Photo : AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
04 July 2022, Monday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #244
IN FOCUS
By Rishma Banerjee
Morocco: Three issues faced by migrants in Melilla
Issue in background
On 24 June, around 2000 people tried entering Spain’s enclave Melilla, from Morocco. 133 of them reached Melilla. However, in the chaos, a stampede occurred and Morocco’s authorities reported a death toll of 23 people. Moreover, 76 migrants were wounded. It was revealed in the aftermath that the stampede was exacerbated by Moroccan border guards who used tear gas and batons, while Spanish agents fired rubber bullets to disperse those trying to climb the border fence.
Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sanchez spoke about Spain and Morocco’s effective collaboration on the issue. He blamed the “mafias and criminals who organize violent actions” for the attack and thanked the Moroccan police for their work. However, Morocco blamed Algeria for the incident. The Moroccan Embassy in Madrid mentioned that the Migrants entered Morocco via Algeria due to the country’s “deliberate laxity” at the Morocco-Algeria border.
Algeria which backs the self-determination of the Western Sahara region is thus at odds with Spain, over their support of Morocco's claims on the region. They expressed anger about how the chaos was being treated. A diplomat Amar Belani called the deaths a "massacre.”
The reaction from the international community has been strong too. The EU's commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson said that the situation was "deeply troubling” and "forced, and violent, crossing can never be condoned". The African Union Commission chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, called for “an immediate investigation”. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, reiterated a similar sentiment and called on both countries to conduct an effective and independent investigation about the same.
Migration crisis: Three issues
First, Morocco as a transit point into Spain and Europe. This is not the first time that migrants have tried to reach Spain from Morocco. Morocco also acts as a destination and transit point for migrants escaping conflict, violence, lack of opportunities, impacts of climate change or economic difficulties from North and Sub-Saharan Africa. Spain is not necessarily the destination of these refugees. However, since Ceuta and Melilla, the two autonomous cities under Spain are in North Africa it creates a pathway to Europe in general.
Second, mutual migration policy, given improving Spain-Morocco relations. This incident comes amidst a controversial shift in relations between Spain and Morocco. Morocco and Spain had a longstanding dispute over Western Sahara. However, after decades of neutrality Madrid recently favoured Morocco's claims to the territory. In April, they also renewed their migration cooperation commitments. Allegedly, this agreement is based on an abusive model which the EU uses for migration and asylum. While Spain’s PM has supported Morocco’s handling of the incident, members from other parties in the ruling coalition have criticized Spain’s externalizing its borders.
Third, racial differences in Spain regarding the treatment of refugees. The response of Spain with regards to migrants has been racially motivated. There have been severe crackdowns resulting in the death of migrants from Africa. However, the same is not true for refugees and migrants from Ukraine. According to the Spanish government, since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Spain has provided temporary protection to more than 124,000 Ukrainian refugees.
References
Renata Brito “Thousands protest migrant deaths at Spain-Morocco border,” AP News, 01 July 2022
“Morocco/Spain: Horrific Migrant Deaths at Melilla Border,” Human Rights Watch, 29 June 2022
Ahmed Eljechtimi and Graham Keeley, “Dozens of migrants piled together at Melilla border fence,” Reuters, 26 June 2022
Guy Hedgecoe, “Melilla migrant deaths spark anger in Spain,” BBC News, 26 June 202
War in Ukraine: Day 129 & 130
By Emmanuel Royan
War on the Ground
On 03 July, after an intense battle for the important city of Lysychansk in the Luhansk region, the Russian forces strengthened the positions around the city and forced the Ukrainian army to withdraw. Ukraine’s general staff stated that "After heavy fighting for Lysychansk, the Defense Forces of Ukraine were forced to withdraw from their occupied positions and lines."
On the same day, the Ukrainian forces attacked a Russian weapons stockpile at the airfield in Melitopol using HIMARS rocket artillery systems supplied by the US. Ivan Fedorov, the mayor of Melitopol, said that two attacks were made by Ukrainian forces on one of the four Russian depots there.
