News Highlights: Concern over indications of genocidal tendencies in Tigray, ‘Black book’ shows illegal pushbacks, Over 3,000 migration deaths in 2020
23 Dec 2020

News Highlights: Concern over indications of genocidal tendencies in Tigray, ‘Black book’ shows illegal pushbacks, Over 3,000 migration deaths in 2020

by | posted in: Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, European Union, Horn of Africa region, Libya, Migration, Refugees in the EU, Weekly news highlights | 0

In this week’s news highlights: Conflict in Tigray appears to show indications of genocidal tendencies; Journalists present evidence of Eritrean military in the conflict, and damage, looting and humanitarian disaster in Tigray; Violence against Eritrean refugees in Tigray continues; UN calls for full access to Tigray as first assessment missions enter; Children in Sudanese refugee camps face post-traumatic symptoms; ARCI reports the EU continues externalisation of migration policy in Sudan; The NCHRL rejects settling migrants and refugees in Libya; Italian pathologist tries to identify around 1,000 deaths from 2015 shipwreck; The EU calls for action for migrants and refugees in Bosnia; Refugees experience increase in mental health problems at ‘Moria 2:0’ camp; ‘Black book’ exposes thousands of illegal pushbacks in Europe; and at least over 3,000 fatalities on migration routes so far in 2020

European Parliament adopts urgency resolution on Ethiopia, calls for peace and dialogue
27 Nov 2020

European Parliament adopts urgency resolution on Ethiopia, calls for peace and dialogue

by | posted in: Africa, Ethiopia, European Union, Horn of Africa region | 0

On Thursday 26 November, members of the European Parliament held a plenary debate on the current situation in Ethiopia and the conflict in the Horn of Africa region. The speakers called for de-escalation and a resumption of the dialogue for peace between the Ethiopian federal government and representatives of the Tigray region. The discussion followed a draft Joint Motion for a Resolution on 25 November 2020, supported by several parliamentarians from different political parties. The motion was adopted by the European Parliament. European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic announced plans to visit Sudan to speak to refugees.

Ratio of deaths in the Mediterranean Sea increases as new discussions on migration policies unfold in the EU
6 Nov 2020

Ratio of deaths in the Mediterranean Sea increases as new discussions on migration policies unfold in the EU

by | posted in: Africa, European Union, Libya, Migration | 0

News about shipwrecks, returns or disembarkation of boats carrying migrants and refugees across the Mediterranean Sea is reported at least weekly, but more often daily, in international newspapers. This often includes loss of life, adding up to hundreds of people every year. The constant flow of information can numb one to the sheer frequency and numbers of deaths and missing people at sea. In the wake of the new Migration Pact proposed by the European Commission, experts warn that some EU policies may increase the risk for migrants and refugees.