- The number of African migrants who leave the Senegalese coast by boat for Europe and the number who perish during the attempt have fallen sharply during the first half of this year, an independent United Nations human rights expert has said, but warned the country should still intensify its efforts to monitor the situation.
Jorge Bustamante, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, has commended the efforts of authorities in Senegal to strengthen the rights of migrants and urged them to continue their efforts.
In a statement issued following a five-day visit to the West African country, where he met with senior government officials, business leaders, labour officials, entrepreneurs, parliamentarians, and representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society groups, Mr Bustamante noted that Senegal is a country of origin, transition and destination for migrants.
The Special Rapporteur said he was pleased by the “climate of openness and integration” towards migrants who want to settle in Senegal, saying their rights have been strengthened by an improved set of laws.
He also welcomed Senegal’s efforts to spotlight the issue of irregular migration and, through the implementation of bilateral and multilateral accords, to protect the rights of people who try to migrate along dangerous international routes, such as by sea.
Noting that the number of departures by sea and deaths during such journeys has fallen in 2009, Mr Bustamante said he wanted to encourage Senegalese authorities to continue their efforts to monitor the situation and to further investigate the cause and nature of such attempts at migration.
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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