News Highlights: Infringement proceeding for relocation, new report on Eritrea, Sudan starts trial against human rights activist

In this week’s news highlights, the European Commission triggers procedures for sanctions against Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary on relocation quotas;  a new report was published on human trafficking in the Horn of Africa; UN Special Rapporteur on Eritrea releases a new report and holds an interactive dialogue in the 35th session of the Human Rights Council; and South Sudanese president Kiir refused to attend a regional summit on South Sudanese security issues.

 

 

 

Europe

Visegrad Countries: Commission triggers infringement procedure
Commissioner Avramopoulos announced on the 13th of June that infringement procedures against Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic have been launched. Commissioner’s regrets  triggering these procedures, stating that however, the warnings to these countries have been numerous in the past two years, Euractiv Reports.

Estonia: Next Council presidency will not punish eastern states for their position on migration
Estonia will take over the presidency of the Council of the European Union in July. Reuters reports Estonian Interior Minister Andres Anvelt’s plans on how the new presidency will address the divisions among EU member states on migration.

EU: MEPs critique on the use of development funds for migration reduction
During the European Development Days, members of the European Parliament Judith Sergentini (Greens/EFA) and Elly Schlein (S&D) criticised the increasing use of development funds for containing migration. They urged the EU to use these funds to address the so-called “push factors” of migration.

EU: Commission reports on the Partnership Framework on Migration
The European Commission presented the follow-up report on the implementation of the Partnership Framework on Migration launched one year ago under the European Agenda on Migration. Specifically, it contains factsheets on cooperation with Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Ethiopia, as well as on the EU-Libya relations.

 

North Africa

Libya: the smuggling hypermarket*
Javier Martin for Euractiv reports on the current situation in Libya. Although smuggling business – being that of people, fuel or weapons – is not a new one to the economy of the country, without a proper centralized control is likely to continue growing, said the mayor of the Libyan city Sabratha.

Libya: International Community gives 5 million contribution to help Libyan people

The Libya Observer reports the meeting of the French, Italian, Korean and EU ambassadors to Libya. They announced a € five million contribution which is to be used for aiding the Libyan people rather than the solution of the political crisis.

 

Horn of Africa

 Horn of Africa: new report on smuggling routes towards Europe
The Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime published a report on the major smuggling hubs between the Horn of Africa and Europe. The research was conducted in form of market analysis in order to understand the political economy and the key actors within the different systems, Reliefweb reports.

Eritrea: New report on Human Right situation
The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, Ms. Sheila B. Keetharuth, presented a new report to the UN Human Right Council in Geneva this week. The report shows that the situation has not changed and the government has taken no action to stop the ongoing human rights violation in the country, she said.

Eritrea: the radio alternative to the regime won One World Media Award
Open Democracy reports that the Eritrean radio station Radio Erena won the One World Media Award. The radio founded back in 2009 and broadcasted from Paris provides independent information on the country.

 Eritrea: France expressed deep concern for Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Church
The French Diplomatic Service released a press statement expressing its concern for Abune Antonios, Partiarch of the Eritrean Ortodox Church, who has been under house arrest for ten years. The statement calls for his release and stresses that he is not receiving the medical care needed, as well as condemning the serious and persistent violation of freedom of religion.

 South Sudan: President turned down invitation to summit on South Sudanese security situation
Africa News reports the refusal of the South Sudanese president Kiir to attend the regional summit of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development which focused on the worsening of South Sudanese security conditions.

 Sudan: Trial Human Right activist accused of espionage started
In December Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, a professor at the University of Khartoum and human rights activist, was arrested and now, six months after, this trial has started. He is being charged for spying on the Sudanese government on behalf of foreign embassies and publishing news contributing to distort the image of the state, News24 reports.

 

Sincerely,

The EEPA-Team