Volcanic activity worldwide 18 Dec 2025: Santiaguito volcano, Fuego, Popocatépetl, Soputan, Talang,…

Map of today's active volcanoes

Map of today’s active volcanoes

Canlaon (Central Philippines): The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported that the eruption continued at Kanlaon on 17 December 2025 (local). Plume(s) rose to a maximum of 75 m (246 ft) above the vent. The alert level remained at „2 – Moderate Level of Volcanic Unrest“ (level 2 on a 0–5 level scale).
Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
… [read more]

Taal (Luzon, Philippines): The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported that the eruption continued at Taal on 17 December 2025 (local). Plume(s) were reported. The alert level remained at „1 – Low-Level Unrest“ (on a 0–5 level scale).
Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
… [read more]

Mayon (Luzon Island, Philippines): The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported that unrest continued at Mayon on 17 December 2025 (local). Plume(s) were reported. There were 6 seismically detected rockfalls. The alert level remained at „1 – Abnormal“ (on a 0–5 level scale).
Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
… [read more]

Telong (northern Sumatra, Indonesia): The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG) reported that unrest continued at Telong, Bur ni on 17 December 2025 (local). The alert level remained at „Level 2 – Alert“ (on a 4-level scale).
Source: Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG)
… [read more]

Karangetang (Siau Island, Sangihe Islands, Indonesia): The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG) reported that unrest continued at Karangetang on 17 December 2025 (local). Gas and vapor plume(s) rose to a maximum of 500 m (1,640 ft) above the vent. There were 5 seismically detected rockfalls. The alert level remained at „Level 2 – Alert“ (on a 4-level scale). Activity also included: audible sounds (e.g., booms, rumbling).
Source: Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG)
… [read more]

Raung (East Java): The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG) reported that the eruption continued at Raung on 17 December 2025 (local). Gas and vapor plume(s) rose to a maximum of 300 m (984 ft) above the vent. The alert level remained at „Level 2 – Alert“ (on a 4-level scale).
Source: Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG)
… [read more]

Ibu (Halmahera, Indonesia): Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Darwin (VAAC) issued the following report: VA LAST REPORTED AT 18/1526Z MOV NE EST VA DTG:18/1600Z
…18 Dec:
The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG) reported that the eruption continued at Ibu on 17 December 2025 (local). Ash and gas plume(s) rose to a maximum of 800 m (2,625 ft) above the vent. There were 102 seismically detected explosions reported. The alert level remained at „Level 2 – Alert“ (on a 4-level scale).
Source: Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG)
… [read more]

Sangeang Api (Flores Sea, Indonesia): The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG) reported that unrest continued at Sangeang Api on 17 December 2025 (local). The alert level remained at „Level 2 – Alert“ (on a 4-level scale).
Source: Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG)
… [read more]

Talang (Sumatra): The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG) reported that unrest continued at Talang on 17 December 2025 (local). The alert level remained at „Level 2 – Alert“ (on a 4-level scale).
Source: Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG)
… [read more]

Lewotobi (Flores): The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG) reported that the eruption continued at Lewotobi (Laki-Laki) on 17 December 2025 (local). Gas and vapor plume(s) rose to a maximum of 300 m (984 ft) above the vent. The alert level remained at „Level 3 – Standby“ (on a 4-level scale).
Source: Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG)
… [read more]

Soputan (North Sulawesi, Indonesia): The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG) reported that unrest continued at Soputan on 17 December 2025 (local). The alert level remained at „Level 2 – Alert“ (on a 4-level scale).
Source: Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG)
… [read more]

Lewotolo (Lesser Sunda Islands): The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG) reported that the eruption continued at Lewotolok on 17 December 2025 (local). Gas and vapor plume(s) rose to a maximum of 50 m (164 ft) above the vent. There were 66 seismically detected explosions reported. The alert level remained at „Level 2 – Alert“ (on a 4-level scale).
Source: Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG)
… [read more]

Merapi (Central Java, Indonesia): The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG) reported that the eruption continued at Merapi on 17 December 2025 (local). There were 6 hot rockfalls, traveling up to 1,800 m. There were 87 seismically detected rockfalls. The alert level remained at „Level 3 – Standby“ (on a 4-level scale).
Source: Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG)
… [read more]

Semeru (East Java, Indonesia): The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG) reported that the eruption continued at Semeru on 17 December 2025 (local). Ash and gas plume(s) rose to a maximum of 500 m (1,640 ft) above the vent. There were 123 seismically detected explosions reported. There were 3 seismically detected rockfalls. The alert level remained at „Level 3 – Standby“ (on a 4-level scale).
Source: Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG)
… [read more]

