News Highlights: EU engagement Eritrea failing, leaked document EU-Ethiopia repatriation, EP resolution Sudan

In this week’s news highlights: EU attempts at engagement with Eritrea “producing little[…] in terms of tangible results”; concern over 700 people that may soon be deported from the United States to Eritrea; Ethiopia and EU may soon sign a deal on repatriation, according to leaked draft document; EU-AU summit ends without agreement on forced returns statement; European Commission sets out key points for combatting human trafficking; EU Parliament adopted a resolution on freedom of expression in Sudan; Amnesty International press release on Libya; and some German pilots refuse to repatriate Afghan people.

Eritrean organisations concerned over Eritrea repatriation policy developments

A statement published on The America Team for Displaced Eritreans’ web page foresees the ‘imminent’ deportation of 700 Eritrean refugees from the United States to Eritrea and furthermore it warns of the concrete possibility of torture and executions awaiting the refugees once deported. Under US pressure, the Eritrean regime has agreed to issue travel documents that make deportation possible. The first case is currently being processed, and the outcome of this process might have wider implications if other countries take example, including in Europe.

Video of migrants sold as slaves in Libya further illustrates the dangers of EU-Libya deals

Migrants are sold for around 400 US dollars to the highest bidders in slave auctions taking place on Libyan soil, and now there is video documentation to prove it. On Friday 17th November 2017, an article was published by the American media network CNN, documenting this inhuman reality. This new evidence again puts in question the controversial strategies adopted by the European Union and its member states in dealing with Libya.