MSF

News Highlights: Crimes against humanity and war crimes in Tigray – US, Tigray interim government established, Operation IRINI extended

In this week’s news highlights: US denounces war crimes in Tigray, Ethiopia and Eritrea reject the allegations; Getachew Reda confirmed as Tigray regional president, interim government established; Ethiopia removes TPLF from terrorist list; Getachew Reda promises to address soldiers’ grievances; UK-Ethiopia meeting in Addis Ababa; Eritrean delegation meets with Russia’s Lavrov; UN organisations call for help for Somali refugees; Somalia increases troop numbers; Factions in Sudan agree to establish transitional government; UN hopeful about Sudanese political process, but warns support is needed; Military will not participate in politics, states Sudan military leader; Kiir against extension of transitional period in South Sudan; South Sudan Parties resume Rome Peace Talks and agree to a ceasefire; Refugees and migrants deported from Algeria need aid, states MSF; 15 people die off Algerian coast; 5 deceased and 28 missing after a shipwreck off the Tunisian coast; UK Interior Minister’s visit to Rwanda; EU fears Tunisian economic collapse; Operation IRINI extended and EU ready to train more Libyan Coast Guard; Tripartite Task Force calls for addressing of refugee and migrant situation in Libya; and Protests in Athens against migration policy.

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News highlights: Plan for floating barrier Greece, Italy continues migration deal with Libya, Malnutrition in Sudanese refugee camps

In this week’s news highlights: EU visits road construction project in Eritrea, reports Eritrean state news; Criticism on plans for a barrier between Greece and Turkey; Italy convicted of breaching the non-refoulement principle in 2009; Tear gas used by police at migrants and refugees in Lesbos; Sea Watch has no access to Frontex alerts; French police removes last refugee tent camp in Paris; Criticism on extension of Italian deal with Libyan coast guard; Libyan peace talks continue; Refugees in GDF in distress; The story of Mohammed who feels abandoned by the UN; Eritrea is not happy with American travel ban; Malnutrition is a big problem in Sudanese refugee camps; Reporters Without Borders urges Eritrean President to free Dawit Isaak and others; And discussion about Horn of Africa borders.

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Criminalisation of Search and Rescue Operations in the Mediterranean Sea

The preamble of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, an instrument applicable to all member states of the European Union (EU) when implementing EU law, holds that “the Union is founded on the indivisible, universal values of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity,” centralising the idea that EU member states must protect human life. Yet, several Southern European Member States have criminalised search and rescue (SAR) operations in the Mediterranean Sea and charged the rescue operations with the criminal act of smuggling. Therefore, the operators face years in prison if convicted. At the same time, the EU has closed down its own SAR operations, relying on its deals with the Libyan coast guard to intercept boats.

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