ECRE

Say No to Mass Deportations in Europe No one should be taken from their home at dawn and put on a deportation flight. We’re building 100,000 voices against mass deportations in Europe. Sign now - and help us get there. Let’s stop this tog...

We’re building 100,000 voices against mass deportations in Europe. Sign now - and help us get there. Let’s stop this together!

EU inches towards migration and investment pact with Senegal Migration control is at the heart of a planned 'strategic partnership' between the EU and Senegal.

Migration Commissioner Brunner and Partnerships Commissioner Sikela have just travelled to Senegal to discuss "strategic partnerships" related to security, regional stability, and migration.

Will this agreement potentially become another example of externalization of border controls?

UK suspends student visas for four countries over asylum abuse claims The Home Office has characterised this suspension as an ‘unprecedented’ move

The measure will mainly affect students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan.

The British government is concerned that people abuse student visas to enter Britain.

👉Or is it another attempt to decrease legal pathways to enter Europe?

Humanitarian corridors celebrate 10-year anniversary in Italy A decade has passed since the first humanitarian corridor brought refugees to Italy. Their flight departed from Lebanon to reach Rome's Fiumicino airport on 29 February 2016, mainly carrying Syrians w...

On 29 February 2016, 97 refugees - mostly Syrians fleeing war - landed at Rome’s Fiumicino airport. They did not cross the Mediterranean on a boat. They boarded a regular plane.
That arrival marked the first humanitarian corridor to Italy -and the start of a different kind of migration story.

According to Eurostat, 4.35 million non-EU citizens were under temporary protection in the EU as of 31 December 2025.

The TDP was an unprecedented success in emergency coordination. The next step is understanding whether Europe can transform emergency protection into sustainable solutions.

More than 30,000 displaced in Lebanon by Middle East war - UN Israel is continuing to carry out air raids in Lebanon in a campaign against Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

The first effects of Israel’s attacks in Lebanon are already having severe consequences for civilians.
More than 31,000 people have been displaced, with many fleeing southern Lebanon and Beirut.
Some Syrian refugees are now crossing back into Syria, raising fears of a worsening humanitarian crisis

This week's #ECREPressReview:

🔗 shorturl.at/Ef4jZ

Look to Italy to see how the dangerous idea of ‘remigration’ is taking root in Europe | David Broder To even be talking about this drastic deportation policy is a sign the far right is winning, says author David Broder

Remigration may still seem extreme, but European politics is already moving in that direction.

When Europe shifts from integration to expulsion, democracy itself is on the line.

Normalising this language is how rights disappear.

Guterres slams international failure to manage safe migration A 2018 agreement that aims to strengthen international cooperation on migration management must become reality, the UN Secretary-General said on Friday in New York.

"Migration is not a crisis. The crisis is the failure to manage it together" - says UN Secretary General Guterres.

Another reminder that countries cannot implement migration governance on their own.

Shared solidarity and cooperation is the key.

21 Migrants Died Every Day in 2025, New IOM Data Reveals Geneva/Berlin, 26 February 2026 – At least 7,667 people died or went missing on migration routes worldwide in 2025, according to new data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The f...

The Missing Migrants Project collects data on people who lost their lives while fleeing their countries.

Ahead of April’s report:
-Sea crossings remain deadliest
-3,000+ deaths in Asia
-922 recorded on the Eastern route

We must act now to expand safe and regular routes - said IOM Director General

Belgian court deals blow to plans for 'strictest migration policy' The ruling by Belgium’s Constitutional Court suspended recently introduced asylum rules, in a blow to Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s attempts to introduce Belgium's “strictest migration policy yet”.

The Belgian Constitutional Court sends a clear signal: EU law and human rights matter.

👉The suspension protects family reunification rights, especially for people under subsidiary protection.

👉It prevents vulnerable asylum seekers (including families with children) from being left without shelter.

This week's #ECREWeekly includes updates on:

▪️EU External Partners
▪️Balkan Route

Plus

📑Recent reports
📅Upcoming events
💼Open job vacancies
📢Ongoing campaigns
📝Calls for papers, project proposals, courses etc.

