Home Office downplaying asylum seekers' death toll is too appalling to pass unnoticed
Asylum seekers under Home Office accommodation and care are dying at alarming rates while the British government, rather than providing a safer environment and preventing such tragedies, downplays their death toll, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor warned in a statement today.
Since April 2016, 95 people have died in asylum accommodation in UK, almost double the number recently provided by the government, raising doubts the Home Office has deliberately downplayed the toll of these deaths.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4711
Asylum seekers under Home Office accommodation and care are dying at alarming rates while the British government, rather than providing a safer environment and preventing such tragedies, downplays their death toll, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor warned in a statement today.
Since April 2016, 95 people have died in asylum accommodation in UK, almost double the number recently provided by the government, raising doubts the Home Office has deliberately downplayed the toll of these deaths.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4711
Palestinian Territories: Israel’s trial of civil activist serious attack on freedom of civil activity
Geneva – The Israeli authorities should provide fair trial guarantees for the director of the Health Work Committee (HWC), Shatha Odeh, and refrain from convicting her for the vague and unfair accusations made by the Israeli Military Prosecution, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a statement.
In the early hours of the morning of 7 July, an Israeli army force arrested Palestinian woman, Shatha Odeh, 60, from her home in the Ein Misbah area in the city of Ramallah, after interrogating her briefly in the house and confiscating a vehicle belonging to the HWC.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4717
Geneva – The Israeli authorities should provide fair trial guarantees for the director of the Health Work Committee (HWC), Shatha Odeh, and refrain from convicting her for the vague and unfair accusations made by the Israeli Military Prosecution, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a statement.
In the early hours of the morning of 7 July, an Israeli army force arrested Palestinian woman, Shatha Odeh, 60, from her home in the Ein Misbah area in the city of Ramallah, after interrogating her briefly in the house and confiscating a vehicle belonging to the HWC.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4717
Sudan: One protester killed per day since military coup
Geneva – The Sudanese security forces used excessive violence to suppress protests against the military rule on Saturday, leaving several protesters killed, others wounded, and dozens arrested, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Sunday in a statement.
Identical sources indicated that the security forces deliberately targeted the upper body parts of the protestors with live bullets, especially their chests and heads. As a result, six protesters were killed, and dozens were injured, according to local medical sources.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4723
Geneva – The Sudanese security forces used excessive violence to suppress protests against the military rule on Saturday, leaving several protesters killed, others wounded, and dozens arrested, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Sunday in a statement.
Identical sources indicated that the security forces deliberately targeted the upper body parts of the protestors with live bullets, especially their chests and heads. As a result, six protesters were killed, and dozens were injured, according to local medical sources.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4723
Euro-Med Monitor concludes WikiRights project training courses
Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor has concluded a series of training courses in Italy and the Palestinian territories in the second round of the WikiRights project. The courses targeted about 60 young men and women.
The participants received practical training on reinforcing, documenting, and including the narrative of victims of human rights violations on Wikipedia in Italian, English, and Arabic.
More: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4726
Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor has concluded a series of training courses in Italy and the Palestinian territories in the second round of the WikiRights project. The courses targeted about 60 young men and women.
The participants received practical training on reinforcing, documenting, and including the narrative of victims of human rights violations on Wikipedia in Italian, English, and Arabic.
More: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4726
Sudan: Police chief statements regarding protests are false, an attempt to conceal brutality
Geneva - Chief of Police Lt. General Khalid Mahdi Ibrahim’s denial of his security forces using excessive violence during the 17 November demonstrations is both shocking and worrying, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a statement. His statements come within the framework of the de facto authority's policy of falsifying the facts since its coup on 25 October.
During a press conference yesterday morning, hours after the de facto authority’s forces committed the most brutal crackdown since the protests began last month, Ibrahim said that “the police does not use firearms, but rather internationally known and legal equipment, such as tear gas and riots dispersal equipment. Investigations are underway to find out who fired the shots.”
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4731
Geneva - Chief of Police Lt. General Khalid Mahdi Ibrahim’s denial of his security forces using excessive violence during the 17 November demonstrations is both shocking and worrying, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a statement. His statements come within the framework of the de facto authority's policy of falsifying the facts since its coup on 25 October.
During a press conference yesterday morning, hours after the de facto authority’s forces committed the most brutal crackdown since the protests began last month, Ibrahim said that “the police does not use firearms, but rather internationally known and legal equipment, such as tear gas and riots dispersal equipment. Investigations are underway to find out who fired the shots.”
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4731
Jordan: Government's proposal to amend constitution challenges intentions of brace democratic experience
Geneva – The constitutional amendments proposed by the Jordanian government might constitute an unwelcome concentration of power that might thwart any future democratic experiment, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor warned Sunday in a statement.
