The Decision on December 8, 2022, by the Council of the European Union to admit Croatia into the Schengen area despite substantiated reports of frequent breaches of EU and international human rights law by Croatian authorities and its border guards shows disregard for the EU’s commitment to...

The European Union Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) will regulate the development and use of ‘high-risk’ AI, and aims to promote the uptake of ‘trustworthy AI’ whilst protecting the rights of people affected by AI systems. Amnesty International together with 163 civil society organizations and...

Amnesty International letter in view of the extraordinary Justice and Home Affairs Council to take place on 25 November 2022, which has been called following the recent standoff between member states on the disembarkation of refugees and migrants rescued by NGO vessels in the Central...

Following an announcement by the Latvian Internal Security Bureau (IDB) that their latest investigation found no evidence of human rights abuses by Latvian border guards against migrants and refugees at the Belarus border, Amnesty International’s Europe Researcher, Adriana Tidona, said: “Weeks...

Latvian authorities have violently pushed back refugees and migrants at the country’s borders with Belarus, subjecting many to grave human rights violations, including secret detention and even torture, according to new findings published in a report by Amnesty International. Latvia: Return home or...

In December 2021, the European Commission presented a proposal for a Regulation addressing situations of instrumentalisation in the field of migration and asylum. The proposal introduces a mechanism which allows Member States to derogate from their responsibilities under EU asylum law in...

Exactly one year ago, the first EU-funded Closed Controlled Access Centre (CCAC) for asylum seekers in Greece was inaugurated on the island of Samos. Concerns were raised from the outset, given that residents were immediately subjected to disproportionate restrictions on their movement and to...

As civil society and Afghan diaspora organisations, we are deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and the treatment of Afghan asylum seekers and refugees in Europe.One year after the Taliban takeover, the country is in a state of lawlessness without a constitution. The...

Iranian and Turkish security forces have repeatedly pushed back Afghans who attempt to cross their borders to reach safety, including by unlawfully opening fire on men, women and children, Amnesty International said today. In a new report, They don’t treat us like humans, the organization also...

Responding to the Court of Justice of the European Union’s finding today that Lithuanian national law, which orders the automatic detention of people who cross irregularly into the country and effectively denies them the right to asylum, is incompatible with EU laws, said Nils Muižnieks,...

As the Czech Republic government prepares to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), Amnesty International calls to ensure that human rights are at the forefront of the Czech presidency’s mandate. This presidency comes at a time of increased challenges in Europe, including...

New report details abuses against people who crossed into Lithuania from Belarus Treatment starkly contrasts with reception of people arriving from Ukraine EU Commission not fulfilling its duties under EU law Spokespeople available Lithuanian authorities have arbitrarily detained thousands of...