Council of Europe condemns new Greek law on NGO registration
The Expert Council on NGO Law of the Council of Europe has recommended the Greek government to revoke the Ministerial Decision on NGO registration adopted in September 2020 as soon as possible. Their opinion finds that the “onerous registration and certification requirements, coupled with the wide discretions on the competent authorities to refuse to register or certify applicant NGOs”, will further restrict civil society space in Greece, and increase “significantly and disproportionately the control of the State over the work of NGOs in the field of asylum, migration and social inclusion.”
Croatia: migrant human rights defender suffers harassment as authorities revoke asylum
In May 2020, the Croatian Ministry of Interior revoked the refugee status of an Iraqi citizen volunteering for a Croatian association supporting migrants, on allegations that he represents a “threat to national security”. The move comes after several episodes where he and his partner, who also works at the same association, were intimidated by the police and questioned about their work. The asylum case is currently pending review in the Zagreb Administrative Court.
Council of Europe condemns new Greek law on NGO registration
The Expert Council on NGO Law of the Council of Europe has recommended the Greek government to revoke the Ministerial Decision on NGO registration adopted in September 2020 as soon as possible. Their opinion finds that the “onerous registration and certification requirements, coupled with the wide discretions on the competent authorities to refuse to register or certify applicant NGOs”, will further restrict civil society space in Greece, and increase “significantly and disproportionately the control of the State over the work of NGOs in the field of asylum, migration and social inclusion.”
Croatia: migrant human rights defender suffers harassment as authorities revoke asylum
In May 2020, the Croatian Ministry of Interior revoked the refugee status of an Iraqi citizen volunteering for a Croatian association supporting migrants, on allegations that he represents a “threat to national security”. The move comes after several episodes where he and his partner, who also works at the same association, were intimidated by the police and questioned about their work. The asylum case is currently pending review in the Zagreb Administrative Court.