Platform for Undocumented Migrants (PICUM)’s Post

🔥 NEW REPORT: At least 117 people faced judicial proceedings in the EU for helping migrants in 2023. The majority were charged with facilitation of entry, stay or transit or migrant smuggling (depending on how the crime is defined in national law).   The figures stem from our media monitoring of different national news outlets throughout 2023. This is most likely an undercount, as official data is lacking and many cases go unreported and undetected. Still, these data confirm a concerning, ongoing trend observed in previous reports: at least 102 people were criminalised in the EU in 2022 and at least 89 were criminalised between January 2021 and March 2022.   🚔 Our media monitoring found that the majority of people criminalised were in southern Europe, but cases were also reported in other countries.   Acts that were criminalised include: rescuing or helping migrants in distress at sea; providing shelter to migrants; promoting inclusive policies at local level; trying to stop a deportation, and providing migrants with food, water, and clothes.   The average length of the proceedings is 3.5 years, but many last even longer.   🛶 Not only solidarity with migrants is being criminalised under counter-smuggling legislation, but also the very act of migrating. In 2023, at least 76 migrants in Italy, Greece and Spain were criminalised for the sole act of crossing borders irregularly.   At least seven of the people criminalised in 2023 were children at the time of the facts.   Migrants were charged with facilitation of irregular entry for actions including driving a boat, being on boat, and resisting a pushback at sea. The accusations fail to capture the underlying motivations behind these actions, which often include reuniting with family members, covering the cost of the passage, seeking livelihoods, and supporting others.   💰 Our media monitoring also recorded at least 15 cases of non-judicial harassment, concerning 17 individuals and 12 NGOs. In one third of the cases, the person/organisation concerned was issued an administrative fine for their actions in support to migrants. Other non-judicial forms of harassment included confiscation of material, police harassment or detention. 📖 Read more in our report: https://lnkd.in/dK_Y3ZwS #migration #humanrights

Little that will address root causes of trafficking and even less to protect and empower trafficked people. The revision of the Anti-trafficking Directive that the European Parliament voted on focuses once again on a criminalisation approach and doesn't do enough to strengthen rights of victims and those at risk. The good, the bad and the meh of the revised Directive: 😩 it obliges member states to criminalise the knowing use of services of trafficked people despite zero evidence that this is effective in tackling trafficking. On the contrary, further criminalisation will likely lead to discriminatory policing, especially targeting sex workers. 😩 it weakens the role of independent trafficking watchdogs (National Rapporteurs). 😑 it urges member states to let trafficked children report abuse in a safe and confidential way, which should be interpreted as letting undocumented children report abuse without fearing immigration enforcement. But no such thing is foreseen for adults. 😑 it reiterates that people in trafficking procedures should be able to claim asylum if they wish so. This is already a legal obligation for member states, but in practice trafficked people are often not informed and have to choose between the procedures. 😑 it puts more emphasis on the need for shelters to be accessible and adequate (governments were already required to provide safe and appropriate accommodation). 😀 it requires member states to strengthen liability and use non-criminal sanctions against those found liable for trafficking offenses, including exclusion from access to public subsidies and contracts. 😀 but the only very good improvement is that the revised Directive specifies it should be possible for trafficked people to not face punishment for administrative offences (in addition to ‘non-punishment for criminal offences committed while trafficked). We urge for this to be implemented so that undocumented trafficked people do not face immigration enforcement or any sanction related to their undocumented residence or work. Apart from this welcome step forward, this revision fails to tackle the root causes of trafficking and to provide meaningful protections, permits and ways for redress for trafficked people. We'll keep on calling for national governments to have greater ambition in these areas, and introduce the legal and practical changes that are urgently needed to make a real difference for trafficked people and those at risk. #migration #humanrights

🔔 We're seeking an external consultant to evaluate our work on labour rights and labour migration. The objectives of this assignment are to: 🛠 Carry out an independent, external evaluation of PICUM’s work on labour rights and labour migration over the last five years. The evaluation should seek to critically assess the strategic objectives set and strategies used to achieve them, for their relevance, impact and effectiveness. 🛠 Evaluate our sub-granting programme both in terms of its value to PICUM members and contribution to achieving social change, and in terms of PICUM’s role, its relationship with its members and the process (also relevant beyond PICUM’s work on labour). 🛠 Feed into our strategic planning process (running in parallel from May 2024-May 2025), in which we are critically assessing our work, objectives and ways of working, to develop our next strategic plan for the period 2026-2030. 📆 Estimated number of days: 20-24 working days (indicative number); between June 2024 and end of February 2025. ⏰ Deadline to apply: 26 May 2024. 📝 Find more info on the position and how to apply on https://picum.org/join-us/ #jobs #jobfairy #hiring

