Olivia Sundberg Diez
@oliviasundberg.bsky.social
EU #migration and #asylum advocacy for Amnesty International. Previously at the European Policy Centre and the IRC. Talks too much and too fast. Spanish Swedish, with shifting loyalties, based in BXL.
Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez
Greece: EU's bellwether for migration restrictions?
Suspended access to asylum, mass detention, sweeping deportations - @oliviasundberg.bsky.social tells @aljazeera.com “Greece has become a testing ground for many EU measures, especially on the Greek islands."
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/...
Suspended access to asylum, mass detention, sweeping deportations - @oliviasundberg.bsky.social tells @aljazeera.com “Greece has become a testing ground for many EU measures, especially on the Greek islands."
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/...
Greece’s expansive refugee deportation law tests limits of rights in EU
Rights groups say Greece is acting as Brussels’ bellwether for measures that aren’t always legal, moral, implementable.
www.aljazeera.com
September 26, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Greece: EU's bellwether for migration restrictions?
Suspended access to asylum, mass detention, sweeping deportations - @oliviasundberg.bsky.social tells @aljazeera.com “Greece has become a testing ground for many EU measures, especially on the Greek islands."
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/...
Suspended access to asylum, mass detention, sweeping deportations - @oliviasundberg.bsky.social tells @aljazeera.com “Greece has become a testing ground for many EU measures, especially on the Greek islands."
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/...
Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez
@amnesty.org joins over 200 organisations in calling for rejection of the @ec.europa.eu’s ‘Return Regulation’.
The new proposal on deportations would vastly expand detention, strip away rights, and trap more people in legal limbo and dangerous conditions.
The new proposal on deportations would vastly expand detention, strip away rights, and trap more people in legal limbo and dangerous conditions.
More than 200 Organisations: Inhumane Deportation Rules Should be Rejected – European Institutions Office
On 11 March 2025, the European Commission presented a new proposal for a Return Regulation to replace the current Return Directive. Behind the euphemistic name, the proposal outlines coercive, traumat...
www.amnesty.eu
September 15, 2025 at 11:15 AM
@amnesty.org joins over 200 organisations in calling for rejection of the @ec.europa.eu’s ‘Return Regulation’.
The new proposal on deportations would vastly expand detention, strip away rights, and trap more people in legal limbo and dangerous conditions.
The new proposal on deportations would vastly expand detention, strip away rights, and trap more people in legal limbo and dangerous conditions.
Shameful vote in the #Greek Parliament today on a proposal to suspend asylum applications for three months for people arriving by boat from North Africa.
Equally shameful is the @ec.europa.eu's apparent endorsement, stating that Greece is in "an exceptional situation".
Let's be clear...
Equally shameful is the @ec.europa.eu's apparent endorsement, stating that Greece is in "an exceptional situation".
Let's be clear...
July 10, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Shameful vote in the #Greek Parliament today on a proposal to suspend asylum applications for three months for people arriving by boat from North Africa.
Equally shameful is the @ec.europa.eu's apparent endorsement, stating that Greece is in "an exceptional situation".
Let's be clear...
Equally shameful is the @ec.europa.eu's apparent endorsement, stating that Greece is in "an exceptional situation".
Let's be clear...
Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez
"The EU’s migration cooperation with Libya is morally bankrupt and amounts to complicity in horrific human rights violations," says @evegeddie.bsky.social
Today @magnusbrunner.bsky.social is in Libya with ministers to discuss migration cooperation 🧵 www.amnesty.eu/news/eu-liby...
Today @magnusbrunner.bsky.social is in Libya with ministers to discuss migration cooperation 🧵 www.amnesty.eu/news/eu-liby...
