Reposted by Meron EstefanosZecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 21hA reminder, there are virtually no local media outlets in the country allowed to report on anything. The few journos who are, are working for foreign outlets anonymously or with no bylines. This does not include government media, or those like Sputnik who traditionally ignore human rights abuses.cpj.orgEthiopia revokes Addis Standard’s license amid escalating crackdown on independent media - Committee to Protect JournalistsNairobi, February 24, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Ethiopian authorities to immediately restore the registration of independent outlet Addis Standard after the Ethiopian Media Au... 0194
Reposted by Meron EstefanosZecharias Zelalem @zekuzelalem.bsky.social · 21hUpdates: the Ethiopian army is in control of the city of Alamata, after 3 days of fierce fighting on the city's outskirts. At least 50 people in the city died, many from artillery strikes, per medical sources reached by the BBC. A strike that targeted the city's marketplace killed a dozen people.bbc.comEthiopia fighting escalates in Tigray killing 52 civilians in Alamata, medic tells the BBCThe deadly fighting has also spread to neighbouring regions, stranding tourists in Lalibela. 14734
Reposted by Meron EstefanosThe Distributed AI Research (DAIR) Institute @dairinstitute.bsky.social · 30/09/2026We're thrilled to announce that DAIR's @timnitgebru.blacksky.app is a 2026 Right Livelihood Laureate! Thank you, @rightlivelihood.org, for spotlighting how we can challenge power within the AI industry and build tech futures rooted in justice, human needs, and human creativity. 3308
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 29/09/2026wired.comTimnit Gebru Believes There Is No ‘Existential Threat’ From AIOne of AI’s fiercest critics believes the doom talk is about founders making money, not saving humanity. 030
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Explainer-Why New War in Ethiopia’s Tigray Threatens to Trigger Wider Conflictusnews.com 020
Reposted by Meron EstefanosTimnit Gebru @timnitgebru.blacksky.app · 24/09/2026🔇🔇🔇 I want to announce a @dairinstitute.bsky.social virtual event concerning the ***REAL**** impacts of "AI" on the most vulnerable of populations, refugees. Everything you see is first experimented on them.🧵 ⏰ October 1 at 6-8pm CET/9am PDT on Zoom. ✴️ Register at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... 312563
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Join me, Selam Kidane , Hyab Yohannes and Omer Shatz as we commemorate and discuss the Lampedusa boat tragedy and the power of tech to harm or heal. You can register here us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... 110
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Interview with Dr @omershatz.bsky.social in Libération : Mediterranean: “Migration policies directly implicate the European Union in crimes against humanity.”liberation.frMéditerranée : «Les politiques migratoires impliquent directement l’Union européenne dans des crimes contre l’humanité»L’avocat Omer Shatz a été le premier juriste à porter plainte devant la CPI contre les politiques migratoires de l’UE en Méditerranée. Aujourd’hui, les migrants subissent toujours des violences en mer... 030
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Today marks exactly 25 years since Eritreans woke up to the radio announcement of the closure of the free press, as well as the arrests of high-ranking officials and ten private media journalists between September 18 and 23, 2001. 220
Reposted by Meron EstefanosRefugees in Libya @refugeesinlibya.bsky.social · 15/09/2026The ICC has set 4 May 2027 for the opening of El Hishri’s trial. He faces 17 confirmed charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to alleged abuses against detainees at Mitiga Prison and the Mitiga Compound in Tripoli. Read more ⤵️ www.refugeesinlibya.org/post/breakin...refugeesinlibya.orgBREAKING: ICC SETS 4 MAY 2027 FOR OPENING OF EL HISHRI TRIALThe International Criminal Court has set 4 May 2027 for the opening of Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri’s trial in The Hague. He faces 17 confirmed charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked... 074
Reposted by Meron EstefanosThe Distributed AI Research (DAIR) Institute @dairinstitute.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Join us for a virtual event to commemorate the Lampedusa shipwreck tragedy and discuss the human consequences of the growing use of surveillance, data and AI in migration control. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... 2136
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 12/09/2026CPJ 2026 International Press Freedom Award goes to the 16 Eritrean journalist. A very well deserved and a very belated recognition of the world’s longest-detained journalists. #FreeThemAll #InPrisonSince2001cpj.orgThe Eritrea 16 - Committee to Protect JournalistsCPJ is honored to present its 2026 International Press Freedom Award to the Eritrea 16. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the silencing of independent Eritrean media and the arrest of some of th... 022
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 12/09/2026narratingthenation.com/estefanosnarratingthenation.comThe Old Meron Is Dead · Meron EstefanosThe Eritrean War of Independence, 1961 to 1991 001
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 08/09/2026 A cluster of unexplained incidents in Malta’s search and rescue zone over the past four days has reignited concerns among observers that people fleeing Libya are being left in limbo or returned to danger rather than brought ashore.newsbook.com.mtFears of pushbacks as Malta remains silent over three migrant rescue casesA cluster of unexplained incidents in Malta's search-and-rescue zone over the past four days has reignited concerns among migrant-rescue observers that people fleeing Libya are being left in limbo or ... 011
