News Highlights: Eritrean refugees in Tigray face critical conditions, Frontex to propose returns to Senegal, France/UK deal on Channel crossings
4 Dec 2020

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

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

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
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.

European Union imposes additional sanctions for human rights abuses and arms embargo violations in Libya
30 Sep 2020

European Union imposes additional sanctions for human rights abuses and arms embargo violations in Libya

by | posted in: Arms embargo, EU funding, European Politics, European Union, Human Rights abuses, Libya, Operation Irini, Sanctions, United Nations | 0

The European Union (EU) has implemented sanctions on three entities that have violated the UN arms embargo in Libya. Additionally, two individuals have also been sanctioned, one individual for human rights abuses against migrants and refugees in the notorious human trafficking hub Bani Walid, and the other for supplying military equipment material to the country. The sanctions are the result of follow-up by the EU on Libya, which it states is part of its commitment to peace and security in the country. This article outlines some of the activities and statements of the EU in relation to Libya in the last month.