IDC Press Release: World Refugee Day 2007
Press Statement
20 June 2007, immediate release
International Coalition on the Detention of Asylum Seekers, Migrants and Refugees
World Refugee Day 2007
Children not counted just don’t count
Numerous studies have documented the psychological harm - such as depression, disruptive conduct, nightmares, and even impaired cognitive development - caused to children in immigration detention. Read more
IDC Media Release: International Human Rights Day
International Coalition on the Detention of Coalition on Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants
Media Release
Wednesday December 10th, 2008, International Human Rights Day
Embargo until December 8th.
A call to uphold the human rights of detainees
Countries around the world must uphold the human rights of the estimated 1 million people held in immigration detention around the world and work to develop community-based alternatives, the International Coalition on the Detention of Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants (IDC) said today, International Human Rights Day.
The IDC call comes following the findings of their recent global survey of 21 countries which found an increase in the use of detention internationally for migration purposes with detainees often denied their basic rights, in conditions below international standards.
The survey listed detention concerns in the following regions: Asia Pacific; Canada; Central America; Western Europe; Eastern and Central Europe; South America; Middle East and North Africa; Eastern and Western Africa; Southern Africa; United States.
IDC Director Grant Mitchell said the survey found that there was a high level of risk of sexual and physical violence for women held in detention and the impact on physical and mental health was of particular concern for children and other vulnerable individuals. There have also been recent reports that the global economic downturn has lead to increases in the numbers of people detained and deported around the world.
“The increasing use of detention for people fleeing their countries for various reasons is of great concern,” Mr Mitchell said.
There are alarming incidents of gross human rights violations of immigration detainees occurring in many countries with no independent oversight in many cases. We urge countries to develop alternatives to detention, as has occurred in Australia and is being explored in a number of countries in Europe and elsewhere.
“Where detention is used, countries should comply with international Human Rights standards and uphold detainee rights and allow civil society, national and international bodies to monitor the conditions within detention facilities without restriction.”
The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in its Annual Report to the Human Rights Council found earlier this year that ‘the Working Group was able to satisfy itself during country missions that there are alternatives to detention for illegal immigrants, which have been successfully implemented. The Working Group requests States to use detention of asylum-seekers and illegal immigrants only as a last resort, and encourages them to explore alternatives to detention, such as supervised release, release on bail, designated residence or regular reporting to authorities.’
For more details contact IDC Director Grant Mitchell on +61 3 92899303 or +61 403194665
Notes to Editors:
The IDC is a coalition is a coalition of over 150 non-governmental groups and individuals working in over 50 countries the world providing legal, social and other services, carrying out research and reporting, and doing advocacy and policy work on behalf of refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers who have come together to share information and to promote greater respect for the human rights of detainees.
The IDC advocates limiting the use of, seeking alternatives to, and using the least restrictive forms of, immigration detention.The steering committee of the IDC brings together a number of leading international NGOs which share concerns about the treatment of immigration detainees, such as Amnesty International, Human Rights First, Human Rights Watch, Jesuit Refugee Service, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children, World Council of Churches, and a number of national NGOs.
· TThe IDC survey can be found at: http://idco.sauceopen.com/portal/files/IDCGlobalSurveyFindings.doc
· The WGAD Annual Report can be found at:http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G08/100/91/PDF/G0810091.pdf?OpenElement
Web: www.idcoalition.org
Email: [email protected]
IDC Media Release - Universal Children's Day
International Coalition on the Detention of Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants
Media Release
Universal Children’s Day November 20th, 2008
Countries must stop the detention of children
On the occasion of Universal Children’s Day 2008, the International Coalition on the Detention of Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants (IDC) calls upon States to stop the detention of migrant and refugee children.
In a recent survey of 21 countries on detention issues, the IDC found that there is an increase globally in the use of migration-related detention, with many countries continuing to detain migrant and refugee children. Reports included children being detained in closed refugee camps, alongside convicted criminals in jails or in immigration detention centers where they may be vulnerable to sexual abuse and lack adequate medical care and education.
The survey listed concerns for children in detention in Belgium, Egypt, Kenya, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Thailand, South Africa, UK and USA.
IDC Director Grant Mitchell said a separate recent IDC research paper joined a growing body of international research which documents the considerable psychological harm and even impaired cognitive development, which children who have been detained may experience.
“The detention of refugee and migrant children, as practiced in many countries, is in breach of International Law, namely the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child which stipulates that detention of children should only be used as a ‘last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time,” Mr Mitchell said.
“Children should not be detained. There is overwhelming evidence internationally that children are particularly vulnerable to physical and psychological harm in detention facilities. We urge countries to comply with international Human Rights standards and follow the example of countries like Australia, and stop the detention of children and their caregivers and implement alternatives to detention."
The detention of children received particular attention amongst the more than 200 civil society groups who attended the Global Forum on Migration and Development in Manila two weeks ago. Civil society, in a formal statement to the 163 UN-member States participating in the forum, urged States to impose a “moratorium on the detention and deportation of child migrants” and to consider detention alternatives.
For more details contact IDC Director Grant Mitchell on +61 3 92899303 or +61 403194665
Notes to editors?