Marapi (Western Sumatra, Indonesia): The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG) reported that the eruption continued at Marapi on 17 December 2025 (local). Gas and vapor plume(s) rose to a maximum of 150 m (492 ft) above the vent. The alert level remained at „Level 2 – Alert“ (on a 4-level scale).
Source: Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG)
… [read more]

Dukono (Halmahera): The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG) reported that the eruption continued at Dukono on 17 December 2025 (local). Ash and gas plume(s) rose to a maximum of 700 m (2,297 ft) above the vent. The alert level remained at „Level 2 – Alert“ (on a 4-level scale).
Source: Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG)
… [read more]

Kerinci (Sumatra): The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG) reported that unrest continued at Kerinci on 17 December 2025 (local). The alert level remained at „Level 2 – Alert“ (on a 4-level scale).
Source: Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG)
… [read more]

Iliwerung (Lesser Sunda Islands): The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG) reported that unrest continued at Iliwerung on 17 December 2025 (local). The alert level remained at „Level 2 – Alert“ (on a 4-level scale).
Source: Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG)
… [read more]

Lokon-Empung (North Sulawesi, Indonesia): The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG) reported that unrest continued at Lokon-Empung on 17 December 2025 (local). Gas and vapor plume(s) rose to a maximum of 25 m (82 ft) above the vent. The alert level remained at „Level 2 – Alert“ (on a 4-level scale).
Source: Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG)
… [read more]

Kilauea (Hawai’i): The United States Geological Survey – Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (USGS-HVO) reported that the eruption continued at Kilauea on 17 December 2025 (local). Intermittent glow was observed at the south vent. No glow was detected at the north vent, likely due to the continued low visibility conditions overnight. The alert level remained at „Watch“ (level 3 on a 4-level scale). The aviation alert level remained at „Orange“ (level 3 on a 4-level scale).
Source: United States Geological Survey – Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (USGS-HVO)
… [read more]

Shishaldin (Aleutian Islands, Alaska): The United States Geological Survey – Alaska Volcano Observatory (USGS-AVO) reported that unrest continued at Shishaldin between 16 December 2025 (local) and 17 December 2025 (local). A small steam/vapor plume was observed rising above the summit in webcam images from 16–17 December. The alert level remained at „Advisory“ (level 2 on a 4-level scale). The aviation alert level remained at „Yellow“ (level 2 on a 4-level scale).
Source: United States Geological Survey – Alaska Volcano Observatory (USGS-AVO)
… [read more]

Great Sitkin (United States, Aleutian Islands): The United States Geological Survey – Alaska Volcano Observatory (USGS-AVO) reported that the eruption continued at Great Sitkin between 16 December 2025 (local) and 17 December 2025 (local). Satellite imagery from 16–17 December showed slightly elevated surface temperatures associated with the active lava flow. Lava continued to slowly erupt in the summit crater. The alert level remained at „Watch“ (level 3 on a 4-level scale). The aviation alert level remained at „Orange“ (level 3 on a 4-level scale).
Source: United States Geological Survey – Alaska Volcano Observatory (USGS-AVO)
… [read more]

Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Washington warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 20000 ft (6100 m) altitude or flight level 200 .
The full report is as follows: VA EMS OBS to 20000 ft (6100 m)
…18 Dec:
The Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres (CENAPRED) reported that the eruption continued at Popocatépetl between 16 December 2025 (local) and 17 December 2025 (local). Ash, gas, and vapor plume(s) were reported. The alert level remained at „Yellow Alert – Phase 2“ (level 4 on a 7-level scale).
Source: Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres (CENAPRED)
… [read more]

Santiaguito (Guatemala): Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Washington warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 14000 ft (4300 m) altitude or flight level 140 .
The full report is as follows: LGT VA EMS OBS to 14000 ft (4300 m)
…18 Dec:
The Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología (INSIVUMEH) reported that the eruption continued at Santa María between 16 December 2025 (local) and 17 December 2025 (local). Ash plume(s) rose to a maximum of 900 m (2,953 ft) above the vent. Gas and vapor plume(s) rose to a maximum of 500 m (1,640 ft) above the vent. Crater glow was observed during the early morning and nighttime hours. There were explosions reported, occurring at a rate of up to 3 per hour. Ash fall was reported in San Marcos Palajunoj, Santa Anita, and Loma Linda. There were incandescent rockfalls.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología (INSIVUMEH)
… [read more]

