European Parliament’s LIBE Committee calls for new measures for the protection of Asylum Seekers and respect for Human Rights

Since 30 November 2020, several Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in LIBE and FEMM parliamentary committees have been taking stock of dossiers concerning the recent activities of FRONTEX, voluntary returns and detention in first reception centres, asylum seekers’ rights and family reunification, child protection and human trafficking. The purpose of the resolutions is to raise attention of the European Parliament and European Commission on the protection of asylum seekers. MEPs discussions suggested several improvements for the EU legal framework on human rights and new approaches on the application of it at local level.

News Highlights: Eritrean refugees in Tigray face critical conditions, Frontex to propose returns to Senegal, France/UK deal on Channel crossings

In this week’s news highlights: Eritrean refugees in Tigray face shortage of food, protection and assistance; African migrants stuck in Yemen; Letter urging UN Security Council for an extraordinary meeting; Global mobility database shows mobility in the East and Horn of Africa during COVID-19; Lawyer Giulia Tranchina interviewed on European migration policy in Libya; UK/France interior ministers sign agreement preventing crossings of the Channel; FROTEX propose to the EU Commission and Parliament a new agreement with Senegal on migrants returns; Rescue ship “Open Arms” returns back to Spain; Belgium will receive 150 asylum-seekers from Greece; EhoA Ministers agree to harmonize labour migration laws; Concerns for migrant children’s mental health in Spain.

For frequent updates about the situation in the Horn, please see the EEPA Horn situation reports.

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

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.