News Highlights: UN commission finds crimes against humanity committed in Tigray, Court appeal for transparency of EU funds in Libya, Hunger crisis deepens

In this week’s News Highlights: UN commission says crimes against humanity in Tigray committed by federal government;  Eritrea and Ethiopia start offensive against Tigray; Causes of discontinued peace talks in Ethiopia; Eritrean government calls up all reservists under 55; Next months crucial for South Sudan peace process; Alleged sexual abuse by aid workers in UN camp in South Sudan; Sudan’s ruling general will not run for election, he says; UNHCR updates guidance on protection of Somali refugees; Somali military frees strategic town in Hiran region; Italian journalist appeals to ECHR for transparency on use of EU funds by Libyan forces intercepting migrants; Migrants and refugees rescued from boats in Mediterranean; MEPs on visit to assess conflict in Ethiopia, democratic transition in Sudan; Upcoming reform of the Common European Asylum System; Greek minister calls for increased European solidarity; NGOs denounce Berlin’s admission programme for Afghans; Global hunger crisis deepens as one dies of hunger every four seconds; UN debate on the promotion of all human rights.

News Highlights: Situation in Ethiopia remains tense amidst ‘peace effort’, Thousands held in illegal detention in Libya, EU humanitarian bill adopted

This week news highlights: UNOCHA report indicates new clashes and dire humanitarian needs in Tigray; UN Secretary-General is hopeful progress towards peace is being made in Ethiopia; Debretsion states Eritrea needs to be addressed before peace negotiations can start in Ernest; ICRC prevented from aiding those in need due to lack of medical supplies in Tigray; Church reports the dire humanitarian situation in Tigray; Farmers in the Horn affected by drought need support, states FAO; UN human rights office urges Sudan authorities to stop the use of force against protestors; 12,000 migrants and refugees estimated by UN to be held in Libya, some in secret prisons; Unaccompanied minor refugees forced to share rooms with adults in the UK; Risk of discrimination and violation of human rights by UK border bill, say UN experts; Campaigners warn Greek biometric policing plan violates privacy rights, and Migrant boats to be stopped by UK military from crossing; EU adopts an annual humanitarian bill of € 1.5 billion

News & Horn Highlights: Tigray forces withdraw and call for peace, Resolution on rights probe in Ethiopia adopted, 164 people drown off Libya

Dear readers, as the year draws to a close, the News and Horn highlights will take a break. We will return in the second week of January. We wish you happy holidays to those that celebrate, and we express our sincerest hope that 2022 will start with concentrated efforts for peace building and negotiation.

This week news highlights: Tigray forces announce withdrawal in a bid for peace; Reports of bombings in Tigray; UN Human Rights Council adopts resolution to implement human rights probe in Ethiopia; Experts call for renewed international pressure on Ethiopia; Allegations of rape during Sudan protests; Hamdok may resign; Refugees drown in shipwrecks off Libya; UN team was unable to enter restricted Belarus-Poland border zone; Increase in asylum applications by Syrians in Europe; Migrants in Germany important for the labor market says study; Failure of rescue operation may have contributed to channel deaths; Empathy and safe passage for refugees arriving in Britain; Call to protect children on the move; Refugees in UK hotels cannot distance amidst Omicron; and IOM says Female migrants face more challenges reintegrating than men