Briefing Notes Group 62 - Information Centre for Asylum and Migration - European Country of ...
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Briefing Notes
Group 62 - Information Centre for Asylum and Migration
03 August 2020
Afghanistan
COVID-19 pandemic
It is assumed that the pandemic has not yet reached its peak and that the number of infected people, which has
risen sharply since June 2020, will continue to increase in the coming weeks. Kabul remains the most affected,
followed by Herat, Kandahar, Balkh and Paktya (new, previously Nangarhar).
Despite efforts by the government and the international community (keyword “Humanitarian Response Plan”)
studies have shown that most households (74%) have cut back on the amount and quality of food in the past few
weeks. Nine out of ten people reported negative economic effects of COVID-19, such as the lack of incoming pay-
ments.
Attacks, hostilities, civilian casualties
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) published its semi-annual report on civilian victims
of the conflict last week that covers the period 01 January to 30 June 2020. The report cites 3,458 civilian casualties
in the first half of the year (1,282 killed, 2,176 injured), which is a decrease of 13% compared to the first half of 2019
and at the same time the lowest half-year figure since 2012. The decline in the number of victims is due to signifi-
cantly fewer activities by the international armed forces (mainly less air strikes) and reduced activities of the Islamic
State in the province of Khorasan (ISKP). Victims caused by the Taliban, on the other hand, remained at the same
level, while the number of victims caused by Afghan security forces rose by nine percent. Over 40% of the civilian
casualties were women and children. Examples of targeted attacks were those on clerics (18 cases), on health pro-
fessionals (13 cases), judicial employees (11 cases), people who work for civil society (nine cases), staff of NGOs
(eight cases) and journalists (three cases).
The highest number of casualties was recorded in the provinces of Balkh (344) and Kabul (338), followed by
Nangarhar (281), Faryab (233) and Kunduz (205).
The report says that the increasing number of kidnappings of civilians by the Taliban is a reason for concern (28
incidents with 68 victims, five times as many as in the previous year).
Healthcare facilities and personnel were affected in 36 cases, of which 27 were targeted attacks.
UNAMA also documented the recruitment and use of 23 children by the Taliban (boys between 13 and 17 years of
age), although the number of unreported cases is likely to be higher. Reports of government's deployment of chil-
dren have also been received, but have not yet been verified. At the same time UNAMA also recognizes the
measures taken by both sides to prevent the recruitment of children.
According to the New York Times, at least 282 pro-government forces and 109 civilians were killed in July 2020.
Prisoner exchange
The prisoner exchange agreed as a prerequisite for talks between the Taliban and the government has largely been
completed. The government said it has released 4,917 of the 5,000 Taliban prisoners agreed, the Taliban 1,005.
President Ghani announced further releases up to a total of 5,100. However, these would be people who are not on
1a list submitted by the Taliban. He said, he was unable to order the release of 400 Taliban-designated persons under
his own responsibility, since these were people who had been convicted of serious crimes. He would convene a
Loya Jirga (Grand Tribal Council) on this question.
Ceasefire
On 28 July 2020 the Taliban and the government agreed a three-day ceasefire during the Islamic Feast of the Sac-
rifice, Eid al-Adha, which became effective at midnight on 31 July 2020 and, as far as one can tell, it was largely
complied with. Only a few hours before, on 31 July 2020, a car was bombed in Pol-e-Alam, the provincial capital of
Logar, killing at least 18 people and injuring dozens. Afghan authorities blame the Taliban, but they denied respon-
sibility. Also on 31 July 2020 there was an explosion in the city of Herat that injured a dozen people.
At least 21 people were killed and 43 wounded in an attack on a prison in Police District 4 of Jalalabad (capital of
Nangarhar) by suspected ISKP fighters.
Cameroon
ISWAP: Attack on refugee camps
A district mayor in northern Cameroon informed that in the night from 01 to 02 August 2020 gunmen attacked the
camp for internally displaced persons near Nguetchewe village (Mayo Tsanaga Division, Far North region). Between
15 and 18 people were killed and several injured. The jihadist terrorist organization Islamic State West Africa Prov-
ince (ISWAP), that is active in the area, is held responsible for the attack.
Egypt
Bloggers sentenced to prison and fines
A Cairo court has sentenced six female bloggers to prison terms of up to three years and large fines. The court
charged the women with violating Egyptian family values by their contributions to the TikTok social media platform
and with inciting to indecency and in part also to prostitution. The rulings can still be appealed.
