Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

In a show of support for its overseas citizens, the Cambodian Embassy in South Korea recently partnered with Soon Chun Hyang (SCH) Hospital and the Gimhae Foreign Support Centre to offer free health checkups to Cambodian migrant workers and residents. The initiative, held on Saturday at the Gimhae Health Centre, drew over 150 Cambodians living and working in the country. The event was led by Cambodian Ambassador to South Korea, Chring Botum Rangsay, and attended by key Korean dignitaries including Gimhae Mayor Hong Tae Yong, Dr Park Byoungwon from SCH Hospital, and Kang Sun Hee, Deputy Director of the Gimhae…

Over 500 migrants have been rescued off the southern Greek island of Crete in recent days, signalling a major shift in Mediterranean migration routes and placing new pressure on Greece’s already strained asylum system. According to a statement released on May 25 by the Hellenic Coast Guard, the rescued individuals had attempted the dangerous sea crossing from Libya, with some vessels carrying dozens of people in unsafe, overcrowded conditions. On Saturday alone, about 280 people—including 13 minors—were saved from five shipwrecks. Most of the survivors were men who reportedly paid up to $4,000 for the journey. A 24-year-old Sudanese man…

The Council of Europe has firmly defended the independence of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) following pressure from nine member states to change how it handles migration cases. Secretary General Alain Berset warned against turning the court into a political battleground, emphasizing its crucial role in defending fundamental human rights and democratic stability. The debate was sparked by a joint letter from the leaders of Denmark, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. They urged the Council of Europe to begin discussions on reforming the ECtHR’s approach, arguing that recent rulings have hindered their ability to…

A Greek naval court has charged 17 coast guard officers over the tragic 2023 shipwreck near Pylos that claimed the lives of hundreds of migrants, according to legal sources. The officers are now under investigation for their possible roles in one of the deadliest maritime disasters in the Mediterranean in recent years. The incident occurred on June 14, 2023, when the overcrowded vessel Adriana, carrying around 750 migrants from Libya to Italy, capsized in international waters. Only 104 people are known to have survived, and the rest are feared drowned. The Greek coast guard had reportedly monitored the boat for…

A new wave of collaboration has begun in Abuja as African trade unions, private recruitment agencies, and the International Labour Organization (ILO) come together to combat the exploitation of migrant workers. The gathering, organized by the African Trade Union Migration Network (ATUMNET), represents a shift from mere complaints to active solutions aimed at safeguarding workers’ rights. During the event, Comrade Akhator Joel Odigie, General Secretary of ITUC-Africa, stressed the need for stronger cooperation among stakeholders. He highlighted that past discussions often involved only trade unions, which limited the possibility for change. “You will notice that for the first time, we…

Thousands of unaccompanied migrant children, some as young as toddlers, may now have to face U.S. immigration courts completely alone. This crisis follows funding cuts by the Trump administration that stripped legal representation services from organizations helping these vulnerable children. The Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project (GHIRP), which provides legal aid to children, was forced to halt services after receiving a stop-work order from the Department of the Interior. Although the order was briefly lifted, it was later followed by the cancellation of all funding for direct legal representation. As a result, GHIRP and similar nonprofits across the U.S. have been…

The United Nations has issued a serious warning to Tunisia, raising alarm over increasing racist rhetoric, forced evictions, and mass deportations of Sub-Saharan African migrants and refugees. According to a letter obtained by Al-Quds Al-Arabi, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination strongly condemned the North African country’s recent treatment of migrants. The letter, signed by Committee Chair Michael Balcerzak and addressed to Tunisia’s UN Representative in Geneva, Sabri Bachtobji, highlights rising hate speech in media and on social platforms. It also criticizes Tunisian politicians, including members of parliament, for spreading harmful claims—such as the idea that African…

On May 21, Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi accused part of the judiciary of being influenced by ideology in their handling of migration-related cases. His statement came as the Constitutional Court began reviewing his 2023 decree that imposed tough restrictions on NGOs involved in sea rescues. According to Piantedosi, some court opinions seemed biased and not based on rational thinking. He said such decisions weaken the credibility of the judiciary. “Some of their opinions had a clear ideological flavor and were debunked by rational considerations,” he said. “This is not beneficial for the credibility of the institution.” The minister also…

China’s nearly 300 million migrant workers are facing new challenges as the workforce ages and the job market shifts toward more skill-based and service-oriented roles, a new government report shows. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the average age of migrant workers in 2024 rose slightly to 43.2 years, with 31.6 percent now over 50 years old. This steady increase highlights the need for targeted skills training to keep up with evolving job demands. Experts attribute the aging workforce to several factors, including longer schooling for rural youth, which delays their entry into the labor market, and the growing…

A new European Union-funded migrant camp on the Greek island of Lesvos is causing serious concern among locals and environmental experts who warn that it could lead to devastating wildfires. The Vastria pine forest, where the new facility is being built, is the last major forested area on the island and highly flammable. Now, with nearly 24 hectares already cleared to make space for prefabricated buildings, many fear the project poses a grave threat to both the environment and public safety. The new camp, known as the Closed Controlled Access Center, is designed to hold around 5,000 asylum seekers and…