European Parliament debates the situation in Tigray, urges humanitarian access and investigation of crimes

On Thursday 11 February, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and the Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen met in a plenary session, debating on “The humanitarian situation in Ethiopia”. The Commissioner opened the debate underlying that the European Union (EU) is deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict in the Tigray region. The EU is calling for the end of hostilities, full humanitarian access to be exercised independently from the Ethiopian administration, and investigations over alleged human rights violations. MEPs focused largely on the severe human rights abuses, presence of Eritrean soldiers on the ground in Tigray and the EU approach to the conflict.

News Highlights Extra (EN/DE/FR/IT): Conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region/Konflikt in der äthiopischen Region Tigray/ Le conflit dans la région éthiopienne du Tigray/ Conflitto nella regione del Tigray in Etiopia

On Wednesday 4 November, tensions escalated in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Disputes between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in Tigray and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed led to fighting in the Tigray region and at its borders. As the situation evolves, EEPA is sending extra news highlights on the conflict. Experts emphasize that the international community must urge for de-escalation of the conflict, and urge all parties involved in the conflict to enter into dialogue. African leaders and Church leaders this week took initiatives to assist in peaceful resolutions of the conflict. For details, click here to see the previous highlights extra (11 November 2020). For detailed information, not widely reported in the media, please frequently check for updates on EEPA’s situation reports (17 and 18 November) on the crisis.

News Highlights: ‘Al-Bidja’ arrested in Libya on charges of trafficking, RSF starts case against Eritrean authorities, Minors in UK held in unfit detention for days

In this week’s news highlights: Eritrea’s President accused of crimes against humanity in case launched by RSF; 12 migrants found dead along Djibouti coast; UK Africa Minister worries about human rights violations in Eritrea; Eritrean refugees cross the Ethiopian border; “Al-Bidja” arrested in Libya accused of trafficking and smuggling; UNHCR restarts refugee evacuation flights from Libya; New documentary depicts difficult lives of migrants and transporters in Agadez; 15 migrants drown off Libyan coast; Croatian police accused of violence towards asylum seekers; Refugee children forced to wait long for accommodation in the UK; Greece finalises planning to build a new wall against migrants at Turkish border; Young victims of child trafficking risk of deportation when turning 18 in the UK; “Welcome event” for asylum seekers in Kent (UK); COVID-19 causes decrease in remittances in 2020; And joint statement on the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.