March 21, 2013
Institute for Security Studies
Abstract:
Western governments focus heavily on the presence of Islamist extremists in the
Sahel and have provided technical assistance in an attempt to strengthen the
capacity of the security sectors and justice systems in the countries of the region
to hold them back. But the preoccupation with West Africa’s war on terror has
meant that the destabilising impact of organised crime has been consistently
underestimated, if not ignored altogether. As rebuilding begins in Mali, all signs
point to the same oversight happening again. Organised crime is not the primary
driver of the current conflict in Mali, but any effort to stabilise or resolve this
conflict should explicitly take the presence of organised crime, illicit resource
flows and criminal networks into account....
March 20, 2013
International Organization for Migration
Abstract:
The International Dialogue on Migration 2012 aims to enhance synergies between humanitarian and migration perspectives in the search for appropriate responses to migration crises. The second workshop in the series focuses on the plight of migrants who are caught up in crises in their countries of transit or destination. When countries of destination or transit experience political turmoil, conflict or natural disasters, their migrant populations often have few means to escape and ensure their own safety. Risks and vulnerabilities are exacerbated when migrants are in an irregular situation, or when countries of origin lack the resources, capacity and access to protect and assist their nationals abroad. Some migrants may be unable or unwilling to leave the crisis zone, while others may be forced to cross borders into neighbouring countries. As a result, repercussions may be felt regionally and beyond. Ultimately, migrants may escape crises by returning or being evacuated to their countries of origin, but challenges do not end there: countries of origin may struggle to receive and reintegrate large numbers of returnees, while the sudden loss of remittances may leave their families and home communities without income. The departure of migrant workers may also leave gaps in the labour markets of countries of destination which may in fact depend on migrant labour for post-crisis recovery and reconstruction.
The overall objective of the workshop is to support States in devising a framework of policies and actions to address the situation of migrants in crisis situations. Consistent with IOM's mandate and Strategy Document (activity 7), the IDM provides a forum for IOM Member and Observer States, as well as international and non-governmental organizations and other partners, to share experiences and perspectives on migration matters with a view to identifying practical solutions and fostering greater cooperation....
March 15, 2013
Center for International and European Studies
Abstract:
The uprisings that the Arab world has experienced since the end of 2010 have fundamentally affected all the countries of the region. In this context, while civil society has had a profound role to play, the level of development of civil associations in each of the countries of the region has not been irrelevant to the outcomes. The diversity in outcomes is matched by a similar differentiation in the nature of the states and regimes, with civil society experiencing a similar evolutionary path. This paper aims to identify the notion of civil society and its components vis-à-vis the Arab world, and accordingly to present a classification of the Arab states, based on the degree of the active presence of civil associations. The linkages between civil society and democracy are also explored. Finally the paper offers a set of policy suggestions with regard to the enhancement of Arab civil society....
March 13, 2013
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Abstract:
Eritreans have been seeking asylum in east Sudan for more than four decades and the region now hosts more than 100,000 refugees1. East Sudan has also become a key transit region for those fleeing Eritrea. One route, from East Sudan to Egypt, the Sinai desert and Israel has gained increasing attention. According to UNHCR statistics, the number of Eritreans crossing the border from Sinai to Israel has increased from 1,348 in 2006 to 17,175 in 2011. Coupled with this dramatic growth in numbers, the conditions on this route have caused great concern. Testimonies from Eritreans have increasingly referred to kidnapping, torture and extortion at the hands of human smugglers and traffickers.
The smuggling route from Eritrea to Israel is long, complex and involves many different actors. As such, it cannot be examined in its entirety in a single paper. This analysis consequently focuses on the movement of people from Eritrea to east Sudan, and from east Sudan to Egypt. A review of testimonies from Eritrean refugees and key informant interviews provide an understanding of the situation from the available data.