Fuego (Guatemala): Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Washington (VAAC) issued the following report: VA EMS PSBL
…18 Dec:
The Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología (INSIVUMEH) reported that the eruption continued at Fuego between 16 December 2025 (local) and 17 December 2025 (local). Ash and gas plume(s) rose to a maximum of 837 m (2,746 ft) above the vent. Gas and vapor plume(s) rose to a maximum of 300 m (984 ft) above the vent. Incandescent material was ejected in pulses up to 200 m above the vent, resulting in the crater area being covered with incandescent rock fragments. There were explosions reported, occurring at a rate of up to 12 per hour. Fine ash fall was reported in Yepocapa, Panimaché I and II, and Morelia. There were incandescent rockfalls. Activity also included: audible sounds (e.g., booms, rumbling).
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología (INSIVUMEH)
… [read more]

Turrialba (Costa Rica): The Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica – Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA) reported that unrest continued at Turrialba on 17 December 2025 (local). The alert level remained at „Level 2 – Warning“ (on a 0–4 level scale).
Source: Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica – Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)
… [read more]

Rincón de la Vieja (Costa Rica): The Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica – Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA) reported that unrest continued at Rincón de la Vieja on 17 December 2025 (local). The alert level remained at „Level 2 – Warning“ (on a 0–4 level scale). The aviation alert level remained at „Yellow“ (level 2 on a 4-level scale).
Source: Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica – Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)
… [read more]

Poas (Costa Rica): The Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica – Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA) reported that the eruption continued at Poás on 17 December 2025 (local). The alert level remained at „Level 2 – Warning“ (on a 0–4 level scale). The aviation alert level remained at „Yellow“ (level 2 on a 4-level scale).
Source: Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica – Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)
… [read more]

Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia): Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Washington (VAAC) issued the following report: NO VA EMS OBSD

Puracé (Colombia): Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Washington warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 21000 ft (6400 m) altitude or flight level 210 .
The full report is as follows: LGT VA EMS OBS to 21000 ft (6400 m)
…18 Dec:
The Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC) reported that the eruption continued at Puracé on 17 December 2025 (local). The alert level remained at „Orange“ (level 3 on a 4-level scale).
Source: Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC)
… [read more]

Sangay (Ecuador): The Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN) reported that the eruption continued at Sangay between 16 December 2025 (local) and 17 December 2025 (local). Ash and gas plume(s) rose to a maximum of 800 m (2,625 ft) above the vent. There were 254 seismically detected explosions reported. The alert level remained at „2 – Yellow“ (on a 4-level scale). Activity also included: thermal anomaly(ies).
Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)
… [read more]

Reventador (Ecuador): Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Washington (VAAC) issued the following report: VA EMS PSBL
…18 Dec:
The Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN) reported that the eruption continued at Reventador between 16 December 2025 (local) and 17 December 2025 (local). Ash and gas plume(s) rose to a maximum of 1,000 m (3,281 ft) above the vent. Seismicity was not recorded due to technical issues. The alert level remained at „3 – Orange“ (on a 4-level scale). Activity also included: thermal anomaly(ies).
Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)
… [read more]

Sabancaya (Peru): The Centro Vulcanológico Nacional del Instituto Geofísico del Perú (CENVUL-IGP) reported that the eruption continued at Sabancaya between 16 December 2025 (local) and 17 December 2025 (local). Ash, gas, and vapor plume(s) rose to a maximum of 1,300 m (4,265 ft) above the vent. There was 1 explosion reported. A total of 9 earthquakes related to the movement of magma and gases were recorded. The alert level remained at „Orange“ (level 3 on a 4-level scale). Activity also included: thermal anomaly(ies).
Source: Centro Vulcanológico Nacional del Instituto Geofísico del Perú (CENVUL-IGP)
… [read more]

Ibu Volcano Volcanic Ash Advisory: VA LAST REPORTED AT 18/1526Z MOV NE EST VA DTG: 18/1600Z

Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Darwin (VAAC) issued the following report:

