News Highlights: Fine for rescues in Mediterranean Sea, Footage shows attack on refugees in Libya, Sudan negotiations suspended amid tension
17 May 2019

News Highlights: Fine for rescues in Mediterranean Sea, Footage shows attack on refugees in Libya, Sudan negotiations suspended amid tension

by | posted in: Africa, African Union, Eritrea, Horn of Africa region, Italy, Libya, Mediterranean Sea, Migration, Refugees in the EU, Weekly news highlights | 0

In this week’s news highlights: Rescue operations in Mediterranean may soon be fined €5500 per rescued person; NGOs appeal in case of France-Libya support; Conditions in centre in Germany exposed; Footage of detention centre shooting in Libya; Organisations urge IOM to stop returning Eritreans; Pan-African parliament holds session on refugees; Foreign military activity on the Horn increases; Sudan talks stall amid protests; Giffas in Eritrea increase; US deports more than half of Eritrean refugees; Eritrean Catholic Church representatives express concern; social networks shut down in Eritrea; and court case reveals tensions Qatar-Eritrea.

Report of the Roundtable – Inhumane treatment and trafficking of people in Libya: EU and EU Member States’ Responsibility
11 Apr 2019

Report of the Roundtable – Inhumane treatment and trafficking of people in Libya: EU and EU Member States’ Responsibility

by | posted in: Africa, Asylum Seekers, Detention, EEPA news and activities, Eritrea, European Commission, European Parliament, European Politics, European Union, France, Frontex, Horn of Africa region, Human Trafficking, Italy, Libya, Médecins Sans Frontières, Migration, Refugees in the EU, Torture | 0

On 1 April 2019, a Roundtable entitled “Inhumane treatment and trafficking of people in Libya – The EU’s and EU Member states’ responsibility” was held from 18:30 – 20:00 in the European Parliament. The event was hosted by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Marie-Christine Vergiat (GUE/NGL Group) and Ana Gomes (S&D Group) together with the organisation Europe External Programme with Africa (EEPA). Speakers in this event were,among others, representatives of Médecins Sans Frontières, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, expert on human trafficking, legal experts, a journalist and human rights activists.

NGO search and rescue missions face increasing challenges on the Mediterranean Sea – Sea Watch 3 vessel still blocked
21 Feb 2019

NGO search and rescue missions face increasing challenges on the Mediterranean Sea – Sea Watch 3 vessel still blocked

by | posted in: European Union, Frontex, Italy, Libya, Mediterranean Sea, Migration, Refugees in the EU | 0

Twenty days after entering the port of Catania in Italy, the Sea Watch 3 rescue ship remains in one of the Sicily’s ports, as the inspection of the Dutch authorities requested further maintenance of the ship in order to ensure “the ship’s conformity to regulations in force”. The ship has been kept in the port by the Italian Coast Guard since the first inspection on 31 January 2019. Kim Heaton-Heather, who is responsible for the search-and-rescue operations of the Sea Watch 3, says that by blocking the vessel, the Dutch authorities fuel the anti-migrant sentiment that has been spreading among EU’s political powers, which intensifies the anxiety of refugees aiming to reach a safe country.