Georgia
Imprisonment for pro-opposition media representative
The founder and partner of the opposition- oriented TV station Mtavari Arkhi, Giorgi Rurua, was found guilty of
illegal possession and carrying of firearms by a court in Tbilisi and sentenced to four years in prison on 30 July 2020.
Rurua described the criminal proceedings as politically motivated. Opposition politicians and members of the Eu-
ropean Parliament campaigned for his release. Representatives of the opposition parties made Rurua's release a
condition for their continued adherence to the agreement on electoral reforms negotiated between the opposition
and the governing party Georgian Dream.
India
Violence against Christians increases
According to the semi-annual report of the Christian organization Persecution Relief, attacks on Christians have
increased by more than 40% against the same period last year. In the first half of 2020, 293 attacks on Christians
for religious reasons were documented, compared to 208 in the first half of 2019. These figures included six reli-
giously motivated murders that occurred in the states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkand and Odisha, the report says.
2Iran
Freedom of the press: Nine-month publication ban because of article on virginity
The publication of the student magazine "Forough" (named after the poet and film director Forough Farrohzad) of
Tehran's elite Sharif university has been banned for nine months after it published articles on female hygiene, men-
struation and virginity. The editors had appealed against the ruling of the university's cultural council. However, the
appeal was rejected on 24 July 2020. The publication ban met with violent criticism in the student community. The
editors-in-chief of 76 student magazines in Tehran province called the measure "suppression and restriction".
COVID-19 pandemic : Medical Association warns of lack of nursing staff
On 29 July 2020 the Medical Association announced that 140 doctors and nurses had died of the coronavirus and
more than 6,000 had been infected. The Medical Association said that while medical care for corona patients was
still warranted at the moment, any further increase in the number of cases could lead to a bottleneck nationwide.
Leader of a monarchist opposition group arrested
According to media reports of 01 August 2020 the Iranian secret service arrested Jamshid Sharmahd, leader of the
US-based monarchist group Tondar (Thunder), in a special secret service operation. Tondar is considered the mili-
tary branch of the Royal Association of Iran and allegedly was involved with a bombing of a mosque in Shiraz
(Southern Iran) in 2008.
Iraq
New elections announced
After the riots during the last two weeks Prime Minister Kadhimi on 31 July 2020 announced new elections for 06
June 2021. The announcement came after a series clashes between security forces and demonstrators that also
caused several deaths. These incidents will be investigated. Kadhimi was appointed as transitional premier, among
other things, to end precisely such clashes that have been going on since October 2019, and to organize new elec-
tions. The Fatih bloc in the Iraqi parliament, the largest Shiite dominated bloc, signalled its agreement to the elec-
tions on 02 August 2020, but preferred an earlier election date in April 2021.
Ivory Coast
New prime minister
Defence Minister Hamed Bakayoko was appointed head of government on 30 July 2020. The 55-year-old has held
the post on an interim basis since the unexpected death of former Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly on 8 July
2020. According to the Presidential Office, Bakayoko will also continue to lead the Defence Department. The new
head of government is considered a close confidant of President Alassane Ouattara. According to media reports,
Ouattara is considering running for a third term in the October 2020 presidential election, although the constitution
only provides for a maximum of two terms. Observers therefore fear a political crisis. The late Coulibaly had origi-
nally been foreseen as the ruling party's presidential candidate.
Lebanon
COVID-19 pandemic: another lockdown
On 27 July 2020 Lebanon announced another lockdown effective from 30 July 2020. This measure was taken right
before the Muslim Feast of the Sacrifice after a record number of new Covid-19 infections had been detected. The
order will apply until 10 August 2020 for the time being.
Critics suspect, however, that the order shall also suppress the nationwide protests against living conditions and
the general crisis in the country. As electricity supplies cannot be ensured, lengthy blackouts now also regularly
affect Beirut, previously they had been restricted to other areas of Lebanon.
3Libya
Three migrants shot dead by security forces
On 28 July 2020 Libyan security forces shot three migrants from Sudan and injured two others. The migrants were
heading for Europe in a boat when the Libyan coast guard stopped them and took them to the Libyan port city of
al-Khums. The security forces opened fire after some migrants tried to run away from the landing site.
Mali
Soldiers killed in attacks
At least five soldiers were killed and five injured in a double attack in central Mali on 02 August 2020. A military
base in the village of Goma- Coura was attacked by suspected jihadists, while at the same time a military convoy
was ambushed on the way from Goma- Coura to Diabaly. No one has yet claimed the attacks.
