February
The EU targets Guinea for visa punishment: a sign of what's to come
On 15 July 2025, the European Commission proposed punitive visa sanctions against Guinea, marking an escalation in its campaign to force third countries to cooperate on deportations. This move, based on Article 25a of the EU Visa Code, cites Guinea’s persistent “failure to cooperate sufficiently” with the EU’s deportations agenda. It is emblematic of the coercive diplomacy the EU is willing to resort to, even if the results of such coercion are unclear.
The US demands exemptions for military and diplomatic staff in the EU’s digital borders system
The US has demanded the EU give preferential treatment to its diplomatic, military and other personnel, exempting them from mandatory fingerprinting and facial scanning at the borders of the Schengen zone. An internal note from the Council of the EU provides guidance to member states on how to be “flexible”.
UK: More than 120 organisations call out government's proposals on earned settlement
Alongside over 120 organisations, Statewatch is calling out the UK government’s proposals and the accompanying consultation on earned settlement. The government’s proposals would disproportionately punish refugees and racialised communities, by imposing hierarchical and discriminatory standards for those pursuing settlement.
Joint statement condemning EU law enabling home raids, policing of public services and racial profiling
The EU must withdraw all provisions to expand and normalise immigration raids and surveillance measures under the proposed Deportation (“Return”) Regulation. A statement signed by Statewatch and 87 other organisations warns of the real and immediate threat posed by the proposals which purport to legitimise ICE-style immigration enforcement measures across the EU.
Submission to Home Office consultation on a new legal framework for law enforcement use of biometrics, facial recognition and similar technologies
On 12 January, Statewatch responded to the Home Office’s consultation on developing a new legal framework for governing the use of biometrics, facial recognition and similar technologies.
UN report warns of “existential threat” to civil liberties
Shrinking aid systems and expanding security policies are eroding democratic rights and freedoms, a UN expert warned in a report published last year that received no coverage from mainstream media.
Swiss government urged to rethink mass telecoms surveillance plan
The Swiss government should halt its plans to extend the widespread surveillance of telecommunications, says a letter signed by 19 organisations including Statewatch. The country’s federal government is planning to revise a law that obliges telecoms companies to retain data about users, in case it is of interest to the police. The letter warns this would violate rights, run counter to European jurisprudence, and create huge cybersecurity risks.
Border externalisation: "new and innovative" solutions for migration control
The latest issue of our bulletin on EU border externalisation policies includes: plans to pay third countries to intercept and detain irregular migrants, an update on visa sanctions as leverage for deportation cooperation, a new EU-funded pullback coordination centre in Eastern Libya and the EU's partnership with the Taliban for deportations
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