Archive
EU-UK: Commission not happy with UK’s ‘action plan’ to fix unlawful use of Schengen database
The European Commission has condemned a UK action plan to remedy its mismanagement and misuse of the Schengen Information System as "not adequate... mainly because the implementation timelines of at least 10 of the recommendations are very lengthy and cannot be considered acceptable." Read More
EU: Increase in cumulative charges for terrorism and war crimes
A report from Eurojust, the EU's judicial cooperation agency, highlights the increasing use of "cumulative" charges against foreign terrorist fighters. Read More
COVID-19 and the justice system in Europe: lawyers’ association sounds the alarm
The pandemic is taking its toll upon the criminal justice system in EU member states, according to the CCBE. Read More
UN joint guidance on ensuring migrants’ rights during the COVID-19 pandemic
A note from the UN Committee on Migrant Workers (CMW) and the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants. Read More
The dismal UK Home Office response to coronavirus: the wider picture
"We've learned that closeness does not mean contact, so I hope that this can count as a Letter from Afar even if afar seems a strangely 19th-century way of talking about the distance between Newport and Bristol. I wanted to share with you some of my reflections on the UK Home Offices response to coronavirus and what it means for migrants and asylum seekers. Read More
Racial discrimination in education and EU equality law
A report by the European network of legal experts in gender equality and non-discrimination. Read More
EU: Guns, guards and guidelines: reinforcement of Frontex runs into problems
An internal report circulated by Frontex to EU government delegations highlights a series of issues in implementing the agency’s new legislation. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the agency is urging swift action to implement the mandate and is pressing ahead with the recruitment of its new ‘standing corps’. However, there are legal problems with the acquisition, registration, storage and transport of weapons. The agency is also calling for derogations from EU rules on staff disciplinary measures in relation to the use of force; and wants an extended set of privileges and immunities. Furthermore, it is assisting with “voluntary return” despite this activity appearing to fall outside of its legal mandate. Read More
First victory against French police drones
French rights group La Quadrature du Net have won a court case against the Parisian police's use of drones to try to enforce the coronavirus lockdown. Read More
UK: BAME people fined more than white population under coronavirus laws
An investigation has found that racial disparities in the application of laws to enforce the coronavirus lockdown. Read More
Greece: Tents at Sea: How Greek Officials Use Rescue Equipment for Illegal Deportations
An exposé of the Greek authorities' use of rescue tents to leave refugees floating at sea after interception. Read More