EU-Libya: EU’s migration cooperation with Libya is ‘morally bankrupt’ and amounts to complicity in violations – European Institutions Office
Ahead of a visit by EU Migration Commissioner Brunner and EU ministers to Libya to discuss migration cooperation on 8 July, Eve Geddie, the Director of Amnesty International’s European Institutions Of...
www.amnesty.eu
July 8, 2025 at 8:50 AM
"The EU’s migration cooperation with Libya is morally bankrupt and amounts to complicity in horrific human rights violations," says @evegeddie.bsky.social
Today @magnusbrunner.bsky.social is in Libya with ministers to discuss migration cooperation 🧵 www.amnesty.eu/news/eu-liby...
Today @magnusbrunner.bsky.social is in Libya with ministers to discuss migration cooperation 🧵 www.amnesty.eu/news/eu-liby...
Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez
NEW: @ec.europa.eu ‘safe third country’ proposals cynical attempt to downgrade rights & offload responsibilities.
"The EU should invest in its own asylum systems & let people seeking asylum start rebuilding their lives," says @oliviasundberg.bsky.social
Read👇
"The EU should invest in its own asylum systems & let people seeking asylum start rebuilding their lives," says @oliviasundberg.bsky.social
Read👇
EU: New ‘safe third country’ proposals cynical attempt to downgrade rights and offload asylum responsibilities
Responding to the European Commission’s proposal to amend the ‘safe third country’ concept by allowing EU member states to forcibly send people seeking asylum to countries where they have no connectio...
www.amnesty.org
May 20, 2025 at 12:32 PM
NEW: @ec.europa.eu ‘safe third country’ proposals cynical attempt to downgrade rights & offload responsibilities.
"The EU should invest in its own asylum systems & let people seeking asylum start rebuilding their lives," says @oliviasundberg.bsky.social
Read👇
"The EU should invest in its own asylum systems & let people seeking asylum start rebuilding their lives," says @oliviasundberg.bsky.social
Read👇
Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez
While @ec.europa.eu defends declaring Tunisia a safe country to return Tunisians to, @amnesty.org’s @oliviasundberg.bsky.social warns that the assessment “absolutely downplays the human rights backsliding that we've seen in the last few years”.
Via @euobserver.com 👇
Via @euobserver.com 👇
EU commission defends declaring Tunisia as 'safe'
The European Commission continues to defend Tunisia as 'safe' for prospective Tunisians wanting international protection in Europe.
euobserver.com
May 14, 2025 at 10:29 AM
While @ec.europa.eu defends declaring Tunisia a safe country to return Tunisians to, @amnesty.org’s @oliviasundberg.bsky.social warns that the assessment “absolutely downplays the human rights backsliding that we've seen in the last few years”.
Via @euobserver.com 👇
Via @euobserver.com 👇
Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez
Benham Satah was detained in Manus for seven years by the Australian government. He shared with @politico.eu a harrowing account of what offshore detention means in practice.
As European states make similar plans, they should read his testimony and think twice.
www.politico.eu/article/offs...
As European states make similar plans, they should read his testimony and think twice.
www.politico.eu/article/offs...
Offshore detention is inhumane — I know because I lived it
Europe’s nations have proposed establishing refugee “return hubs” in third-party countries outside their jurisdiction for failed asylum seekers. But they should think twice.
www.politico.eu
April 18, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Benham Satah was detained in Manus for seven years by the Australian government. He shared with @politico.eu a harrowing account of what offshore detention means in practice.
As European states make similar plans, they should read his testimony and think twice.
www.politico.eu/article/offs...
As European states make similar plans, they should read his testimony and think twice.
www.politico.eu/article/offs...
Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez
OPINION: Kurdish Iranian refugee Benham Satah spent a harrowing seven years detained by the Australian government in Papua New Guinea.
It’s a cautionary tale for European nations that have proposed establishing refugee “return hubs” in third-party countries outside their jurisdiction.
It’s a cautionary tale for European nations that have proposed establishing refugee “return hubs” in third-party countries outside their jurisdiction.
