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: UN: Up to 20.000 missing from Tigray refugee camps, Many refugees returned to Libya, Kent barracks housing scrutinised in UK

In this week’s news highlights: UN states 20.000 refugees in Tigray are missing and needs are high, after UN visit to Tigray refugee camp; People face starvation and epidemics in Tigray; South Sudanese refugees start returning, but conditions not yet safe; Libyan coast guards return more than 493 migrants and refugees to detention centres; Libyan Interim Prime Minister to be chosen; UK Home Affairs accused of giving in to public pressure in case of inadequate housing in Kent; Frontex stops activities in Hungary; MEPs blocked at Croatian borders with Bosnia; UNHCR considers the EU borders as dangerous for migrants and refugees; IOM estimates the need of USD 3$ billions for refugees support in 2021.

For frequent updates about the situation in the Horn, please see the EEPA Horn situation reports.

News Highlights: Border tensions between Ethiopia and Sudan rise, Refugees in dire conditions after snowstorm, Report on Central Mediterrenean Route

In this week’s news highlights: Tensions rise amid border dispute between Ethiopia and Sudan; Ethiopian federal army reports it apprehended TPLF leaders; GERD dam talks come to a halt again; Concerns continue over humanitarian situation in Tigray; New rescue missions in the Mediterranean as other boats remain confined; Over 11,000 migrants and refugees rescued at sea and returned to Libya in 2020; Tunisia’s democracy challenged by “nostalgia of the past”; Sweden will not pursue case against Eritrea over Dawit Isaak; Blizzard in Bosnia and Herzegovina leaves migrants and refugees in dire conditions; Commissioner for Human Rights publishes observations on maltreatment of migrants and refugees in Croatia; Over 150 migrants attempted to cross the English Channel; 7,000 asylum applications in the Netherlands remain to be processed despite 2020 deadline; A fight in an overcrowded Cyprus camp led to more than 24 injures among migrants and refugees; Human Rights Watch’s annual human rights report published; New Humanitarian reports on seven years of shipwrecks on the Central Mediterranean Route.
For frequent updates about the situation in the Horn, please see the EEPA Horn situation reports.