ECRE
@theecre.bsky.social
The European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) is an alliance of 125 NGOs protecting and advancing the rights of refugees, people seeking asylum and other forcibly displaced people in Europe.
https://ecre.org/
https://ecre.org/
Pinned
ECRE
@theecre.bsky.social
· 10d
Your weekly reminder that ECRE counts on your support.
Every contribution helps. Donate here or share this with your network: ecre.org/home/donate/
Every contribution helps. Donate here or share this with your network: ecre.org/home/donate/
This week's #ECREWeekly includes articles on:
▪️EU External Partners
▪️Mediterranean
Plus
▪️In Memoriam: Richard Williams
▪️Interview with Aleksejs Ivashuk from Apatride Network
eepurl.com/jxEwNU
▪️EU External Partners
▪️Mediterranean
Plus
▪️In Memoriam: Richard Williams
▪️Interview with Aleksejs Ivashuk from Apatride Network
eepurl.com/jxEwNU
January 23, 2026 at 9:32 AM
This week's #ECREWeekly includes articles on:
▪️EU External Partners
▪️Mediterranean
Plus
▪️In Memoriam: Richard Williams
▪️Interview with Aleksejs Ivashuk from Apatride Network
eepurl.com/jxEwNU
▪️EU External Partners
▪️Mediterranean
Plus
▪️In Memoriam: Richard Williams
▪️Interview with Aleksejs Ivashuk from Apatride Network
eepurl.com/jxEwNU
#ECREWeekly Updates on MEDITERRANEAN
▪️Fall in no. of recorded crossings & deaths
▪️Court in Greece acquits humanitarians in ‘people smuggling’ trial
▪️Greek NGOs raise concerns about draft law on ‘NGO Registry’
▪️Court in Malta awards compensation to minor unlawfully detained in 2021
bit.ly/4bLopou
▪️Fall in no. of recorded crossings & deaths
▪️Court in Greece acquits humanitarians in ‘people smuggling’ trial
▪️Greek NGOs raise concerns about draft law on ‘NGO Registry’
▪️Court in Malta awards compensation to minor unlawfully detained in 2021
bit.ly/4bLopou
January 23, 2026 at 8:53 AM
#ECREWeekly Updates on MEDITERRANEAN
▪️Fall in no. of recorded crossings & deaths
▪️Court in Greece acquits humanitarians in ‘people smuggling’ trial
▪️Greek NGOs raise concerns about draft law on ‘NGO Registry’
▪️Court in Malta awards compensation to minor unlawfully detained in 2021
bit.ly/4bLopou
▪️Fall in no. of recorded crossings & deaths
▪️Court in Greece acquits humanitarians in ‘people smuggling’ trial
▪️Greek NGOs raise concerns about draft law on ‘NGO Registry’
▪️Court in Malta awards compensation to minor unlawfully detained in 2021
bit.ly/4bLopou
#ECREWeekly Updates on EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS
▪️IOM-Algeria agreement
▪️NGO highlights mass deportations from Algeria to Niger
▪️EU releases €1 billion to Egypt
▪️UN experts issue warning over rights violations in Egypt
▪️Mass grave and secret detention facility discovered in Libya
shorturl.at/xHsD7
▪️IOM-Algeria agreement
▪️NGO highlights mass deportations from Algeria to Niger
▪️EU releases €1 billion to Egypt
▪️UN experts issue warning over rights violations in Egypt
▪️Mass grave and secret detention facility discovered in Libya
shorturl.at/xHsD7
January 22, 2026 at 9:38 AM
#ECREWeekly Updates on EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS
▪️IOM-Algeria agreement
▪️NGO highlights mass deportations from Algeria to Niger
▪️EU releases €1 billion to Egypt
▪️UN experts issue warning over rights violations in Egypt
▪️Mass grave and secret detention facility discovered in Libya
shorturl.at/xHsD7
▪️IOM-Algeria agreement
▪️NGO highlights mass deportations from Algeria to Niger
▪️EU releases €1 billion to Egypt
▪️UN experts issue warning over rights violations in Egypt
▪️Mass grave and secret detention facility discovered in Libya
shorturl.at/xHsD7
The unlawful detention of people in inhumane conditions in Libya is nothing new. The EU knows about it, yet continues to fund the Libyan authorities.
