This report, produced in the framework of the project WING (EmpoWerING Actors in Civic Space Protection), documents and highlights cases of criminalisation of solidarity with migrants in the European Union in 2025, accompanied by an extensive compilation of incidents identified through media monitoring and research conducted at European level.  

The research was carried out by PICUM (Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants) and its WING project partners: the Greek Council for Refugees (GCR, Greece), Gisti (France), the Hungarian Helsinki Committee (Hungary), Fondazione ISMU (project coordinator, Italy), the Ocalenie Foundation (Poland), and Oxfam Italia. Partners contributed to strengthening the monitoring methodology, tracking and documenting cases at national level, and analysing developments in national policies and legislative frameworks affecting civic space for civil society actors.  

According to the findings, in 2025, at least 110 individuals faced judicial proceedings because they attempted to rescue people in distress at sea or in border areas, participated in acts of civil disobedience, provided legal aid or information, or offered food, water and/or shelter to migrants. Our monitoring found that most people who faced judicial proceeding were in Greece.  

The report also found that at least 11 civil society organisations and other entities were subjected to administrative fines and sanctions. 

Moreover, in 2025, at least 33 cases of non-judicial harassment were recorded, such as intimidation and smear campaigns targeting both individuals and civil society actors. 

These figures are most likely an undercount, as statistical and official data are often lacking and many cases go unreported because the persons involved fear retaliation, especially migrants themselves. In addition, some cases reported in the media may not have been detected by the monitoring system used. 

Read the Report (in English) here.. 

Read the Press Release (in english) here..