AYS News Digest 27/11/23: Hungary ‘Office for the Defence of Sovereignty’ threatens human rights
250 rescued in the Mediterranean // Pushback from Croatia // Free Palestine events in Croatia // Rwanda plan: interference in Rwandan legal process unacceptable // Destruction in Calais
FEATURE
Hungary — ‘Office for the Defence of Sovereignty’ threatens human rights
“The proposal to establish an ‘Office for the Defence of Sovereignty’ in Hungary, that would be vested with broad powers to investigate any organisation or person suspected of serving foreign interests or threatening national sovereignty, poses a significant risk to human rights and should be abandoned”,
These are the words of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović in response to Hungary’s plan to create a department which would have powers that threaten human rights. The office would have powers to silence independent journalism and challenge the work of NGOs. Hungary is still operating in a “state of danger” giving the government unprecedented power, and has been for three and a half years. More details on the draft law here.
SEA and SEARCH AND RESCUE (SAR)
250 rescued in the Mediterranean
SOS Humanity 1 has been part of a joint effort to rescue 250 people from a single vessel. Initially informed by Alarm Phone, they searched in coordination with the Italian authorities. The boat was found and those rescued were taken to Lampedusa.
Rescue vessel Life Support disembarked 21 people after three days at sea. The disembarkation was delayed by rough seas and also by the port assigned being at a distance from the vessel’s location.
“It does not make any sense that ports so far away are assigned, forcing already fragile people to stay longer at sea.” Life Support mission chief Emanuele Nannini.
LIBYA
A high level delegation from the EU is visiting Libya to discuss the ability of Libya to “secure borders”.
TUNISIA
People from more southerly African nations are facing cruel and inhumane treatment by the Tunisian National Guard.
BOSNIA
Pushback from Croatia
Collective Aid share the account of a group from Iran who were illegally deported from Croatia to Bosnia.
CROATIA
Free Palestine in Croatia
The initiative for free Palestine in Croatia has organised another gathering in support of the Palestinian people, Gaza in particular, that took place on Saturday at one of Zagreb’s most popular squares, Kvaternikov trg. Many people joined in spite of the strong winds and cold weather that started on Saturday. Here is their press release.
As previously reported, border checks have reappeared in Croatia after less than a year since joining the Schengen zone. An increase in irregular crossings is being blamed, with the number of people on the Balkan route having increased.
More from the Balkans in the ECRE round up.
UNITED KINGDOM
Rwanda plan: interference in Rwandan legal process unacceptable
As previously reported in the News Digest, the plan for British authorities to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda was ruled unlawful by the UK Supreme Court. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak immediately announced he would challenge the decision but there is another hitch in the plan. Rwandan authorities are reportedly unwilling to allow interference in their legal system — a condition of signing a treaty, which is essential to Sunak’s plan going ahead. More details here.
FRANCE
Destruction in Calais
Evictions of informal settlements in northern France are regular, brutal and increasingly on a larger scale. This video shows the lengths that the authorities are going to in order to prevent organisations who provide food, water, medical care and more.
Utopia also shows people prevented from attempting to cross the Channel being walked back by police during the night. The state department in Calais puts all the blame on smugglers — blindly omitting to realise that Europe’s hostile policies are responsible.
EVENTS and WORTH READING
Wednesday 29.11.23 Movie and discussion from Refugee Support Aegean.
Wednesday 29.11.23 18:15 Zadar, Croatia. Lecture
Deutsche Welle Taiwan aids Syrian refugees in Turkey
Melting Pot Europa: Who is responsible for the deterioration of the Iuventa rescue vessel?
Migration: Niger repeals the law on the illicit trafficking of migrants
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