In this week’s news highlights: Israel’s government given until 15 April to show Uganda deal; UN report on detention and torture in Libya;Seizure of money in Somalia creates political upsurge; Darfur rebel group asks for humanitarian help; Sudanese President reported to have ordered release of detainees; Hearing on Eritrea’s refugees taking place in Washington; Ethiopian President asks for unity; and a European Parliament draft report calls for the Council to take strong action against Hungary over migration.
Israel
Israel: government states that a deal with Uganda is in the making
The court in Israel has given the government until 15 April to prove that there is a deal with Uganda to take up deported asylum seekers. According to Israel’s government, a delegation is currently in Uganda to complete such a deal. Uganda continues to deny that a deal is in the making and denied to Reuters on Wednesday that an Israeli envoy is currently present.
Libya
Libya: OHCHR reports detentions and atrocities
The latest report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights showed that people are arbitrarily detained and tortured in Libya by armed groups and groups affiliated with the State. “This report lays bare not only the appalling abuses and violations experienced by Libyans deprived of their liberty, but the sheer horror and arbitrariness of such detentions, both for the victims and their families,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein. “These violations and abuses need to stop – and those responsible for such crimes should be held fully to account.”
Greater Horn of Africa
Somalia: Seizure of money from UAE in Mogadishu airport
According to police and government sources, last Sunday, Somali authorities seized $ 9,6 million from a plane that had landed from the United Arab Emirates. UAE has announced that the money was sent for the purpose of supporting the Somali army, however Somalia’s interior ministry said that they do not know details about the origin and the reasons this money was there. After the event, the speaker of the Somalian parliament quit.
- Somalia parliament speaker quits as Gulf rivalries boil
- UAE condemns Somalia over seizing cash ‘sent to army’
Sudan: Sudanese rebel group calls for urgent humanitarian aid
After the recent fighting in eastern and southern parts of Jebel Marra, the Sudan Liberation Movement of Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW) has called for international protection and humanitarian aid to save the people from famine. “We call on the Sudanese benefactors around the world and humanitarian organizations, to act urgently to save the lives of innocent civilians who are threatened by hunger and disease,” the spokesperson of the rebel group said.
Sudan: Sudanese president issues decree to release political detainees
State media said that Omar al-Bashir, President of Sudan, has ordered the release of those political prisoners held across the country due to their participation in demonstrations against policies such as the rising food prices. “The decision aims to promote peace and harmony among all political parties in order to create a positive environment for achieving national goals,” the official Suna news agency reported, without referring to how many or to when they will be released.
Eritrea: Hearing on Eritrea and the root causes of refugee crisis
On Wednesday April 18, a hearing on Eritrea and the root causes of the refugee crisis will take place in Washington. Representatives of the UNHCR, Human Rights Watch, PEN Eritrea and the United States Committee on International Religious Freedom will discuss about what the United States Congress can do more to uphold the rights of the Eritrean people. The conference can be followed via livestream.
Ethiopia: Ethiopian President urges for support to move forward
The newly elected Ethiopian President, in his efforts of reforming the country, visited the town of Ambo, a city which had been the hotbed of recent protests. Speaking to a big crowd of people, he said that the country is “on the path of change and love” and asked the people for their support and patience in this journey of reforming Ethiopia.
European Union
European Parliament: EP highly concerned with Hungary breaches of EU values
The European Parliament (EP) Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, under rapporteur Judith Sargentini, has submitted a draft proposal to the Council to determine that “there is a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values referred to in Article 2 TEU”. Their concerns have to do with various violations of freedoms, corruption of conflict and interest, independence of judiciary and fundamental rights of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. The recommendation of the report is for the Council to start a procedure that could remove Hungary’s voting rights in the Council.