The proposed government amendment contains many legal flaws and may lead to emptying any future parliamentary government of its powers, as it assigns major government tasks to new bodies that are not subject to any oversight authority.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4735
Geneva – The constitutional amendments proposed by the Jordanian government might constitute an unwelcome concentration of power that might thwart any future democratic experiment, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor warned Sunday in a statement.
The proposed government amendment contains many legal flaws and may lead to emptying any future parliamentary government of its powers, as it assigns major government tasks to new bodies that are not subject to any oversight authority.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4735
Morocco: Reducing maximum employment age to 30 denies citizens equality of opportunities
Geneva – The Moroccan Ministry of National Education, Primary Education, and Sports’ decision to reduce the maximum employment age in regional academies of education and training to 30 years is unfair, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Monday in a statement. The decision challenges the law and ignores the principle of equality of opportunities guaranteed by the constitution.
Instead of issuing the decision in an administrative manner and excluding a large group of unemployed graduates, it should have been studied by the legislative authority, and its effects and consequences on a large segment of society should have been discussed before being approved.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4745
Geneva – The Moroccan Ministry of National Education, Primary Education, and Sports’ decision to reduce the maximum employment age in regional academies of education and training to 30 years is unfair, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Monday in a statement. The decision challenges the law and ignores the principle of equality of opportunities guaranteed by the constitution.
Instead of issuing the decision in an administrative manner and excluding a large group of unemployed graduates, it should have been studied by the legislative authority, and its effects and consequences on a large segment of society should have been discussed before being approved.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4745
Kurdistan: Authorities should stop suppressing demonstrations
Geneva – The Kurdish authorities’ use of violence against student protests that took place in several provinces of the region and resulted in the injury and arrest of dozens of protesters is condemnable, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Wednesday in a statement.
Large-scale student protests swept through Sulaymaniyah city in the Kurdistan region of Iraq on Monday, demanding the payment of financial grants that have been suspended for years. The protests also demanded the improvement of the conditions of government university housing, which lacks the basic necessities of a decent life.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4749
Geneva – The Kurdish authorities’ use of violence against student protests that took place in several provinces of the region and resulted in the injury and arrest of dozens of protesters is condemnable, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Wednesday in a statement.
Large-scale student protests swept through Sulaymaniyah city in the Kurdistan region of Iraq on Monday, demanding the payment of financial grants that have been suspended for years. The protests also demanded the improvement of the conditions of government university housing, which lacks the basic necessities of a decent life.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4749
Punishing journalists: Israel extorts Palestinian journalists, bans them from traveling - new report
Palestinian Territories – Israel indefensibly prevents dozens of Palestinian journalists from traveling as a punishment for their journalistic work or expression of their opinions, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a report released Monday.
Entitled “Punishing Journalists: Israel's Restrictions on Freedom of Movement,” the report documented cases in which the Israeli intelligence service and the Israeli General Security Service (Shin Bet) extorted Palestinian journalists over their right to travel and movement.
More: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4758
Palestinian Territories – Israel indefensibly prevents dozens of Palestinian journalists from traveling as a punishment for their journalistic work or expression of their opinions, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a report released Monday.
Entitled “Punishing Journalists: Israel's Restrictions on Freedom of Movement,” the report documented cases in which the Israeli intelligence service and the Israeli General Security Service (Shin Bet) extorted Palestinian journalists over their right to travel and movement.
More: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4758
EU's insistence on expanding Frontex’s powers is disappointing
The European Union's insistence on expanding the European Border and Coast Guard Agency’s (Frontex) powers without clear legal limits is disappointing and contradicts international standards regarding asylum seekers, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
The European Commission's announcement a few days ago of deploying a Frontex-operated plane to continuously monitor the shores of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, after the death of 27 people trying to cross the English Channel last week, is discouraging.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4770
The European Union's insistence on expanding the European Border and Coast Guard Agency’s (Frontex) powers without clear legal limits is disappointing and contradicts international standards regarding asylum seekers, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
The European Commission's announcement a few days ago of deploying a Frontex-operated plane to continuously monitor the shores of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, after the death of 27 people trying to cross the English Channel last week, is discouraging.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4770
Good news on Euro-Med Monitor's joint efforts towards ceasing human rights violations – November 2021
Over the decades, violations have continued to plague the Middle East and North Africa, especially with the expansion of armed conflicts and the constant repression of the voices of activists, politicians, journalists, and others. However, despite the bleak human rights reality in the region, it is crucial to recognize the small steps that, in the long term, will bring considerable improvements towards ending infringements and the redress of victims.
In November, our team worked alongside partner organizations and dozens of regional and international organizations to bring real change in this regard by speaking to decision-makers about practices and methodologies that should be addressed, reformed, or completely stopped. We also harnessed the power of social media to engage the public virtually in issues that affect their rights and human dignity.
