Justice & Home Affairs
17 newly arrived migrants in Lesbos test Covid-19 positive
Greece has been lucky – 17 migrants, all from Somalia, are safely isolated at Kara Tepe camp in the island of Lesbos, a show-case reception centre on the island. But at the overcrowded Moria camp on the same island the...
France to reciprocate Britain’s quarantine
Britain's decision to impose a 14-day quarantine on all arrivals from France will lead to a reciprocal measure, French junior minister for European affairs Clément Beaune said late on Thursday (13 August).
‘Love is not tourism’: hope for couples kept apart by virus
Coronavirus travel restrictions have kept lovers and unmarried couples apart since the outbreak, but governments around the world are now introducing measures to allow a happy and long-awaited reunion.
Ice cream maker Ben and Jerry’s turns fire on UK migration rhetoric
The British government has become embroiled in an unlikely row with ice cream maker Ben and Jerry's over its approach to migrants arriving by boat from France, after the brand criticised ministers' increasingly bellicose rhetoric.
Slovakia expels three Russian diplomats, link to Berlin murder reported
Slovakia said on Monday (10 August) it has expelled three staff at the Russian embassy in Bratislava whilst citing an abuse of Slovak visas, which local media said was linked with a murder of a Georgian man in Berlin last year.
Migration flow rises across Channel to Britain as political tension rises
British border agents brought ashore migrants in the port of Dover on Monday (10 August) after picking them up from an inflatable boat as they crossed the Channel, the latest in a surge of crossings that is causing political tensions with France.
UK armed forces asked to help deal with migrant boats crossing Channel
Britain's armed forces have been asked to help deal with boats carrying migrants across the Channel from France, the Defence Ministry said on Saturday (8 August) after a spate of arrivals on the southern English coast.
EU commission urges states to allow unmarried partners to travel
The European Commission on Friday (7 August) urged member states to allow EU entry for unmarried partners of European citizens and residents by exempting them from travel restrictions targeting some countries.
Belgian court rejects extradition of Catalan separatist
A Belgian court on Friday (7 August) rejected the extradition of a former Catalan regional minister to face charges in Spain related to the banned 2017 independence referendum, prosecutors said.
Former king Juan Carlos decides to leave Spain amid corruption allegations
Spain’s former king Juan Carlos has decided to leave his country, a dramatic exit designed to protect the monarchy after a barrage of corruption allegations surfaced against him.
Public anger over corruption hits support for Bulgarian government
Weeks of anti-government protests in Bulgaria have eroded public support for the centre-right GERB government of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, with opinion polls showing deepening political fragmentation amid concerns over corruption.
EU chief backs LGBT rights in row with Poland
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen defended LGBT rights on Thursday (30 July) after a row erupted over the EU's refusal of grants to towns in Poland accused of discrimination.
Ten Turkish communists sentenced in controversial German trial
Ten members of a banned Turkish communist party were sentenced to several years in jail by a court in Munich Tuesday (28 July) after a four-year trial over their role in what Ankara considers to be a terrorist organisation.
Polish government plays down moves to quit domestic violence treaty
Poland's right-wing government on Monday (27 July) played down a bid by its justice minister to withdraw from a landmark international treaty combating violence against women.
‘Alarm’ at Poland’s plan to leave treaty protecting women
The EU and the Council of Europe on Sunday (26 July) voiced regret and alarm over the Polish right-wing government's move to withdraw from a landmark international treaty combating violence against women.
Parliament insists on revisiting budget cuts despite Michel, von der Leyen charm offensive
European Council and Commission presidents tried to gain the European Parliament support on Thursday (23 July) for the recovery plan backed earlier this week by the EU27 but lawmakers insist on negotiating budget cuts.
Pesticides banned in EU still in use in Bulgaria
In her latest investigation, EURACTIV Bulgaria’s Valia Ahchieva reveals the use of EU-banned pesticides, conflicts of interest, siphoning of European funds, lies and gross neglect of human health and bees’ life by the authorities.
Russian interference in western judicial systems is growing
The West doesn’t seem to realise the trend whereby bad-faith Russian cases brought by the Russian state and oligarchs leverage trumped-up charges in Russian courts to harass and damage opponents and rivals in western legal proceedings, writes Daniel Mitov.
Poland to propose limits on foreign media soon, Kaczynski says
Poland will seek to craft rules limiting the concentration of foreign-owned media outlets well before the ruling nationalists finish their term in power, Poland's de facto leader said on Sunday (19 July), with parliamentary elections expected in 2023.
RENEWed Arrogance
The EU must stop using rule of law as a political tool, writes Tamás Deutsch, in response to Renew Europe's leader Dacian Ciolos.
Michel proposal offers Council more control over rule of law conditionality
European Council President Charles Michel's latest compromise proposal for the bloc's 2021-27 budget offers more power to member states in deciding to cut EU funding in case of rule of law problems, and instead promises more funding for values projects and the fight against disinformation.
Extremist violence spikes in Germany, new report reveals
The number of extremist crimes has increased significantly over the past year. The intensity of violent crimes is increasing in both the left and right-wing extremist spectrum. Foreign espionage activities and cyber attacks also pose an increasing threat. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany’s Seehofer cautiously optimistic on EU asylum reform
Germany said on Tuesday (7 July) it wants EU nations to overcome a deadlock on how to handle refugees and migrants this year, and Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) expressed "justified confidence" that a deal can be found. EURACTIV Germany reports.