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statewatch.bsky.social
Statewatch
@statewatch.bsky.social
2.5K followers 150 following 230 posts
We are activists, researchers, lawyers and journalists exposing state power across Europe and its borders.

Our work has supported debates, movements and campaigns since 1991.

Access our latest articles: https://linktr.ee/statewatch
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statewatch.bsky.social
Statewatch @statewatch.bsky.social · Nov 27
1/ We’ve just launched a new in-depth resource that examines global counter-terrorism and security networks.

It provides an evidence base for how these security norms are implemented, their effects on human rights and how we can push for change.
statewatch.bsky.social
UK: A recent court case has exposed Nick Gratwick as a private spy hired by UK police.

The Undercover Research Group (URG) has been investigating Nick for many years, and now their new report details his activities throughout the late 1990s - early 2000s.

Read it here: buff.ly/kVFwYza
Spray-painted words "Caution! Spies operate in this area" are overlaid in a risograph style with a green microphone. Below this, text explaining the news is placed next to another spray-painted image depicting a person in a suit with a television for a head.
December 18, 2025 at 4:39 PM
statewatch.bsky.social
As state powers of repression are globalised, so too must our resistance, advocacy and collaboration.

We released our research, Networks of [in]security (NOIS), as a living resource to help us do that.

Read more and get in contact: buff.ly/MbWx0na
Quote from State watch Director, Chris Jones, that reads: "The power of states to surveil, monitor, harass and repress is being globalised. This is being done through digital infrastructures by obscure, secretive and technocratic organisations. Meanwhile, people's rights remain trapped by national borders, making it extremely difficult to seek redress and remedy for wrongdoing, or even simple errors."
December 12, 2025 at 10:00 AM
statewatch.bsky.social
1/ Governments are increasingly engaging in transnational repression: reaching across borders to silence dissent from afar.

This can include assassinations, illegal deportations, abductions, digital threats, Interpol abuse, and family intimidation.
A visual overview of the caption text, showing a collage of images: a speaker wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh with a "police do not cross" sign behind, both in front of a tall fence, and a security camera with an eye pasted over the lens above two people holding placards about Palestine.
December 5, 2025 at 2:02 PM
statewatch.bsky.social
According Info Park, an organisation in Belgrade, Serbia, people on the move along the Western Balkan route face a cycle of of detention, transfers, and endless reattempts.

The EU's new pact on migration will only worsen these brutal realities.
Above a black print of a barbed fence, a demonstrator holds a placard that says "open the border". Above the image, text reads: the EU migration pact will increase existing harms in Serbia and all along the Western Balkan route. It will mean more cruel tactics of policing and pushbacks, more bureaucracy and digital controls, and a further closure of civic space."
December 4, 2025 at 10:38 AM
statewatch.bsky.social
The 12th issue of the #ExternalisationBulletin is out now 🚨

This edition covers:
• Efforts to expand Frontex’s mandate
• Growing concerns over the EU’s digital border systems
• Threats to undermine EU's new migration "solidarity" system

And more, here: buff.ly/GK3RMMW
December 2, 2025 at 4:00 PM
statewatch.bsky.social
The “war on terror” might have left the headlines—but states are still using and abusing ‘counterterrorism’ powers to exert control.

And for the past two years, we have been gathering evidence to show exactly how they do it.

Swipe to read some of our key findings, or go to nois.statewatch.org
December 2, 2025 at 2:04 PM
statewatch.bsky.social
1/ We’ve just launched a new in-depth resource that examines global counter-terrorism and security networks.

It provides an evidence base for how these security norms are implemented, their effects on human rights and how we can push for change.
November 27, 2025 at 9:01 AM
statewatch.bsky.social
In October 2024 the EU announced it would provide €30 million from its aid budget to Senegal.

Ultimately, the plans can be seen as contributing to a new era of carceral EU migration “management” in West Africa.

Read more in the latest article by Leonie Jegen:

buff.ly/ImferiV
November 20, 2025 at 8:00 AM
statewatch.bsky.social
According to a document we obtained, EU member states seem ready to give US law enforcement authorities direct access to European police and immigration databases.

While some member states have concerns over specifics, none question the need for such an agreement.

Read more: buff.ly/qGEDeGK
November 17, 2025 at 11:40 AM
statewatch.bsky.social
Data protection law is a crucial tool for immigration and asylum practitioners up against the EU's increasing ‘datafication’. Its avenues for redress offer alternative paths to justice for those who might otherwise be without options.