FVAU01 at 16:18 UTC, 18/12/25 from ADRM
VA ADVISORY
DTG: 20251218/1620Z
VAAC: DARWIN
VOLCANO: IBU 268030
PSN: N0129 E12738
AREA: INDONESIA
SOURCE ELEV: 1325M AMSL
ADVISORY NR: 2025/1413
INFO SOURCE: CVGHM, HIMAWARI-9
ERUPTION DETAILS: VA LAST REPORTED AT 18/1526Z MOV NE
EST VA DTG: 18/1600Z
EST VA CLD: SFC/FL070 N0124 E12736 – N0136 E12733 – N0140
E12749 – N0131 E12757 – N0121 E12750 MOV NE 05KT
FCST VA CLD +6 HR: 18/2200Z SFC/FL070 N0124 E12736 – N0131
E12723 – N0141 E12733 – N0140 E12747 – N0126 E12751
FCST VA CLD +12 HR: 19/0400Z SFC/FL070 N0124 E12736 – N0136
E12726 – N0143 E12738 – N0139 E12750 – N0124 E12751
FCST VA CLD +18 HR: 19/1000Z SFC/FL070 N0124 E12736 – N0140
E12732 – N0143 E12746 – N0133 E12755 – N0121 E12750
RMK: VA NOT IDENTIFIABLE ON LATEST SATELLITE IMAGERY DUE TO
MET CLOUD. RECENT GROUND REPORTS INDICATE INTERMITTENT
DISCRETE EMISSIONS ARE ONGOING. VA HEIGHT AND MOVEMENT BASED
ON GROUND REPORTS AND MODEL GUIDANCE.
NXT ADVISORY: NO LATER THAN 20251218/2220Z=

Aureja: “To claim our rights, first we must know them”

Aureja Ugne Mozeryte is the Policy and Advocacy Assistant at Amnesty International’s Europe Regional Office. She has a master of Human Rights. Following the Human Rights Education Youth Forum, which took place from 9 to 11 December in Budapest, she shares her story, her hopes, and the importance of human rights education for anyone thinking about joining the fight for a better future.

Like many people, I grew up without human rights education in school. I’d always thought of human rights as an abstract concept rather than a practical necessity of everyday life.  But in my previous life as a teacher and since working for Amnesty International, I can’t stress enough how essential human rights education is for recognizing rights violations, confronting injustice, and building the foundations of a rights-respecting society.

As we witness fresh assaults on universal human rights and the rise of authoritarian practices across the world, human rights education is more important than ever. A new CIVICUS Monitor report reveals a sharp global decline in fundamental freedoms, with only 7% of the world’s population now living in countries with ‘open’ or even ‘narrowed’ civic space.

As threats to our rights and freedoms continue to intensify, we must ensure that our resistance to them grows even stronger. For many young people, it is easy to feel overwhelmed or discouraged by the direction the world seems to be heading. But human rights education offers hope, community, and provides an alternative vision of the future – one worth believing in, and one worth fighting for.

The Human Rights Education Youth Forum, which I had the chance to participate in from 9 to 11 December in Budapest, showed that young people care deeply about the future of human rights. We believe that human rights education is a right, not a privilege, and a vital tool for challenging the anti-rights rhetoric and policies of many European governments. This means celebrating and promoting our human rights story locally – in schools and youth spaces – and globally in traditional and social media.

Together with educators, activists, advocates, and representatives of governmental institutions and civil society, we developed a shared global agenda for human rights education: one that aims to advance gender equality, address environmental injustice, respond to the challenges of digitalization, and protect the rights of marginalized communities, including LGBTI people, refugees and migrants. Among the many concerns raised by young representatives from around the world, the calls to decolonize human rights education and to make it accessible to all were among the most prominent.

On 10 December, as we gathered to celebrate Human Rights Day and explore ways to strengthen the current human rights system, a number of European governments were proposing reforms to weaken the protections of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in the context of migration during the Council of Europe justice ministers meeting.  These proposals risk scapegoating migrants and refugees, and any attempt to weaken the ECHR must be resisted. Amnesty International works to demonstrate its importance to young people by transforming ECHR jurisprudence into accessible 20-minute learning modules. These real-life cases show how upholding the rights protected by the ECHR can have a profound, life-changing impact on individuals.

Last week, the EU also proposed unprecedented rules on detention, deportations, and the stripping of rights based on migration status. These divisive policies, which risk tearing families apart and paving the way for discriminatory surveillance and profiling, are exactly what push me to act.

I want to act with kindness and solidarity, and work towards a society that guarantees protection for all. When my government in Lithuania began forcibly removing and arbitrarily detaining people seeking asylum at the Lithuania–Belarus border in 2021, volunteering with affected communities became one of the most meaningful ways for me to stand up against the injustice I was witnessing. It was my way of saying, “Not in my name”, and demonstrating the transformative power of compassion.

Seeing people deprived of their rights at my country’s borders moved me to take action, which eventually led me to study human rights, research violations, and work with people who are impacted. Becoming more involved in civil society and volunteering with migrant communities was especially meaningful because it gave me the opportunity to apply human rights theory in real-life situations.

Through learning about human rights and sharing this knowledge with others, I witnessed people claim their rights and saw how it restored a sense of agency during difficult times. Rather than feeling powerless, they came to see themselves as rights-holders who could take action.  At the same time, recognizing that others face similar struggles helped build solidarity within communities.

