Photo : devpolicy.org
22 May 2024, Wednesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #840
By Neha Tresa George
GREECE
Court dismisses the trial of the Egyptian men accused of the Mediterranean shipwreck
On 21 May, the trial of nine Egyptian men alleged to have caused the shipwreck in the Mediterranean Sea in June 2023 was dismissed by the court in Greece due to lack of jurisdiction. On 14 June 2023, the fishing trawler “Adriana” sank with about 750 people out of which 104 migrants mostly from Pakistan, Syria, and Egypt were rescued. It also resulted in the death of 82 people. The nine men aged between 21 to 37 years old faced trial on charges of negligent homicide, participation in a criminal organization, and facilitating illegal entry into the country. The families of the accused embraced and broke down into tears following the court’s decision as the nine had spent 11 months in pre-trial detention following their arrests. Their lawyers believed that the trial had scapegoated them. One of the accused described that he did not even know the reason for his imprisonment and that he sold everything for this trip. The lawyers from the Greek human rights group argued that they had been arrested over 24 hours of survival from the sinking based on just nine testimonies, some of them collected without proper translation, and that the sinking occurred outside Greek territorial waters. The Human Rights Watch also called for a parallel investigation into the Greek authority. Many migrant support groups and media outlets have pointed out the accountability of the Coast Guard in this terrible accident as he was slow to intervene. The sinking calls for pressure on the European governments to protect the lives of migrants and asylum seekers entering the countries. (“Greece: Trial on Mediterranean migrant shipwreck dismissed,” Deutsche Welle, 21 May 2024)
GERMANY
Deutsche Welle reports on increase in politically motivated crimes
On 21 May, German officials revealed that the number of politically motivated crimes in 2023, had risen to an upward continuing trend. The report had come at a time when the country saw several violent attacks against politically active people and increasing antisemitic sentiments across the country. According to the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) president Holger Münch, the politically motivated crimes had doubled in the past 10 years with 60,028 recorded offenses. While speaking about the figures, he added that these acts went against the open and free spirit judge of their society. The minister also emphasized the higher amount of violence against politicians which should be stopped with greater penalties and fewer dropped cases. Although the records have had a two per cent decrease as of 2022, the attack on several politicians could be the result of a highly polarized condition. According to the Interior Ministry figures, the crimes motivated by right- or left-wing ideologies jumped roughly equally in 2023 — by 8.55 per cent and 8.79 per cent, respectively. (“Germany: Politically motivated crimes spike in 2023,” Deutsche Welle, 21 May 2024)
INTERNATIONAL
Ireland and other European countries to recognize Palestine as an independent state
On 22 May, Politico reported on Ireland decision to recognize Palestinian statehood along with Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, Belgium, Norway, and Malta. Ireland’s three-party government consisting of Simon Harris, Prime Minister, Micheál Martin Foreign Minister and Eamon Ryan Environment Minister is expected to announce was expected to be taken along with two other European countries. The Israeli foreign ministry rebuked this anticipated move of Ireland saying that the fact that Hamas leaders are thanking you should serve as a wakeup call. Until now, Sweden has been the only EU member to recognise Palestine as a state. Although none of the G7 nations recognise Palestine, more than 140 of the 193 members of the UN. (Shawn Pogatchnik, “Ireland and other European countries to recognize Palestinian statehood,” Politico, 22 May 2024)
IMF warns the UK against additional tax cuts
On 21 May, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) advised Chancellor Jeremy Hunt against additional tax cuts in its annual “health check” of the UK economy. According to the IMF, further cuts should only be considered if they are “credibly growth-enhancing and appropriately offset by high-quality deficit-reducing measures.” Hunt who had already announced two successive cuts hinted at yet another one in a potential pre-election budget in an expected attempt to get rid of employee National Insurance entirely. The IMF reports suggested stabilising debt in the long run and easing the debt burden. For that, the IMF suggested boosting government revenue by hiking carbon and road-usage taxation, broadening VAT and inheritance tax bases, and reforming capital gains and property taxation. For positive news, the IMF had pointed out the UK’s “stronger than expected” exit from its technical recession second half of 2023, with real GDP growth now forecast at 0.7 per cent in 2024 before rising to 1.5 per cent in 2025. However, due to weak labour productivity and higher-than-expected inactivity levels due to long-term illness, the growth prospects for the UK “remain subdued.” (James Fitzgerald, “IMF warns Tories against further UK tax cuts,” Politico, 21 May 2024)
Spat emerge between Argentina President and Spain’s Prime Minister over governance accusation
On 21 May, the Spanish Government thought that Javier Milei, Firebrand President, went too far with his attention-grabbing statements of accusing Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister and his wife Begona Gomez at a rally earlier on the outskirts of Spain. Sanchez has rejected the claims against Gomez Jose Manuel Albares, Spanish foreign minister described Milei’s words as a direct attack on their democracy, institution, and Spain itself. He added: “A foreign head of state does not visit a country to insult its institutions. The Argentinian leader is yet to issue an Apology to Sachez. Instead, Guillermo Francos, his interior minister, said that Madrid had started the row when Spain’s Transport Minister publicly accused Milei of using “substance” during the Presidential campaign last year back. Argentina, a former Spanish colony has enjoyed a friendly relationship with France since the 1863 Treaty of Peace and Amity. Their strong relationship came to a standstill amid the 1982 Falklands War causing fears in the UK that Spain would side with Argentina and invade Gibraltar, a British territory. The issue of status of Gibraltar was only resolved on 31 December 2020 by the joint agreement between London and Madrid. (Aleksandar Brezar, “What’s behind Milei’s latest spat with Spanish government?,” Euronews, 21 May 2024)