02/04/2025 – 24/04/2025
- In a press release published on 10 April, the Court of Justice of the EU considers that a Member State can designate “safe countries” for the processing of asylum applications, provided that this designation can be justified before a national court. The Advocate General’s opinion, although not binding, recommends that these designations be subject to judicial review. If the final decision follows this direction, it could put the brakes on plans to externalise asylum applications, such as the agreements between Italy and Albania.
- On 9 April, in a press release, the European Commission said that Europol had signed a working agreement with Egypt aimed at “strengthening cooperation between law enforcement authorities to combat terrorism, drug trafficking, migrant smuggling and organised crime”. This agreement raises serious concerns. It risks legitimizing the repressive practices of the Egyptian police and exacerbating human rights violations in the country.
- On 9th April the future German government, formed by the conservatives and the Social Democrats, announced an agreement on several measures designed to limit so-called irregular immigration. These include the rejection of certain asylum applications at the border, the possibility of deportations to Syria, as well as the suspension of family reunification.
- At the LIBE Committee meeting on 7 April, Commissioner Brunner presented the latest developments in the European Union’s partnerships with Jordan, Morocco and Turkey. He stressed that comprehensive cooperation with third countries is essential for the implementation of the Compact on Migration as well as the European Framework on Return. He also cited Egypt and Tunisia as examples of effective partnerships, ignoring the systemic violence and rights violations experienced by migrants in these countries.
- On 6 April, the Federation of Tunisian Citizens of the Two Shores (FTCR) expressed deep concern over the increase in deportations of Tunisian nationals from Italy, France and Germany. These expulsions, often forced and violent, are carried out in silence, in the service of the European return policy. Currently, more than 20,000 Tunisians are believed to be detained in detention centers in Italy. In February 2025, Germany organized a collective expulsion to Enfidha airport, in total opacity, illustrating the trivialization of these practices.
- The Finnish government is considering extending until the end of 2026 the “Border Security Act”, which prevents migrants coming to Finland from Russia from applying for asylum. Adopted in July 2024 for an initial period of one year, this law would serve to fight against “instrumentalized” migration.
- Latvia has tightened controls at three border crossings with Russia and Belarus since 19 March. Access is now limited to motor vehicles, while pedestrians and cyclists are prohibited from crossing “until further notice”. The decision was made due to concerns about security, so-called “hybrid threats” and the “migration crisis”.
- Lithuanian border guards are accused of deporting a group of five people from Kenya and Sudan to the border with Belarus. According to the NGO Sienos Grupė, which helps people on the move in the region, officers from the State Border Guard Service (VSAT) ordered the group to leave Lithuania.