Want to learn more? Get the handbook here: buff.ly/b3jc3Oj
On one half of the common ‘woman yelling at cat’ meme, a long haired woman is being held back while yelling and pointing at to the right. In this version, a flag of the European Union covers her face. Above the image is the text: “The EU’s increasing datafication”. On the other half, an angry cat sits at a table of food. This is labelled as “lawyers using data protection law”. Below the meme, in large letters are the words “protect our rights and lives. get the handbook now.” Next to these is an image of Statewatch’s Data Protection Handbook.
November 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Reposted by Statewatch
dbollero.bsky.social
Gran trabajo de @statewatch.bsky.social editando esta guía sobre privacidad y protección de datos para los profesionales de #inmigración y #asilo: Extralimitaciones tecnológicas contra las personas migrantes. Te lo cuento en @publico.es
#ProtecciónInternacional
www.publico.es/opinion/colu...
Extralimitaciones tecnológicas contra las personas migrantes
Las tecnologías de control fronterizo, bajo el pretexto de la seguridad nacional, priman el beneficio de las autoridades estatales, opacando el de la persona migrante...
www.publico.es
November 9, 2025 at 10:05 AM
statewatch.bsky.social
Why should you care about data protection law? Because as the EU increases its datafication, we need to equip ourselves to protect our data.

Get the handbook now: buff.ly/b3jc3Oj
Romain Lanneau, a white man with chin-length hair, is pictured in a button-up shirt next to a quote of him saying "Technologies are becoming an essential part of the migration and asylum systems. In fact, some of the most intrusive and biased tools have been tested around Europe. No matter what these tools are for or how they are used, they are all reliant to some degree on personal data. This is why knowledge of data protection law is so vital for immigration and asylum practitioners.” The photo is grainy, in black and white, and behind it are lots of squiggly marks in black marker.
November 7, 2025 at 4:07 PM
statewatch.bsky.social
The 11th issue of the #ExternalisationBulletin is here.

Here are some of the updates.

1. Global counter-smuggling alliance:
The EU prepares a joint declaration for its global alliance on migrant smuggling, aiming to extend enforcement powers “along the whole route.”
November 5, 2025 at 10:23 AM
statewatch.bsky.social
1/ We have a right to privacy — but the definition of privacy varies worldwide. So, how do we understand it in Europe?
yellow and black zine-style imagery of a pointing hand and squiggles alongside text from the caption
November 4, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Reposted by Statewatch
giacomoza.bsky.social
It's a dense week ahead for Europol and with @statewatch.bsky.social we decided to publish the results of a long research into the agency's largely secretive links with the tech industry, moving on from its recently-launched Research and Industry Days. www.statewatch.org/analyses/202... -->
Statewatch | Behind closed doors: Europol’s opaque relations with AI companies
As part of its research into the expanding—and largely unchecked—use of AI by EU security agencies, Statewatch delves into largely uncharted territory: Europol’s links with the private sector. A surve...
www.statewatch.org
November 2, 2025 at 3:32 PM
statewatch.bsky.social
1/ NEW GUIDE: We’ve just published a new Data Protection Handbook on Asylum and Migration in Europe. ⚠️

Who it is for:
This handbook is for anyone who works in immigration, in asylum, or who advocates for the rights of migrants and asylum seekers.
On a bright yellow background, a new guide is announced, with an image of the cover displayed. On it, a fist in black and white halftone punches the air, behind the title: Data Protection Handbook on Asylum and Migration in Europe. It is written by Romain Lanneau and produced by Statewatch in October 2025.
October 31, 2025 at 10:45 AM
statewatch.bsky.social
1/ What does the increasing relationship between Europol and private companies mean for our rights and democratic process?

That's precisely what we cover in our latest analysis by @giacomoza.bsky.social
Close-up of a suit and tie with a Europol pin above a header that says "analysis: Europol and private companies." Below is an explanation of the increasing role of private companies, with the example of Microsoft employees having a desk at Europol's office. The same summary text listed in the description is next to an image of Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel.
October 30, 2025 at 5:39 PM
statewatch.bsky.social
"The only safe route is one that respects, without compromise, the dignity and fundamental rights of all.

The right to asylum is inalienable: it must be guaranteed, not negotiated."
Statewatch | Franco-British "one in, one out" deal condemned as absurd and dangerous
British and French organisations, including Statewatch, have denounced the "one in, one out" deal between the French and British governments, ostensibly aimed at limiting unauthorised migration…
buff.ly
October 10, 2025 at 8:01 AM
statewatch.bsky.social
The Slovenian government is calling for an EU Response to US government sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) and Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Statewatch | Slovenia calls on EU to "protect the international rule of law and justice system"
The Slovenian government wants EU justice and interior ministers to discuss "how to protect the international rule of law and justice system" in the face of "continued targeting of international…
buff.ly
October 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
statewatch.bsky.social
The 10th issue of the #ExternalisationBulletin is out now 🚨

It covers:
• Progress on plans for major migration routes
• Frontex projects proposed in Egypt & Morocco
• Potential deportations from EU to Côte d’Ivoire
• & more.

