New report: Five migrants, asylum seekers drowned per day in the Mediterranean in 2021
The year 2021 has witnessed a significant escalation in migrant drowning incidents in the Mediterranean, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a new report published on Monday. The report said that the European Union’s pushbacks of migrants and asylum seekers and criminalizing search and rescue operations compound migrant death and disappearance toll.
The report on the movement of migration across the Mediterranean during 2021 stated that 1,838 migrants died or disappeared in the sea in 2021, at a rate of 5 deaths per day. The number is an increase of about 20% compared to 2020, when the number was 1,448.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4830
The year 2021 has witnessed a significant escalation in migrant drowning incidents in the Mediterranean, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a new report published on Monday. The report said that the European Union’s pushbacks of migrants and asylum seekers and criminalizing search and rescue operations compound migrant death and disappearance toll.
The report on the movement of migration across the Mediterranean during 2021 stated that 1,838 migrants died or disappeared in the sea in 2021, at a rate of 5 deaths per day. The number is an increase of about 20% compared to 2020, when the number was 1,448.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4830
Libya: Excessive violence against migrants, asylum seekers’ sit-in is part of brutal campaign
Libyan security forces violently dispersed a sit-in of migrants and asylum seekers in front of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the capital, Tripoli, arrested and inhumanly assaulted hundreds of them, and burned the sit-in tents, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Monday in a statement.
At about 2 a.m. Monday, large security forces attacked a major sit-in of about 1,000 migrants and asylum seekers that began more than 100 days ago in front of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Tripoli.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4834
Libyan security forces violently dispersed a sit-in of migrants and asylum seekers in front of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the capital, Tripoli, arrested and inhumanly assaulted hundreds of them, and burned the sit-in tents, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Monday in a statement.
At about 2 a.m. Monday, large security forces attacked a major sit-in of about 1,000 migrants and asylum seekers that began more than 100 days ago in front of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Tripoli.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4834
UK: Fighting human trafficking requires more refugee protection not less
UK Home Secretary started the New Year vowing to further tighten asylum laws, despite the rising number of migrant children victims of trafficking in the UK, which suggests that more protection rather than less is needed to fight human trafficking, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor warned in a statement today.
The number of potential victims of human trafficking in the UK raised to 10,613 in 2020, from 1,182 in 2012, with the number of children almost quadrupled between 2016 and 2020, rising from 1,279 to 4,946. At the end of 2020, there were more referrals of children than adults for the first time ever. According to official figures, at least 2,634 migrant children who arrived in the UK in the past four years were victims of human trafficking and their number continues to rise year by year, with the true number likely to be even higher.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4837
UK Home Secretary started the New Year vowing to further tighten asylum laws, despite the rising number of migrant children victims of trafficking in the UK, which suggests that more protection rather than less is needed to fight human trafficking, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor warned in a statement today.
The number of potential victims of human trafficking in the UK raised to 10,613 in 2020, from 1,182 in 2012, with the number of children almost quadrupled between 2016 and 2020, rising from 1,279 to 4,946. At the end of 2020, there were more referrals of children than adults for the first time ever. According to official figures, at least 2,634 migrant children who arrived in the UK in the past four years were victims of human trafficking and their number continues to rise year by year, with the true number likely to be even higher.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4837
Tunisia: Protest crackdowns, attacks on journalists turn the country into police state again
The Tunisian security forces’ use of excessive force against protesters and opponents and assaulting journalists during the crackdown of Friday’s peaceful demonstrations warns of turning the country into a police state again, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Saturday in a statement.
Shortly after demonstrations were called to celebrate the 11th anniversary of the overthrow of late President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the Tunisian government announced a night curfew and a ban on all gatherings for two weeks, starting from Thursday, under the pretext of fighting the Coronavirus. This raised suspicions that the decision might have come to pre-empt the demonstrations—which were called for by opponents of the exceptional measures announced by Tunisian President Kais Saied last 25 July, by which he seized all powers and suspended the Parliament.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4843
The Tunisian security forces’ use of excessive force against protesters and opponents and assaulting journalists during the crackdown of Friday’s peaceful demonstrations warns of turning the country into a police state again, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Saturday in a statement.
