Dutch official at Euro-Med’s webinar: “our aim in Libya is peace. Sanctions could work”
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor hosted a topical webinar on transitional justice and impunity in Libya that brought together a group of international experts from leading civil society organizations and the public sector.
The expert panel, titled “Impunity in Libya and the role of the EU and the UN,” addressed possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the course of the ongoing civil war, including mass graves, landmines, torture and killings, in addition to the responsibility of warring parties and their regional and international supporters.
More: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4535
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor hosted a topical webinar on transitional justice and impunity in Libya that brought together a group of international experts from leading civil society organizations and the public sector.
The expert panel, titled “Impunity in Libya and the role of the EU and the UN,” addressed possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the course of the ongoing civil war, including mass graves, landmines, torture and killings, in addition to the responsibility of warring parties and their regional and international supporters.
More: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4535
‘Falling into the abyss’: Euro-Med Monitor’s new report on Lebanon's worsening crises
Geneva – The deteriorating crises in Lebanon and the government's inability to handle them have led the country to an abyss with poverty rates exceeding 55% and over 50% of migrant workers unemployed, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a new report. The current situation might carry serious consequences on the lives and safety of millions living in the country.
The report, titled “Lebanon: Falling into the abyss,” reviews the various aspects of the economic crisis that has been hitting the country for nearly two years, and its impact on the humanitarian and living conditions of the Lebanese, in light of the absence of any signs that the successive crises might be alleviated anytime soon.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4542
Geneva – The deteriorating crises in Lebanon and the government's inability to handle them have led the country to an abyss with poverty rates exceeding 55% and over 50% of migrant workers unemployed, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a new report. The current situation might carry serious consequences on the lives and safety of millions living in the country.
The report, titled “Lebanon: Falling into the abyss,” reviews the various aspects of the economic crisis that has been hitting the country for nearly two years, and its impact on the humanitarian and living conditions of the Lebanese, in light of the absence of any signs that the successive crises might be alleviated anytime soon.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4542
UK government's anti-immigrant rhetoric is fuelling racist attacks against asylum seekers
As racist attacks on asylum seekers in the United Kingdom are witnessing a sharp increase, the UK government's pervasive anti-immigrant rhetoric is extremely dangerous and may exacerbate, ignite, or increase such condemnable violence and prevarication against already vulnerable groups, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a statement today. The UK government must immediately change its messaging vis-à-vis asylum seekers and exert sufficient efforts to put an end to such racist attacks.
Since 2020, asylum seekers ghettoized in barracks and other state-provided accommodation in the UK have been victims of at least 70 racist incidents – with multiple sources suggesting that the real figure is far higher.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4566
As racist attacks on asylum seekers in the United Kingdom are witnessing a sharp increase, the UK government's pervasive anti-immigrant rhetoric is extremely dangerous and may exacerbate, ignite, or increase such condemnable violence and prevarication against already vulnerable groups, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a statement today. The UK government must immediately change its messaging vis-à-vis asylum seekers and exert sufficient efforts to put an end to such racist attacks.
Since 2020, asylum seekers ghettoized in barracks and other state-provided accommodation in the UK have been victims of at least 70 racist incidents – with multiple sources suggesting that the real figure is far higher.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4566
Tunisia: Banning judges from traveling raises fears of undermining the judiciary
Geneva – The Tunisian executive authority’s precautionary measures against several judges, allegedly on suspicion of financial and administrative corruption and abuse of power, are condemnable, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in statement.
Several Tunisian judges were prevented from traveling while others were placed under house arrest in application of the “S17” border measure, without appropriate judicial decisions.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4573
Geneva – The Tunisian executive authority’s precautionary measures against several judges, allegedly on suspicion of financial and administrative corruption and abuse of power, are condemnable, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in statement.
Several Tunisian judges were prevented from traveling while others were placed under house arrest in application of the “S17” border measure, without appropriate judicial decisions.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4573
UAE: Reports of Uyghurs’ detention in a secret prison raise concerns
Geneva - The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor called for an urgent investigation into allegations that Chinese citizens were detained in a civilian facility in the Emirate of Dubai, calling on the UAE authorities to clarify all details related to the aforementioned incident.
The Geneva-based Euro-Med Monitor said in a press release this morning that it had followed a report published by the Associated Press with concern.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4579
Geneva - The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor called for an urgent investigation into allegations that Chinese citizens were detained in a civilian facility in the Emirate of Dubai, calling on the UAE authorities to clarify all details related to the aforementioned incident.
