- Human rights group have condemned Egyptian forces shooting of African migrants attempting to cross into Israel through the Sinai Peninsula.
A newly released report by Human Right Watch (HRW) said sneaking into neighbouring Israel has become deadly with at least 33 people reported to have died in the hands of Egyptian security forces in the remote border zone.
The report said those detained by Egyptian guards at border are put on trial in secret military courts and often denied access to United Nations refugee agency UNHCR in violation of international law.
The report also accused Israel of forcibly returning at least 139 African migrants to Egypt, where they risked arrest and deportation. Also this runs against international law.
"Egyptian government should send a clear message to stop shooting the defenceless, harmless people on the boarder," HRW researcher Bill Van Esveld said.
However, the government of Egypt has defended its methods, saying the growing number of illegal border crossings jeopardises national security.
Egyptian officials said the number of migrants from poor, conflict-ridden African countries crossing the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt to Israel has increased significantly since 2007. Since 2006, more than 130,000 refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants have passed though Egypt and crossed the Sinai border into Israel, according to the report.
African migrants have complained about the difficulty of social and economic integration in Egypt. In December 2005, police attacked thousands of Sudanese refugee protesters who were camped in the street to pressure the UN to relocate them to another country.
"The attack, which left at least 20 dead, is still perceived as the most scandalous evidence of the mistreatment of African refugees in Egypt," Mr Van Esveld said.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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