EU plans additional Libya stimulus package amidst verbal and legal challenges from politicians, experts and NGOs.
30 Apr 2020

EU plans additional Libya stimulus package amidst verbal and legal challenges from politicians, experts and NGOs.

by | posted in: Africa, Coast guards, Detention, EU funding, European Commission, European Parliament, European Politics, European Union, Human Rights abuses, Human Trafficking, IOM, Libya, Migration, Torture, Trafficking, UNHCR, United Nations | 0

While the European Union (EU) is looking to further bolster Libya and the Libyan coastguard, a majority of Members of European Parliament (MEPs) and a number of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) and experts criticize the EU’s involvement in the human rights abuses that are systematically taking place inside Libya. They state that Libya is not a safe place for the disembarkation of migrants and refugees and that by financially supporting Libyan institutions that facilitate widespread and systematic human rights abuses, the EU has been complicit in these crimes. This week steps were taken to address and review the EU’s policies and accountability inside Libya.

Medical vulnerability, travel history and lack of sanitation: refugees at risk of COVID-19
20 Mar 2020

Medical vulnerability, travel history and lack of sanitation: refugees at risk of COVID-19

by | posted in: Africa, Asylum Seekers, Doctors without Borders, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Greece, Horn of Africa region, IOM, Libya, Médecins Sans Frontières, Migration, Refugee Camps, Refugees in the EU, Somalia, UNHCR, United Nations | 0

“Coronavirus will decimate refugee communities if we don’t act now,” a serious warning from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) that addresses the vulnerable situation of millions displaced people around the world. Secretary General of NRC, Jan Egeland, foresees a “catastrophe” with “devastating” consequence if the virus hits one of the overcrowded and sanitation lacking refugee or displacement sites. The same sentiment was echoed by the Head of Health for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Dr Esperanza Martinez, who said that the spread of the virus would be “impossible to manage” if it reached the displaced communities of Syria or Yemen. Health organizations have made a number of recommendations to protect against COVID-19, but unfortunately many refugees live in a situation in which they themselves as well as their host government cannot follow healthcare guidelines.

News Highlights: Fine for rescues in Mediterranean Sea, Footage shows attack on refugees in Libya, Sudan negotiations suspended amid tension
17 May 2019

News Highlights: Fine for rescues in Mediterranean Sea, Footage shows attack on refugees in Libya, Sudan negotiations suspended amid tension

by | posted in: Africa, African Union, Eritrea, Horn of Africa region, Italy, Libya, Mediterranean Sea, Migration, Refugees in the EU, Weekly news highlights | 0

In this week’s news highlights: Rescue operations in Mediterranean may soon be fined €5500 per rescued person; NGOs appeal in case of France-Libya support; Conditions in centre in Germany exposed; Footage of detention centre shooting in Libya; Organisations urge IOM to stop returning Eritreans; Pan-African parliament holds session on refugees; Foreign military activity on the Horn increases; Sudan talks stall amid protests; Giffas in Eritrea increase; US deports more than half of Eritrean refugees; Eritrean Catholic Church representatives express concern; social networks shut down in Eritrea; and court case reveals tensions Qatar-Eritrea.