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Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez

Amnesty EU @amnestyeu.bsky.social · 13d

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/...

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

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Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez

Amnesty EU @amnestyeu.bsky.social · 24d

@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.

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

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Olivia Sundberg Diez @oliviasundberg.bsky.social · Jul 10

And lastly, more cooperation with #Libya to stem arrivals, by trapping ever more people in a horrific cycle of abuse, is not a way forward either.

This week's events show the risks for the EU relying on partners who are too willing to violate rights for political gains.

bsky.app/profile/amne...

Amnesty EU @amnestyeu.bsky.social · Jul 8

"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...

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

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Olivia Sundberg Diez @oliviasundberg.bsky.social · Jul 10

Greece adopted similar measures back in 2020, suspending asylum and ramped up returns in response to increased arrivals at its border with Türkiye.

Here's what that led to, and what cannot now happen again: www.amnesty.org/en/latest/pr...

Greece: Pushbacks and violence against refugees and migrants are de facto border policy

Greek border forces are violently and illegally pushing groups of refugees and migrants back to Turkey. Some are being apprehended far inland, away from border areas.

www.amnesty.org

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Olivia Sundberg Diez @oliviasundberg.bsky.social · Jul 10

The answer is never to deny people asylum - but to lead with humanity, solidarity, proportionality, and preparedness - making use of the EU support available.

Or did policymakers spend years working on a Common European Asylum System for nothing?

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Olivia Sundberg Diez @oliviasundberg.bsky.social · Jul 10

Increases in arrivals have happened in the EU before, and indeed may happen again in the future.

It would be ludicrous to suggest that this can't be managed while upholding international law - and deeply counterproductive for any future EU dialogue with #Greece or other member states.

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Olivia Sundberg Diez @oliviasundberg.bsky.social · Jul 10

Greece's proposal clearly violates basic tenets of EU & international law. Int'l law strictly prohibits returning people without first assessing their circumstances. The plans also hint at automatic, arbitrary and illegal detention in Crete.

This is plain to see.
www.unhcr.org/gr/en/news/p...

UNHCR deeply concerned by Greece’s suspension of asylum applications | UNHCR Greece

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, acknowledges the pressure created by recent arrivals in Gavdos and Crete. States have the right to manage borders and address irregular migration. Controlling a State’s b...

www.unhcr.org

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Olivia Sundberg Diez @oliviasundberg.bsky.social · Jul 10

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...

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Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez

Amnesty EU @amnestyeu.bsky.social · Jul 8

"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...

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

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Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez

Amnesty EU @amnestyeu.bsky.social · May 20

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👇

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

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Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez

Amnesty EU @amnestyeu.bsky.social · May 14

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 👇

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

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Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez

Amnesty EU @amnestyeu.bsky.social · Apr 18

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...

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

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Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez

POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · Apr 18

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.

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

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Olivia Sundberg Diez @oliviasundberg.bsky.social · Apr 18

As European states now look to set up return hubs, or offshore detention centres, I hope they read Benham's testimony and think twice.

His call:

"It was torture what the government did to us... It has become a stain on Australian history.

I hope no European country ever adopts this policy."

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Olivia Sundberg Diez @oliviasundberg.bsky.social · Apr 18

“People would self-immolate with petrol in detention. We were beaten. At times the violence was extreme, and you could be assaulted for no reason."

"When a packet of cigarettes can guarantee your safety, you understand how cheap human life can be,” he says.

"We were out of sight, out of mind."

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Olivia Sundberg Diez @oliviasundberg.bsky.social · Apr 18

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...

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

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Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez

Amnesty EU @amnestyeu.bsky.social · Apr 11

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 🧵

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Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez

ECRE @theecre.bsky.social · Mar 11

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.

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Olivia Sundberg Diez @oliviasundberg.bsky.social · Mar 11

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

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

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Olivia Sundberg Diez @oliviasundberg.bsky.social · Mar 11

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

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Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez

Amnesty EU @amnestyeu.bsky.social · Mar 11

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🧵

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Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez

Amnesty EU @amnestyeu.bsky.social · Mar 10

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...

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

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Olivia Sundberg Diez @oliviasundberg.bsky.social · Mar 10

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...

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

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Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez

Amnesty EU @amnestyeu.bsky.social · Feb 26

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...

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

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Reposted by Olivia Sundberg Diez

European Ombudsman @ombudsman.europa.eu · Feb 25

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...

European Ombudsman

www.ombudsman.europa.eu

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