of migrant arrivals on the Canary Islands in 2024 ― Crossing attempts and ...

  5th December 2024 | News 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 …

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• Published on December 5, 2024 - 16:04 GMT

  Greece: Greek authorities accused of yet another maritime pushback ― Investigation reveals that Greek authorities knew that ‘Pylos ...

  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 …

  Distribution channels: Politics
• Published on November 29, 2024 - 16:23 GMT

  EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS: Egypt to ratify controversial new asylum law ― European Ombudsman finds maladministration by Commission ...

  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 …

  Distribution channels: Politics
• Published on November 28, 2024 - 14:56 GMT

  MEDITERRANEAN: People trapped in buffer zone finally allowed to enter Cyprus ― NGO report reveals more evidence of pushbacks in ...

  All of the people who have spent the past six months trapped in the buffer zone that divides the north and south of the island of Cyprus have finally been allowed to enter the Republic of Cyprus. A new NGO report has revealed yet more evidence of pushbacks …

  Distribution channels: Politics
• Published on November 21, 2024 - 15:48 GMT

  AIDA Temporary Protection Compilation on 2023

  The AIDA Temporary Protection Compilation on 2023 is a compilation of the annexes on temporary protection (TP) that were attached to the 2023 updates of the Asylum Information Database (AIDA) country reports for 19 EU member states (MS) and three non-EU …

  Distribution channels: Politics
• Published on November 18, 2024 - 16:57 GMT

  Vacancy: (Junior) Legal Officer – EU Asylum Law

  17th November 2024 | News The European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) is looking to recruit a (Junior) Legal Officer – EU Asylum Law. The position will be appointed at either Junior Legal Officer or Legal Officer level, depending on the successful …

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• Published on November 14, 2024 - 16:59 GMT

  UK: UK signs agreements with Western Balkans countries to tackle people smuggling ― Officials express doubts about government’s ‘...

  The UK has signed agreements with Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia as part of its efforts to tackle people-smuggling gangs. Officials have cast doubts over the government’s efforts to dismantle the people-smuggling gangs that are responsible for many of …

  Distribution channels: Politics
• Published on November 14, 2024 - 16:59 GMT

  ECRE Comments Paper: Regulation establishing a Common Procedure for International Protection in the EU

  14th November 2024 | News ECRE has published a comments paper on the Regulation establishing a Common Procedure for International Protection in the EU, commonly known as the Asylum Procedures Regulation (APR). The APR was adopted in June 2024 as one of the …

  Distribution channels: Politics
• Published on November 14, 2024 - 16:59 GMT

  Hearings of Commissioners-designate 2024

  The confirmation hearings for the 26 people who have been nominated by EU member states to serve in the next College of Commissioners (Commissioners-designate) took place 5-12 November in Brussels. The 26 Commissioners-designate, who were assigned their …

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