This Ombudsman rocks! ❤️ (and yes, they should call it Ombudsperson) The EU Ombudsman has opened an inquiry into how the European Commission intends to guarantee respect for human rights in the context of the EU-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding, which includes an unclear partnership for "combating irregular migration".   The Ombudsman highlighted concerns about the absence of a prior human rights impact assessment and asked the Commission about monitoring and enforcement measures, including the possible suspension of EU funding, if human rights violations are identified. This is not the only deal that the EU has struck with third countries, including authoritarian regimes, to prevent people from reaching Europe. All of them have been criticised for their lack of transparency and for perpetuating a punitive approach on migration that only harms people and pushes them into ever riskier routes. We're happy that the EU Ombudsman is taking these issues seriously and is ready to investigate.   Stay tuned, as we’ll follow this closely! Read more on https://lnkd.in/d3DTj6BY #migration #humanrights #europe

🔔 Looking for a job in migration in Europe? Here's the latest roundup from our network and partners: [Austria] Österreichisches Rotes Kreuz – Migration in Seekirchen (part-time) https://lnkd.in/ddB55Tb7   [Austria] Österreichisches Rotes Kreuz – Migration (part-time or full-time) https://lnkd.in/drhdhPMH   [Belgium] atlas, integratie en inburgering Antwerpen – Programme Planner with Different Languages (Trajectbepalers verschillende talen) – 30 April https://lnkd.in/dNiUg9iC   [Belgium] European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) – Legal Assistant (intern) – 28 April https://lnkd.in/ejpcvpC4   [Belgium] Médecins du Monde Belgique - Dokters van de Wereld België –  Assistant.e Social.e CASO et Spécialistes – 24 April https://lnkd.in/dp54DnCR   [Belgium] Médecins du Monde Belgique - Dokters van de Wereld België –  Directeur.trice général.e – 5 May https://lnkd.in/d29sQ_2K   [Belgium] Médecins du Monde Belgique - Dokters van de Wereld België – Security & Prevention Officer - HUB Humanitaire – Rolling basis https://lnkd.in/dEQJPAs3   [Greece] SOLIDARITYNOW, Communications & Partnership Liaison Officer – 21 April https://lnkd.in/dNsaFrNg   [Netherlands] ASKV / Steunpunt vluchtelingen, Supervisory Board Member (Lid Raad van Toezicht) – 27 April https://lnkd.in/eP4pQQST   [Netherlands] Pharos, Marketing & communications consultant and press officer (Marketing & communicatie adviseur en persvoorlichter) – 29 April https://lnkd.in/ebRZiXnh   [remote] ESWA, Programme Officer - 1 May https://bit.ly/3TYyOTr   [Spain] Accem, Abogados/as programa atención humanitaria a inmigrantes CAED Mérida – 19 April https://bit.ly/49HkqVe   [Spain] Accem, Prospector/a laboral protección internacional (sustitución) – 19 April https://bit.ly/3VY8Phz   [Spain] Accem, Trabajador/a social, proyecto “acogida y acompañamiento para personas retornadas" – 25 April https://bit.ly/3UkFzjz   [UK] Anti-Slavery International, Grant Finance Coordinator – 28 April https://bit.ly/3UkFxIt   [UK] Coram, Social Worker/Senior Social Worker – 23 April https://bit.ly/3W37BS7   #jobs #jobfair #migration #humanrights

We love this news! ❤️ On 9 April, the Spanish Congress voted to consider a citizens’ petition for the regularisation of 500,000 undocumented people living and working in Spain. The petition gathered more than 700,000 signatures, as well as the support of 900 civil society organisations. All political groups voted in favour of this petition, except for far-right party Vox.   The petition demands an extraordinary regularisation of those who already live and work in Spain in an irregular situation, as organisers denounce hard-to-meet criteria and lengthy and cumbersome procedures for existing residence permits.   The initiative began two years ago, when the 'RegularizacionYa' Movement, made up of migrants and anti-racist organizations from all over Spain, launched a large campaign to collect signatures.   Congratulations to the 'RegularizacionYa' Movement and all migrants and anti-racist organisations that supported it for their great work in collecting over 700.000 signatures and pushing the Congress to debate this extraordinary regularisation. The text of the petition will now be debated in parliamentary committees, before being voted on by the full Congress in the next months.   We join Spanish civil society in calling on the Congress to pass a fair, inclusive and effective regularisation measure for all undocumented people living and working in Spain. #migration #humanrights #spain