Offshore detention is inhumane — I know because I lived it
Europe’s nations have proposed establishing refugee “return hubs” in third-party countries outside their jurisdiction for failed asylum seekers. But they should think twice.
www.politico.eu
April 18, 2025 at 7:45 AM
OPINION: Kurdish Iranian refugee Benham Satah spent a harrowing seven years detained by the Australian government in Papua New Guinea.
It’s a cautionary tale for European nations that have proposed establishing refugee “return hubs” in third-party countries outside their jurisdiction.
It’s a cautionary tale for European nations that have proposed establishing refugee “return hubs” in third-party countries outside their jurisdiction.
Out today in @politico.eu: A harrowing account of what offshore detention means in practice, from someone who lived it.
Benham Satah spent seven years detained by the Australian government in Manus, where he witnessed violence, death, trauma, neglect and abuse.
www.politico.eu/article/offs...
Benham Satah spent seven years detained by the Australian government in Manus, where he witnessed violence, death, trauma, neglect and abuse.
www.politico.eu/article/offs...
Offshore detention is inhumane — I know because I lived it
Europe’s nations have proposed establishing refugee “return hubs” in third-party countries outside their jurisdiction for failed asylum seekers. But they should think twice.
www.politico.eu
April 18, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Out today in @politico.eu: A harrowing account of what offshore detention means in practice, from someone who lived it.
Benham Satah spent seven years detained by the Australian government in Manus, where he witnessed violence, death, trauma, neglect and abuse.
www.politico.eu/article/offs...
Benham Satah spent seven years detained by the Australian government in Manus, where he witnessed violence, death, trauma, neglect and abuse.
www.politico.eu/article/offs...
Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez
Italy-Albania: Italian government’s plans to forcibly transfer people detained in immigration centres in Italy to Albania must be stopped.
These plans are nothing more than a desperate attempt to revive the expensive and unlawful Italy-Albania protocol 🧵
These plans are nothing more than a desperate attempt to revive the expensive and unlawful Italy-Albania protocol 🧵
April 11, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Italy-Albania: Italian government’s plans to forcibly transfer people detained in immigration centres in Italy to Albania must be stopped.
These plans are nothing more than a desperate attempt to revive the expensive and unlawful Italy-Albania protocol 🧵
These plans are nothing more than a desperate attempt to revive the expensive and unlawful Italy-Albania protocol 🧵
Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez
The @ec.europa.eu published its proposal on Return Regulation
Overall, the Return regulation proposal severely limits procedural safeguards and restricts migrants' rights to appeal against the return decision and detention.
Overall, the Return regulation proposal severely limits procedural safeguards and restricts migrants' rights to appeal against the return decision and detention.
March 11, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The @ec.europa.eu published its proposal on Return Regulation
Overall, the Return regulation proposal severely limits procedural safeguards and restricts migrants' rights to appeal against the return decision and detention.
Overall, the Return regulation proposal severely limits procedural safeguards and restricts migrants' rights to appeal against the return decision and detention.
Today's EU proposals on return are a "new low", says @amnestyeu.bsky.social.
The @ec.europa.eu has caved to unworkable and inhumane demands of a few anti-migration govts.
Beyond return hubs, it sets out a disproportionate and punitive approach to returns that ignores all evidence.
bit.ly/3DyuTbB
The @ec.europa.eu has caved to unworkable and inhumane demands of a few anti-migration govts.
Beyond return hubs, it sets out a disproportionate and punitive approach to returns that ignores all evidence.
bit.ly/3DyuTbB
EU: Return proposals a “new low” for Europe’s treatment of migrants
Today, the European Commission introduced a proposed revision to the 2008 Return Directive, amending the EU legal framework on returns or deportations outside of the EU. Following pressure from certai...
www.amnesty.org
March 11, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Today's EU proposals on return are a "new low", says @amnestyeu.bsky.social.
The @ec.europa.eu has caved to unworkable and inhumane demands of a few anti-migration govts.
Beyond return hubs, it sets out a disproportionate and punitive approach to returns that ignores all evidence.
bit.ly/3DyuTbB
The @ec.europa.eu has caved to unworkable and inhumane demands of a few anti-migration govts.
