Date: Thu Dec 11 12:23:30 2014
<http://www.tesfanews.net/british-foreign-and-home-office-delegation-in-asma
ra/> British Foreign and Home Office Delegation in Asmara
By TesfaNews,
Posted on 11 December 2014.
FOLLOWING last week's
<http://www.tesfanews.net/fm-osman-saleh-in-rome-for-eu-horn-of-africa-migra
tion-conference/> EU - Horn of Africa Migration Route Initiative Ministerial
Conference in Rome, a delegation from the British Foreign and Home Offices
have arrived in Asmara for talks with the Eritrean government on
multi-layered facets of migration and human trafficking.
It was not yet confirmed whether the delegations also came to look into a
Denmark Immigration Service (DIS) style assessment on the alleged human
rights situations in the country besides having a discussion on migration
and human trafficking.
A three week fact-fining mission and a
<http://www.nyidanmark.dk/NR/rdonlyres/B28905F5-5C3F-409B-8A22-0DF0DACBDAEF/
0/EritreareportEndeligversion.pdf> report on Eritrea by DIS made headlines
last week after it concludes that 'allegations of Human Rights in the
country do not harmonize with the reality on the ground.'
The report also adds, 'hardly anyone leaves Eritrea for political reasons ..
as almost 99.9% of all Eritrean asylum seekers in Europe are Economic
Refugees.'
The Rome conference was, in fact, an opportunity for Eritrea and the
countries in the region to have a one-on-one talks with various European
officials. Foreign Minister Osman have had a fruitful discussion with EU
Foreign Relations Chief, Italian Interior Minister, Italian deputy FM, EU
Development Cooperation Minister and with various UK and Norway Officials.
EU Development Cooperation minister on his part promised EU's readiness to
engage with Eritrea and contribute to the country's national development
projects.
The refugee crisis in Europe and the staggering number of migrants death
while attempting to cross to Europe over the Mediterranean Sea, together
with a growing awareness on some of the critical and political pull factors
has forced the EU to adopt a policy shift and engagement with countries like
Eritrea.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres,
<http://rt.com/news/213131-migrants-die-sea-neglect/> today slammed Europe's
attitude towards migrants and refugees suggesting that EU countries care
more about implementing stricter immigration policies than ensuring safety.
"The real root causes have to be addressed, and this means looking at why
people are fleeing, what prevents them from seeking asylum by safer means,
and what can be done to crack down on the criminal networks that prosper
from this, while at the same time protecting their victims. It also means
having proper systems to deal with arrivals and distinguish real refugees
from those who are not."
Such awareness and political willingness by EU member states will definitely
tighten the noose around the neck of human traffickers and asylum peddler's.
ENGAGEMENT. Work towards tackling the the challenges of human trafficking
and smuggling of migrants between the horn of Africa and Europe in a spirit
of partnership
ENGAGEMENT. Working towards tackling the the challenges of human trafficking
and smuggling of migrants between the horn of Africa and Europe in a spirit
of partnership
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