Choosing to work in human rights has been my most rewarding and empowering decision so far, and I encourage those who feel isolated, dissatisfied, or frustrated to turn to compassion and justice over aggression and destruction, remembering that hope is not a naive but a courageous choice.

Human rights were forged for moments of uncertainty like the one we face today. It is our shared responsibility to defend them and build on what we have achieved. Human rights education is a powerful tool for shaping the future, so take the first step by learning about your rights, explore courses from Amnesty’s Human Rights Academy in over 20 languages, get involved with a local organization, and speak up or act when someone’s rights are being violated.

The post Aureja: “To claim our rights, first we must know them” appeared first on Amnesty International.

Denmark: ECJ ruling that ghetto law is potentially unlawful is important step in protecting basic human rights

Reacting to today’s ruling by the European Court of Justice that the Danish law on parallel societies (known as the “ghetto law”) is incompatible with the EU’s directive on equal treatment, Dina Hashem, Senior Legal Advisor at Amnesty International Denmark, said: 

“Today’s ruling is an important step in protecting human rights and respecting the equality of all people. The European Court of Justice found that the ghetto law could potentially lead to direct discrimination based on ethnicity and is therefore potentially in violation of EU law prohibiting discrimination. Now the Danish High Court has the final say.

The ghetto law must be changed so that it no longer discriminates

“The right to equal treatment regardless of ethnic origin is a fundamental principle that EU member states are obliged to respect in their national legislation. The ruling by the European Court of Justice clearly states, that national law cannot allow discrimination in either legislation or the legal system.”

“It is surprising that Danish politicians have ignored warnings about discrimination in the ghetto law for so long – while residents in areas covered by the ghetto law have been forcibly relocated and apartment blocks demolished. The law must be changed so that it no longer discriminates.”

Background

The Danish law on parallel societies targets residential areas with large numbers of residents of an ethnic minority.

Denmark has been widely criticized, including by Amnesty International, for violating the EU directive on equal treatment by discriminating based on ethnic origin.

The case judged by the Court of Justice of the European Union was raised by residents who had been evicted from social housing in Mjølnerparken in Copenhagen and in Schackenborgvænge in the city of Ringsted, based on criteria set out in the ghetto law.

The post Denmark: ECJ ruling that ghetto law is potentially unlawful is important step in protecting basic human rights appeared first on Amnesty International.

EU: New rules on asylum and ‘safe countries’ undermine the foundation of refugee protection

Reacting to the agreements between the European Parliament and Council on new EU asylum rules, which undermine the very foundation of refugee protection, Olivia Sundberg Diez, the EU Advocate on Migration and Asylum at Amnesty International said:

“This is an unprecedented attack on asylum in the EU, which must be understood in the context of a vast array of punitive deportation measures, still under negotiation. This shameless attempt to sidestep international legal obligations further shifts EU responsibility for refugee protection to countries outside Europe and is far from a humane migration policy that upholds people’s dignity.

“Changes to the ‘safe third country’ concept will mean that people seeking asylum in the EU may see their applications rejected without review, they could be sent to countries to which they have no connection and may have never set foot in before. Today’s agreement marks an abdication from the EU’s commitment to refugee protection and paves the way for EU member states brokering agreements with third countries for the offshore processing of asylum claims.

“Today’s deal also introduces an EU-wide list of countries of origin that are considered ‘safe’, placing a burden on people seeking asylum to prove otherwise. This undermines the individual assessment of protection claims, and raises yet another hurdle in the legal maze that will undoubtedly see people at risk denied the protection they need.”

Background

On 18 December, the European Parliament and Council agreed on proposed rules amending the ‘safe third country’ concept in the EU Asylum Procedures Regulation, as well as introducing an EU-wide ‘safe countries of origin’ list.

The rules will make it easier for member states to apply the ‘safe third country’ concept to reject asylum applications as inadmissible, without an examination of their merits, and to forcibly transfer people seeking safety to countries to which they have no connection, or that they may have only transited through. These rules will apply from June 2026, alongside the rest of the Pact on Migration and Asylum.

The new EU-wide list of safe countries of origin includes Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Kosovo, India, Morocco and Tunisia, as well as EU accession candidate countries (with exceptions). Nationals from these countries will be presumed not to be in need of protection and will be channelled through an accelerated asylum procedure, detracting from an individualised assessment of their claims. Provisions expanding the designations of ‘safe countries of origin’ may apply immediately.

The post EU: New rules on asylum and ‘safe countries’ undermine the foundation of refugee protection appeared first on Amnesty International.