Also on 03 July, the Ukrainian military intelligence directorate (GUR) stated that the Russian government's failure to pay its firms backing Russia's war in Ukraine is affecting the ability to repair damaged vehicles. According to the GUR, the Russian military has not paid the heads of Russian military vehicle repair facilities for earlier work, hence they are refusing to take new equipment for repair.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Belarusian leader's remarks amounted to a "signal," and his subsequent acts should be closely scrutinized. According to some Ukrainian officials, Belarus might soon take a direct part in the battle.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 02 July, the Russian minister of defense, general of the army Sergey Shoigu, declared the liberation of the Lugansk People's Republic to Vladimir Putin. The ministry stated that Lysychansk and other adjacent settlements, the largest of which are Belogorovka, Novodruzhek, Maloryazantsevo, and Belaya Gora, are now completely under the authority of the Russian Armed Forces and the People's Militia of the LPR. The minister reported that the total area of the regions liberated over the past 24 hours reached 182 square kilometers.
On 03 July, the local Border guard service reported that an estimated 17,500 residents of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republic (DPR and LPR) have crossed the border to enter Russia in the Rostov region. The chief of Russia's National Defense management center stated that the Russian army had carried out seven humanitarian operations in DPR and LPR. Around 619 tonnes of humanitarian aid were given to the people. On 02 July, 421.7 tonnes of daily essentials and food aid were delivered to the people in the Zaporizhzhia region.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 03 July, the US government-backed Open Technology Fund is assisting firms that provide virtual private networks (VPNs) for free to Russians to access websites blocked by the censor. A spokesperson from Lanter stated that: "Our tool is primarily used by people trying to access independent media so that funding by the OTF has been absolutely critical." The US is also dispatching two NASAMS surface-to-air missile systems, four counter-artillery radars and up to 150,000 rounds of 155mm artillery ammunition to Ukraine as a part of its recent commitment of USD 820 million.
On the same day, president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, stated that he supported Russia wholeheartedly in its military campaign in Ukraine as part of its long-standing commitment to a "unity state" with Moscow. Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994 and is accused in the West of violating human rights, has permitted Russian soldiers to invade Ukraine using his nation's territory
On 03 July, the foreign secretary of the UK, Liz Truss announced that it was collaborating with Ukraine and others to host a conference in 2023 to recover the destruction caused by Russia’s invasion. From 04 July, the Ukraine Recovery Conference (USC2022) in Lugano, Switzerland will bring together a Ukrainian delegation with representatives of other countries, international organizations, and civil society to discuss rebuilding Ukraine.
The Global Fallouts
Implications of the Ukraine war
On 03 July, the prime minister of Australia, Anothony Albanese visits Kyiv to meet president Zelenskyy. During his trip, he visited the cities of Bucha, Irpin, and Hostomel. He also committed an aid package worth AUD 100 million which includes drones and 34 armored vehicles. In addition, he will further impose sanctions and travel bans on 16 Russian ministers and oligarchs and terminate the import of gold from Russia.
References
“Ukraine′s military withdraws from Lysychansk as Russia claims control — as it happened,” Deutsche Welle, 03 July 2022
“Ukraine hits Russian military base in occupied Melitopol - exiled mayor,” Reuters, 03 July 2022
“Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 3, Institute for the study of war, 03 July 2022
“US funds software for Russians to slip past censor,” France24, 03 July 2022
“Shoigu reports to Putin on liberating Lugansk People's Republic - Defense Ministry, TASS, 03 July 2022
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220703-us-funds-software-for-russians-to-slip-past-censors
“Belarus leader stands with Russia in campaign”, Reuters, 03 July 2022
Phil Stewart and Mike Stone, “US sending Ukraine two surface-to-air missile systems -Pentagon”, Reuters, 02 July 2022
“UK to host 2023 Ukraine recovery conference,” Reuters, 03 July 2022
Tiffanie Turnbull, “Ukraine war: Australian PM visits Kyiv, pledges more military aid,” BBC, 03 July 2022
IN BRIEF
By Sai Pranav
DENMARK
Three killed in a shooting at a shopping mall in Copenhagen
