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Family reunification rights: Refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection
Separating family members can have devastating consequences on their wellbeing and ability to rebuild their lives. This is true for everybody, but especially so for people who have fled persecution or serious harm and have lost family during forced displacement and their flight from danger. For beneficiaries of international protection, family separation can affect their ability to engage in many aspects of the integration process, from education and employment to putting down roots, and harm their ...
Key challenges faced by LGBTI asylum applicants in the EU
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gender and intersex (LGBTI) asylum applicants are recognised as a vulnerable social group under European Union (EU) legislation, and are therefore entitled to international protection. However, it is up to applicants to prove that they are indeed LGBTI, which can be challenging. As they often come from countries where being a member of the LGBTI community exposes individuals to persecution and violence, there is normally little documentary evidence they can produce to ...
Understanding crime statistics
Crime statistics are used to show crime levels and trends and to inform national policies to protect citizens and society. It is thus important that they are as accurate as possible, which is a challenge to both those who record the occurrences of crime and those who subsequently compile and use the resulting statistics. However, it is accepted among experts that complete accuracy or the measurement of the full extent of crime may never be achieved. To have a clear picture of the levels of crime, ...
Demographic changes and labour migration within the EU
With EU citizens now living longer and healthier lives, the focus of EU policy has shifted from ageing to longevity. This demographic change has significant social and economic repercussions, such as increased demand for housing, healthcare and social services. Public spending is also expected to increase. Demographic changes are exacerbating labour shortages across various sectors and skill levels, posing a threat to the EU's green and digital transitions, competitiveness and public services. This ...
Programul PEACE PLUS pentru Irlanda de Nord
Obiectivul programului PEACE PLUS al UE este de a sprijini pacea și reconcilierea și de a promova progresul economic și social și stabilitatea regională și cooperarea în Irlanda de Nord și în regiunea de frontieră a Irlandei.
Protecting children online: Selected EU, national and regional laws and initiatives
The internet has become an integral part of children's lives, offering a wide range of opportunities for learning, exploring, informing and interacting with others. However, this increased online presence also exposes children to numerous risks, including cyberbullying, fraudulent marketing practices, and sexual abuse and exploitation. The scale of these problems is alarming, with a significant proportion of children experiencing online harm every month. Furthermore, the rise of generative artificial ...
Child-friendly justice
Every child has rights and deserves protection. It is estimated that around 2.5 million children in the European Union come into contact with the justice system every year. This can be a very stressful and even harmful experience for a child, who may participate in criminal proceedings as either a victim, a witness or a perpetrator. Children can also be parties to civil proceedings such as divorce, custody or adoption procedures, as well as administrative procedures, for example those related to ...
Briefing for the FEMM delegation to UN CSW 69 (17 – 21 March 2025)
This briefing contains background materials for the FEMM Committee mission to the sixty-ninth session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, which focuses on the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly. The briefing has been prepared by the European Ϸվ’s Policy Department for Citizens, Equality and Culture at the request of the FEMM Committee.
A common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the European Union
According to Directive 2008/115/EC, third-country nationals staying illegally on the territory of a European Union (EU) Member State should, as a general rule, be issued a return decision obliging them to leave the EU. However, available data suggest that, among those who receive such a decision, only about a quarter actually leave the EU. The limited effectiveness of the return policy is due to several challenges that the EU and Member States face when carrying out return procedures, including difficulties ...
Commission proposal for a revised Facilitation Directive: Targeted substitute impact assessment
This study constitutes a targeted substitute impact assessment of the Commission’s proposal for a revised Facilitation Directive (COM(2023) 755), presented on 28 November 2023 as part of a package to address migrant smuggling. It provides a critical review of the existing legal and policy framework at EU level and its shortcomings regarding transposition and implementation. It also undertakes a critical and thorough appraisal of the proposed objectives and measures in terms of coherence, effectiveness ...