Author: E. Berends

News highlights: Libyan coast guard refuses rescue, citing full detention centres, AU Summit aims to end conflicts, Eritrean children malnourished

In this week’s news highlights: Discrimanation against Eritrean Women examined; UNICEF discovers Eritrean kids most malnourished; AU summit aims to end conflict on the continent; Eritrean man killed by police; Eritrean president criticizes TPLF in an interview; President of South Sudan accused of being unwilling to form coalition while human rights violations continue; Former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir may be handed over to International Criminal Court; Germany did not hold to its promise to accept boat refugees after Malta agreement; Salvini sent to Italian court over refused disembarkation; Partnership between Spain and Italy on new migration policy; Crew of German rescue ship awarded by Amnesty International; Libyan coast guard fails to save 91 people, now feared missing; and UNHCR is struggling in Niger.

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An all-inclusive labour market: challenges for refugees

The working population in Europe is expected to decline from 65% to 56% by 2070, while those aged 65+ will rise from 19% to 29% of the population. Participation in the labour market is an important aspect in the integration process of refugees and simultaneously helps to counter discrimnation and enhance inclusion in society. Many refugees in Europe want to work; to establish contacts, take care of their family and contribute to society. Yet, in 2016, the European Commission found that only 25% of the refugees in the European Union had a job after 5 years of residence. Recently, a new report of Labor Market and Vocational Research (IAB) announced that this is now 50% in Germany. Still, there is room for improvement as refugees remain one of the most vulnerable groups on the labour market. Eurodiaconia argues action needs to be undertaken to provide this group with more job opportunities.

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UN report: UNSMIL was hindered in investigation on Tajoura detention centre attack by Libyan authorities

On July 2 2019, two airstrikes occurred in Libya’s capital of Tripoli. One hit the Tajoura Detention Centre. This attack killed 53 people and left 87 people injured. All victims were locked up in the centre at the time of the bombing. United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) shared the detailed findings of investigation into the attack and highlights several problems to be further investigated. The Department of Combatting Illegal Migration (DCIM), the Libyan organisation responsible for the Detention Center, is accused of hindering the investigation and of contributing to the amount of victims. Furthermore, it still remains unclear who is accountable for the attack on the detention centre.

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