On 03 July, a 22-year-old Danish man was arrested and charged with manslaughter for shooting at a shopping center in Copenhagen killing three and injuring several others. After reports of a shooting at the Field's mall in Copenhagen came to the police, armed officers were sent to capture the shooter and calm other people down from panicking. The suspect was arrested at 1548 GMT. He was seen carrying a rifle and its ammunition. The initial investigation states that he was alone. The witnesses said that the man was seen holding a rifle and started shooting at the crowd all of a sudden. The killer was determined to be an Islamic militant. Denmark last saw a militant attack in 2015. (Stine Jacobsen and Nikolaj Skydsgaard, "Denmark in shock as gunman kills three at Copenhagen shopping mall," Reuters, 03 July 2022)
NORTH MACEDONIA
Protest against France's proposal
On 03 July, thousands of people in North Macedonia protested against France's proposal on the country's EU accession. Protesters were led by the right-wing nationalist opposition party VMRO-DPMNE. The proposal was to settle disputes between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, which might eventually lead Bulgaria to lift the veto which was placed on North Macedonia to be a part of the EU. Bulgaria demanded North Macedonia recognize its language due to its Bulgarian roots and to secure rights for the Bulgarian minorities. However, the right-wing party leaders opposed the demand of Bulgaria and France's proposal stating that they will wait until they accept the civilized Macedonians. ("North Macedonia: Nationalist protesters reject French EU proposal," Deutsche Welle, 03 July 2022)
THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Fighter jets to be sent to Slovakia to protect its airspace
On 03 July, prime minister Petr Fiala of the Czech Republic said that the country would provide fighter jets to protect Slovakia's airspace until it has new planes at its disposal. Slovakia had previously asked its NATO allies to help guard its skies after it decided to not use the Soviet-designed MiG-29 aircraft. It is expecting a late delivery of the US-built F-16 fighter jets. Fiala said that Ukraine is not only fighting for its independence but also the liberty and the security of the West. (Clothilde Goujard, "The Czech Republic to protect Slovakia’s airspace from September," POLITICO, 03 July 2022)
REGIONAL
Belarus provides visa-free entry to Polish citizens
On 01 July, Belarus abolished visa requirements for Polish citizens temporarily to build a good relationship with its neighbour. The visa-free entry will come into force from 01 July and will last till 31 December. The measure helps Poland's nationals travel to the Belarusian border area without special permission, instead, they have to give a verbal explanation for their visit to the area. President Alexander Lukashenko already gave citizens of Lithuania and Latvia visa-free entry till the end of this year. He also denied accusations of Belarus stating: "facilitating illegal migration to try and destabilize the bloc" by the EU. Belarus was also accused of failing to address the vandalism issue on Polish graves and war memorials in Western Belarus. ("Belarus abolishes visa requirements for Polish citizens for six months,"Euronews, 01 July 2022)
New rules to safeguard crypto assets and investors laid by the EU
On 30 June, the EU set rules for how the bloc will oversee crypto. The market in crypto assets bill also called MiCA will set industry standards and investor safeguards for crypto assets and the firms that service them. Although the bill will only come into action in late 2023 or early 2024. The technology has got the vote of the policymakers and companies that want lower transaction fees and democratize finance. The bill is supposed to give confidence to investors who operate in the market and safeguard them to ensure that the crypto companies are liable for their products and services. Another key aspect of the bill is to screen companies that have more than 15 million users. Even though crypto was popular during the pandemic, it took a big hit after new products like non-fungible tokens(NFT) and decentralised finance(DeFi) came into the limelight. ("Bjarke Smith-Meyer, "Brussels agrees on crypto rulebook for the EU," POLITICO, 01 July 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
Macron wants to conserve the oceans by stopping deep-sea mining
On 30 June, president Emmanuel Macron of France urged fellow members of the UN to stop deep-sea mining and start investing in scientific research to protect the oceans. He urged for a new legal framework to stop ocean mining and put an end to the activities that might harm the marine environment. He also said the countries should invest in scientific exploration to find ways to protect the ocean. Countries like China, which is the leader in deep-sea mining exploration, and other small Pacific nations are against the idea of stopping it and have asked the UN to fast track the regulations towards sea-bed mining. According to the UN, until the regulations are adopted, seabed mining will be illegal on the high seas. ("Stop deep-sea mining, says Macron, in call for new laws to protect ecosystems," The Guardian, 01 July 2022