News Highlights: EU Sanctions Regime in development, Eritrean regime infiltrates Norwegian churches, France/Italy border tension

by Jakob Hagenberg
Posted on October 25, 2018November 8, 2018
Africa

In this week’s news highlights: Ports at the Red Sea disputed in regional rivalries; Russia intensifying it ties with Eritrea; Ethiopian government and rebel group sign peace treaty; new direct flights from Asmara to Europe; Berhane Abrehe’s son speaks out; criticism about EU’s collaboration with Egypt; criticism of Global Migration Compact; border tensions between France and Italy after migrant pushback; MEPs back Dutch proposal for new sanctions regime; Eritreans in Norway afraid of Eritrean regime in churches; Tusk discards mandatory quotas for refugees in EU; Libya’s foreign minister opposes EU migration centres in Libya; and aiding migrants criminalized in Morocco.

EU migration collaboration with Egypt: critical assessments

The European Union (EU), in order to stem migration, has made deals with Northern African countries like Libya. The latest plan is that Egypt will be the new partner of the EU in helping to decrease the movement of migrants and refugees towards Europe. The collaboration with Libya has faced criticism from international organizations and the civil society as migrants and refugees become trapped in inhumane conditions. The UN Human Rights Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein has also characterized the EU’s policy of helping Libyan authorities in detaining migrants as “inhuman”. Collaboration with Egypt faces its own critical assessments, as it is a country with dubious human rights records.

The UN Global Compact for Migration: Issues at Stake

Even though the United Nations (UN) have endeavored to protect refugees by filling the policy gaps with legal instruments, they have not yet established a common framework for the rights of migrants. For this reason, they are trying to create a new Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. However, some critical notes have arisen on the draft text. The final vote and adoption will take place on December 10-11, 2018 in Morocco.