News
Launched in 1999 and updated regularly, Statewatch News includes our own reporting and writing as well as articles, announcements, documents and analyses from elsewhere on civil liberties, EU policies and state practices. You can receive updates in your inbox by signing up to our mailing list, or use our RSS feed to get instant alerts.
Document: Trends and dynamics in international right-wing extremism and terrorism
A document circulated in the Council of the EU in early July on the issue of international right-wing extremism and terrorism. The note says: "Transnational links between foreign VRWE groups are increasing, with the phenomenon of accelerationism posing the most concerning threat."
EU deportation law must be rejected
The EU's proposed deportation law must be rejected by governments and MEPs, says a statement signed by more than 300 organisations from across Europe and beyond. The proposed law, which was published in March this year, would facilitate massive rights violations. It includes provisions for offshore deportation centres, the elimination of safeguards and increased detention periods, amongst other things.
Participants in Israeli "counter-terrorism" summit must withdraw
State officials planning to participate in a "counter-terrorism" summit hosted by Reichman University in Israel must withdraw, says a statement signed by more than 50 organisations, including Statewatch. The statement says that participation in the event is "particularly unconscionable at a time when, just 80 kilometres away, over two million Palestinians are subjected to constant bombardment and mass starvation."
Border externalisation: Deportation law negotiations, EU budget proposals, projects in Africa
The latest issue of our bulletin on border externalisation, Outsourcing Borders, is out now. Including: updates on EU deportation law negotiations; EU budget proposals and external migration control; details on EU projects designed to increase deportations and limit "irregular remigration"; and much more.
EU's deregulation agenda will undermine protections against surveillance and snooping
The EU's so-called war on red tape risks undermining, sidelining or eliminating a vast number of rules designed to protect people from toxic pollution, corporate wrong-doing, exploitation, and misuse of data and surveillance powers. A statement signed by almost 500 organisations, including Statewatch, demands a change of direction.
EU budget proposals: more external migration control, less democratic scrutiny
In mid-July, the European Commission published its proposal for the EU’s next long-term budget, for the period from 2028 to 2034. The Commission wants €200 billion for “external action” – a 75% increase from the current budget. Within this, external migration control remains a high priority. The Commission wants to penalise states that don’t comply with EU migration policies, whilst undermining official development aid standards and limiting democratic oversight.
EU prepares to give US direct access to police and immigration databases
The massive increase in violent immigration raids, detention and deportation underway in the US has put off many people from visiting the country. Soon there may be yet another reason to think twice about taking a trip to the “land of the free”: US immigration and law enforcement agencies could be given the power to search European databases, to identify people posing “a threat to US security.”
Document: Exploitation of new technologies for extremist and terrorist purposes
A note from the Polish presidency of the Council of the EU to the Terrorism Working Party, circulated on 20 June 2025.
Greece: Illegal, violent deportations: the heavy toll of seeking asylum in Europe
Asylum seekers in Lesvos report that violent pushbacks by masked Greek coastguard forces persist, involving physical abuse, strip searches, theft, and potential use of migrants as auxiliaries.
UK: Peaceful protesters treated as terrorists as politicians fuel far-right activity
Thousands of police were deployed to London last weekend to arrest more than 500 peaceful protesters, as racist protests took place across the country. There is a relentless crackdown on foreign nationals, now including immediate deportation for any non-citizen convicted of a criminal offence. Critics warn that mainstream political rhetoric is legitimating and fuelling violent far-right activity.
UK: More than 200 organisations sign open letter in response to anti-refugee protests
More than 200 refugee organisations, charities, trade unions and more have signed an open letter to party leaders today condemning the anti-refugee protests that took place across the weekend. Statewatch is a signatory to the letter.
UK: Authorities must clarify whether Online Safety Act will lead to Palestine protest censorship
A letter to the UK broadcast regulator and major social media companies seeks clarification over how online freedom of speech will be protected following the government's proscription of the organisation Palestine Action. The letter, signed by 24 individuals and organisations - including Statewatch - raises concerns that the Online Safety Act, combined with the UK’s vague definition of terrorism, could lead to lawful content being wrongly identified as illegal and removed.
Austria legalises state spyware amidst strong opposition
Austria is set to legalise the use of highly-intrusive spyware by state authorities. The government has justified the law in the name of monitoring encrypted messaging applications. Opponents warn that there is no way to prevent the authorities accessing reams of sensitive information on targeted individuals, despite official promises to the contrary. Civil society organisations and opposition parties have promised to challenge the law in court.
Frontex chases human rights activists for thousands of euros in court costs
EU border agency Frontex has been accused of "institutional intimidation" for demanding more than €11,000 in court costs from the sea rescue organisation Sea-Watch.
Italy's "systematic obstruction" of civilian search and rescue missions must end
A statement signed by 32 organisations from across Europe calls for an immediate halt to the systematic obstruction of non-governmental search and rescue (SAR) efforts by the Italian state. In the past month alone, NGO vessels have been detained three times due to legal restrictions based on allegations under the “Piantedosi decree" (named after the current interior minister). One vessel, Nadir, operated by the organisation RESQSHIP, was detained twice in a row. Deliberately keeping non-governmental search and rescue organisations away from the Central Mediterranean causes countless more deaths at sea on one of the deadliest flight routes worldwide.
New report examines Frontex's growing role in West Africa
A new report provides a critical examination of the evolving role of Frontex, the EU Border and Coast Guard Agency, in West Africa.
EU police chiefs seek limits to “ambitious overhaul” of Europol
Another upgrade to the powers of EU police agency Europol is in the works. The European Commission wants to see an “ambitious overhaul” so it can become “truly operational.” European police chiefs, however, are sceptical. A “strategic debate” amongst member state delegations is ongoing, but remains behind closed doors.
Frontex accused of failing to prevent pushbacks and child rights violations in the Balkans
Frontex’s own fundamental rights watchdog has raised the alarm over pushbacks and serious protection failures in countries where the agency operates.
UK: Undercover policing: new archive sheds light on the spycops scandal
In 2010, a police spy was uncovered in the UK environmental movement. His exposure set off a chain of events that led the government to announce an official Undercover Policing Inquiry. Now, a new archive gathers all the documents released by that inquiry since public hearings began in 2020. It is designed to help activists continue the fight against political policing and state secrecy, and to push for transparency and accountability.
EU states demand more migration control cash in next long-term budget
EU member states want significantly more money allocated to migration control in the bloc’s next long-term budget, set to run from 2028 to 2034. This is according to a document produced by the Polish EU Council Presidency and circulated on 12 June. Spending on external migration control from current budgets is already above expectations.
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