LIBE committee discusses the obligations of the European Union in Search and Rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea

In the light of last week’s agreement on a new, temporary relocation system, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) in the European Parliament organised a hearing on October 3rd on the topic of ‘Search and Rescue in the Mediterranean Sea’. The debate touched upon core issues of the EU’s obligation, both legally and morally, to rescue people at sea. The debate precedes a renewed member state discussion about refugee relocation on 8 October.

News Highlights: IGAD discusses migration, 5 EU interior ministers agree on temporary relocation system, new migration routes in Tunisia difficult to detect

In this week’s news highlights: Seven East-African Ministers lament shrinking of protection for refugees worldwide; EU should pressure Eritrea, states commentary; Water shortage in Asmara; Military cooperation Ethiopia and United Arab Emirates advances; IOM to assist in improving Ethiopia and South Sudan migration policies; Ethiopia and Somalia among African countries with most internally displaced people; 5 European interior ministers create new relocation policy; Eritrean diaspora Yiakl movement protests against regime; Right-wing movement patrolling UK beaches; CEO of IRC argues that the EU should send signal of solidarity; Tunisia boat departures may be harder to detect; Migrant shot by Libyan coast guard; and the UN General Assembly on Libya.

News Highlights: Eritrea and Sudan to collaborate on security, Eritrean political prisoners still detained, Alleged human traffickers arrested in Italy

In this week’s news highlights: Eritrean prisoners of conscience still in prison after 18 years; Eritrea and Sudan to collaborate on security; Eritrean political expert argues EU does not recognize abnormality of Eritrean regime; More child soldiers in South Sudan despite peace deal; Italian officials accused of being responsible for the deaths of 268 refugees; Rescue ship allowed to dock in Italy; Council: EU member states should ‘deliver on commitments’ on human trafficking; Council of the European Union implements revised torture guidelines; Three men accused of rape and other crimes in Libyan detention center; 98 refugees evacuated from Libya to Italy; Migrants in Libyan detention centers anxious about future after evacuation to Rwanda; and the number of refugee growth is outpacing the world’s population growth rate.