In this week’s news highlights: Eritrean government-linked individuals in Europe acting as interpreters for Eritrean asylum seekers; Eritrean meeting in London cancelled after diaspora protests; UN urges Sudan to end impunity for rape crimes; South Sudan on the brink of famine; South Sudanese military officially accused by UN for perpetrating war crimes; Number of unaccompanied children refugees in South Sudan worrying; French draft law on asylum criticized as unbalanced; Frontex would not mind becoming the new European law enforcement agency; UNDP discusses the shortcomings of the Sustainable Development Goals in the European Parliament.
Horn of Africa
Eritrea: Eritrean ruling party’s meeting in London cancelled after complaints by the Eritrean diaspora
A meeting of the Eritrean ruling party was organised where the Eritrean Ambassador to the UK was to deliver a seminar on regional issues in London on March 4.However, after complaints from the Eritrean diaspora and its supporters, this was cancelled. Last year, a similar meeting of the Eritrean government in the Netherlands was ordered to be cancelled by the mayor after Eritreans protested.
Eritrea: Sources say that Eritrean government spies pose as refugee interpreters in Europe
In 2013, Meron Estefanos, Swedish-Eritrean journalist and activist, found out that in a central police station in Sicily there were people of the Eritrean government registering refugees’ names. Currently, Eritrean activists and supporters say that the Eritrean government has further infiltrated Europe’s immigration services. These interpreters leave out accounts of experiences such as torture, so that asylum seekers are given a lesser degree of refugee protection and this gives the Eritrean embassy greater control over their lives.
Sudan: UN envoy urges Sudan to address rape crimes
Pramila Patten, UN first Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sexual Violence in Conflict, has urged Sudan to put an end to impunity for rape crimes in Darfur. Though Patter pointed to the improvement of security in Darfur, she criticized in a statement the “existence of a deep-seated culture of denial which enhances and feeds the culture of silence about sexual violence.”
South Sudan: UN report identifies South Sudanese military officers responsible for war crimes
In a report, UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan describes that they “have identified more than forty senior military officials who may bear individual responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity in South Sudan.” Chairperson of the Commission Yasmin Sooka announced that after this evidence, the prosecutor of the Hybrid Court will begin working on indictments and warned that these indicted can no longer hold or stand for office. “Ultimately this is the only way to stop the rampant devastation of millions of human lives by South Sudan’s leaders”, Sooka stressed.
- UN Human Rights Commission collects evidence to hold more than 40 South Sudanese officials accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity
- UN identifies South Sudan military officers accused of war crimes
South Sudan: South Sudan on the verge of another famine, aid groups warn
After more than four years of civil war and political insurgencies, almost two thirds of the population is on the verge of starvation, South Sudanese government and UN officials say.“The situation is extremely fragile, and we are close to seeing another famine,” Serge Tissot of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in South Sudan said, warning that if this is ignored “we’ll be faced with a growing tragedy.”
South Sudan: Number of child refugees from South Sudan dangerously on the rise, UNCHR says
The number of unaccompanied South Sudanese children who flee from their country and go to Ugandan refugee settlements is worryingly rising. “Many of these children saw family members killed or were separated from them when they went on the run. They have been forced into adult lifestyles, by having to become responsible for themselves and their siblings”, UNHCR child protection specialist said.
Europe
France: Associations view French draft law on asylum as “unbalanced”
A new French draft law on immigration and asylum has caused a wave of reactions with many saying that it is not addressing core issues such as the Dublin regulation, which has been viewed as a cause of controversy. A communication a group of associations stated that “by refusing to move forward on (…) the necessary changes needed to be made in regards to the Dublin regulation, this draft misses the opportunity to really tackle poverty and social hardships.”
Frontex is transforming itself as the new European law enforcement agency
The EU Obsever describes that apart from its focus on migration, Frontex is currently also working on countering drug smuggling, document fraud, terrorism and cigarette smuggling. Fabrice Leggeri, the agency’s chief, has noted that he would not object if Frontex was defined a sa law enforcement agency at EU level. “Who would have imagined three years ago that an agency like Frontex collects personal data, transmits it to Europol, and to the state police services to carry out investigations and do what they need to do to prevent attacks,” he said in January.
UNDP speaks about improving SDGs at the European Parliament
In a sitting of the Development Committee of the European Parliament,the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), discussed the shortcomings of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ways in which these need to be reestablished. Emphasis was placed on the mounting pressure on people and the environment, including from ongoing conflicts and displacement as well as extreme weather phenomena such as in the Horn of Africa.