The trial of Hissène Habrè as an example of International Justice

Lawyer Reed Brody spoke at a public hearing at the European Parliament titled ‘The Case of Hissène Habrè’, organised by MEP Ana Gomes. Brody is known worldwide as the ‘Dictator Hunter’ after he played a central role in convicting Chad’s dictator Habrè. During the meeting he illustrated how this experience can be seen as a ‘seed of hope’ in African history.

News Highlights: human trafficking book, EU-Eritrea cooperation, aid for famine

In this week’s news highlights we will share with you: the book launch of Human Trafficking and Trauma in the Digital Era: The Ongoing Tragedy of Trade in Refugees from Eritrea and the latest political events that give an overview of Europe’s tendencies in migration politics. In the Horn of Africa, famine is increasing but international response is reluctant. Also included: increasing human rights abuses in South Sudan, cross-border attacks between Ethiopia and South Sudan and an update on Ethiopia’s state of emergency.

European Court of Justice decision: no humanitarian visas – a loss for refugees, a win for traffickers

Yesterday, 07 March 2017, the European Court of Justice ruled its decision on humanitarian visas in the European Union and came to the conclusion that member states cannot be obliged to admit asylum seekers on humanitarian grounds, even if they are at risk of torture or inhuman treatment. The court ruled on a on the case of a Syrian family of five from Aleppo. The family initially applied for a visa to Belgium at the Belgian Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon but the Belgian Immigration Office refused the visa because it was clear that the family intended to overstay it.