“the only lasting solution for Eritrean refugees in Libya would be a resettlement scheme to a third safe country, a commitment which is expected of all democratic countries of the world which respect international standards on the protection of refugees”

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EU Called upon to help Eritrean Refugees in Libya

By:      Arkokabay News Dpt.

            13^th July 2010

The case of about 300 Eritrean refugees stranded in Libya is being debated in EU parliament today. Arkokabay.com has learned that Eritrean and non-Eritrean NGOs and Human Rights advocates have been writing to the parliament pleading with the EU to give the case of Eritrean refugees special attention and assistance in accordance with universal humanitarian laws and conventions. 

 In a letter addressed to the EU parliament, CDRiE stressed the absence of rule of law  in Eritrea and pleaded with the “EU to support the case of Eritrean refugees in their search for safe haven and sanctuary” and “to accept the Eritrean caseload for resettlement where they can live in safety and dignity”.  CDRiE’s letter further stated the organisation’s readiness “to liaise and cooperate with the authorities of Libyan Arab Jamaheriya, governments in the OECD countries, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations to find a fundamental solution to the root causes of the refugee exodus from Eritrea”.

On a similar move, Dr. Mirjam van Reisen of EEPA wrote to the EU Parliament stating that “The European Union should ensure that the law to protect legitimate asylum-seekers is upheld”. Dr. Reisen also urged “that the Italy - Libya agreement is assessed and reviewed to ensure international law is respected” and that “The European Union should take its responsibility in ensuring the member states comply with international law in this regard”.  It is to be recalled that EEPA and its Director Dr. Mirjam van Reisen were the main driving force that organised the historic Brussels Conference on Eritrea and the Horn of Africa in November 2009.

The well-known Eritrean researcher on Human Rights Law and Human Rights activist - Dr. Daniel R Mekonnen – also wrote to the European Parliament asserting that “the Libyan Government was about to deport more than 200 Eritrean refugees back to Eritrea. Fortunately, an agreement was concluded between Libya and Italy at the eleventh hour as a result of which the Libyan Government has decided to reverse the deportation plan and has accordingly permitted the refugees to remain in Libya temporarily”. Dr. Mekoonen also questioned the Libyan authority’s decision to allow the “Eritrean Embassy in Libya to have access to the refugees in terms of requesting them to fill mandatory bio-data forms that may even expose them to a greater risk of deportation anytime in the future”.  

Dr. Mekonnen emphasised that “the only lasting solution for Eritrean refugees in Libya would be a resettlement scheme to a third safe country, a commitment which is expected of all democratic countries of the world which respect international standards on the protection of refugees” and called on the “Members of the EP to urge Italy and other Member States of the EU to implement a resettlement scheme as a matter of urgency with the objective of saving the lives of these helpless refugees who are under real and imminent threat of deportation and other forms of human rights violations”.

The EU Parliament debate on Eritrean refugees in Libya is expected to be held this evening. Arkokabay.com will follow events there and update readers and the public as appropriate.

Comments (1) >>

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written by We from victims , July 15, 2010

Really we from the victims of the situation that happned in a misurata prison last time 30 / 07/2010 and we still faced hunger,skiness,bad treatment from guards still now so we recommonded that to fellow up our situation until we got the last solution at last we apprisate to dr.daniael mekonen,elzabet churum,semira. GOD BLESS U

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