Beyond return hubs, it sets out a disproportionate and punitive approach to returns that ignores all evidence.
bit.ly/3DyuTbB
Details on the new Common European System for Returns up now: ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Commission proposes a new Common European System for Returns
Today, the European Commission is proposing to establish a Common European System for Returns with swifter, simpler and more effective return procedures across the EU. Announced by President von der L...
ec.europa.eu
March 11, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Details on the new Common European System for Returns up now: ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez
Today, @ec.europa.eu will announce new return proposals – paving the way for ‘return hubs’ or deportation centres outside the EU & widescale detention in Europe.
Unworkable, expensive and inhumane – here's why these proposals won’t work & what the EU should do instead🧵
Unworkable, expensive and inhumane – here's why these proposals won’t work & what the EU should do instead🧵
March 11, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Today, @ec.europa.eu will announce new return proposals – paving the way for ‘return hubs’ or deportation centres outside the EU & widescale detention in Europe.
Unworkable, expensive and inhumane – here's why these proposals won’t work & what the EU should do instead🧵
Unworkable, expensive and inhumane – here's why these proposals won’t work & what the EU should do instead🧵
Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez
What do we know about @ec.europa.eu return proposals tomorrow?
Whether or not return hubs are explicitly named in the law, the proposals will be about stripping away peoples' rights & dignity. A new low for the EU.
@nikolajnielsen.bsky.social via @euobserver.com
euobserver.com/migration/ar...
Whether or not return hubs are explicitly named in the law, the proposals will be about stripping away peoples' rights & dignity. A new low for the EU.
@nikolajnielsen.bsky.social via @euobserver.com
euobserver.com/migration/ar...
EU to expand deportation regime as Europe turns against migrants
A new EU-wide deportation regime is set to be unveiled by the European Commission on Tuesday, raising alarm among rights defenders as the bloc continues its political push to crack down on migration.
euobserver.com
March 10, 2025 at 3:55 PM
What do we know about @ec.europa.eu return proposals tomorrow?
Whether or not return hubs are explicitly named in the law, the proposals will be about stripping away peoples' rights & dignity. A new low for the EU.
@nikolajnielsen.bsky.social via @euobserver.com
euobserver.com/migration/ar...
Whether or not return hubs are explicitly named in the law, the proposals will be about stripping away peoples' rights & dignity. A new low for the EU.
@nikolajnielsen.bsky.social via @euobserver.com
euobserver.com/migration/ar...
New @ec.europa.eu proposals on #returns are expected tomorrow, but what will this entail?
With 'return hubs' expected to feature (whether implied or explicit), it's useful to look at other examples of this "futile, expensive, cruel and illegal" strategy elsewhere:
euobserver.com/migration/ar...
With 'return hubs' expected to feature (whether implied or explicit), it's useful to look at other examples of this "futile, expensive, cruel and illegal" strategy elsewhere:
euobserver.com/migration/ar...
EU to expand deportation regime as Europe turns against migrants
A new EU-wide deportation regime is set to be unveiled by the European Commission on Tuesday, raising alarm among rights defenders as the bloc continues its political push to crack down on migration.
euobserver.com
March 10, 2025 at 3:43 PM
New @ec.europa.eu proposals on #returns are expected tomorrow, but what will this entail?
With 'return hubs' expected to feature (whether implied or explicit), it's useful to look at other examples of this "futile, expensive, cruel and illegal" strategy elsewhere:
euobserver.com/migration/ar...
With 'return hubs' expected to feature (whether implied or explicit), it's useful to look at other examples of this "futile, expensive, cruel and illegal" strategy elsewhere:
euobserver.com/migration/ar...
Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez
For too long, the EU's anti-smuggling laws have enabled the unjust prosecution of refugees, migrants & human rights defenders.
@ec.europa.eu proposals to reform Facilitators Package must align with intl' law & stop criminalizing solidarity.
