https://www.statewatch.org...
Statewatch | EU: Intelligence-sharing plan extended from asylum-seekers to "any foreigner involved in a migratory procedure"
In 2022, EU member states began discussing ways to increase the amount of information sent to intelligence agencies on "the timing and state of progress of applications for international protection lodged by individuals posing a terrorist threat". Now the intention is to cover not just asy..
Statewatch | Environmental activism under the EU counter-terror microscope
Next week, EU and member state officials will discuss “the role of climate change and environmental concerns in violent extremist and terrorist radicalisation.” A discussion paper for the meeting, obtained by Statewatch, considers the threat posed by “violent left-wing and anarchist extremism” – a h..
the big problem of border militarisation
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https://www.statewatch.org...
Statewatch | Racial profiling and "internal pushbacks" in new Schengen borders legislation
Statewatch is publishing the final compromise text of the revised Schengen Borders Code, which is due for adoption by both the Council and the Parliament. The text has been heavily criticised for encouraging racial profiling through the increased use of police patrols and checks at internal borders ..
https://www.lemonde.fr/int...
Elections européennes : Fabrice Leggeri, ex-directeur de Frontex, rejoint la liste du Rassemblement national
L’ancien responsable de l’agence européenne chargée du contrôle des frontières avait démissionné en 2022, visé par une enquête disciplinaire de l’Office européen de lutte antifraude. « Nous sommes déterminés à combattre la submersion migratoire », a déclaré M. Leggeri au « Journal du Dimanche ».
states vs. people’s mobility theme
https://www.statewatch.org...
Statewatch | Risk screening and watchlists: Europol and Frontex reports on development of the “permission to travel” system
Reports circulated by Europol and Frontex to member states last October show that the development of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) was – at least at the time – still plagued by delays, which both agencies blame on eu-Lisa, the EU’s database agency. Frontex’s report..
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Statewatch | EU: Police data access working group needs transparency and critical advice, says joint civil society letter
A letter signed by 21 organisations, including Statewatch, calls on the EU's new High Level Group on Access to Data for Effective Law Enforcement (HLG) to ensure its proceedings are transparent and that it facilitates the participation of independent civil society experts, instead of relying sol..
the proliferation of data collection and sharing among authorities for security purposes continues apace
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Statewatch | US migration data demands are “challenging”, say Norwegian authorities
Norweigan government officials have met with their US counterparts to discuss the US' demands for direct access to biometric, identity and criminal record databases as part of its new “border security” plan, according to a report in the newspaper Bergens Tidende. The Norweigan police have appare..
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Statewatch | EU missions in Palestine ponder role for "day after" Gaza bombardment ends
Two reports from EU security missions in Palestine, dealing with policing and border control, indicate that officials are pondering their role in the planning for whatever happens when Israel's bombardment of the Gaza strip ends.
https://www.theguardian.co...
All EU institutions want billions more for borders, but disagree on the details
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Statewatch | All EU institutions want billions more for borders, but disagree on the details
At its meeting last week, the European Council – made up of the heads of state and government of EU member states – backed the European Commission’s proposal to boost the EU’s 2021-27 border budgets by €2 billion. This is not enough for the European Parliament, however, which would like to see the b..
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Statewatch | Interpol: multi-million dollar “predictive analytics” system under construction
The International Criminal Police Organisation, Interpol, is building a vast data-processing platform called INSIGHT that is ultimately supposed to provide police forces around the globe with “predictive analytics” generated from Interpol’s internal data, information received from its member states,..
https://www.statewatch.org...
Statewatch | Scrutinising European police surveillance of activists: new guide on personal data requests
A new guide aims to improve the ability of activists and campaigners to request data held on them by Europol, the EU’s policing agency, and to increase public and political scrutiny of European police forces gathering data on individuals’ political activities.
https://www.statewatch.org...
Statewatch | European Commission wants to boost border spending by billions of euros
In June the European Commission proposed amendments to the EU’s budget for the 2021-27 period, arguing that existing finances are at “the point of exhaustion”. The changes sought by the Commission would increase the budget for “migration and external challenges” by €15 billion.
https://www.statewatch.org...
Statewatch | Telling the story of EU border militarization
Addressing and preventing European border violence is a huge but necessary strategic challenge. This guide offers framing messages, guiding principles, and suggested language for people and organisations working on this challenge. It emerges from a process of discussion online and in-person between ..
https://www.statewatch.org...
Statewatch | Rights groups slam “nonsensical priorities” of EU Commission €15bn border wall boost following hottest month on record
Rights groups have hit back at the European Commission’s commitment to radically increase border spending in spite of multiple human rights scandals on Europe’s borders; and contrasted it to the lack of new support and finance for climate action following last month’s record heatwave.
Commission proposed amendments to EU budget (2021-27) argue existing finances are at “point of exhaustion”, would increase “migration and external challenges” budget by €15 billion.
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https://freedomnews.org.uk...
The story spycops tried to hide: part I - Freedom News
The closing hearing in the first “tranche” of the Undercover Policing Inquiry (UCPI) took place earlier this year. This summary from the Undercover Research Group offers an overview of what has been learned. The Inquiry was first ordered in 2014 following multiple scandals around two undercover unit..
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Statewatch | “PUSH BACK FRONTEX”: campaign in Senegal targets deployment of EU border agency
A campaign against the deployment of Frontex in Senegal is seeking to halt a proposed agreement between the EU and the West African state and to denounce “how the EU collaborates with our complicit regimes killing people in the Mediterranean and in transit countries.”
https://www.statewatch.org...
https://www.statewatch.org...
Statewatch | Surveillance technology and artificial intelligence: what impact for people on the move?
A webinar presenting a new report from Statewatch and EuroMed Rights (Europe's techno-borders); a new EuroMed Rights report (Artificial intelligence: the new frontier of the EU's border externalisation strategy); and an update on negotiations on the EU's Artificial Intelligence Act.
https://www.statewatch.org...
Statewatch | Pylos shipwreck: European Council prepares to shed crocodile tears
The European Council meeting later this week will express "its profound sorrow for the terrible loss of life as a result of the recent tragedy in the Mediterranean," at the same time as reiterating, for the umpteenth time, its commitment to "breaking the business model of traffickers ..
https://www.statewatch.org...
Statewatch | Pylos shipwreck: European Council prepares to shed crocodile tears
The European Council meeting later this week will express "its profound sorrow for the terrible loss of life as a result of the recent tragedy in the Mediterranean," at the same time as reiterating, for the umpteenth time, its commitment to "breaking the business model of traffickers ..
Presentation given by myself on behalf of Statewatch at the TransBorder Camp in Nantes in July 2022
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