From EUobserver · · 50s
EU funds border drones as rights monitors go unfunded
EU pours millions into border drones while rights monitors face funding cuts.
In brief
EU pours millions into border drones while rights monitors face funding cuts. The EU is funding border surveillance drones but not the independent rights monitors required by law to oversee asylum procedures. Originally reported by EUobserver.
EU Commission
The European Commission says asylum seekers arriving at EU borders are now being screened but makes no mention of independent rights monitors required by EU law.
Ursula von der Leyen
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen stated border procedures are being carried out in a letter to EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Thursday (15 October).
EU law issues
An annex to von der Leyen's letter highlights broad outstanding issues in implementing new EU-wide asylum laws that kicked into force in June.
The takeaway
The EU is funding border surveillance drones but not the independent rights monitors required by law to oversee asylum procedures.
