PHOENIX (AP) – All charges have been dropped against three Kunama refugees who were accused of putting a fake bomb through security at Phoenix’s airport in a possible “dry run” for a terror attack.  U.S. District Judge Neil Wake dropped the charges against Luwiza Daman, Asa Shani and Shullu Gorado on March 13 at the request of a federal prosecutor who cited new information in the case, according to court documents obtained Thursday.  “Based on the new information, further prosecution is not in the interest of justice,” wrote Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Koehler in his motion to dismiss the charges.

CHAPEL IN THE CHOUCHA REFUGEE CAMP IN TUNISIA DAMAGED

READ IN HTTP:HABESHIA.BLOGSPOT.COM

It happened the night between Sun and Sat, Feb 26 and Feb 27. No one was injured, and so far no clear motivation was given for the vandalic action. According to the Tunisian military officer, who visited the place, the damage was allegedly caused by a strong wind. One wonders though how can only the tent of the chapel be damaged, while surrounding tents were untouched . . .  Anyway, for the moment, it was thought safer to move the Christian place of worship to the Eritrean section of the camp. The UNHCR requested and inquest into the matter.

For more details, read Abba Mussie’s report on the story   http:habeshia.blogspot.com

Italy condemned by European Court of Human Rights

Local News — 23 February 2012 — 13:15CEST

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has ruled that by pushing migrants back to Libya, Italy violated the European Convention on Human Rights and in particular the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning migrants to countries where they may face persecution or inhuman or degrading treatment.

The case concerns the first push-back operation carried out in May 2009 when the Italian authorities intercepted a boat carrying about 200 Somalis and Eritreans, including children and pregnant women. These migrants were taken on board Italian ships, forced back to Tripoli and handed over to the Libyan authorities against their will.

The emigrants were not informed on their real destination and were led to believe that they were heading towards the Italian coast. 11 Somalis and 13 Eritrean, traced and assisted by the Italian Council for Refugees (CIR) in Libya after their refoulement, lodged a complaint against Italy to the EctHR.

The Court fully condemned Italy for violation of three fundamental principles: that no one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the right to an effective remedy and the prohibition of collective expulsions.

REFUGEES LIBERATED FROM BEDOUIN TRAFICKERS
DETAINED BY ISRAELI GOVERNMENT

Read from www.tolerance.ca

The conference heard that the experience of one Eritrean refugee, published in the report, is “all too familiar.”   The boat on which he was fleeing was intercepted by Greek authorities, who then confiscated the engine and abandoned its occupants. He was rescued by fishermen, but detained on arrival in Greece.

Even those who make it to Europe cannot be considered safe

Stefan Kessler

A conference in Brussels has heard that the EU “actively hinders” the arrival of refugees to Europe.

The event was told this is the result of a “deep-seated aversion” of EU countries to give forced migrants access to asylum procedures.

Member states had also “failed” to agree on comprehensive reforms to improve national asylum systems, it was said.

“Across the world, 88 percent of Eritrean migrants who seek asylum are recognized as refugees,” said Reut Michaeli, an attorney for The Hotline for Migrant Workers. “I find it very difficult to believe that the ones who come to Israel are any different.”

Israel OKs Funding to Block African Migrants

By AMY TEIBEL     Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) – The Israeli Cabinet voted unanimously Sunday to finance a $160 million program to stanch the flow of illegal African migrants by stepping up construction of a border fence and expanding a detention center to hold thousands of new arrivals.