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 08/09/2026infomigrants.netItaly expels 23 Egyptians under EU-Egypt migration cooperationItaly has sent back 23 Egyptian nationals to Cairo on a charter flight coordinated with Frontex and Egypt. All 23 are said to have been expelled from Italy and had criminal records for offenses agains... 000
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 08/09/2026eunews.itFrontex records over 33,000 returns in the first half of 2026Migration management in the EU is proceeding according to plan, but it is not enough: Frontex has recorded over 33,000 returns in the first half of 2026 000
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 08/09/2026 At least 24 people on the move died inside Egyptian police stations, detention centres and facilities between December 2025 and July 2026, a human rights report released on Sunday [30 August] revealed, with 75% of the deceased holding official international protection documents or legal paperwork.manassa.newsAt least 24 refugees died in Egyptian detention facilities, report showsAt least 24 refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants died inside Egyptian police stations, detention centers, and facilities between December 2025 and July 2026, a human rights report released on Sunday... 010
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 08/09/2026 Israel emptying West Bank refugee camps could be crime against humanity: UN – The United Nations warned Friday [4 September] that Israel’s forced displacement of the entire Palestinian populations of three West Bank refugee camps last year could amount to crimes against humanity.newarab.comIsrael emptying W. Bank refugee camps crime against humanity: UNThe UN has warned that Israel’s forced displacement of more than 33,000 Palestinians from three West Bank refugee camps could amount to crimes against humanity. 000
Reposted by Meron EstefanosGillian Brockell @gillianbrockell.com · 01/08/2026Great reporting from @emilybregel.bsky.social about a gay man who’s been in the US since he was four, imprisoned in a “hotel” in Equatorial Guinea since April. He says he’s being denied soap and toilet paper in retaliation for filing a complaint w African Commission. 1/ tucson.com/news/local/b...tucson.comArizona man languishes in African hotel after third-country deportationA 30-year-old man, Ahmed Soliman, is confined in a decommissioned hotel in Equatorial Guinea after being deported there by ICE without warning. He faces the threat of return to Egypt, where he may fac... 81189639
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 01/08/2026I am deeply concerned by recent reports of renewed conflict in Tigray. After enduring a genocide that ended just three years ago, the Tigrayan people continue to face a severe humanitarian crisis, with many internally displaced persons still unable to return home. 110
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 01/08/2026The whole situation feels strange: a tightly controlled border suddenly has open gates, with no Moroccan or Spanish border security in sight. I’ve seen countless videos showing many of the so‑called “invaders” simply walking through an open gate.edition.cnn.comSpain says most of the 50,000 migrants who crossed into its territory from Morocco have returned | CNNAt least 67 people have died during a massive surge of migrants attempting to enter the Spanish exclave of Ceuta from Morocco. An estimated 50,000 to 60,000 people attempted the crossing this week, al... 100
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 29/07/2026The UK government has positioned itself as a leading international humanitarian actor on the war in Sudan, but refugees and campaign groups in Britain say its treatment of Sudanese seeking asylum in the country paints a very different picture.thenewhumanitarian.orgThe UK’s contradictory Sudan policy leaves refugees locked outBritain sees itself as a leading international actor on the war. Refugees and campaign groups paint a different picture. 100
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 15/07/2026Finland’s government has launched plans to keep its controversial Border Security Act, widely known as the country’s “pushback law”, in force until the end of 2028, arguing that the threat of instrumentalised migration along its eastern border remains high.helsinkitimes.fiFinland moves to extend 'pushback law' law until 2028Finland plans to extend its Border Security Act, known as the pushback law, until the end of 2028, citing a continued risk of instrumentalised migration at the Russian border. 000
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 15/07/2026 ‘Europe is for Christians only’: a Sudanese refugee, says these were the words a Croatian police officer shouted at him before he was “beaten, robbed of his phone, passport and money, and forced to walk barefoot back into Bosnia” after trying to seek asylum in the European Union.newarab.comCroatia border pushbacks leave refugees trapped in EuropeFrom Sudan to Syria, refugees describe alleged abuse, illegal pushbacks and a struggle for asylum along Croatia’s border with Bosnia and Herzegovina 000
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 15/07/2026The European Commission and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy have proposed a new EU sanctions regime to target migrant smuggling, human trafficking and other serious organised crime.brusselstimes.comEU seeks sweeping sanctions to choke migrant smuggling networks' global reachThe EU proposes new sanctions targeting migrant smugglers and traffickers. Measures to freeze assets and impose travel bans hinge on unanimous approval by member states. 010