The Geneva-based Euro-Med Monitor said in a press release this morning that it had followed a report published by the Associated Press with concern.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4579
Morocco: Arresting youtuber comes in line with an established policy of muzzling mouths
Geneva – The arrest of Moroccan activist, Jamila Saadan, for exposing what she said were prostitution and human trafficking networks in the south-central city of Marrakesh is a matter of concern, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a statement.
Moroccan security forces arrested Saadan on August 7, days after she posted a video on YouTube alleging the existence of prostitution and human trafficking networks disguised as tourism activates. In the video she posted on July 27, she alluded that the authorities protected these activities.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4582
Geneva – The arrest of Moroccan activist, Jamila Saadan, for exposing what she said were prostitution and human trafficking networks in the south-central city of Marrakesh is a matter of concern, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a statement.
Moroccan security forces arrested Saadan on August 7, days after she posted a video on YouTube alleging the existence of prostitution and human trafficking networks disguised as tourism activates. In the video she posted on July 27, she alluded that the authorities protected these activities.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4582
Euro-Med Monitor Submits Urgent Memorandum to EU Foreign Ministers on Afghan Asylum Seekers and Refugees
Geneva - Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor submitted an urgent memorandum to the European Union’s Commission President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs as well as the Foreign Ministers of key European states on Europe's responsibilities towards an expected flow of Afghan asylum seekers and refugees.
The memorandum, sent on the eve of an urgent EU crisis meeting last Tuesday, was filed as an expression of grave concern after a number of European governments firmly spoke out against the possibility of receiving a mass influx of Afghans. This includes France, Greece, Austria, and Germany, whose governments took an alarmingly hardline stance on a potential flow of Afghan refugees into their territory.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4584
Geneva - Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor submitted an urgent memorandum to the European Union’s Commission President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs as well as the Foreign Ministers of key European states on Europe's responsibilities towards an expected flow of Afghan asylum seekers and refugees.
The memorandum, sent on the eve of an urgent EU crisis meeting last Tuesday, was filed as an expression of grave concern after a number of European governments firmly spoke out against the possibility of receiving a mass influx of Afghans. This includes France, Greece, Austria, and Germany, whose governments took an alarmingly hardline stance on a potential flow of Afghan refugees into their territory.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4584
13 rights groups complain to UN over Saudi Arabia’s laying off 1000s of Yemeni workers
Geneva - Thirteen international and Yemeni human rights organizations, in a petition addressed to the United Nations Committee on Migrant Workers, expressed their concern over Saudi Arabia's termination of the work contracts of thousands of Yemeni workers in the south of the kingdom.
The organizations called for exerting pressure on the Saudi authorities to reverse the unjustified decision.
More: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4588
Geneva - Thirteen international and Yemeni human rights organizations, in a petition addressed to the United Nations Committee on Migrant Workers, expressed their concern over Saudi Arabia's termination of the work contracts of thousands of Yemeni workers in the south of the kingdom.
The organizations called for exerting pressure on the Saudi authorities to reverse the unjustified decision.
More: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4588
Libya: Asylum seekers’ drowning at sea is due to repeated illegal returns
Geneva – A number of asylum seekers went missing after their boat capsized in the Mediterranean, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Saturday in a statement. The European Union (EU) should actively participate in rescuing migrants and end illegal interception and returns.
Euro-Med Monitor received information that the boat carried about 30 migrants, most of them from the besieged Syrian city of Daraa.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4591
Geneva – A number of asylum seekers went missing after their boat capsized in the Mediterranean, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Saturday in a statement. The European Union (EU) should actively participate in rescuing migrants and end illegal interception and returns.
Euro-Med Monitor received information that the boat carried about 30 migrants, most of them from the besieged Syrian city of Daraa.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4591
Syria: Humanitarian crisis deepens as government forces escalate attacks on Daraa
Geneva – The Syrian government forces and allied militias’ continued military attacks on the neighborhoods of Daraa Al-Balad, southern Syria, raises serious concerns, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement. The United Nations should exert pressure on the Syrian government to stop the attacks immediately.
During the past few days, Syrian government forces and allied armed militias have intensified their indiscriminate attacks using heavy machine guns, rockets, and artillery on the neighborhoods of Daraa Al-Balad. Several civilians were killed, including women and children, and others were injured. The attacks also left massive destruction in residential homes.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4596
Geneva – The Syrian government forces and allied militias’ continued military attacks on the neighborhoods of Daraa Al-Balad, southern Syria, raises serious concerns, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement. The United Nations should exert pressure on the Syrian government to stop the attacks immediately.
