Advocates urge reform of proposed human rights monitoring at EU borders
Several major EU human and migrants’ networks underlined in a joint statement that the human rights monitoring at EU borders proposed in the EU Migration Pact can only be effective if it covers all border management operations, independence is ensured, accountability for violations is strengthened, and suitable consequences follow governments’ non-compliance. The signatories further call for the mechanism to act on information received from individuals who are now outside the EU.
Estimates find that EU Migration Pact could increase immigration detention centres fifty-fold
EuroMed Rights has produced a briefing that simulates the impact of the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum in a border country like Italy, imagining scenarios if the proposed regulations would apply in 2020 (at a time when the number of arrivals are relatively low) and 2016 (at the peak of arrivals). It finds that in order to implement the proposals, the current immigration detention facilities would have to be multiplied by 7.5 in low-arrival years (such as 2020) and by around 50 times in high-arrival years (like 2016).
Frontex launches new legal action against pro-transparency campaigners
The European Border and Coast Guard Agency launched new legal proceedings to recuperate almost €24,000 in legal fees after winning an EU general court case against pro-transparency activists Luisa Izuzquiza and Arne Semsrott. The campaigners had sought access to the name, flag and type of each vessel deployed by Frontex in the central Mediterranean. Frontex had refused their request citing security issues, and was supported by a CJEU ruling in November 2019. This case risks silencing up future actions towards increased accountability of Frontex. In November, other freedom of information requests filed by Izuzquiza and Semsrott revealed the role of Frontex and the Greek government in the illegal pushback of migrants in Greece.
Advocates urge reform of proposed human rights monitoring at EU borders
Several major EU human and migrants’ networks underlined in a joint statement that the human rights monitoring at EU borders proposed in the EU Migration Pact can only be effective if it covers all border management operations, independence is ensured, accountability for violations is strengthened, and suitable consequences follow governments’ non-compliance. The signatories further call for the mechanism to act on information received from individuals who are now outside the EU.
Estimates find that EU Migration Pact could increase immigration detention centres fifty-fold
EuroMed Rights has produced a briefing that simulates the impact of the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum in a border country like Italy, imagining scenarios if the proposed regulations would apply in 2020 (at a time when the number of arrivals are relatively low) and 2016 (at the peak of arrivals). It finds that in order to implement the proposals, the current immigration detention facilities would have to be multiplied by 7.5 in low-arrival years (such as 2020) and by around 50 times in high-arrival years (like 2016).
Frontex launches new legal action against pro-transparency campaigners
The European Border and Coast Guard Agency launched new legal proceedings to recuperate almost €24,000 in legal fees after winning an EU general court case against pro-transparency activists Luisa Izuzquiza and Arne Semsrott. The campaigners had sought access to the name, flag and type of each vessel deployed by Frontex in the central Mediterranean. Frontex had refused their request citing security issues, and was supported by a CJEU ruling in November 2019. This case risks silencing up future actions towards increased accountability of Frontex. In November, other freedom of information requests filed by Izuzquiza and Semsrott revealed the role of Frontex and the Greek government in the illegal pushback of migrants in Greece.