News Highlights: Refugees return from Yemen back to Djibouti; Dozens feared dead after boat sinks off Libyan coast; First COVID-19 death in Greek camp
2 Oct 2020

News Highlights: Refugees return from Yemen back to Djibouti; Dozens feared dead after boat sinks off Libyan coast; First COVID-19 death in Greek camp

by | posted in: Africa, Horn of Africa region, Migration, Refugees in the EU | 0

In this week’s news highlights: Thousands of migrants and refugees arrive in Djibouti after suffering abuses trying to reach Saudi Arabia; At least 15 killed in an armed attack in Ethiopia; migrants drowned after boat capsized off the Libyan coast; NGO staff accused of smuggling in Greece; Tensions arise after first COVID-19 death at Malakasa camp in Greece; Alan Kurdi rescue boat docks in Sardinia, Italy; Lesbian refugee wins trial in the UK after unlawful deportation to Uganda; East German city to host asylum seekers in spite of rise of far-right movements; Remote Ascension Island considered among attempts by UK government to remotely host refugees; Italian warship, deployed to combat human smugglers, caught with contraband in 2018; Open letter to UK prime minister for changing family reunification law; “Anchor baby” argument devalues migrant womens’ journey; VODAN successfully achieves and stores patient data visit across continents.

European Union imposes additional sanctions for human rights abuses and arms embargo violations in Libya
30 Sep 2020

European Union imposes additional sanctions for human rights abuses and arms embargo violations in Libya

by | posted in: Arms embargo, EU funding, European Politics, European Union, Human Rights abuses, Libya, Operation Irini, Sanctions, United Nations | 0

The European Union (EU) has implemented sanctions on three entities that have violated the UN arms embargo in Libya. Additionally, two individuals have also been sanctioned, one individual for human rights abuses against migrants and refugees in the notorious human trafficking hub Bani Walid, and the other for supplying military equipment material to the country. The sanctions are the result of follow-up by the EU on Libya, which it states is part of its commitment to peace and security in the country. This article outlines some of the activities and statements of the EU in relation to Libya in the last month.

News Highlights Extra: Radio play based on true story highlights desperate situation of refugees in Libya
29 Sep 2020

News Highlights Extra: Radio play based on true story highlights desperate situation of refugees in Libya

by | posted in: European Union, Migration, Refugees in the EU | 0

Polish composer Kasia Glowicka has written and produced a radio play based on a true story of a refugee trapped in the Zintan detention centre in Libya. In the play, titled “Lilian”, the refugee Tesfay contacts a professor in Europe, linking them via WhatsApp across geography and culture. The radio play premiered on 24 September on two Polish radio stations, but is also available online.