Morocco
Pardons for the throne anniversary
On 29 July 2020 King Mohammed VI granted 1,446 pardons on the occasion of this year's anniversary of his ascen-
sion to the throne. Prison terms have been reduced, converted to suspended sentences or fines. In addition, two
death sentences have been commuted to life imprisonment. According to a Moroccan journalist, also members of
the Hirak movement from the Rif region are among the pardoned.
On 30 July 2020 the king issued a further 752 pardons on the occasion of the Eid Al-Adha festival. Again prison
sentences were remitted, reduced or converted into fines. The pardons also include people who were already tem-
porarily released from custody due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Montenegro
Desired single list of all Albanian parties failed
According to current media reports the various parties representing the Albanian minority in Montenegro will not
enter the parliamentary elections scheduled for 30 August 2020 on a single list. While the majority of the Albanian
parties in Montenegro were ready to sign the new alliance "Albanian List" after negotiations on 28 July 2020, the
Democratic Union of Albanians (DUA) and the Democratic Party (DP) refused to join this alliance. According to
reports, the new Albanian list consists of the party of the Albanian Forum as well as Forca and the Perspektiva
movement from Ulcinj. Despite the call for a single list, including by Albanian diaspora organizations, DUA and DP
formed their own separate coalition.
North Macedonia
Opposition party revokes Gruevski's status as honorary president
According to media reports, the central committee of the former ruling party, the Inner Macedonian Revolutionary
Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE), deleted the title of honorary
party chairman from its party statutes at its meeting on 21 July 2020. The reports said that as a result, former
chairman, Nikola Gruevski, who lost his position as prime minister in the penultimate parliamentary elections, fled
the country in 2018 and has since received political asylum in Hungary, no longer holds this title. The symbolic
break with Gruevski is accompanied by further changes in the party statutes, reports say. The country's largest
opposition party now led by Hristijan Mickoski, was only narrowly defeated in the recent elections by the Social
Democratic League of Macedonia (SDSM) of Zoran Zaev. The media reports said that the party issued a press release
stating its intention to democratize its functions and to transfer more power to its members and local party com-
mittees. This will also include a new, more direct way of electing the heads of local associations and candidates for
mayors within the party. The number of terms of office of the party chairman has now been limited to a maximum
4of three. Mickoski is thus the first party leader in the Balkans to limit his term of office along the lines of the Austrian
People's Party. After Gruevski's ousting in 2017 the party was criticized, including by its own membership, of failing
to democratize and to cut ties to Gruevski's authoritarian legacy.
Pakistan / Afghanistan
Riots on the Pakistani-Afghan border
On 30 July 2020 at least four people were killed and 28 people injured in clashes with security forces in the western
Pakistani border town of Chaman in the province of Balochistan. The border crossing to Afghanistan had been
closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the occasion of the celebrations of the Islamic Feast of the Sacrifice
(Eid al-Adha) the border was opened on 29 July 2020 to allow family visits. On 30 July 2020 a crowd of thousands
of people gathered for a sit-in strike at the border crossing called the Friendship Gate on the Pakistani side. Security
forces ordered the crowd to leave the border and closed it again. The crowd was instigated by some participants
and then provoked the security forces until they eventually shot at the protesters. The crowd on the Pakistani side
then moved on to the city of Chaman, forcing shopkeepers to close their shops and setting up roadblocks. A quar-
antine facility set up at the border was also attacked.
In addition, Pakistani security forces subsequently fired shots at the Afghan side in Spin Boldak reportedly causing
at least 15 civilian deaths. Both sides accuse each other of opening fire first.
Somalia
Journalist sentenced to prison term
The journalist Abdiaziz Ahmed Gurbiye was sentenced to six months in prison and a fine on 29 July 2020. He had
been arrested in April 2020 after posting about the coronavirus on Facebook and thereby criticizing the government.
He was charged with posting false news and insulting the authorities. An appeal against the judgement is possible.
Syria
Another attack at Ras al-Ayn
Turkish state and Syrian opposition media reported the explosion of a car bomb at a checkpoint near the border
town of Ras al-Ayn on 30 July 2020. A similar attack of this type had occurred in the same place just a few days
earlier (see BN of 27 July 2020).
The attack hit Tal Halaf village and, according to various sources, killed between five and nine people. Twelve to 15
are said to have been injured. The pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the dead
included Turkish-supported Syrian rebels.
Local security forces again suspect Kurdish rebel fighters behind the attack, but there is no information that anyone
has claimed it.
North-east: US company involved in oil production
In a hearing before the U.S. Senate on 30 July 2020, Secretary of State Pompeo confirmed that the Kurdish-domi-
nated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) had recently signed a contract with a U.S. company for the modernization of
the oil fields in north-eastern Syria.
