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

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: Landmark ruling for 5 Eritreans illegally pushed back to Libya, Increased use of dangerous routes amid restrictions, Sea-Watch allowed to disembark 353 people

In this week’s news highlights: Saudi Arabia detains and abuses African migrants in inhumane prisons; Increased locust threat Ethiopia and Eritrea; Increased pressure to stop migration creates more dangerous routes to Europe; Italian court rules in favour of 5 illegally pushed back Eritrean asylum seekers; Escalation of conflict shapes up in Libya, warns UNSMIL; Tunisians increasingly leave for Europe; New refugee ship funded by Banksy enters Mediterranean; Sea-Watch 4 to bring 353 people to Palermo; Refugee children negatively affected by EU migration policy, warns Save the Children; Asylum seekers in danger from error in Dutch asylum organisation; Migrant woman gives birth in helicopter; And British government accused of animosity towards refugees.

News highlights: Political reshuffle in Ethiopia, 45 people drown in largest 2020 shipwreck off Libya’s coast, Report on Greece’s refugee expulsions

In this week’s news highlights: Ethiopian political prisoners arbitrarily held since end of June; Political reshuffle in Ethiopia; Uncertainty over closing of Hitsats refugee camp in Ethiopia; More attention for ‘deliberate starvation’ in Eritrea; Unconfirmed reports state Eritrea releases religious prisoners due to crowded prisons and COVID-19 fears; Tribal conflict in Sudan kills 25 people; Violence and flooding threaten South Sudanese displaced people; 45 migrants and refugees killed in largest shipwreck of 2020 off the Libyan coast; Greece accused of illegally expelling over 1000 refugees; Italy gives Tunisia 11 million euros to curb migration; Refugee relocation ban sparks political stand-off in Germany; and First island COVID-19 cases in Greek refugee camp Vial.