Reactions to the European Commission’s proposal to upgrade Frontex

The European Commission’s plan to upgrade Frontex from a European agency with 1 500 employees into a complimentary European border and coast guard with 10 000 armed guards by 2020 has caused mixed reactions in the European Union. Under the proposal, €12.6 bn would be allocated to Frontex between 2019 and 2027, with the agency supporting national border patrols as well as coast guards and operating at the command of national authorities.

Press Release: Addressing criminalisation of refugees and impunity of human trafficking

As EU leaders are meeting in Brussels to discuss migration, experts denounced current EU migration policy as ineffective in tackling human trafficking and undermining migrant and refugee rights. A public hearing took place in the European Parliament today on the impact of EU external action in the Horn of Africa and addressing the criminalisation of refugees and impunity of human trafficking.

News Highlights: Eritrean involvement in trafficking, documentary on EU border management, UN chief and the EU’s “shameful” refugee policy

In this week’s news highlights: The Eritrean-Ethiopian relations today; Eritrean traffickers traffic their own people; Report on Eritrea’s mining sector; Refugees are questioned after UNHCR corruption was exposed; South Sudan government accuses rebels of blocking aid; Amnesty International calls for disbanding Ethiopian police unit; EU’s follow up on UN Libya sanctions; EU Funding for migration and border management to be tripled; Documentary shows consequences of EU border management; UN says at least 2.500.000 migrants smuggled in 2016; UN Chief ashamed of EU’s refugee policy; Joint Statement on Combating Human Trafficking; MEP Verhofstadt threatens the EU; and Italian vessel with 937 migrants docks in Sicily.