New highlights: Yemini prisoners in Eritrea, Italy considers shutting out boats, mandate Special Rapporteur Eritrea extended

In this week’s news highlights, Italy is threatening to close its ports to foreign boats carrying stranded migrants and refugees; worrying reports state that hundreds of Yemeni prisoners are detained and abused, including at an AUE base in Eritrea; the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on Eritrea is extended; an in-depth report looks at how Israel aims to get rid of its Eritrean and Sudanese refugees; and 2.000 leave South Sudan each day to flee violence and hunger.

News Highlights: EU-AU partnership, attack on Afar people in Eritrea, Yemen situation deteriorating

In this week’s news highlights, the European Council’s Foreign Affairs Committee discusses partnership with the African Union; Italy and Germany demand a border patrol mission at the Niger-Libya border; the Eritrean Information Office continues to collect diaspora tax in Norway; 10 Christians were reported arrested in Eritrea; and a fishing boat was reportedly attacked by a United Arab Emirates (UAE) helicopter. Furthermore, although UNHCR succeeded in bringing emergency aid to Yemen’s Taizz governorate, the agency warns about worsening conditions.

Afar fishermen attacked by UAE helicopter in Eritrea’s Dankalia region

On Sunday 7 May 2017, a United Arab Emirates (UAE) helicopter reportedly attacked an Afar fishing boat, killing one person instantly while injuring nine others. According to the Eritrean Afar State in Exile (EASE), a second person succumbed to his injuries last weekend, bringing the total death count to two. The eight remaining victims are reportedly being treated at Duhtum Hospital in Assab.