Our recommendations👇
www.amnesty.eu/news/amnesty...
@ec.europa.eu proposals to reform Facilitators Package must align with intl' law & stop criminalizing solidarity.
Our recommendations👇
www.amnesty.eu/news/amnesty...
Amnesty International’s Considerations on the Facilitators Package
Amnesty International urges EU institutions to ensure that the proposed reforms to the Facilitators Package align with international human rights and refugee law.
www.amnesty.eu
February 26, 2025 at 4:35 PM
For too long, the EU's anti-smuggling laws have enabled the unjust prosecution of refugees, migrants & human rights defenders.
@ec.europa.eu proposals to reform Facilitators Package must align with intl' law & stop criminalizing solidarity.
Our recommendations👇
www.amnesty.eu/news/amnesty...
@ec.europa.eu proposals to reform Facilitators Package must align with intl' law & stop criminalizing solidarity.
Our recommendations👇
www.amnesty.eu/news/amnesty...
Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez
We’ve made a series of suggestions to @ec.europa.eu to help it monitor EU funds granted to Member States for border management and ensure their use does not result in fundamental rights violations.
More info here: www.ombudsman.europa.eu/news-documen...
More info here: www.ombudsman.europa.eu/news-documen...
European Ombudsman
www.ombudsman.europa.eu
February 25, 2025 at 9:06 AM
We’ve made a series of suggestions to @ec.europa.eu to help it monitor EU funds granted to Member States for border management and ensure their use does not result in fundamental rights violations.
More info here: www.ombudsman.europa.eu/news-documen...
More info here: www.ombudsman.europa.eu/news-documen...
Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez
A powerful, beautiful testimony from a week on a @msfsea.bsky.social boat that saves lives in the Mediterranean: hrw.org/feature/2025...
And a reminder of how abhorrent the EU's policies of "deterrence by drowning" (or torture) are. Sign our #WithHumanity petition: hrw.org/WithHumanity
And a reminder of how abhorrent the EU's policies of "deterrence by drowning" (or torture) are. Sign our #WithHumanity petition: hrw.org/WithHumanity
Ship of Humanity
(Milan) –The European Union, its member states, and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex should make saving lives at sea the priority, Human Rights Watch said in a multimedia feature ess...
hrw.org
February 25, 2025 at 12:09 PM
A powerful, beautiful testimony from a week on a @msfsea.bsky.social boat that saves lives in the Mediterranean: hrw.org/feature/2025...
And a reminder of how abhorrent the EU's policies of "deterrence by drowning" (or torture) are. Sign our #WithHumanity petition: hrw.org/WithHumanity
And a reminder of how abhorrent the EU's policies of "deterrence by drowning" (or torture) are. Sign our #WithHumanity petition: hrw.org/WithHumanity
Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez
Today, the European Court of Human Rights will hear three cases against Latvia, Lithuania and Poland concerning alleged unlawful pushbacks.
It's the first time the Court will rule on human rights implications of what the EU and its member states are calling ‘instrumentalized’ migration 🧵
It's the first time the Court will rule on human rights implications of what the EU and its member states are calling ‘instrumentalized’ migration 🧵
February 12, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Today, the European Court of Human Rights will hear three cases against Latvia, Lithuania and Poland concerning alleged unlawful pushbacks.
It's the first time the Court will rule on human rights implications of what the EU and its member states are calling ‘instrumentalized’ migration 🧵
It's the first time the Court will rule on human rights implications of what the EU and its member states are calling ‘instrumentalized’ migration 🧵
Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez
The Greek Ombudsman published a damning report into the actions of the Greek coastguard during the shipwreck in Pylos.
@amnesty.org welcomes these crucial findings.
Greece must take them into account in their investigations into the incident & finally open disciplinary investigations🧵
@amnesty.org welcomes these crucial findings.
Greece must take them into account in their investigations into the incident & finally open disciplinary investigations🧵
February 5, 2025 at 2:12 PM
The Greek Ombudsman published a damning report into the actions of the Greek coastguard during the shipwreck in Pylos.
