Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

In a decisive move, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has dismissed the previous government’s controversial Rwanda deportation plan, which aimed to send incoming migrants to Rwanda. Starmer described the plan as an ineffective gimmick that never served as a deterrent. This decision marks a significant shift in the UK’s approach to handling its migrant crisis. The Rwanda scheme, introduced by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s administration in 2022, was intended to deter migrants from Africa and West Asia from seeking asylum in the UK by crossing the English Channel from France. However, the plan faced severe criticism and legal challenges,…

A fishing boat carrying nearly 300 migrants has safely reached the southern Greek island of Gavdos after a large rescue operation in the Mediterranean Sea, according to Greek authorities. The vessel, carrying 283 migrants, encountered high winds south of Crete, prompting a rescue operation early Monday. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of injuries or ill health among the migrants. The Greek coast guard launched a search operation after receiving a notification about the vessel in distress. The operation involved two coast guard vessels, four merchant ships, and two smaller private boats. The migrant vessel was located 18 nautical miles…

Chinese migrant Liu Tiantian sits on a bus to Costa Rica after surviving the perilous Darién Gap, a treacherous jungle between Colombia and Panama. Chinese migrants are increasingly using South and Central America as routes to the U.S. border. Ecuador, a country long used by migrants from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, is now seeing a surge in Chinese nationals. In response, Ecuador has implemented a visa requirement for Chinese visitors, reflecting a shift in policy under President Daniel Noboa, educated in the U.S. and aligned with American interests. This policy change underscores the global challenge of migration, testing…

A new study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reveals that Germany excels in integrating migrants despite various challenges, such as many migrants having limited education. Contrary to the prevailing perception within Germany, the study shows that the country is performing better than many of its European counterparts in this regard. The OECD study, led by migration expert Thomas Liebig, compared data from multiple countries, including Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, and Scandinavian nations, along with comprehensive data from the EU. Liebig’s findings indicate that most migrants in Germany come from within the European Union, rather than…

Türkiye is entering a new phase in its efforts to combat illegal migration, as announced by Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. In a recent presentation to the Justice and Development Party (AK Party)’s Strategy Council, Yerlikaya outlined a series of steps aimed at addressing the issue more effectively. One significant measure involves cutting off aid to refugees who are not found at their registered addresses. Those who fail to return despite warnings will face deportation. This move is part of a broader strategy to prevent refugees from mobilizing within the country. In addition to these measures, Türkiye is also focusing…

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation recently reported that nearly 12,000 Afghan migrants were deported from Iran and Pakistan in the past four days. This significant number reflects the ongoing crisis faced by Afghan refugees in the region. According to the ministry’s newsletter, a total of 11,997 Afghan migrants were forced to return to Afghanistan between July 3rd and July 6th, 2024. These individuals re-entered the country through several border points, including Torghundi, Spin Boldak, Islam Qala-Herat, and Abreshim-Nimruz. Despite international protests, Iran and Pakistan continue to deport Afghan migrants. This worsens Afghanistan’s already severe humanitarian crisis. The returnees face…

Britain’s new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has announced that he will not continue with the previous government’s plan to deport migrants to Rwanda. Speaking at his first news conference since taking office, Starmer emphasized that the scheme, introduced by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, was ineffective and not a genuine solution to the issue of illegal immigration. He criticized the plan as a “gimmick” that failed to deter migrants from making the perilous journey across the English Channel. Rishi Sunak, who was the leader of the Conservative Party, had made the Rwanda deportation plan a central part of his strategy…

Migrants and refugees in Africa are increasingly facing perilous journeys as they head north toward the Mediterranean and Europe. According to a report released by the United Nations refugee and migration agencies and the Mixed Migration Centre research group, land routes in Africa are twice as deadly as the Mediterranean sea lanes, the world’s most dangerous maritime route for migrants. The report highlights the severe risks faced by migrants, including enslavement, organ removal, rape, and kidnapping for ransom by criminal gangs. New conflicts and instability in countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Sudan have contributed to the rise in…

In a tragic incident off the coast of Mauritania, approximately 170 migrants are feared dead or missing after their boat capsized while attempting to reach Europe. The Mauritanian News Agency reported that the boat sank near Ndiago, just four kilometers from the shore, on July 1. Of the 170 passengers onboard, 89 migrants lost their lives, and only nine survivors, including a five-year-old girl, were rescued by Mauritanian coastguards. This incident highlights the dangerous risks migrants often face in their desperate journeys to seek refuge or a better life. The survivors revealed that the ill-fated boat had departed from the…

Amnesty International has raised serious concerns about the treatment of migrants in Italy, reporting that they face “illegal deprivation of liberty” in detention centers that fail to meet international standards. According to the NGO’s report, titled “Liberty and Dignity: Observations by Amnesty International on the Administrative Detention of Migrants and Asylum Seekers in Italy,” published on July 3rd 2024, migrants and asylum seekers in Italy are subjected to conditions that violate their rights. The report is based on visits to two repatriation centers in April: the Residence and Repatriation Centers (CPR) of Ponte Galeria in Rome and Pian del Lago…