Shortly after demonstrations were called to celebrate the 11th anniversary of the overthrow of late President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the Tunisian government announced a night curfew and a ban on all gatherings for two weeks, starting from Thursday, under the pretext of fighting the Coronavirus. This raised suspicions that the decision might have come to pre-empt the demonstrations—which were called for by opponents of the exceptional measures announced by Tunisian President Kais Saied last 25 July, by which he seized all powers and suspended the Parliament.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4843
Yemen: Bombing Saada prison, residential neighborhoods in Sanaa requires international investigation
The Arab coalition’s warplanes bombed Yemeni cities during the past few days, including civilian objects such as a detention center in Saada and residential neighborhoods in the capital, Sana'a. An international, impartial, and transparent investigation should be opened into these bombings, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
The bombing operations were indiscriminate and carried out without any urgent military necessity, thus constituting a grave violation of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4854
The Arab coalition’s warplanes bombed Yemeni cities during the past few days, including civilian objects such as a detention center in Saada and residential neighborhoods in the capital, Sana'a. An international, impartial, and transparent investigation should be opened into these bombings, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
The bombing operations were indiscriminate and carried out without any urgent military necessity, thus constituting a grave violation of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4854
MEPs demand Israel ensure Palestinian journalists’ freedom of movement
A cross-party group of 20 Members of the European Parliament co-signed a petition jointly organized by Euro-Med Monitor and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), demanding that Israel ensures the freedom of movement of Palestinian journalists.
The petition follows a report that Euro-Med Monitor released in November last year, entitled “Punishing Journalists: Israel's Restrictions on Freedom of Movement.”. The report documented the claims of multiple Palestinian journalists that Israeli authorities heavily restricted their freedom of movement in, out and between Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem as a form of punishment or bargaining chip.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4869
A cross-party group of 20 Members of the European Parliament co-signed a petition jointly organized by Euro-Med Monitor and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), demanding that Israel ensures the freedom of movement of Palestinian journalists.
The petition follows a report that Euro-Med Monitor released in November last year, entitled “Punishing Journalists: Israel's Restrictions on Freedom of Movement.”. The report documented the claims of multiple Palestinian journalists that Israeli authorities heavily restricted their freedom of movement in, out and between Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem as a form of punishment or bargaining chip.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4869
MEP during Euro-Med Monitor webinar: Israel punishes Palestinian journalists for doing their work
Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor and Reporters Without Borders organized a webinar on Tuesday as part of a pressure and advocacy campaign led by the two organizations to demand that the Israeli authorities lift the travel ban on Palestinian journalists and respect their right to freedom of movement.
The webinar was hosted by European Parliament Member Margrete Auken, the head of RSF’s Middle East desk Sabrina Bennoui, and Euro-Med Monitor’s Program and Communication Officer Muhammad Shehadeh. Journalists Majdoleen Hassouna and Thaer Fakhoury—both banned from traveling—also participated in the webinar.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4877
Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor and Reporters Without Borders organized a webinar on Tuesday as part of a pressure and advocacy campaign led by the two organizations to demand that the Israeli authorities lift the travel ban on Palestinian journalists and respect their right to freedom of movement.
The webinar was hosted by European Parliament Member Margrete Auken, the head of RSF’s Middle East desk Sabrina Bennoui, and Euro-Med Monitor’s Program and Communication Officer Muhammad Shehadeh. Journalists Majdoleen Hassouna and Thaer Fakhoury—both banned from traveling—also participated in the webinar.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4877
Bitter 16: New report documents consequences of Israel's blockade on Gaza
About 1.5 million of the Gaza Strip’s total population of 2.3 million have become impoverished due to the Israeli blockade and restrictions imposed on the Strip since 2006. Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor called on the international community to pressure Israel to end its illegal blockade.
