News Highlights: African women call for peace initiative in the Horn, EU halts budget funds to Ethiopia, Tunisians majority of arrivals in Italy
18 Dec 2020

News Highlights: African women call for peace initiative in the Horn, EU halts budget funds to Ethiopia, Tunisians majority of arrivals in Italy

by | posted in: Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, European Union, Horn of Africa region, Libya, Migration, Refugees in the EU, Weekly news highlights | 0

In this week’s news highlights: Unhindered humanitarian aid not yet a reality in Tigray, Ethiopia; 120 African women sign appeal for peace force in the Horn; Somalia breaks diplomatic ties with Kenya; Recognition of Shona and Rwandan descendants by Kenyan government; HRW’s report addresses issues around abuses conducted by NSS agents in South Sudan; Young people flee from Tunisia a decade after the revolution; UNHCR states 930,000 people in need of humanitarian assistance in Libya; The EU halts annual budgetary support to Ethiopia over human rights concerns in Tigray; 3 persons arrested in Spain after degrading labour conditions for migrants discovered; The Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner asks to Bosnian authorities to provide support for refugees; South Sudanese singer one of 3,000 to face potential deportation from The Netherlands; UNHCR celebrates 70th anniversary; IOM and UNHCR stress need for universal health coverage.

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

European Parliament’s LIBE Committee calls for new measures for the protection of Asylum Seekers and respect for Human Rights
10 Dec 2020

European Parliament’s LIBE Committee calls for new measures for the protection of Asylum Seekers and respect for Human Rights

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

Since 30 November 2020, several Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in LIBE and FEMM parliamentary committees have been taking stock of dossiers concerning the recent activities of FRONTEX, voluntary returns and detention in first reception centres, asylum seekers’ rights and family reunification, child protection and human trafficking. The purpose of the resolutions is to raise attention of the European Parliament and European Commission on the protection of asylum seekers. MEPs discussions suggested several improvements for the EU legal framework on human rights and new approaches on the application of it at local level.

Ratio of deaths in the Mediterranean Sea increases as new discussions on migration policies unfold in the EU
6 Nov 2020

Ratio of deaths in the Mediterranean Sea increases as new discussions on migration policies unfold in the EU

by | posted in: Africa, European Union, Libya, Migration | 0

News about shipwrecks, returns or disembarkation of boats carrying migrants and refugees across the Mediterranean Sea is reported at least weekly, but more often daily, in international newspapers. This often includes loss of life, adding up to hundreds of people every year. The constant flow of information can numb one to the sheer frequency and numbers of deaths and missing people at sea. In the wake of the new Migration Pact proposed by the European Commission, experts warn that some EU policies may increase the risk for migrants and refugees.