Libyan authorities have freed over 220 migrants from what would appear to be a secret underground prison in the southeast of the country. The people were held in gravely inhuman conditions.
www.infomigrants.net/en/post/6930...
www.infomigrants.net/en/post/6930...
Libya: Over 220 migrants freed from underground prison
Libyan authorities have freed over 220 migrants from what would appear to be a secret underground prison in the southeast of the country. The people were held in gravely inhuman conditions, according ...
www.infomigrants.net
January 22, 2026 at 7:36 AM
The unlawful detention of people in inhumane conditions in Libya is nothing new. The EU knows about it, yet continues to fund the Libyan authorities.
Algeria and IOM signed an agreement to deepen their ties regarding the IOM's voluntary return scheme. Meanwhile, data released by Alarme Phone Sahara states that the Algerian authorities expelled more than 34,000 migrants to Niger during 2025.
Algeria: IOM signs partnership with government expanding voluntary return partnership
Earlier this month, Algeria and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) signed an agreement to deepen their ties regarding the IOM's voluntary return scheme. Meanwhile, data released by the...
www.infomigrants.net
January 21, 2026 at 10:40 AM
Algeria and IOM signed an agreement to deepen their ties regarding the IOM's voluntary return scheme. Meanwhile, data released by Alarme Phone Sahara states that the Algerian authorities expelled more than 34,000 migrants to Niger during 2025.
No parent chooses a dangerous journey for their child unless the sea offers a greater chance of survival than the land.
January 21, 2026 at 9:54 AM
No parent chooses a dangerous journey for their child unless the sea offers a greater chance of survival than the land.
Reposted by ECRE
Hostile rhetoric doesn’t stay in headlines.
We’ve said this before, and we’ll say it again: this growing intimidation of people fleeing war and persecution has been fuelled by years of scapegoating in mainstream UK politics and media.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
We’ve said this before, and we’ll say it again: this growing intimidation of people fleeing war and persecution has been fuelled by years of scapegoating in mainstream UK politics and media.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
‘They’re emboldened’: British far-right activists step up harassment of asylum seekers in northern France
Aid groups say rise of far-right rhetoric in politics has fed into intimidation, vandalism and hate graffiti around migrant camps
www.theguardian.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Hostile rhetoric doesn’t stay in headlines.
We’ve said this before, and we’ll say it again: this growing intimidation of people fleeing war and persecution has been fuelled by years of scapegoating in mainstream UK politics and media.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
We’ve said this before, and we’ll say it again: this growing intimidation of people fleeing war and persecution has been fuelled by years of scapegoating in mainstream UK politics and media.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
TWO BABIES were among the 90 people rescued by @sosmediterranee.org.
📣No parent chooses a perilous journey for their child unless the sea offers a greater chance of survival than the land.
📣No parent chooses a perilous journey for their child unless the sea offers a greater chance of survival than the land.
90 survivors, including 2 babies, rescued by the #OceanViking, disembarked this morning in #Palermo. Assigning a nearby port saves lives and reduces suffering. Disembarkation without delay is required under international maritime law.
January 21, 2026 at 9:16 AM
TWO BABIES were among the 90 people rescued by @sosmediterranee.org.
📣No parent chooses a perilous journey for their child unless the sea offers a greater chance of survival than the land.
📣No parent chooses a perilous journey for their child unless the sea offers a greater chance of survival than the land.
Reposted by ECRE
The European Commission's updated Anti-Racism Strategy has drawn sharp criticism from civil society, who say it failed to target anti-immigrant rhetoric.
EU's anti-racism strategy blind on immigration
The European Commission's updated Anti-Racism Strategy has drawn sharp criticism from civil society, who say it failed to target anti-immigrant rhetoric.
euobserver.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:22 PM
The European Commission's updated Anti-Racism Strategy has drawn sharp criticism from civil society, who say it failed to target anti-immigrant rhetoric.