As the Israeli blockade enters its seventeenth year, Euro-Med Monitor documented in its annual report, titled Bitter 16: A Generation Bred in Captivity, the dire effects of the blockade on the social, economic, and humanitarian levels, which were exacerbated by the repeated military attacks on the Strip— the most recent of which was in May 2021.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4866
About 1.5 million of the Gaza Strip’s total population of 2.3 million have become impoverished due to the Israeli blockade and restrictions imposed on the Strip since 2006. Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor called on the international community to pressure Israel to end its illegal blockade.
As the Israeli blockade enters its seventeenth year, Euro-Med Monitor documented in its annual report, titled Bitter 16: A Generation Bred in Captivity, the dire effects of the blockade on the social, economic, and humanitarian levels, which were exacerbated by the repeated military attacks on the Strip— the most recent of which was in May 2021.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4866
Yemen: Deadliest fighting wave in years coincides with an already severe humanitarian crisis
Fighting operations in Yemen have escalated in January, coinciding with the significant deterioration in the humanitarian situation and the noticeable decline in humanitarian response operations, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement expressing grave concern.
The January violence spike was the most violent in years. Clashes escalated between government forces and their allies on one side and the Houthi group on the other side in Shabwa and Marib governorates. The Arab coalition intensified its air raids on several Yemeni governorates, while the Houthi group intensified launching ballistic missiles and booby-trapped drones towards Yemeni and Saudi cities. And for the first time in years, the Houthi group targeted the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi with missiles.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4881
Fighting operations in Yemen have escalated in January, coinciding with the significant deterioration in the humanitarian situation and the noticeable decline in humanitarian response operations, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement expressing grave concern.
The January violence spike was the most violent in years. Clashes escalated between government forces and their allies on one side and the Houthi group on the other side in Shabwa and Marib governorates. The Arab coalition intensified its air raids on several Yemeni governorates, while the Houthi group intensified launching ballistic missiles and booby-trapped drones towards Yemeni and Saudi cities. And for the first time in years, the Houthi group targeted the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi with missiles.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4881
Greece: Illegal pushbacks are dooming migrants to freeze to death
The 12 people found dead at the Turkish border are victims of Greek illegal pushbacks and inhumane political games trapping migrants in neglected no man’s lands, leaving them to freeze to death all over European borders, warned the Euro-Med Monitor in a statement today.
Turkey’s Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said authorities have recovered 12 bodies that froze to death near the Ipsala border crossing “without shoes and stripped of their clothes”, believed to be among the 22 migrants who were recently pushed back by Greek border guards.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4887
The 12 people found dead at the Turkish border are victims of Greek illegal pushbacks and inhumane political games trapping migrants in neglected no man’s lands, leaving them to freeze to death all over European borders, warned the Euro-Med Monitor in a statement today.
Turkey’s Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said authorities have recovered 12 bodies that froze to death near the Ipsala border crossing “without shoes and stripped of their clothes”, believed to be among the 22 migrants who were recently pushed back by Greek border guards.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4887
Algeria: Punitive measures against striking prisoners of conscience are arbitrary, illegal
The Algerian authorities have been practicing arbitrary measures against dozens of striking prisoners of conscience, protesting the extension of their detention, without legal justifications or intentions to try them on terrorism-related and other charges, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement expressing grave concern.
As some of them have been detained for years or months for expressing an opinion and peaceful assembly, over 40 Hirak detainees in El Harrash prison announced an open hunger strike on 28 January.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4893
The Algerian authorities have been practicing arbitrary measures against dozens of striking prisoners of conscience, protesting the extension of their detention, without legal justifications or intentions to try them on terrorism-related and other charges, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement expressing grave concern.