@amnesty.org welcomes these crucial findings.
Greece must take them into account in their investigations into the incident & finally open disciplinary investigations🧵
@amnesty.org welcomes these crucial findings.
Greece must take them into account in their investigations into the incident & finally open disciplinary investigations🧵
This @theguardian.com article has been making the rounds.
Yes, the evidence of rights abuses has been clear, but is there any actual indication of a change in the EU's approach to funding for Tunisia, or is this just parroting the Commission line?
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Yes, the evidence of rights abuses has been clear, but is there any actual indication of a change in the EU's approach to funding for Tunisia, or is this just parroting the Commission line?
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Europe overhauls funding to Tunisia after Guardian exposes migrant abuse
Allegations of rape, beatings and collusion by EU-funded security forces prompt shift in migration arrangements
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2025 at 10:11 AM
This @theguardian.com article has been making the rounds.
Yes, the evidence of rights abuses has been clear, but is there any actual indication of a change in the EU's approach to funding for Tunisia, or is this just parroting the Commission line?
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Yes, the evidence of rights abuses has been clear, but is there any actual indication of a change in the EU's approach to funding for Tunisia, or is this just parroting the Commission line?
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
A dark but deeply necessary account by @nikolajnielsen.bsky.social of the realities at Lithuania's border with Belarus, ahead of important cases to be heard at the European Court of Human Rights in February:
euobserver.com/migration/ar...
euobserver.com/migration/ar...
Lithuania's pushbacks of Cubans into freezing forests cast long shadows over rights
In their quest for asylum, Dianalay Gonzalez Castaneda and her three friends spent more than a week in the forests between Lithuania and Belarus, in what authorities have framed as a hybrid attack by ...
euobserver.com
January 7, 2025 at 11:47 AM
A dark but deeply necessary account by @nikolajnielsen.bsky.social of the realities at Lithuania's border with Belarus, ahead of important cases to be heard at the European Court of Human Rights in February:
euobserver.com/migration/ar...
euobserver.com/migration/ar...
There is something especially dark, cynical and shameless about today's Commission Communication on the 'weaponisation' of migration. A troubling endorsement of European states' violations of international and EU law, which doubly punishes people in need of safety.
www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...
www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...
Brussels blesses Poland's plan to temporarily suspend asylum right
The new guidelines put forward by Brussels reflect the right-wing shift that is rapidly reshaping the bloc's migration and asylum policy. #EuropeNews
www.euronews.com
December 11, 2024 at 4:38 PM
There is something especially dark, cynical and shameless about today's Commission Communication on the 'weaponisation' of migration. A troubling endorsement of European states' violations of international and EU law, which doubly punishes people in need of safety.
www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...
www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...
Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez
Polish border officials are unlawfully & violently pushing asylum seekers back to #Belarus.
Instead, as the next holder of the 🇪🇺 presidency, #Poland should be setting an example, safeguard the right asylum and ensure that people are treated humanely.
www.hrw.org/news/2024/12...
Instead, as the next holder of the 🇪🇺 presidency, #Poland should be setting an example, safeguard the right asylum and ensure that people are treated humanely.
www.hrw.org/news/2024/12...
Poland: Brutal Pushbacks at Belarus Border
Polish law enforcement is unlawfully, and sometimes violently, forcing people trying to enter the country back to Belarus without considering their protection needs, Human Rights Watch said today. Tho...
www.hrw.org
December 10, 2024 at 11:06 AM
Polish border officials are unlawfully & violently pushing asylum seekers back to #Belarus.
Instead, as the next holder of the 🇪🇺 presidency, #Poland should be setting an example, safeguard the right asylum and ensure that people are treated humanely.
www.hrw.org/news/2024/12...
Instead, as the next holder of the 🇪🇺 presidency, #Poland should be setting an example, safeguard the right asylum and ensure that people are treated humanely.
www.hrw.org/news/2024/12...