EU migration collaboration with Egypt: critical assessments

The European Union (EU), in order to stem migration, has made deals with Northern African countries like Libya. The latest plan is that Egypt will be the new partner of the EU in helping to decrease the movement of migrants and refugees towards Europe. The collaboration with Libya has faced criticism from international organizations and the civil society as migrants and refugees become trapped in inhumane conditions. The UN Human Rights Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein has also characterized the EU’s policy of helping Libyan authorities in detaining migrants as “inhuman”. Collaboration with Egypt faces its own critical assessments, as it is a country with dubious human rights records.

Eritreans protest in The Hague to draw attention to refugees in Libya

The Hague – Around 200 Eritreans gathered in the political capital of the Netherlands to ask for help for Eritrean refugees in Libya. As violence has broken out in Libya, the refugees have increasingly become trapped. The Eritreans protesting in the Netherlands report that Eritrean refugees have been, among other things, tortured, shot, raped and starved. Pictures of trapped groups of people, including of young children and women, are circulating on social media. The protesters ask for help from the UNHCR, the European Union and in particular the Netherlands to provide an emergency solution.

News Highlights: Ethiopian, Somali and Eritrean Ministers meet, Fishermen face trial for sea rescue, Situation Libya “untenable”

In this week’s news highlights: Ministers from Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea meet in Asmara, then travel to Djibouti; Events Ethiopia-Eritrea lined up; Ethiopians and Eritreans meet at the border; Book by former finance minister said to expose Eritrean president; Demonstration in Geneva demands full peace in Eritrea; Exhibition ‘Eritrea in the News’ opens in London; Human Rights Watch expresses concerns over Sudan ahead of UN Human Rights Council; UN Special Representative concerned over violence in Libya; 6 Fishermen stand trial in Italy after rescuing migrant boat; Recent mixed migration research published; and UNICEF warns that it has little data on child migrants and refugees in Spain.