On EPP's requested debate on migration:
👉Migration is not uncontrolled. The number of recognised refugees in Europe is less than 10% of the entire world’s refugee population at the end of 2021.
👉Increased focus on return undermines fair asylum procedures, rights & long‑term sustainability.
👉Migration is not uncontrolled. The number of recognised refugees in Europe is less than 10% of the entire world’s refugee population at the end of 2021.
👉Increased focus on return undermines fair asylum procedures, rights & long‑term sustainability.
EP TODAY
Migration
This session’s topical debate, requested by the EPP, is on “Restoring control of migration: returns, visa policy and third-country cooperation”. It starts at 13.30. Henna Virkunnen will represent the European Commission.
6/
Migration
This session’s topical debate, requested by the EPP, is on “Restoring control of migration: returns, visa policy and third-country cooperation”. It starts at 13.30. Henna Virkunnen will represent the European Commission.
6/
January 21, 2026 at 8:22 AM
On EPP's requested debate on migration:
👉Migration is not uncontrolled. The number of recognised refugees in Europe is less than 10% of the entire world’s refugee population at the end of 2021.
👉Increased focus on return undermines fair asylum procedures, rights & long‑term sustainability.
👉Migration is not uncontrolled. The number of recognised refugees in Europe is less than 10% of the entire world’s refugee population at the end of 2021.
👉Increased focus on return undermines fair asylum procedures, rights & long‑term sustainability.
Re: Portugal’s Presidential Elections
Europe’s presidential candidates need a new playbook. Blaming migration and people of colour to win votes isn’t just lazy politics; it fuels racism, empowers populists & ignores the contributions of people with migrant backgrounds across all sectors.
Best
ECRE
Europe’s presidential candidates need a new playbook. Blaming migration and people of colour to win votes isn’t just lazy politics; it fuels racism, empowers populists & ignores the contributions of people with migrant backgrounds across all sectors.
Best
ECRE
January 20, 2026 at 12:41 PM
Re: Portugal’s Presidential Elections
Europe’s presidential candidates need a new playbook. Blaming migration and people of colour to win votes isn’t just lazy politics; it fuels racism, empowers populists & ignores the contributions of people with migrant backgrounds across all sectors.
Best
ECRE
Europe’s presidential candidates need a new playbook. Blaming migration and people of colour to win votes isn’t just lazy politics; it fuels racism, empowers populists & ignores the contributions of people with migrant backgrounds across all sectors.
Best
ECRE
Belgium has closed its last migrant reception centre, leaving people seeking asylum with nowhere to go. Meanwhile, many are forced to sleep on the streets while NGOs and individuals of conscience step in to provide emergency shelter.
Laatste opvanghotel voor asielzoekers gesloten, enkele weken eerder dan gepland | VRT NWS: nieuws
Afgelopen woensdag heeft het laatste opvanghotel voor asielzoekers in Brussel officieel de deuren gesloten. Dat zegt minister van Asiel en Migratie Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA). De sluiting was gepland...
www.vrt.be
January 20, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Belgium has closed its last migrant reception centre, leaving people seeking asylum with nowhere to go. Meanwhile, many are forced to sleep on the streets while NGOs and individuals of conscience step in to provide emergency shelter.
We’ve said it repeatedly: Europe’s border policies don’t stop people from moving. They just push them onto even more dangerous and distant routes to safety.
Migrants using more distant, riskier departure points to Canaries after Mauritania crackdown, Red Cross finds
Migrants crossing from West Africa to Spain's Canaries started using more distant - and potentially more deadly - departure points in 2025 following a crackdown by Mauritania on irregular migration, a...
www.reuters.com
January 20, 2026 at 12:28 PM
We’ve said it repeatedly: Europe’s border policies don’t stop people from moving. They just push them onto even more dangerous and distant routes to safety.
January 20, 2026 at 10:30 AM
On 8 January, the body of a seven-year-old girl was found off the coast of Samos.
👉 The EU’s restrictive border policies continue to turn the Mediterranean into one of the world’s deadliest migration routes.