As some of them have been detained for years or months for expressing an opinion and peaceful assembly, over 40 Hirak detainees in El Harrash prison announced an open hunger strike on 28 January.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4893
Denmark: Ghetto Package is discriminatory, unnecessarily punitive and counterproductive
Denmark’s Ghetto Package is a textbook recipe for discrimination, incitement and unnecessary and counterproductive punitive policies emanating from political expediency rather than sound policymaking, said Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor is a statement today. The Danish government must immediately and unconditionally cease all measures taken against areas designated as “Ghettoes,” including evictions, compulsory daycare, double punishment and over-policing.
In a brief report released on Monday entitled “Disguised Racism,” Euro-Med Monitor concluded after examining the merits of Denmark’s “Ghetto list” and associated “Ghetto package” that since its inception in 2010, the list has been part of the problem rather than the solution.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4895
Denmark’s Ghetto Package is a textbook recipe for discrimination, incitement and unnecessary and counterproductive punitive policies emanating from political expediency rather than sound policymaking, said Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor is a statement today. The Danish government must immediately and unconditionally cease all measures taken against areas designated as “Ghettoes,” including evictions, compulsory daycare, double punishment and over-policing.
In a brief report released on Monday entitled “Disguised Racism,” Euro-Med Monitor concluded after examining the merits of Denmark’s “Ghetto list” and associated “Ghetto package” that since its inception in 2010, the list has been part of the problem rather than the solution.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4895
DW independent probe into anti-semitism is biased, flawed and dangerous
We are seriously concerned by Deutsche Welle’s (DW) decision last Monday to scapegoat and fire five journalists of Arab and Palestinian origins following a two-month biased investigation into allegations of anti-semitism, Euro-Med Human right Monitor said in a statement today. We warn that such measures will only open the door wide to escalating what is tantamount to an anti-Arab purge in German media.
After what appears to be a racially motivated smear campaign against Arab journalists in German media last year, led by right wing media and individuals with links to the far-right, DW commissioned an independent external investigation in December into allegations against some DW Arabic Service employees, as well as freelancers abroad.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4900
We are seriously concerned by Deutsche Welle’s (DW) decision last Monday to scapegoat and fire five journalists of Arab and Palestinian origins following a two-month biased investigation into allegations of anti-semitism, Euro-Med Human right Monitor said in a statement today. We warn that such measures will only open the door wide to escalating what is tantamount to an anti-Arab purge in German media.
After what appears to be a racially motivated smear campaign against Arab journalists in German media last year, led by right wing media and individuals with links to the far-right, DW commissioned an independent external investigation in December into allegations against some DW Arabic Service employees, as well as freelancers abroad.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4900
Tunisia: High Judicial Council dissolution affects judiciary’s independence, fuels fears of authoritarian rule
Tunisian President Kais Saied’s decree dissolving the High Judicial Council (HJC) and replacing it with a temporary judicial authority violates the constitution, undermines the independence of the judiciary, and abolishes the principle of separation of powers, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Saturday in a statement.
There is no constitutional justification for the president to interfere in the judicial authority in this way. The presidential decree could have dire repercussions on the composition and stability of the judicial system in the country.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4908
Tunisian President Kais Saied’s decree dissolving the High Judicial Council (HJC) and replacing it with a temporary judicial authority violates the constitution, undermines the independence of the judiciary, and abolishes the principle of separation of powers, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Saturday in a statement.
There is no constitutional justification for the president to interfere in the judicial authority in this way. The presidential decree could have dire repercussions on the composition and stability of the judicial system in the country.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4908
Iraq: Violations against persons for having similar names to suspects reveal deplorable negligence
The Iraqi government should take all possible measures to end all violations against persons having similar names to suspects, which affected innocent people with detention and sometimes execution, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Monday in a statement.
Thousands of Iraqis’ freedom of movement has been restricted at checkpoints or airports, or they have been unlawfully detained for having similar names to persons outlawed for multiple crimes. The security authorities sometimes torture these individuals, and some of them die as a result.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4911
The Iraqi government should take all possible measures to end all violations against persons having similar names to suspects, which affected innocent people with detention and sometimes execution, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Monday in a statement.