🔗Read it here: shorturl.at/kdACu

#ECREWeekly Updates on EU External Partners:

▪️UN publishes report on ‘systematic’ abuse of people on the move in Libya

▪️UN reaffirms support for authorities in Türkiye despite NGO concerns about rights violations

More about it here 👉: bit.ly/4tObyIK

#ECREWeekly Updates on Balkans:

▪️Another death on Croatia-BIH border
▪️CJEU rules against Bulgaria’s application of ‘Safe Third Country’ principle
▪️ECtHR rules against Serbia for unlawful detention and expulsion of Afghan asylum applicants

More about it here 👉: shorturl.at/NVBke

Today is the third anniversary of the Cutro shipwreck.
Still, lessons have not been learnt.

📍2026 has just started, and more than 600 people died trying to cross the Mediterranean.

Deadliest start to a year in more than a decade- says IOM.

Neither innovative nor smart: externalisation as a migration policy path of human rights risk - Commissioner for Human Rights - www.coe.int Brussels (Belgium) 24 February 2026

An insightful comment from the CoE Commissioner for Human Rights.

"Where externalisation initiatives have been implemented, serious human rights violations have been documented systematically."

Without transparency, safeguards and accountability, externalisation undermines fundamental rights.

You can read this week's #ECREPressReview here:
👉 shorturl.at/V9QOI

Four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion, millions of Ukrainians are rebuilding their lives across Europe.

Inclusion is more than protection — it’s opportunity. When refugees can work at their skill level, they rely less on assistance and strengthen the communities that welcomed them.

Re: Italy's Migrant Policy in Albania - Watch the full documentary | ARTE in English The Meloni government is detaining rejected asylum seekers in migrant facilities in neighbouring Albania. More European countries are looking to use similar deportation camps abroad as the situation f...

The 30-minute documentary provides insightful perspectives about Italy's Migrant Policy in Albania.

Highly recommended to watch!

English subtitles are available.

#ECREWeekly Updates on Mediterranean:

▪️NGO criticises use of detention in Malta
▪️Greece issues new arrest warrant for Norwegian humanitarian
▪️Italian government approves another draft law targeting NGOs

More about it here 👉: shorturl.at/LN2X3

This week's #ECREWeekly includes updates on:

▪️ Mediterranean

Plus

📚ECRE Working Papers: Transitioning out of Temporary Protection

Read it here: shorturl.at/mErdX

After temporary protection — what’s next?

ECRE, together with Brussels School of Governance, analyse legal pathways after the Temporary Protection Directive ends.

With millions displaced from Ukraine, securing continued status and rights is essential.

👉 Read more about it here: shorturl.at/t9pb2

💫Civil society needs political support to thrive — especially now.

💫The Interest Group on Civil Society in the European Parliament is a key step to protect civic space and fundamental rights.

👇MEPs, stand with civil society!

📑 ECRE Policy Paper: Budgeting for Asylum, Migration and Inclusion in Europe after 2027

📢 A key concern? The imbalance between resources allocated to asylum and protection compared to border management and security.

🔗 Read the full paper, including ECRE's recommendations, here: shorturl.at/pAeUu

This week's #ECREWeekly includes updates on:

▪️EU Asylum Procedure Regulation
▪️Greece

Plus

✒️OP-ED: One question on the deadly Greek Coast Guard operation in Chios

🎤 Interview with Sodfa Daaji from the European Network of Migrant Women

Read it here: tinyurl.com/mtt9pr8p

#ECREWeekly Updates on EU developments:

▪️On 10 February, the European Parliament adopted amendments to introduce an EU-wide list of “safe countries of origin” (SCOs) and to revise the use of the “safe third country” (STC) concept.

Read it here 👉: tinyurl.com/bdfup9x7

#ECREWeekly Updates on Greece:

▪️ Collision between Coast Guard vessel and migrant boat leaves at least 15 dead
▪️ Controversial migration law adopted despite widespread opposition
▪️ NGO report highlights rule of law failings

More about it here 👉: shorturl.at/ClBz2

This week's #ECREPressReview:

🔗https://shorturl.at/Rct3W

‼️ Today, MEPs are expected to vote on new rules on safe countries of origin and safe third countries.

👉Check out ECRE's new explainer to clarify these concepts: shorturl.at/W3zBc

Some good news today!
👉The project "Support for Information and Training at the Main Entrance Points via Sea, Air, and Land" (UNHCR Italy) will improve the quality of reception procedures, facilitating access to clear, accurate, and accessible information on asylum procedures.