Some good news for migrant workers ❤️ In a final vote on 12 April, the Council of the EU approved work permit rules for migrant workers that would improve application processes, labour market mobility and possibilities to escape exploitation (the revised Single Permit Directive). Most notably, the revised Directive seeks to ease procedures for non-EU workers to change employer - something we've long been advocating for. Work permits are often issued linked to a specific job, tying the migrant worker to their employer. Changing employer often entails lengthy and costly procedures, keeps workers in great uncertainty and ultimately prevents many from changing employer even when they endure abuse and exploitation. While governments will still be able to require certain conditions to be met, workers will now have a right to change employer and the process should be simpler, faster and more predictable. In the same vein, the revised Directive also ensures migrant workers can be out of work for a certain period of time without automatically losing their permit. This is a crucial aspect for workers needing or choosing to change employer, as they can use this time to seek alternative work without becoming undocumented. The new law also requires governments to facilitate complaints and access to legal redress for migrant workers. This revision is a promising step forward in enforcing the rights of migrant workers and improving their working conditions. Much more still needs to be done to really break the chain of dependency of workers on their employers – and much will also depend on how national governments implement these new rules. But today we celebrate this win with all the partners who joined our advocacy efforts. We will continue working together to make sure all workers can access decent work in Europe. ❤️ Read more in our press release 👇 #migration #work #humanrights

In a final plenary vote on April 10, the European Parliament sealed a Migration Pact that will likely lead to widespread human rights violations across Europe and at its borders. Among other harms, this would mean that: ⛔ Any person coming to Europe without valid travel documents will likely be detained in border facilities, without exceptions regarding age, including families with babies. ⛔ People who are considered not eligible for asylum will risk being directly channelled into deportation procedures, disregarding other existing national avenues for people to stay in Europe, from medical permits to family reunification. ⛔ People will not have any effective legal representation while they undergo administrative procedures at borders. People who appeal their deportation order can be deported while waiting for a decision on their case. ⛔ Racialised communities living in the EU (including EU citizens) will be increasingly profiled as screening procedures are rolled out to identify people who have, at a certain point, entered irregularly across the bloc. ⛔ Member states will be able to derogate from key safeguards when they claim a third country is pushing people to their borders (which the Pact calls “instrumentalisation of migration”). The Migration Pact is set to become law, but we’ll continue to fight its implementation and its harms throughout Europe. #migration #humanrights #europe

The EU wants to turn its database for the registration of asylum seekers, EURODAC, into a violent tool of mass surveillance against migrants and racialised people.   On April 10, the European Parliament will vote on the expansion of EURODAC. There's a laundry list of harms this will lead to:   ❌ EURODAC will now include facial recognition - an invasive practice that strips people of their dignity and increases their risk of deportation and being harmed. ❌ People seeking asylum can now be forced to give their fingerprints and face scans. Refusal will lead to detention and other punitive measures. ❌ Children as young as six could be coerced to give biometrics through invasive and stigmatising procedures. ❌ Racial profiling will increase against all racialised people in the EU.   This endless expansion of EURODAC must end.   ✊🏾 Join us in calling on EU lawmakers to stop EURODAC, and protect the rights of migrants and racialised people. ❤️ Please help us share with your contacts.

Not even a week after the anti-migration deal with Egypt, the European Commission is considering a similar deal with Lebanon. Such a deal would aim at curbing the number of migrant arrivals in Cyprus from Lebanon, which hosts an important community of Syrian refugees. Announced by European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas on March 22, the deal could be similar to the one signed with Egypt on March 17. The Cypriot government also expressed its wish to consider declaring parts of war-torn Syria safe, which would allow authorities to repatriate people arriving from there, despite continuous reports of gross human rights violations in the country. The EU’s approach to grant money to third countries so they keep people out of Europe has been proven harmful time and time again. People move. They always have, and always will. Deals like these only push them into ever more dangerous routes to reach Europe. What we need is routes that allow people to move and settle in safety and dignity. Read more on InfoMigrants 👇 #migration #humanrights #cyprus #lebanon