Thousands of Iraqis’ freedom of movement has been restricted at checkpoints or airports, or they have been unlawfully detained for having similar names to persons outlawed for multiple crimes. The security authorities sometimes torture these individuals, and some of them die as a result.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4911
Plans to send Frontex guards to Senegal illegitimate attempt to stop migrants, asylum seekers
The EU is proposing to send Frontex guards and drones to Senegal, disguising it as ‘cooperation’ rather than framing it as it is: a new and tighter strategy for migration containment, forced return and border externalization, based on structural imbalance of power and chocking migrants’ and asylum seekers’ rights, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a statement on Thursday.
On 11 February, few days before the sixth European Union - African Union summit in Brussels, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson proposed to Senegal a Status Agreement with Frontex, the EU’s Border Agency, that would “allow the deployment of teams of standing corps and technical equipment” especially “to fight smugglers”
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4922
The EU is proposing to send Frontex guards and drones to Senegal, disguising it as ‘cooperation’ rather than framing it as it is: a new and tighter strategy for migration containment, forced return and border externalization, based on structural imbalance of power and chocking migrants’ and asylum seekers’ rights, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a statement on Thursday.
On 11 February, few days before the sixth European Union - African Union summit in Brussels, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson proposed to Senegal a Status Agreement with Frontex, the EU’s Border Agency, that would “allow the deployment of teams of standing corps and technical equipment” especially “to fight smugglers”
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4922
Good news on Euro-Med Monitor's joint efforts towards ceasing human rights violations – February 2022
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. In February 2022, the cycle of armed conflict expanded to include Europe for the first time in decades. The Russian forces have launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine. The attack claimed the lives of scores of civilians and caused great damage to civilian facilities. 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 February, 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 virtually engage the public in issues that affect their rights and human dignity.
More: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4928
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. In February 2022, the cycle of armed conflict expanded to include Europe for the first time in decades. The Russian forces have launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine. The attack claimed the lives of scores of civilians and caused great damage to civilian facilities. 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 February, 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 virtually engage the public in issues that affect their rights and human dignity.
More: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4928
Europe's official, media handling of Ukrainian crisis exposes deep-rooted, racist policy against non-Europeans
The official and media European positions towards the Ukraine crisis, which resulted in a refugee crisis, have exposed a deep-rooted racist European policy that excludes and discriminates against non-European ethnicities, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement on Wednesday.
Over the past days, the security authorities in Ukraine and Poland and other European politicians and journalists showed several forms of racism and discrimination based on race, color, and religion against refugees fleeing the war Russia launched on Ukraine on 24 February.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4934
The official and media European positions towards the Ukraine crisis, which resulted in a refugee crisis, have exposed a deep-rooted racist European policy that excludes and discriminates against non-European ethnicities, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement on Wednesday.
Over the past days, the security authorities in Ukraine and Poland and other European politicians and journalists showed several forms of racism and discrimination based on race, color, and religion against refugees fleeing the war Russia launched on Ukraine on 24 February.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4934
Kuwait: Young Bidoon man’s suicide is a tragic reminder of the menace of discrimination
Kuwait’s government must end discriminatory measures against stateless people such as the Bidoon and consider the severe ramifications of policies that have prompted a number of Bidoon to end their own lives over the past few years, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement on Tuesday.
Suffering from grinding poverty and a complicated living condition resulting from his being stateless, a young man named Hamad Obaid threw himself from the fourth floor of a building on February 15, according to tweets written by those who were close to him.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4936
Kuwait’s government must end discriminatory measures against stateless people such as the Bidoon and consider the severe ramifications of policies that have prompted a number of Bidoon to end their own lives over the past few years, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement on Tuesday.
Suffering from grinding poverty and a complicated living condition resulting from his being stateless, a young man named Hamad Obaid threw himself from the fourth floor of a building on February 15, according to tweets written by those who were close to him.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4936