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 15/07/2026 Interviews & internal documents show that European institutions have repeatedly acknowledged the risks associated with their migration co-operation with Libyan authorities, even as they have continued to defend and expand it publicly.thenewhumanitarian.orgEU expands Libya cooperation despite repeated warnings over violence at seaThe EU recently claimed its support for the Libyan Coast Guard has reduced violence, but NGOs say it creates an incentive for aggressive behaviour. 000
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 15/07/2026EU warns of worker shortage as population ages – and says migration is now a ‘necessity’ – A third of all Europeans are expected to be of retirement age in 2050, according to a new demographics study which aims to prepare the EU for drastic changes to its workforce.euobserver.comEU warns of worker shortage as population ages – and says migration is now a ‘necessity’The EU's population is set to both shrink, age, and thus be short of workers, according to a new demographics study on Thursday. 000
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 15/07/2026UK to continue sending potential trafficking victims to France despite court ruling – The Home Office is set to ignore a high court ruling and continue sending people seeking asylum to France without looking into claims they have been trafficked, which last week was found to be unlawful.theguardian.comUK to continue sending potential trafficking victims to France despite court rulingCourt ruled last week against policy to reduce protections for asylum seekers facing removal under one in, one out scheme 000
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 14/07/2026Documentary on how human traffickers use teens from the Horn of Africa using false social media platforms ads with promises of a good life only to end up in Libya, get tortured and filmed.youtube.comTrafficked & tortured: How cartels lure youth, teens from North Eastern with promises of a good lifeYouTube video by NTV Kenya 111
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 09/07/2026What a sad day for us in the EU. Chat Control 1.0 just passed, despite a majority voting against it (314-276). This after the EU Parliament rejected it twice.patrick-breyer.deEU Parliament greenlights Chat Control 1.0 – Breyer: "Our children lose out"Today, the European Parliament allowed the suspicionless mass scanning of private communications ("Chat Control 1.0") to pass, a measure it had rejected twice in March. Although a majority of voting M... 032
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 06/05/2026Saving lives on hold: Inside the legal battle keeping rescue ships off the Mediterranean – The detention of the Humanity 1 exposes a deep conflict between Italian regulations and international maritime law, showing how national administrative measures can obstruct life-saving operations at sea.voxeurop.eu 000
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 22/04/2026Brussels to host Taliban in talks on Afghan deportations – A Taliban delegation is expected in Brussels before the summer for highly sensitive talks with EU and national officials on the deportation of Afghans.euractiv.comEXCLUSIVE: Brussels to host Taliban in talks on Afghan deportations | EuractivThe controversial talks are likely to be held in a neutral venue, such as a hotel in the Belgian capital, rather than on EU premises 000
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 08/04/2026Sign up and join us for the launch of our project. ⬇️ 085
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 27/03/2026The Mediterranean Sea has been our graveyard for over 30 years. Europe is just good at looking humane, I can't remember any time in history that fortress Europe has been good to blacks and browns. It has always been at war against the poor, there has never been a migration problem ever. 001
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 27/03/2026UK Home Office use of AI in asylum cases could be unlawful, legal experts warn – The Home Office’s use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in processing asylum claims could be unlawful, legal experts have warned, opening up the possibility of court action against the government.the-independent.comHome Office use of AI in asylum cases could be unlawful, legal experts warnExclusive: Caseworkers use AI to summarise asylum interviews and to search for information about country of origin 110
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 27/03/2026Greece accused of deploying Afghan paramilitaries to attack asylum seekers – Allegations that Greece deployed an armed Afghan paramilitary unit to violently assault a group of 61 mostly-Turkish nationals seeking political asylum have raised alarm within the EU’s border agency, Frontex.euobserver.comGreece accused of deploying Afghan paramilitaries to attack asylum seekersOperating under the supervision of three Greek officers, the Afghan unit robbed, stabbed, threatened rape, and beat 61 newly-arrived migrants in 2023, says the report. 000
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 27/03/2026Finland to get €17m from EU for surveillance of eastern border, sea – Finland will receive EUR 17 million from the European Union to strengthen the surveillance of the eastern border and the Gulf of Finland, said the Ministry of the Interior in a press release on Friday [20 March].dailyfinland.fiFinland to get €17m from EU for surveillance of eastern border, seaFinland will receive EUR 17 million from the European Union to strengthen the surveillance of the eastern border and the 000