👉 How can policymakers enforce such deadly practices without accountability?
👉 The EU’s restrictive border policies continue to turn the Mediterranean into one of the world’s deadliest migration routes.
👉 How can policymakers enforce such deadly practices without accountability?
Greece: Body of seven-year-old girl recovered on Samos
The child was identified by her mother by the clothes she was wearing. Shipwrecks remain a common and tragic occurrence along the Aegean Sea, where the Greek island of Samos sits.
www.infomigrants.net
January 20, 2026 at 9:03 AM
On 8 January, the body of a seven-year-old girl was found off the coast of Samos.
👉 The EU’s restrictive border policies continue to turn the Mediterranean into one of the world’s deadliest migration routes.
👉 How can policymakers enforce such deadly practices without accountability?
👉 The EU’s restrictive border policies continue to turn the Mediterranean into one of the world’s deadliest migration routes.
👉 How can policymakers enforce such deadly practices without accountability?
ECRE is sorry to share the sad news of the death of our former EU Representative, Richard Williams.
Richard led ECRE’s EU office between 2004 and 2007, during which time he played a crucial role in helping the organisation to establish its advocacy work in Brussels
🔗 shorturl.at/wGSeC
Richard led ECRE’s EU office between 2004 and 2007, during which time he played a crucial role in helping the organisation to establish its advocacy work in Brussels
🔗 shorturl.at/wGSeC
January 20, 2026 at 8:00 AM
ECRE is sorry to share the sad news of the death of our former EU Representative, Richard Williams.
Richard led ECRE’s EU office between 2004 and 2007, during which time he played a crucial role in helping the organisation to establish its advocacy work in Brussels
🔗 shorturl.at/wGSeC
Richard led ECRE’s EU office between 2004 and 2007, during which time he played a crucial role in helping the organisation to establish its advocacy work in Brussels
🔗 shorturl.at/wGSeC
One of the outcomes of "strategic co-operation" between EU-Maghreb countries 👇
People deported. And some die during the deportation process.
People deported. And some die during the deportation process.
APS - Assamaka, Niger: More than 34,000 people deported from Algeria to Niger in 2025.
Repeated deaths following deportation convoys. Protests by people stranded in Assamaka.
alarmephonesahara.info
January 19, 2026 at 3:42 PM
One of the outcomes of "strategic co-operation" between EU-Maghreb countries 👇
People deported. And some die during the deportation process.
People deported. And some die during the deportation process.
According to IOM Libya, 394 people were intercepted and returned to Libya from 11 to 17 January 2026.
📣A reminder that people pushed back to Libya by EU-funded Libyan authorities are sent to detention centres, where they face exploitation, trafficking, forced labour, and sexual violence.
📣A reminder that people pushed back to Libya by EU-funded Libyan authorities are sent to detention centres, where they face exploitation, trafficking, forced labour, and sexual violence.
January 19, 2026 at 1:38 PM
According to IOM Libya, 394 people were intercepted and returned to Libya from 11 to 17 January 2026.
📣A reminder that people pushed back to Libya by EU-funded Libyan authorities are sent to detention centres, where they face exploitation, trafficking, forced labour, and sexual violence.
📣A reminder that people pushed back to Libya by EU-funded Libyan authorities are sent to detention centres, where they face exploitation, trafficking, forced labour, and sexual violence.
European Commission: We've disbursed €1 billion in Macro-Financial Assistance to Egypt: bit.ly/4pX1fPG
UN experts and rights organisations: We're concerned about the Egyptian authorities' escalating violations against refugees: bit.ly/4pL0JEc
UN experts and rights organisations: We're concerned about the Egyptian authorities' escalating violations against refugees: bit.ly/4pL0JEc
January 19, 2026 at 10:34 AM
European Commission: We've disbursed €1 billion in Macro-Financial Assistance to Egypt: bit.ly/4pX1fPG
UN experts and rights organisations: We're concerned about the Egyptian authorities' escalating violations against refugees: bit.ly/4pL0JEc
UN experts and rights organisations: We're concerned about the Egyptian authorities' escalating violations against refugees: bit.ly/4pL0JEc
🧵After nearly eight years, justice has finally prevailed.
