Refugees as Pawns, a short history of the 2016 EU-Turkey deal until now
12 Mar 2020

Refugees as Pawns, a short history of the 2016 EU-Turkey deal until now

by | posted in: Asylum Seekers, Deportation, Detention, Doctors without Borders, EU funding, European Commission, European Politics, European Union, Greece, Human Rights abuses, Human Trafficking, Libya, Médecins Sans Frontières, Migration, Refugee Camps, Refugees in the EU, Relocation system, Syria, Torture, Trafficking, Turkey, United Nations | 0

On February 28, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Turkey “opened the doors” to Europe, warning that “millions” of immigrants would soon be flocking towards the European Union (EU). Over 35.000 refugees gathered at the Greek border only to be stuck there without shelter in the rain and cold upon arrival. Multiple European leaders have expressed their criticism of Turkey using refugees as a bargaining chip. EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell said that “Turkey has a big burden … and we have to understand that […] but at the same time, we cannot accept that migrants are being used as a source of pressure”. Nevertheless, the EU is willing to provide more money to Turkey, financially rewarding the behavior they condemn. A short history of the EU’s external deals shows how this situation evolved.

News highlights: EU responds to the situation at the Greece-Turkey border, Canada mining firm can be sued in Canada over slavery use, UN to meet on Eritrea – diaspora urges action
6 Mar 2020

News highlights: EU responds to the situation at the Greece-Turkey border, Canada mining firm can be sued in Canada over slavery use, UN to meet on Eritrea – diaspora urges action

by | posted in: Abiy Ahmed, Africa, Asylum Seekers, Bombing, Detention, Doctors without Borders, EEPA news and activities, Eritrea, EU funding, European Commission, European Parliament, European Politics, European Union, Forced labour, Greece, Horn of Africa region, Human Rights abuses, Libya, Médecins Sans Frontières, Migration, Netherlands, Refugee Camps, Refugees in the EU, Relocation system, Sudan, The Netherlands, Turkey, Uncategorized, UNHCR, United Nations, Weekly news highlights | 0

In this week’s news highlights: EU presents Greece action plan of €700 million; Greece reacts to the situation at the border with Turkey; MSF requests Italy to stop quarantining rescue ships over coronavirus; Professor reflects on 10 years of human trafficking research; Record number of migrants arrive in Malta; Turkey promised Bulgaria that its borders will stay calm; The Netherlands pays fines due to slow asylum procedures; UN bodies to meet on Eritrea in Nairobi on 9 and 10 March – Eritrean diaspora calls for re-assessment of relations; Canadian mining company in Eritrea can be sued in Canada; Troops amass on the Kenya-Somalia border; Refugees prevented from speaking about situation in Sudanese refugee camp; British parliament questions EU’s road project in Eritrea; UN condemns lack of reform in Eritrea; UN urges for protection 56.000 displaced Somalis; Eritrean man dies in Libyan detention centre; Renewed fighting in Libya; And UN’s Ghassan Salamé resigns.

News highlights: South Sudan forms coalition government, Malta’s secret Libya deal, Italian Court justifies actions of Sea-Watch captain
28 Feb 2020

News highlights: South Sudan forms coalition government, Malta’s secret Libya deal, Italian Court justifies actions of Sea-Watch captain

by | posted in: Abiy Ahmed, Africa, Asylum Seekers, Coast guards, Detention, Dublin Regulation, Eritrea, European Commission, European Politics, European Union, Horn of Africa region, IOM, Libya, Malta, Mediterranean Sea, Migration, Refugee Camps, Research, South Sudan | 0

In this week’s news highlights: Commissioner calls Italy to discontinue cooperation with Libya; Commission may abandon the Dublin regulation reform; Researchers indicate EU breaks Law of the Sea with return policy; Secret Malta-Libya pact criticised by NGOs; Sea-Watch 4 launched by United4Rescue; Sea Watch captain acquitted by Italian top court; Meditteranean Sea turned into graveyard by Europe; ; Coalition government formed in South Sudan; Over 100 million USD needed for humanitarian assistance in South Sudan; Rumors of closure of Ethiopian refugee camps in Tigray; Head of Catholic church in Ethiopia not allowed to enter Eritrea despite visa; IOM says concrete action is needed in Libya; And few resettlement places for evacuated refugees in Rwanda.