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 27/03/2026Denmark and Italy have said Europe “cannot risk a repeat of the refugee and migratory flows as seen in 2015.” Leaders of the two countries Meloni and Frederiksen called on the EU Commission to approve millions of dollars in aid for the Middle East to discourage people fleeing in the first place.infomigrants.netDenmark, Italy urge EU to provide aid and prepare for migrant arrivals amid Iran warDenmark and Italy have said Europe "cannot risk a repeat of the refugee and migratory flows as seen in 2015." Leaders of the two countries Giorgia Meloni and Mette Frederiksen called on the EU Commiss... 000
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 27/03/2026Hundreds of migrants are vanishing in the Mediterranean. Authorities are withholding information – People trying to reach Europe are vanishing in droves in what are known as “invisible shipwrecks” but governments responsible for search and rescue are withholding information about what they know.apnews.comHundreds of migrants are vanishing in the Mediterranean. Authorities are withholding informationThe beginning of 2026 ranks as the deadliest start to any year for people trying to cross the Mediterranean. But the true count may be even higher. 034
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 27/03/2026Leading anti‑racism activist in Tunisia jailed for eight years – A Tunisian court has sentenced human rights activist Saadia Mosbah to eight years in prison and fined her £26,000 ($35,000).bbc.comTunisian anti‑racism activist Saadia Mosbah sentenced to eight years for money launderingSaadia Mosbah campaigned for migrants, particularly after President Kais Saied said they posed a demographic threat to the country. 000
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 27/03/2026EU offers cash and defence deal as it inks migrant returns pact with Nigeria – Nigeria “stands ready to deepen co-operation” with the EU across migration, defence and security, and economically, the country’s foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar.euobserver.comEU offers cash and defence deal as it inks migrant returns pact with NigeriaThe EU and Nigeria have made progress on the 'strategic partnership' first announced in 2023, unveiling a returns and readmission agreement for failed migrants on Monday. 000
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 12/03/2026Famous Eritrean cartoonist Biniam 'Cobra' released after 15 years in prison. He used his pen to drow our daily suffering using humor, and we laughed it of. I remember most of us use to buy the daily and the only newspaper of the country which is state owned newspaper mainly for his cartoons.bbc.comኤርትራ፡ ፍሉጥ ካርቱኒስታ ብንያም 'ኮብራ' ድሕሪ 15 ዓመት ማእሰርቲ ተፈቲሑ - BBC News ትግርኛእቲ 'ኮብራ' ብዝብል መጸውዒ ዝፍለጥ ስነጥበበኛ፡ 'እዋናዊ' ዛዕባታት ፖለቲካን ማሕበራዊ ህይወትን ዝትንክፉ፡ ነቐፍትን ኣዘናጋዕትን ኣዝዮም ብዙሓት ካርቱናት ከም ዘፍረየ፣ ኣብ ጋዜጣታትን መጽሔታትን ደሓር ድማ ኣብ መጽሓፍቲ ጠርኒፉ ከም ዘሕተመ ይፍለጥ። 021
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 12/03/2026In the research, the role of these companies is framed as complicit in human rights violations for having enabled the tech-expansion of Fortress Europe, as well as the role of these agencies.accessnow.orgFrom cooperation to complicity: meet the companies powering the EU's war on migrants - Access NowIn new research, Access Now reveals the private sector companies helping to build Fortress Europe, via relationships with the EU agencies focused on migration and border security. 101
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 10/03/2026euronews.comFive EU countries team up to build return hub for migrantsGermany, the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark and Greece are working together to build so-called facilities outside Europe to host irregular migrants who arrive in their territory, a sign of growing mome... 000
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 10/03/2026EU moves to allow two years’ jail for families facing deportation – Families and minors could end up jailed for two years under new deportation rules voted through by a right-wing faction of European lawmakers, in what some critics say is reminiscent of Donald Trump’s ICE paramilitary.euobserver.comEU moves to allow two years’ jail for families facing deportationThe vote on the return regulation on Monday in the European Parliament civil liberties committee now sets the legal stage for likely deportation facilities abroad, as the European Union cracks down on... 003
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 10/03/2026Almost 700,000 displaced in Lebanon as war enters second week – Escalating hostilities have forced nearly 700,000 people to flee their homes in Lebanon over the past week, a UN agency said on Monday, as the war between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah entered a second week.arabnews.comAlmost 700,000 displaced in Lebanon as war enters second weekGet the latest breaking news and headlines from the largest Arab News website. Get world news, sport news, business news, entertainment, lifestyle, video and photos. 000
Meron Estefanos @meron.bsky.social · 09/03/2026Far-right prejudice now ‘normalised’ across Europe, warns EU anti-racism chief – Racism across Europe is not only about speeches by extremists or headline-grabbing scandals – but also what is repeated and normalised in political discourse and down into everyday life, warns Michaela Moua.euobserver.comFar-right prejudice now ‘normalised’ across Europe, warns EU anti-racism chiefMichaela Moua, the European Commission’s anti-racism coordinator, is anxious. “Independent of what's happening in the US, we’re seeing the normalisation of hatred and racism, and that is extremely wor... 002