News Highlights: AU suspends Sudan after deadly protest crackdown, ICC asked to investigate EU migration policy, Frontex funding increased

In this week’s news highlights: Deadly protest crackdown in Sudan; African Union suspends Sudan; EU calls for Sudan negotiations based on existing agreements; Ethiopia criticized for IDP policies; #Enough activists in Eritrea call for meetings; Egyptian rescue ship denied access in Tunisia; NGOs call on Europe to evacuate refugees from Libya; 2 dead and 25 missing in Libyan waters; Biometrics in migration control in Niger; International Criminal Court called to investigate EU responsibility in migration pushback policies; EC allocates €420.6 million for Frontex; EEPA publishes first issue of the newsletter Trends in Human Trafficking.

News Highlights: Refugees killed in Libya detention centre attack, Organisations sue France for Libya coast guard aid, meeting calls for democratic change in Eritrea

In this week’s news highlights: Detention centre shooting kills at least three migrants and refugees in Tripoli; 325 migrants and refugees evacuated from the Tripoli detention centre to other prison; Sudanese people continue protests as three military council leaders step down; Former UN Secretary General Africa Representative calls for democratic change in Eritrea; Eritrea can follow example of Sudanese revolution; Somalian and Eritrean Presidents meet in Asmara; South Sudan President calls on leader Riek Machar to return to the negotiation table; Correction issued on news of Eritreans called to hand over IDs; 8 organisations sue France for assistance of Libyan coast guard, increasing the legal challenges to the EU; Migrants try to find hope and solace in Greece’s Moria Camp; and European Parliament passed legislation to strengthen Frontex.

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

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.