European Court of Justice decision: no humanitarian visas – a loss for refugees, a win for traffickers
8 Mar 2017

European Court of Justice decision: no humanitarian visas – a loss for refugees, a win for traffickers

by | posted in: European Politics, European Union, Human Trafficking, Refugees in the EU | 0

Yesterday, 07 March 2017, the European Court of Justice ruled its decision on humanitarian visas in the European Union and came to the conclusion that member states cannot be obliged to admit asylum seekers on humanitarian grounds, even if they are at risk of torture or inhuman treatment. The court ruled on a on the case of a Syrian family of five from Aleppo. The family initially applied for a visa to Belgium at the Belgian Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon but the Belgian Immigration Office refused the visa because it was clear that the family intended to overstay it.

Two reports call for protection of refugees and migrants along Central Mediterranean Route
3 Mar 2017

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

by | posted in: Eritrea, European Politics, European Union, Horn of Africa region, Human Trafficking, Libya, Mediterranean Sea, Migration | 0

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.

News Highlights: UNICEF and MSF report, EU-North Africa cooperation, Eritreans held ransom
2 Mar 2017

News Highlights: UNICEF and MSF report, EU-North Africa cooperation, Eritreans held ransom

by | posted in: Eritrea, European Politics, Libya, Mediterranean Sea, Migration, Sudan, Uncategorized, Weekly news highlights | 0

In this week’s news highlights we will share with you: the latest MSF report on the situation of Eritrean refugees and the UNICEF report documenting the situation of refugees on the Mediterranean route. Latest news of this week covers Europe’s increasing cooperation with African countries. News highlights concerning the Horn of Africa include recent developments in Sudan and South Sudan.