UN Special Rapporteur on Eritrea holds interactive dialogue in Human Rights Council

Geneva – at the 35th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea held an interactive dialogue on the most recent report about the human rights situation in Eritrea. The Special Rapporteur, Sheila Keetharuth, confirmed that human rights abuses constituting crimes against humanity continue to be committed and that the Eritrean regime shows no signs of cooperation or improvement. Eritrea will still not allow access or cooperate in any way with the Special Rapporteur.

Two reports call for protection of refugees and migrants along Central Mediterranean Route

In the past week, two reports have highlighted the dangers faced by refugees and migrants on their route to Europe. A report by UNICEF highlights the dangers faced by women and children on the route from North Africa to Italy. A report by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) highlights the desperate situation of many Eritrean refugees, criticising the EU for creating policies to keep them out, along with other migrants and refugees.

UNHCR, IOM and MSF urge the EU not to see Libya as safe

Friday 3 February, European leaders meet at the informal summit in Valletta, Malta, to discuss migration. The meeting is focused specifically on halting migration along the Central Mediterranean Route, with Libya as its focal point. In a joint statement, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) urging the EU to not consider Libya a safe third country. The humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warned the EU about an inhumane approach to migration.