Photo : SOS Méditerranée/Fabian Mondl/UN
IN FOCUS
Italy’s migration crisis
By Emmanuel Royan
On 24 July, Italy’s coast guard and other international non-governmental organizations rescued 674 people and recovered five dead bodies from an overcrowded fishing trawler. In addition, another 522 people rescued from 15 boats were brought to Lampedusa. Many of those make the risky crossing on makeshift boats provided by smugglers, and when the boats break down, they are frequently left abandoned in the middle of the Mediterranean sea. One of the riskiest routes for illegal migration is the Mediterranean and the northwest Atlantic region, where 3,231 have been reported by the United Nations High High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to have died or missing in 2021.
Who are the migrants?
Since the 1990s, there has been an increase in "irregular" African migration through the Mediterranean. They boarded boats from Morocco and Tunisia to travel to Spain and Italy. There was also an inflow of migrants from economically unstable countries like the Ivory Coast, Liberia, Somalia, and Eritrea. Twenty years later, individuals from all across Africa and portions of Asia departed from Turkish, Egyptian, and Libyan ports to attempt the crossing. Such people are migrants who leave due to war, oppression, and poverty. These migrants are found to be traveling in dangerous wooden fishing boats that are overloaded and flimsy polyurethane sailboats that are hardly fit for crossing a river. Before the Covid-19 outbreak, the number of people undertaking these travels is observed to be reduced since 2015 when more than a million migrants crossed the Mediterranean to reach Europe. Prior years saw reports of 123,300 individual crossings in 2021. Despite fewer crossings, the death toll has sharply increased.
Three issues faced by the migrants
First, the treatment of migrants. The Lampedusa Island of Italy is the predominant destination for migrants traveling by sea as it is closer to North Africa. The refugee center located in Lampedusa has a capacity of only 300 beds. However, it hosts more than 2000 migrants. The Italian Navy had to relocate the migrants to other parts of Sicily, as the camps had exhausted their resources due to high populations. Other issues such as bad sanitary facilities, lack of privacy, and no demarcation for men and women for sleeping which shows bad handling of the migrants.
Second, the public attitude toward migrants. The Italian locals initially welcomed the migrants, particularly in Lampedusa and Sicily. Some of them even adopted and sponsored Tunisian children. However, over the years of excess migration, the locals have started to resent them. There were instances of protests against a few migrant centers for negatively impacting their vital tourism industry. The sentiments of Italians have also been capitalized on by the far-right party leaders in their campaigns for the upcoming snap elections after the recent collapse of the government. Two groups, in particular, Matteo Salvini's League and the right-wing Brothers of Italy party, frequently bring up the topic of immigration and routinely use immigration to mobilize voters, especially since Europe's refugee crisis in 2015.
Third, International actors' responses to the migration. Following the 2015 Migration crisis, the EU realized the threat and focused on border management through Frontex, the European Border, and Coast Guard Agency, and gave priority to building barriers to accessing its borders, stepping up surveillance, and making non-governmental organizations’ search and rescue operations illegal. Securitization increased the risk and difficulty of the maritime journey but did not decrease migrant fatalities. Instead, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that the Central Mediterranean Route (CMR) has resulted in more migrant deaths than any other waterway in the world years. Italy, on the verge of collapse, has threatened the EU to block foreign boats from bringing in the rescued people in the Mediterranean to share the load of the thousands of migrants that flood into the nation every day. The EU has pledged its assistance and will continue to do so, but little has changed over the years.
War in Ukraine: Day 154
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on the ground
On 27 July, Ukraine’s navy reported on the continuation of activities in the Odesa, Chernomorsk, and Pivdennyi ports after the deal was signed to export. In a statement: “Military and civilian specialists carefully search for underwater objects and install special means of navigation equipment that will help the safety of navigation.”
On 27 July, Ukraine’s prime minister, Denys Shmyhal met the Republic of Slovenia, minister of foreign affairs, Tanja Fajon in Ukraine to discuss Slovenia’s support for the EU’s sanction package and establishing a special tribunal against Russia for the committed crimes in Ukraine.
On the same day, in his address, Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine will be exporting electricity shortly to the EU to support the energy shortage caused by Russia. He said: “We are preparing to increase our export of electricity to consumers in the European Union, our exports allow us not only to earn foreign currency but also to help our partners withstand Russian energy pressure.”
Zelenskyy proposed for a new top prosecutor to replace Iryna Venediktova who was terminated due to links with Russian agencies. The parliament is yet to vote on the new replacement.
