Hate speech and threats at the core of Eritrean ‘festivals’ in Germany and Switzerland

Eritrean regime has organised a series of ‘festivals’ and ‘seminars’ promoted as cultural events. On the basis of previous events that have been organised many perceive that the events promote hate speech and incite violence. They have fuelled pushback in the form of protests, legal action and letters from Eritreans in the diaspora and allies opposing the violent message of the Eritrean regime. A new festival was organised in secrecy in Switzerland last weekend, 27 August 2022, and another event was announced in Germany on 3 September – of which the cancellation was announced yesterday, 31 August.

News Highlights: Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia call for submissions, Eritrean refugees mistreated, Humanitarians question IOM voluntary return programme

In this week’s News Highlights: UN International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia call for submissions on human rights violations; New footage of the situation in Tigray; Eritrean refugees mistreated by Ethiopia authorities lose hope in the UNHCR; Several ‘terrorist attacks’ stopped, Ethiopian police forces claim; Al-Shabab attacks at border were reportedly a diversion to enter Ethiopia; Battle of influence between Europe and Russia on Ethiopia; Somalia’s application to EAC gets fast-tracked; No political stability in sight in Libya; Over 1,100 people saved at sea off Libya; Aid workers question IOM-assisted voluntary return programme; Two reports firmly criticise the UK Home Office migration policy; Scholars warn about “resource-constrained immobility”; A UNICEF guideline on vulnerability of children on the move for climate-related reasons.

News Highlights: Eritrean refugees in Addis forcibly moved and called to register, SSA in Libya tortures returned refugees, Forced returns by Greece

In this week’s News Highlights: Refugees International concerned about forced movement of Eritrean refugees; Eritrean refugees in Addis Ababa called to register themselves; Amnesty urges Ethiopian authorities to investigate massacre of 400 Amhara civilians; TPLF, federal government negotiating teams at odds; CPJ urges Tigray authorities to release journalists; Researchers describe why thousands of Ethiopians flee; US Embassy charge d’affaires says goodbye to the Eritrean people with strong message; 18 million people food insecure in the Horn; Sudanese army fuels tribal tensions, say pro-democracy groups; EU reiterates support to Khartoum for democratic transition; Niger/EU partnership based on border security only, say human rights groups; Libyan militia intercepting boats are taking refugees and migrants to be tortured; Mediterranean crossings becoming more frequent and more deadly; Turkey reiterates accusation of illegal pushbacks by Greece; 3,000 migrants and refugees found in Serbian border camps; African leaders to meet with US to discuss food and climate issues in December.