Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

In a heartbreaking turn of events, a 7-year-old migrant girl lost her life during an attempt to reach the UK from France through a perilous Channel crossing. Her body was found in the Aa canal in northern France after the small boat she and her family, along with other migrants, were traveling on capsized. Despite valiant rescue efforts, including attempts to revive her, the child tragically succumbed after suffering a heart attack and ceasing to breathe. The vessel, carrying a total of 16 individuals, including her parents, siblings, and other children, sank in the canal. Local authorities promptly responded to…

Racism within the German healthcare system poses a significant challenge, particularly for individuals with migrant backgrounds who often encounter disparities in access and treatment. A recent documentary by Deutsche Welle (DW), titled “Racism in Medicine” delves into the pervasive issues through a series of compelling cases and interviews with academics, healthcare professionals, and representatives from the education sector, the documentary exposes the disparities in access to healthcare services and discriminatory treatment faced by minority communities. Case 1: Emannuel’s Ordeal The documentary opens with the harrowing case of Emannuel, a man of African descent. Despite facing a medical emergency and possessing…

Germany’s pressing need for skilled workers from abroad has led to significant changes in its immigration rules, which began to take effect on March 1, 2024. With various sectors facing shortages, including IT, medical care, construction, technology, and logistics, the reworked Skilled Immigration Act aims to streamline the process for skilled workers from non-EU countries. Passed by Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag, in the summer, the act seeks to reduce barriers to immigration for skilled workers. The new rules are being introduced gradually, with the first provisions coming into force in November 2023. One notable change is the expansion of opportunities…

The UK’s initiative to implement a migrant tagging scheme has faced significant scrutiny after the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) declared it in violation of data protection laws. The scheme, spearheaded by the Home Office between August 2022 and December 2023, involved fitting GPS monitoring tags on up to 600 migrants placed on immigration bail in the UK. However, this week, the ICO concluded that the scheme failed to adequately assess the privacy intrusion posed by GPS monitoring and didn’t provide migrants with clear information on data collection purposes. The ICO issued an enforcement notice and warning to the Home Office,…

Italian prosecutors in Sicily have made a significant move this week by requesting the dismissal of the case against crew members of the migrant rescue vessel Iuventa. This Italian case development marks a crucial milestone in the legal saga surrounding humanitarian operations in the Mediterranean. The decision follows an extensive investigation into allegations of aiding and abetting illegal immigration, which stemmed from the vessel’s rescue missions back in 2017. The prosecutors not only sought the dismissal of the case but also requested the return of the seized vessel to the organization. The preliminary investigations judge (GUP) has adjourned the case…

The European Ombudsperson, Emily O’Reilly, is advocating for significant changes to European Union (EU) regulations governing the EU’s border and coastguard agency in light of the tragic migrant shipwreck off the coast of Greece in June last year. O’Reilly’s report, unveiled on Wednesday, highlighted the inadequacy of current EU rules on search and rescue missions at sea and emphasized the need for reform in the wake of the inquiry into the actions of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex. “The investigation was prompted by the devastating loss of life when the fishing trawler ‘Adriana’ sank near Pylos, Greece,…

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency, has launched an urgent appeal for $112 million in humanitarian and development aid to assist more than 1.4 million migrants traversing hazardous routes connecting the Horn of Africa, Yemen, and Southern Africa. According to Rana Jaber, the Regional Director of the IOM, building upon previous successful collaborations is crucial for “saving lives and providing protection” while enhancing community resilience in 2024. The funds sought would support the efforts of 27 aid partners operating along the perilous eastern and southern corridors, which are among the most dangerous routes for migrants worldwide. Migrants…

In the wake of escalating violence in war-torn Sudan, a staggering mass exodus has inundated border camps in neighboring South Sudan, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. With nearly 10 million people displaced since the eruption of violence last April, the situation has reached catastrophic proportions. Each day, up to 1,500 refugees pour into South Sudan, overwhelming already strained aid operations and resources. For many fleeing the conflict, the journey from Sudan’s El-Obeid to the relative safety of the South Sudanese town of Renk, spanning approximately 200 kilometers, represents a perilous escape from violence and instability. Fatima Mohammed, a Sudanese…

In a bid to address its pressing skilled labour shortages and navigate migration complexities, a high-profile German delegation, spearheaded by migration commissioner Joachim Stamp, embarked on a strategic visit to Colombia this week. The mission aimed to bolster cooperation on migration issues while actively recruiting workers from the South American nation. Led by Stamp, the team established a groundbreaking “joint steering group” with Colombian officials, signaling a concerted effort to mitigate irregular migration and streamline legal pathways for labour entry into Germany. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser underscored the twin objectives of managing unauthorized migration flows from Colombia while harnessing talent…

Flix SE, the German intercity bus and rail operator, is expanding into India – the world’s second largest bus market worth an estimated €30 billion. Beginning February 6, 2024, FlixBus will run over 200 daily services connecting 46 cities, partnering with five local bus companies initially concentrated around New Delhi. FlixBus stations in Delhi, Agra, Jodhpur and beyond will reflect the chaotic energy of existing bus hubs – crowds jostling amid vendors selling snacks, drivers yelling instructions, and a sea of brightly painted buses. Rather than establish its own fleet, FlixBus will focus on booking, planning, marketing and customer service.…