On 27 July, the ministry of agrarian policy and food of Ukraine reported on how organic production in Ukraine remains one of the key tasks and disclosed how Ukraine’s production capacity has increased 1.5 times with regards to “organic grain and oil products to the EU, soybeans, honey, vegetables, and fruits.” According to the agricultural policy and food of Ukraine, the first deputy minister, by 2030 Ukraine will aim to increase its exports in organic products to USD one billion.
The Ukraine forces reported on the Russian shelling which was observed across Kharkiv, the Dnipropetrovsk, the Mykolaiv, the Sumy, the Donetsk, the Zaporizhzhia, the Luhansk, and the Kherson regions. It also reported the count of combat losses faced by Russia, including 40070 troops, 883 artillery systems, 2847 military auto vehicles and fuel tanks, 174 cruise missiles, and 726 tactical UAVs
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 27 July, TASS reported that a bridge in Kherson held by Russia was attacked by Ukraine in an attempt to take back control. The Antonovsky bridge is considered the main crossing point to reach the Dnieper River which has been important for Russia to transfer its supplies.
On the EU continuing its ban on RT France, Russia accused the EU of being “extremely negative.” RT France which had re-appealed to remove the ban to broadcast it channel in the EU. The ECJ ruled stating the content casted was promoting “war-propaganda and demoralizing Ukraine,” and rejected the appeal.
A Russian spokesperson from the LPR region confirmed on Russia gained control of Uglegorsk thermal power plant in Svetlodarsk which was initially possessed by Ukraine. He said: “As they were withdrawing, the enemy spared no effort, no ammunition to destroy the infrastructure of the power plant.”
Russian forces reported on LPR and DPR forces had achieved bringing Novoluganskoye in control. Novoluganskoye is located seven kilometers from Uglegorsk thermal plant, north of Gorlovka region.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 27 July, the Turkish defence minister confirmed the installation of the Joint Coordination Centre in Istanbul. He said that the center will use civilian and military personnel from Russia and Ukraine to monitor the ship movements and inspect to ensure no banned weapons are transported into Ukraine.
The UK ministry of defence’s intelligence reported on the forward movement of Russia’s Wagner Group on the ground in Donbas surrounding the Vuhlehirska power plant. As per its observation, the Ukraine forces were seen to have withdrawn from the region.
Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has once again warned Sweden and Finland on not satisfying the agreed conditions of Turkey placed during the NATO Madrid summit. He has accused Sweden especially for not still initiating the extradition process of the listed suspects by Turkey. Cavusoglu said: “They must fulfill their responsibilities, or we'll block their NATO bids.”
Germany’s minister of foreign affairs Annalena Baerbock affirmed the supply of IRIS-T to Ukraine by end of August. The promised defence system was earlier meant to be given to Egypt and is now being sent to Ukraine. The IRIS-T SLM launcher will help in deploying close to 20-kilometer distance, provides 360-degree protection, and high power firing capacity with multiple target capacities.
The Global Fallouts
Implications of the Ukraine war
The International Energy Agency’s executive director warned the EU member states that with the steps taken on gas cut down against Russia might result in “serious rationing.” He said that Europe’s immediate steps to minimize gas usage will make the winter situation challenging.
Ukraine-Canadian's most famous band, the Balaklava Blues have raised CAD 500,000 through concerts and charity events to help Ukraine. This was also in connection with their brothers being part of the Ukraine armed forces.