Last week, more than two dozen humanitarian workers were cleared of false charges of migrant smuggling.
Last week, more than two dozen humanitarian workers were cleared of false charges of migrant smuggling.
January 19, 2026 at 9:36 AM
🧵After nearly eight years, justice has finally prevailed.
Last week, more than two dozen humanitarian workers were cleared of false charges of migrant smuggling.
Last week, more than two dozen humanitarian workers were cleared of false charges of migrant smuggling.
In Libya's desert, Sudanese refugees cross paths as they flee or return to their homeland
In Libya's desert, Sudanese refugees cross paths as they flee or return to their homeland
Between 350,000 and one million Sudanese refugees have arrived in Libya since the outbreak of war in April 2023. In the southern city of Kufra, refugees end up in unsanitary camps. With no prospects, ...
www.lemonde.fr
January 19, 2026 at 8:15 AM
In Libya's desert, Sudanese refugees cross paths as they flee or return to their homeland
This week's #ECREWeekly includes articles on:
▪️Atlantic Route and Spain
▪️EU External Partners
Plus
▪️Joint Statement: Union Resettlement & Humanitarian Admission Plan
▪️Report: Study visit to Sweden on good practices in upholding rights of asylum-seeking & refugee women & girls
eepurl.com/jw5_nA
▪️Atlantic Route and Spain
▪️EU External Partners
Plus
▪️Joint Statement: Union Resettlement & Humanitarian Admission Plan
▪️Report: Study visit to Sweden on good practices in upholding rights of asylum-seeking & refugee women & girls
eepurl.com/jw5_nA
January 16, 2026 at 9:33 AM
This week's #ECREWeekly includes articles on:
▪️Atlantic Route and Spain
▪️EU External Partners
Plus
▪️Joint Statement: Union Resettlement & Humanitarian Admission Plan
▪️Report: Study visit to Sweden on good practices in upholding rights of asylum-seeking & refugee women & girls
eepurl.com/jw5_nA
▪️Atlantic Route and Spain
▪️EU External Partners
Plus
▪️Joint Statement: Union Resettlement & Humanitarian Admission Plan
▪️Report: Study visit to Sweden on good practices in upholding rights of asylum-seeking & refugee women & girls
eepurl.com/jw5_nA
#ECREWeekly Updates on ATLANTIC ROUTE and SPAIN:
▪️Drop in deaths on Atlantic route
▪️At least 50 deaths in 2 incidents on Atlantic route in December
▪️Major drop in arrivals on Canary Islands
▪️UN experts condemn mass eviction of people from settlement in Catalonia
Read it here: eepurl.com/jw5_nA
▪️Drop in deaths on Atlantic route
▪️At least 50 deaths in 2 incidents on Atlantic route in December
▪️Major drop in arrivals on Canary Islands
▪️UN experts condemn mass eviction of people from settlement in Catalonia
Read it here: eepurl.com/jw5_nA
January 16, 2026 at 8:34 AM
#ECREWeekly Updates on ATLANTIC ROUTE and SPAIN:
▪️Drop in deaths on Atlantic route
▪️At least 50 deaths in 2 incidents on Atlantic route in December
▪️Major drop in arrivals on Canary Islands
▪️UN experts condemn mass eviction of people from settlement in Catalonia
Read it here: eepurl.com/jw5_nA
▪️Drop in deaths on Atlantic route
▪️At least 50 deaths in 2 incidents on Atlantic route in December
▪️Major drop in arrivals on Canary Islands
▪️UN experts condemn mass eviction of people from settlement in Catalonia
Read it here: eepurl.com/jw5_nA
Reminder: Europe is not in a "migration crisis". The overwhelming majority of people displaced by persecution, violence and war are hosted by low- and middle-income countries.
January 16, 2026 at 8:22 AM
Reminder: Europe is not in a "migration crisis". The overwhelming majority of people displaced by persecution, violence and war are hosted by low- and middle-income countries.