The paper is structured as follows. Following brief contextual information the paper opens with an examination of motivations and aspirations to leave Eritrea based on testimonies collected by UNHCR and NGOs in Israel and Cairo. This includes an overview of the current situation in Eritrea and the importance of the Eritrean diaspora in decision making. Section two addresses the changing refugee dynamics in east Sudan and why Shagarab refugee camp has become predominantly a place of transit rather than refuge.
The following section examines the role of smugglers in east Sudan. One group of smugglers mentioned in many testimonies are from an ethnic group known as the Rashaida. In order to explain their ubiquity in testimonies this section places human smuggling in the context of wider processes of trade, underdevelopment in the region and Sudan-Eritrean relations. It argues that the actions of a small number of Rashaida involved in the process of smuggling Eritreans are one of the products, not causes, of insecurity in the region. However, this should not detract from or lessen the human rights violations taking place along the route. To conclude the challenges and possibilities for protection, assistance and security are reviewed.
This paper is not a definitive guide to the situation and some pertinent limitations should be stressed. The situation is highly complex, fluid and subject to rapid change. There is currently research being undertaken that will detail specific routes, locations and individuals involved whereas this paper will outline trends and historical developments from the available literature. It is also important to note the testimonies examined in this paper were collected from those who had reached NGOs and UNHCR offices in Egypt or Israel and had specific protection concerns.2 There is therefore a bias within the testimonies and they do not reflect the myriad journeys and experiences of those who did not reach either of these destinations....
March 13, 2013
Medecins Sans Frontieres // Doctors Without Borders
Abstract:
Over the last ten years, as the European Union (EU) has tightened
its border controls and increasingly externalised its migration policies,
Morocco has changed from being just a transit country for migrants
en route to Europe to being both a transit and destination country by
default. MSF’s experience demonstrates that the longer sub-Saharan
migrants stay in Morocco the more vulnerable they become. This preexisting
vulnerability, related to factors such as age and gender, as well
as traumas experienced during the migration process, accumulates as
they are trapped in Morocco and subjected to policies and practices
that neglect, exclude and discriminate against them.
MSF’s data demonstrates that the precarious living conditions that
the majority of sub-Saharan migrants in Morocco are forced to live
in and the wide-spread institutional and criminal violence that they
are exposed to continue to be the main factors influencing medical
and psychological needs. MSF teams have repeatedly highlighted
and denounced this situation, yet violence remains a daily reality for
the majority of sub-Saharan migrants in Morocco. In fact, as this
report demonstrates, the period since December 2011 has seen a
sharp increase in abuse, degrading treatment and violence against
sub-Saharan migrants by Moroccan and Spanish security forces. This
report also reveals the widespread violence carried out by criminal
gangs, including bandits and human smuggling and human trafficking
networks. It provides a glimpse into the shocking levels of sexual
violence that migrants are exposed to throughout the migration process
and demands better assistance and protection for those affected.
These unacceptable levels of violence should not overshadow the
achievements that have been made in recognition and respect
for sub-Saharan migrants’ right to health over the last ten years.
Progress has been made, however considerable challenges remain,
particularly with regard to non-emergency, secondary care, care for
people with mental health problems and protection and assistance
for survivors of sexual violence. Further investment and reform of
the healthcare system is needed, however the impact of the progress
made to date and any future reforms will be limited unless concrete
action is taken to address the discrepancy between European and
Moroccan policies which view migration through a security prism
and criminalise, marginalise and discriminate against sub-Saharan
migrants in Morocco and those which protect and uphold their
fundamental human rights.
This report highlights the medical and psychological consequences
of this approach and the cumulative vulnerability of the significant
numbers of sub-Saharan migrants who are trapped in Morocco. In
doing so it calls, once again, on the Moroccan authorities to respect
their international and national commitments to human rights,
develop and implement protection mechanisms and ensure that sub-
Saharan migrants are treated in a humane and dignified manner,
no matter what their legal status....
Africa 