Full issue, compiled by @freylindsay.bsky.social, here:
buff.ly/bWL4McV
White text on a black background with a red gradient radiating from the bottom right corner. In the same corner, a white dashed line trace the shape of a border. The top right corner says "issue 10". In the centre, a version of the text from the caption describes the content of the bulletin, "Outsourcing borders: monitoring EU externalisation policy." It says: The latest issue is out now. It covers: 1. EU plans for the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Balkan migration routes; 2. New proposals for Frontex projects in Egypt and Morocco; 3. Potential deportations from EU states to Côte D’Ivoire. 4. It also makes 14 documents from EU institutions public.
October 9, 2025 at 2:01 PM
statewatch.bsky.social
Last year, the EU adopted new rules against money laundering and terrorist financing—and the organisation Privacy First is urging the Dutch government to ensure the protection of rights, privacy and safeguards.

Read more: buff.ly/gFBW86q
All-caps text describes that the EU’s new anti-money laundering rules will mean more profiling and more surveillance. Below the text, black and white image of euros float over cut-out images of the inside of washing machines, which give the impression of eyes. This represents the increased surveillance that will come along with the regulations against money-laundering.
October 6, 2025 at 4:23 PM
statewatch.bsky.social
The Srebrenica massacre remains the only event on European soil since the Holocaust to be formally recognised as genocide.

In a tale all too familiar, it unfolded as Europe looked on.

Read more in the article by Eliana Nunes: buff.ly/xnolx7p
White text on black says "Learning from the Bosnian genocide" is in front of a field of white headstones at the Srebrenica-Potočari memorial and cemetery. It is surrounded by mountains and a cloudy sky. In front of mountain, a quote says "“The international community could have and should have prevented the war” -Elmina Kulasić. The same image continues onto the next page, with "1992" in large letters appearing behind the mountain. Another quote below it says “I was seven years old when my hometown was demolished”. A black text box below says: Kozarac was attacked in May 1992. A town of only 4,000, it was targetted for its largely Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) population. It began just two days after Bosnia was admitted as a member of the United Nations and just weeks after declaring independence from Yugoslavia. Soldiers blared orders from loudspeakers, demanding the surrender of the town’s residents and promising them safety. But when civilians complied, the shelling continued and killed over 1,000 people. The description continues, covering 1993 to 1995. In 1993, Srebrenica was declared a "safe area" under UN protection. But international protection failed. By the end of the war in 1995, around 100,000 people had been killed in Bosnia—most of them Bosniak civilians. That July, Serb forces overran Srebrenica, killing over 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys in 72 hours. Elmina Kulasić stands smiling, with dark, curly hair and glasses. Text around her says "Today. Asked whether Bosnia has developed a sense of collective guilt and responsibility comparable to post-Holocaust Germany, Elmina Kulasić shakes her head. “We never had a process of acknowledgement that the crimes actually took place.” Today, Elmina works to educate others about the nature of genocide, and supports organisations like Mothers of Srebrenica, founded in 2002. "We know that a society that has gone through a genocide is more prone to it happening again."
October 2, 2025 at 3:30 PM
statewatch.bsky.social
The EU’s latest idea is to deport people to countries they have zero connection to.

EU member states are talking about changing the “safe third country” rules so they can deport more people—even if it means undermining safeguards. And the Council agrees.

Read more: buff.ly/8RuyAP4
Text says "the EU’s latest idea is to deport people to countries they have zero connection to." Around the text are faded and noisy images. One is of a table full of conversing people who appear to be light-skinned and wearing formal attire. A lightbulb floats above them. Black text on a paper background says "EU member states are talking about changing the “safe third country” rules so they can deport more people—even if it means undermining safeguards. And the Council agrees. This is despite the fact that some of the countries considered “safe” include Tunisia, Egypt, and Morocco—places with ‘well-documented rights abuses and limited protections for both their own citizens and migrants’ according to EuroMedRights." faded and noisy green scissors are about to cut a ribbon, above text that says "this change would mean reducing or deleting the current "connection criteria" which limits where states deport people to. Apparently, member states consider the problem of where to send people to be the biggest administrative hurdle to deporting them. They do not, however, seem to see it as a moral issue, as many others might. " Text states "13 member states want to delete the 'connection criteria' altogether. A map of Europe indicates the countries that want to delete it, with their borders filled in with green, contrasting the lighter shade of others. This includes: Austria, Bulgaria, Czechia, Cyprus, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland and Slovakia.
September 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM
statewatch.bsky.social
We are hiring a new Executive Director! This is a chance to build on our nearly 35-year legacy of work.

Apply by 6 October 2025 at: buff.ly/TbcOn7s

Have questions?
We recorded an information session with prospective applicants, which you can view by emailing comms@statewatch.org.
Large text on black paper background, which says "help us expose power & inform dissent! Apply now to be our new Director and carry us into our 35th year."
September 24, 2025 at 12:20 PM
statewatch.bsky.social
Don't miss out! We're hiring for a new Director, and tomorrow we'll hold an info session for potential applicants. It'll be a chance to ask questions about the role, requirements, application process, and more.

Friday, 18 September at 11:00 AM BST / 12:00 PM CEST

Register here: buff.ly/uWeECph
Big text on white background with green highlighting encouraging potential applicants to attend and information session on Statewatch's Executive Director vacancy.
September 18, 2025 at 2:29 PM