References
“Russia-Ukraine updates: Ukraine resumes operations at 3 ports for grain shipment,” Deutsche Welle, 27 July 2022
“Every week we strengthen Ukraine, get closer to the European Union, provide forces to confront Russia - address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” president.gov.ua, 27 July 2022
“Ukraine continues to work on a plan to increase exports of organic products to $1 billion,” minagro.gov.ua, 27 July 2022
“Ukraine parliament committee supports Kostin as candidate for prosecutor general,” Ukrinform, 27 July 2022
“Uglegorsk thermal power plant liberated from Ukrainian army units — LPR People's Militia,” TASS, 27 July 2022
“Russian, LPR, DPR forces gain control over DPR’s Novoluganskoye,” TASS, 27 July 2022
“Turkey says Sweden and Finland not fulfilling NATO deal,” Deutsche Welle, 27 July 2022
“​Germany Will Provide an IRIS-T System Intended for Another Country to Ukraine Instead,” en.defence-ua, 27 July 2022
“Prime Minister of Ukraine and Vice Prime Minister of Slovenia discussed the development of bilateral cooperation,” kmu.gov.ua, 27 July 2022
“Serious rationing of energy possible this winter, warns IEA chief,” BBC, 27 July 2022
“Band Balaklava Blues raises 500,000 Canadian dollars for Ukraine,” Ukrinform, 27 July 2022
IN BRIEF
By Rishma Banerjee
GERMANY
Germany passes law on the protection of whistleblowers
On 27 July, the Cabinet approved a draft bill that will give more protection and security to whistleblowers. Even though the EU had given the whistle-blower directive last year, the government could not agree on a deal till now. As per the law, companies with over 50 but less than 250 employees will have to set up an internal reporting mechanism and can collaborate with other companies to facilitate the same. To receive protection from dismissals, warnings, disciplinary measures, discrimination, bullying or reputational damage, whistleblowers will need to either contact their respective internal reporting systems or the federal and state government offices. However, civil society organizations have criticized the law as insufficient. (“German Cabinet approves draft legislation to protect whistleblowers,” Deutsche Welle, 27 July 2022
SWEDEN
Sweden refuses to return Polish historic document
On 27 July, Sweden’s foreign minister Ann Linde said that they will not be returning Laski’s statutes to Poland. Published in 1506, and currently, in the collection of the Uppsala University in Sweden, this document is considered by Poland to be the first codification of Polish law. The right-wing Sweden Democrats had said that Sweden should return the ‘looted’ parchment as a sign of goodwill toward Poland, for accepting Sweden’s NATO bid. However, Linde from the Social Democrats disagreed and said that “spoils of war from the 17th century are legitimate conquests according to the international law of the time.” (Wilhelmine Preussen, “Sweden dismisses move to return ‘spoils of war’ to Poland,” POLITICO, 27 July)
THE UK
Lords subcommittee advocates grace periods to the Northern Island Protocol be made permanent
On 27 July, a House of Lords committee suggested that the grace periods to the Northern Ireland Protocol be made permanent. The protocol which was agreed upon by Boris Johnson and subsequently ratified by the parliament, is for the creation of a trade border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. The Lords subcommittee has been hearing evidence from politicians and businesses about how the protocol will affect them. Reportedly, they will begin the scrutiny of the bill from September 2022. Their advocacy for grace periods indicates that the deal is not being implemented completely. (John Campbell, “NI Protocol: Grace periods should be permanent, says Lords committee,” BBC, 27 July 2022)
REGIONAL
Phones of top EU Officials hacked by Pegasus spyware
On 27 July, Euronews reported that according to the evidence that has been found, some EU officials’ phones were hacked by the Pegasus spyware. In a letter to European member of parliament Sophie in ’t Veld, EU Justice Commissioner, Didier Reynders said that in 2021, Apple had alerted him about his phone being potentially hacked by Pegasus. Developed by an Israeli surveillance firm, the NSO Group, Pegasus was used in 2020 and 2021 to gain information from human rights activists, politicians, lawyers, journalists, and faith groups. However, NSO claims that Pegasus has been sold only to government agencies to target criminals and terrorists. (“Top EU officials hacked by Israeli Pegasus spyware,” Euronews, 27 July 2022)
Cities in Europe growing denser
On 27 July, European Commission reported on a new study that indicates that cities in Europe were getting increasingly dense, due to high immigration rates and lesser availability of land for housing. Conducted by the EU-funded connecting and clearing house, the project investigated the trends in population density of around 330 European cities between 2006 and 2018. According to the first author of the study, Chiara Cortinovis, the study also provides hypotheses about how the changes in population trends have impacts on urban development. (“Europe shifts to more densely populated cities,” European Commission, 27 July 2022)
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Europe’s Mars rover to be prepared for the Moon
On 28 July, a BBC report spoke about how a rover assembled by the UK and meant for Mars, will now be redesigned to be sent to the moon instead. This is part of an agreement between the US and the UK. NASA’s Perseverance rover is currently drilling rocks in a large crater on Mars. According to the original plan, these rocks, stored in titanium tubes were supposed to be brought to the rocket by the UK rover from wherever Perseverance had dropped it. However, now that NASA is confident that Perseverance will function long enough to carry out the entire operation by itself, European Space Agency has suggested that they repurpose their rover to a bigger one to carry cargo and payloads to the moon. (Jonathan Amos, “UK Mars rover will have to aim for the Moon,” BBC, 27 July 2022