Stop Europol’s Trojan Horse: 168 organisations and experts call to reject “insidious” police powers expansion
EDRi published today a joint statement by 168 organisations and experts calling for the rejection of the Europol Regulation and to amend the proposed Facilitation Directive. The so-called ‘Facilitators Package’ would expand surveillance measures, erode the right to seek asylum and criminalise human movement.
Civil society united against the criminalisation of migrants and rights defenders
EDRi, together with the Equinox Initiative For Racial Justice, today published a joint statement signed by 168 organisations and experts. We call for the full rejection of the Europol Regulation. We also demand amendments to the Facilitation Directive that would bring the legislation in line with international standards.
The EU Commission has proposed a so-called ‘Facilitators Package’ that consists of a proposed Facilitation Directive and a reform to the Europol Regulation. The proposals are presented under the guise of “counter-smuggling” narratives but would really lead to the criminalisation of migrants and rights defenders.
The Europol Regulation has been called a ‘Trojan Horse’ for expanded surveillance measures. The EU’s so-called ‘Facilitators Package’ has been deemed a “continuation of the erosion of the right to seek asylum and the criminalisation of human movement”.
Criminalisation of people on the move is on the rise
The criminalisation of people crossing borders and those acting in solidarity with them – including lawyers, doctors and search and rescue workers – has been on the rise over the last few years. Migrant’s rights groups fear the new legislation will only legitimise stricter, punitive measures.
“The fight against so-called ‘migrant smuggling’ is an insidious pretext to unlawfully expand Europol’s powers. Turning Europol’s NSA-style surveillance capabilities against migrants and human right defenders will only lead to more pushbacks, violence and deaths at the EU borders. So not only it is hypocritical, but also extremely harmful. The only solution is the rejection of this Europol reform proposal.”
In October 2024, 288 organisations and individuals called the current course of action “illegal, immoral, and unworkable”.