More: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4771
Over the decades, violations have continued to plague the Middle East and North Africa, especially with the expansion of armed conflicts and the constant repression of the voices of activists, politicians, journalists, and others. However, despite the bleak human rights reality in the region, it is crucial to recognize the small steps that, in the long term, will bring considerable improvements towards ending infringements and the redress of victims.
In November, our team worked alongside partner organizations and dozens of regional and international organizations to bring real change in this regard by speaking to decision-makers about practices and methodologies that should be addressed, reformed, or completely stopped. We also harnessed the power of social media to engage the public virtually in issues that affect their rights and human dignity.
More: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4771
RSF and Euro-Med condemn Israeli travel bans on Palestinian journalists
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor (Euro-Med Monitor) call for an immediate end to the Israeli travel bans that prevent dozens of Palestinian journalists, including Majdoleen Hassona, winner of this year’s RSF Press Freedom Prize for Independence, from leaving the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The travel ban placed on Majdoleen Hassona two years ago by the Israeli authorities, who control the external borders of the Palestinian territories, have prevented her from returning from the West Bank to her base in Istanbul, where she works for the Turkish public broadcaster TRT. They have also prevented her from collecting her RSF award.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4777
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor (Euro-Med Monitor) call for an immediate end to the Israeli travel bans that prevent dozens of Palestinian journalists, including Majdoleen Hassona, winner of this year’s RSF Press Freedom Prize for Independence, from leaving the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The travel ban placed on Majdoleen Hassona two years ago by the Israeli authorities, who control the external borders of the Palestinian territories, have prevented her from returning from the West Bank to her base in Istanbul, where she works for the Turkish public broadcaster TRT. They have also prevented her from collecting her RSF award.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4777
Complex persecution: Report documents shocking accounts of Libyan Coast Guard’s involvement in migrant killing, kidnapping
The illegal practices committed by the Libyan authorities against migrants and asylum seekers, whether during pushbacks or in prisons and detention centers, violate their right to life and physical and psychological integrity, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a report released Monday.
Titled "Complex persecution: Complemented system of oppression and exploitation of migrants and asylum seekers in Libya," the report documents horrific violations practiced by the Libyan authorities against migrants, including arbitrary detention, inhumane treatment, and financial extortion in prisons and detention centers.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4785
The illegal practices committed by the Libyan authorities against migrants and asylum seekers, whether during pushbacks or in prisons and detention centers, violate their right to life and physical and psychological integrity, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a report released Monday.
Titled "Complex persecution: Complemented system of oppression and exploitation of migrants and asylum seekers in Libya," the report documents horrific violations practiced by the Libyan authorities against migrants, including arbitrary detention, inhumane treatment, and financial extortion in prisons and detention centers.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4785
Belgium is preventing migrants from applying for asylum and is making them sleep rough once again
Hundreds of migrants are sleeping in front of the only registration center in Brussels in order to submit their asylum requests and find a shelter, but the Belgian accommodation system seems overwhelmed and uncapable of upholding their right of reception and protection, once again.
For almost a month now, every morning, between 150 and 200 people queue up in front of the Fedasil agency, the federal agency for the reception of asylum seekers, in downtown Brussels to lodge their asylum applications and find a place to stay for the night. Many have started to remain overnight and sleep there on the sidewalk to hold their spot in the queue, in the midst of rats and garbage, in the cold.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4789
Hundreds of migrants are sleeping in front of the only registration center in Brussels in order to submit their asylum requests and find a shelter, but the Belgian accommodation system seems overwhelmed and uncapable of upholding their right of reception and protection, once again.
For almost a month now, every morning, between 150 and 200 people queue up in front of the Fedasil agency, the federal agency for the reception of asylum seekers, in downtown Brussels to lodge their asylum applications and find a place to stay for the night. Many have started to remain overnight and sleep there on the sidewalk to hold their spot in the queue, in the midst of rats and garbage, in the cold.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4789
Anti-Arab purge in German Media is highly concerning
We are immensely concerned by the recent alarming increase in the targeting, singling out and smearing of Arab and Palestinian journalists in German media, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a statement today.
Ever since the German Parliament passed a resolution describing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign against Israel as anti-Semitic, the country has seen growing campaigns to equate anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism and to delegitimize criticism of Israeli violations against Palestinians. This not only poses a serious risk to freedom of speech and expression, but it has also proven dangerous in terms of weaponizing accusations of anti-Semitism against public figures from minority backgrounds.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4798
We are immensely concerned by the recent alarming increase in the targeting, singling out and smearing of Arab and Palestinian journalists in German media, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a statement today.