After the partial withdrawal of US forces from the region last year, US President Trump announced that the troops
would stay on where there was oil. At the time the Pentagon responded to this statement by reaffirming that oil
production revenue would go to the SDF administration.
The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented on the latest development on 02 August 2020 by condemning
the conclusion of the contract with “al-Qasd”, which Damascus considers illegal, and calling it theft of Syrian crude
oil. Al-Qasd is the name the Syrian government uses for SDF.
5Turkey
Media law adopted
On 29 July 2020 the Turkish Parliament passed the controversial law on social media (see BN of 27 July 2020).
Among other things, it obliges platforms with more than one million Turkish users to open branches in Turkey with
a Turkish citizen as their representative and to store their Turkish users' data on servers within the country. Provid-
ers must also respond to requests to delete or change certain content within 48 hours, otherwise they face heavy
fines and restrictions of their services. Özlem Zengin, deputy parliamentary leader of the AKP, commented on the
law saying that the government intended to end insults, abuse and harassment on social media.
Ukraine
Ceasefire breached in eastern Ukraine
The ceasefire in eastern Ukraine which entered into force on 26 July 2020 at 11 p.m. Central European Time, was
violated after only a few hours. The Ukrainian high command announced that it had been observed that mortars
had been fired by Russian-supported separatists at a section of the front. On the other hand, the separatists accuse
the Ukrainian armed forces of using weapons and firing at the Donetsk People's Republic shortly before the cease-
fire became effective.
Venezuela
Election commission changes procedure for election of indigenous members of parliament
On 31 July 2020 the election commission, recently re-composed without any involvement by the parliament, an-
nounced an amendment of electoral law relating to the determination of the three members of parliament filling
the seats reserved for representatives of indigenous peoples. The amendment replaces their direct election by an
indirect election procedure involving several stages of delegates. Critics pointed out that the law did not permit any
changes in the election procedures six months before an election. It is expected that the new election mode will
make it considerably more difficult for pro-opposition candidates to win a seat.
A large majority of the opposition plans to boycott the general election
On 02 August 2020 Juan Guaidó, together with the leaders of various parties of the opposition alliance, announced
that the opposition would boycott the parliamentary elections on 06 December 2020. He said that following the
events in recent months no fair election was to be expected. Previous events included the re-composition of the
election commission without the involvement of parliament, court orders replacing the chairmen of several large
opposition parties with pro-government leaders and changes in the election procedures. These events are generally
viewed as a systematic takeover of parliament by the Maduro government. Internationally a free and fair election
is considered unrealistic.
Yemen
Imprisoned Baha'i released
On 30 July 2020 the Houthi rebels released six imprisoned Baha'i, who had been charged with apostasy and espio-
nage for Israel. The group included the president of the Yemeni Baha'i community, Hamed bin Haydara, who had
been arrested by the Yemeni government in 2013. He was transferred to a Houthi prison when the Houthis took
control of the capital Sanaa in 2014. The Houthi sentenced him to death in 2018. The other men were arrested in
2017. The freed Baha'i were flown from Yemen to Ethiopia as one of the conditions for their release had been that
they leave Yemen, it was said. In March 2020 the Houthi authorities had announced the release of all Baha'i pris-
oners, but have not yet followed through.
6Separatist group abandons control of Aden
In April 2020 the Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatist group claimed control of Aden and other areas in
southern Yemen. Since the Yemeni government formally governs southern Yemen, this triggered repeated violent
clashes between the two sides. However, on 29 July 2020 the STC announced that it would abandon its self-gov-
ernment plans, instead a power sharing agreement negotiated in November 2019 would be implemented jointly
with the government.
Zimbabwe
Several activists arrested at protests
On 31 July 2020 the opposition held only minor protests against state corruption and the economic and health
policies in the country's major cities. The government had declared the demonstrations illegal because of a curfew
to combat the COVID-19 pandemic that had become effective on 22 July 2020. Already on the day before the
planned rallies hundreds of soldiers and police patrolled the cities and set up checkpoints. Due to the government's
massive threats only a few protesters dared to take to the streets. Several people were arrested during the demon-
strations. Among those arrested in Harare are the internationally acclaimed writer and film-maker Tsitsi Dan-
garembga and Fadzayi Mahere, spokeswoman for the main opposition party Movement for Democratic Change
(MDC Alliance). On 01 August 2020 a court charged both women with inciting the public to violence and violating
the Corona lockdown. Mahere was temporarily released on bail.
Group 62 - Information Centre for Asylum and Migration
Briefing Notes
BN-Redaktion@bamf.bund.de
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