During the past few days, Syrian government forces and allied armed militias have intensified their indiscriminate attacks using heavy machine guns, rockets, and artillery on the neighborhoods of Daraa Al-Balad. Several civilians were killed, including women and children, and others were injured. The attacks also left massive destruction in residential homes.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4596
‘Left in Tatters’: Israeli attack’s impact on Gaza’s productive sector - new report
Geneva – The Israeli military attack on the Gaza Strip in May 2021 had catastrophic economic effects, especially on the productive sector, and caused direct and indirect losses exceeding half a billion dollars in various sectors, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a report released today.
Titled “Left in Tatters,” the report stated that the Israeli army carried focused air and guided artillery attacks on economic facilities including various factories and production units.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4597
Geneva – The Israeli military attack on the Gaza Strip in May 2021 had catastrophic economic effects, especially on the productive sector, and caused direct and indirect losses exceeding half a billion dollars in various sectors, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a report released today.
Titled “Left in Tatters,” the report stated that the Israeli army carried focused air and guided artillery attacks on economic facilities including various factories and production units.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4597
Good news on Euro-Med Monitor's joint efforts towards ceasing human rights violations – August 2021
August 2021 was not different from the months before it; governments continued to arrest activists and suppress opponents in violation of their legitimate rights to freedom of opinion and expression and continued to operate outside the law, carrying out enforced disappearances, travel bans, and torture.
In Libya, the security chaos continues to pose a threat to the sovereignty of the state. In Egypt, travel restrictions against activists and opponents have been repeated. In the UAE, human rights violations and torture practices continued in prisons and detention centers, most notably the secret Uyghur prison. In Lebanon, officials’ immunity still allows them to enjoy impunity while the shock of the Beirut Port explosion is still fresh in the minds of the Lebanese.
More: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4605
August 2021 was not different from the months before it; governments continued to arrest activists and suppress opponents in violation of their legitimate rights to freedom of opinion and expression and continued to operate outside the law, carrying out enforced disappearances, travel bans, and torture.
In Libya, the security chaos continues to pose a threat to the sovereignty of the state. In Egypt, travel restrictions against activists and opponents have been repeated. In the UAE, human rights violations and torture practices continued in prisons and detention centers, most notably the secret Uyghur prison. In Lebanon, officials’ immunity still allows them to enjoy impunity while the shock of the Beirut Port explosion is still fresh in the minds of the Lebanese.
More: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4605
Jordan: Proposed amendments to media regulations impose new restrictions on freedoms
Geneva – Jordan’s proposed amendments to media-related regulations impose more censorship on journalistic work and may undermine freedom of opinion, expression, and publication, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
Withdrawing the proposed amendments from the official website is not enough. The government should permanently cancel them and move away from restricting media freedom.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4609
Geneva – Jordan’s proposed amendments to media-related regulations impose more censorship on journalistic work and may undermine freedom of opinion, expression, and publication, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
Withdrawing the proposed amendments from the official website is not enough. The government should permanently cancel them and move away from restricting media freedom.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4609
Bahrain: Depriving children of those stripped of nationality from obtaining citizenship is inhumane
Geneva – The Bahraini authorities' policy of revoking the citizenship of opponents and arbitrarily deporting them has resulted in another dilemma as their children cannot acquire citizenship rights as well, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
Most of the children who were born after their fathers were stripped of their nationality have become effectively stateless, given that the Bahraini nationality is transmitted only through the male line.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4612
Geneva – The Bahraini authorities' policy of revoking the citizenship of opponents and arbitrarily deporting them has resulted in another dilemma as their children cannot acquire citizenship rights as well, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
Most of the children who were born after their fathers were stripped of their nationality have become effectively stateless, given that the Bahraini nationality is transmitted only through the male line.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4612
Tunisia: Euro-Med Monitor calls for the release of hunger striker MP Yassin Ayari
Geneva - The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor expressed its concern over the health condition of Tunisian parliamentarian, Yassin Al-Ayari, as a result of his continuing hunger strike in prison for the third consecutive day, in a protest against his arrest.