Ever since the German Parliament passed a resolution describing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign against Israel as anti-Semitic, the country has seen growing campaigns to equate anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism and to delegitimize criticism of Israeli violations against Palestinians. This not only poses a serious risk to freedom of speech and expression, but it has also proven dangerous in terms of weaponizing accusations of anti-Semitism against public figures from minority backgrounds.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4798
Sudan: Investigate allegations of rape, mass harassment during protest crackdown
Members of the Sudanese security forces have reportedly raped and harassed several Sudanese women during their suppression of peaceful demonstrations last Sunday. An urgent and independent investigation should be opened into these allegations, and perpetrators should be held accountable, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Thursday in a statement.
Eight girls were raped by Sudanese security forces during the crackdown last Sunday, said Salima Al-Khalifa, Director of the Combating Violence Against Women Unit.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4808
Members of the Sudanese security forces have reportedly raped and harassed several Sudanese women during their suppression of peaceful demonstrations last Sunday. An urgent and independent investigation should be opened into these allegations, and perpetrators should be held accountable, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Thursday in a statement.
Eight girls were raped by Sudanese security forces during the crackdown last Sunday, said Salima Al-Khalifa, Director of the Combating Violence Against Women Unit.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4808
Palestinian Territories: Protect Palestinian civilians from Israeli state-backed settler violence
Under Israeli army protection, Israeli settlers have carried out large-scale attacks against Palestinian civilians and their properties in the West Bank, in what appears to be state-sponsored violence, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
During the past few days, violence has escalated, taking a vengeful and collective punishment nature. The Israeli army protected the perpetrators after a settler was killed and two others were injured in an armed clash near the entrance of the Homesh settlement—evacuated since 2005—on Thursday evening.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4810
Under Israeli army protection, Israeli settlers have carried out large-scale attacks against Palestinian civilians and their properties in the West Bank, in what appears to be state-sponsored violence, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
During the past few days, violence has escalated, taking a vengeful and collective punishment nature. The Israeli army protected the perpetrators after a settler was killed and two others were injured in an armed clash near the entrance of the Homesh settlement—evacuated since 2005—on Thursday evening.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4810
Iraq: Slaughter of 20 civilians in Babil requires urgent investigation, accountability
The Iraqi security forces killed 20 civilians, including four women and at least 12 children, on Thursday, when they raided a home in Jableh, north of the Babil Governorate in central Iraq, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement expressing complete shock.
Initial data indicate that the security forces carried out a horrific massacre using rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and heavy firearms without proportionality, in a family dispute without security dimension, contrary to the first official narrative that linked the incident to confronting terrorism.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4819
The Iraqi security forces killed 20 civilians, including four women and at least 12 children, on Thursday, when they raided a home in Jableh, north of the Babil Governorate in central Iraq, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement expressing complete shock.
Initial data indicate that the security forces carried out a horrific massacre using rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and heavy firearms without proportionality, in a family dispute without security dimension, contrary to the first official narrative that linked the incident to confronting terrorism.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4819
Good news on Euro-Med Monitor's joint efforts towards ceasing human rights violations – December 2021
Over the decades, violations have continued to plague the Middle East and North Africa, especially with the expansion of armed conflicts and the constant repression of the voices of activists, politicians, journalists, and others. However, despite the bleak human rights reality in the region, it is crucial to recognize the small steps that, in the long term, will bring considerable improvements towards ending infringements and the redress of victims.
In December, our team worked alongside partner organizations and dozens of regional and international organizations to bring real change in this regard by speaking to decision-makers about practices and methodologies that should be addressed, reformed, or completely stopped. We also harnessed the power of social media to engage the public virtually in issues that affect their rights and human dignity.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4820
Over the decades, violations have continued to plague the Middle East and North Africa, especially with the expansion of armed conflicts and the constant repression of the voices of activists, politicians, journalists, and others. However, despite the bleak human rights reality in the region, it is crucial to recognize the small steps that, in the long term, will bring considerable improvements towards ending infringements and the redress of victims.
In December, our team worked alongside partner organizations and dozens of regional and international organizations to bring real change in this regard by speaking to decision-makers about practices and methodologies that should be addressed, reformed, or completely stopped. We also harnessed the power of social media to engage the public virtually in issues that affect their rights and human dignity.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4820
Lebanon: Assaulting a domestic worker is shocking but only the tip of the iceberg
A video showing a Lebanese man assaulting a domestic worker is only the tip of the iceberg of wide, unreported violations perpetuated by the kafala system, which opens the door to slavery-like abuses.
In a video circulating on social media since Wednesday, the man can be seen dragging the woman by her hair and hitting her, ignoring her screams and distress calls. Later, the man turned out to be her employer under the infamous kafala system.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4824
A video showing a Lebanese man assaulting a domestic worker is only the tip of the iceberg of wide, unreported violations perpetuated by the kafala system, which opens the door to slavery-like abuses.
In a video circulating on social media since Wednesday, the man can be seen dragging the woman by her hair and hitting her, ignoring her screams and distress calls. Later, the man turned out to be her employer under the infamous kafala system.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4824