The representative of the Hope and Action movement, Yassin Al-Ayari, began an open-ended hunger strike on the morning of Monday, September 7 in his cell in Mornaguia Prison, over a month after his arrest under the exceptional measures taken by Tunisian President, Kais Saied. Al-Ayari held the authorities fully responsible for his safety, the Geneva-based Euro-Med Monitor said in a press release on Thursday.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4615
Geneva - The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor expressed its concern over the health condition of Tunisian parliamentarian, Yassin Al-Ayari, as a result of his continuing hunger strike in prison for the third consecutive day, in a protest against his arrest.
The representative of the Hope and Action movement, Yassin Al-Ayari, began an open-ended hunger strike on the morning of Monday, September 7 in his cell in Mornaguia Prison, over a month after his arrest under the exceptional measures taken by Tunisian President, Kais Saied. Al-Ayari held the authorities fully responsible for his safety, the Geneva-based Euro-Med Monitor said in a press release on Thursday.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4615
UAE: 10-year imprisonment of Syrian activist speaks of extreme level of unfairness
Geneva - Emirati court issuance of a 10-year prison sentence against a Syrian activist is grossly unfair since the trial did not meet the minimum due procedures, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
The State Security Court in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, issued a 10-year prison sentence on Wednesday against Syrian activist and founder of Insan Rights Watch, Abdul Rahman Al-Nahhas, on charges of belonging to terrorist organizations and insulting the prestige of the state.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4618
Geneva - Emirati court issuance of a 10-year prison sentence against a Syrian activist is grossly unfair since the trial did not meet the minimum due procedures, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
The State Security Court in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, issued a 10-year prison sentence on Wednesday against Syrian activist and founder of Insan Rights Watch, Abdul Rahman Al-Nahhas, on charges of belonging to terrorist organizations and insulting the prestige of the state.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4618
Leading MEP at Euro-Med Monitor Webinar: ‘Asylum Seekers Are Not a Threat’
Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor has hosted an important and timely webinar on the need to guarantee legal pathways to seek asylum in Europe that brought together a group of international experts with different backgrounds and unique competence on the topic.
The webinar, titled “Towards safe and legal channels for asylum seekers” and moderated by Euro-Med Monitor's Migration and Asylum Researcher Michela Pugliese, addressed the urgency to provide legal, safe, sustainable and practical pathways for asylum seekers.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4621
Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor has hosted an important and timely webinar on the need to guarantee legal pathways to seek asylum in Europe that brought together a group of international experts with different backgrounds and unique competence on the topic.
The webinar, titled “Towards safe and legal channels for asylum seekers” and moderated by Euro-Med Monitor's Migration and Asylum Researcher Michela Pugliese, addressed the urgency to provide legal, safe, sustainable and practical pathways for asylum seekers.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4621
Libya: Hundreds of Moroccan migrants held in inhumane conditions
Geneva – The Libyan authorities have been holding hundreds of Moroccan migrants for months in inhumane conditions of detention without legal justification, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a statement.
Hundreds of Moroccan migrants detained in several detention centers in the west of the country, including the Al-Daraj detention center near the Ghadames area, and the Ain Zara and Ghout al-Shaal prisons in the western regions of Tripoli suffer difficult humanitarian conditions, especially in Al-Daraj detention center, where many were infected with the Coronavirus, amid a lack of health care.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4625
Geneva – The Libyan authorities have been holding hundreds of Moroccan migrants for months in inhumane conditions of detention without legal justification, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a statement.
Hundreds of Moroccan migrants detained in several detention centers in the west of the country, including the Al-Daraj detention center near the Ghadames area, and the Ain Zara and Ghout al-Shaal prisons in the western regions of Tripoli suffer difficult humanitarian conditions, especially in Al-Daraj detention center, where many were infected with the Coronavirus, amid a lack of health care.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4625
Denmark's Forcing of Refugee Women to Work for Welfare is Soaked in Misjudgment and Discrimination
The Danish government intends to make migrant women work at least 37 hours a week to continue receiving welfare benefits, allegedly “to help them assimilate into society” but actually spreading misjudged and discriminatory ideas on refugees and turning rights into privileges you need to earn and deserve, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor warned on Thursday.
Even if the bill has yet to be approved by Parliament, the country’s Social Democrat Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has been already clear about its terms.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4627
The Danish government intends to make migrant women work at least 37 hours a week to continue receiving welfare benefits, allegedly “to help them assimilate into society” but actually spreading misjudged and discriminatory ideas on refugees and turning rights into privileges you need to earn and deserve, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor warned on Thursday.
Even if the bill has yet to be approved by Parliament, the country’s Social Democrat Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has been already clear about its terms.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4627