The IDC is a coalition of over 150 non-governmental groups and individuals working in over 50 countries the world providing legal, social and other services, carrying out research and reporting, and doing advocacy and policy work on behalf of refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers who have come together to share information and to promote greater respect for the human rights of detainees. The IDC advocates limiting the use of, seeking alternatives to, and using the least restrictive forms of, immigration detention.?The steering committee of the IDC brings together a number of leading international NGOs which share concerns about the treatment of immigration detainees, such as Amnesty International, Human Rights First, Human Rights Watch, Jesuit Refugee Service, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children, World Council of Churches, and a number of national NGOs.
· The full GFMD Civil Society Statement to States can be found at: http://www.gfmd2008.org/civil-society-dialogue/civil-society-dialogue/civil-society-days-report-to-the-government-meeting-29-october-2008.html
· The survey can be found at: http://idco.sauceopen.com/portal/files/IDCGlobalSurveyFindings.doc
Web: www.idcoalition.org
Email: [email protected]
IDC Press Release: Universal Children's Day 2006
20th November 2006, Universal Children’s Day
Childhood behind bars
Locked up for fleeing conflict, persecution and poverty: never in a child’s best interest
“Detaining a child causes such suffering and has such long-term impacts on their physical and mental health and development that alternatives should always be found. Yet children in so many countries continue to be locked up for no reason other than their immigration status” said Anna Gallagher, coordinator of the International Detention Coalition (IDC).Read more
LCHR Report: Review of States Procedures & Practices relating to Detention
Lawyers Committee for Human Rights
REVIEW OF STATES. PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES RELATING TO DETENTION OF ASYLUM SEEKERS
The Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, concerned about the increased use of detention and the failure of some states to implement effective procedural protections for detained asylum seekers, initiated this comparative examination of the detention procedures of states. The review is directed primarily at the legal procedures governing detention of asylum seekers and in particular at the absence or existence of measures such as judicial review, limits on the length of detention, periodic review, and legal representation, that might help to prevent arbitrary detention in individual cases.
Click here to download full report by law firm Debevoise & Plimpton
IDC Press Release: International Launch (French)
Coalition Internationale sur la Détention des Réfugiés, des Demandeurs d’Asile et des Migrants.
Plus de 100 organisations de défense des droits humains de par le monde s’unissent dans une coalition pour mettre en question la détention des migrants.
19 Juin 2006
« Pourquoi suis-je en détention ? Je ne suis pas un criminel … C’est pire que d’être incarcéré. Au moins lorsque vous êtes en prison, vous savez pourquoi et pour combien de temps. » Ces mots sont ceux de réfugiés et de migrants placés en détention pour le seul motif d’être entré dans un pays, d’y résider ou de se déplacer sans autorisation.
Les États ont le droit de contrôler leurs frontières. Mais ce n’est pas un droit absolu. Les droits fondamentaux ne sont pas négociables, et ceci est aussi valable pour le droit de ne pas être détenu de façon arbitraire. La détention des migrants - qui ne devrait être envisageable que dans des circonstances exceptionnelles – ne devrait jamais porter atteinte aux droits humains fondamentaux, ni être utilisée pour limiter l’accès des personnes à l’asile, ni se prolonger dans le temps de manière exagérée ou illimitée. « Centres fermés, camps, centres de rétention, centres de rapatriement, centres de transit des aéroports… Donnez-leur le nom que vous voulez, ce sont toujours des prisons. Lentement mais sûrement nous avons criminalisé l’asile et diabolisé les migrations », a déclaré Anna Gallagher, la coordinatrice de la Coalition Internationale sur la Détention des Réfugiés, des Demandeurs d’Asile et des Migrants.
En Zambie, la plupart des réfugiés ne sont pas autorisés à sortir de leurs camps, et cela parfois depuis plus de 30 ans. Ceux qui enfreignent cette règle courent le risque d’être emprisonnés dans des camps surpeuplés et bien souvent dans des conditions effroyables. En Australie, les migrants peuvent être détenus pour un temps illimité dans l’attente de leur expulsion, sans aucun contrôle judiciaire. Par exemple, un demandeur d’asile débouté originaire du Cachemire a été détenu pendant sept ans. Ce ne sont que deux exemples de pratiques de détention qu’a relevé la Coalition.
La Coalition a rassemblé de l’information sur les pratiques de détention de migrants et de réfugiés dans 36 pays. Il est apparu que les pires pratiques en matière de détention adoptées par certains gouvernements s’inspiraient souvent de ce qui se fait dans d’autres Etats. Fréquemment les hommes politiques justifient leurs politiques de détention à partir du fait que d’autres pays, souvent plus riches, opèrent de la même manière.
« Bien que cela ne soit pas connu du grand public, les gouvernements de par le monde utilisent la détention pour restreindre et prévenir les flux migratoires. Certaines personnes sont détenues pour des périodes illimitées – dans des prisons ou dans des structures de type carcéral. Nous devons travailler ensemble partout dans le monde pour dénoncer de pareilles pratiques et les mettre en question», a ajouté Mme Gallagher.
Note destinée aux rédacteurs en chef et aux journalistes
La Coalition a été créée dans le but de faire connaître les politiques et pratiques gouvernementales en matière de détention des migrants, et de promouvoir la protection et le respect des droits humains des détenus. La Coalition plaide en faveur d’une utilisation limitée de la détention, d’une recherche de solutions alternatives ou de formes de détention qui soient les moins restrictives possible. La Coalition a mis sur pied des groupes de travail pour étudier les politiques et faire des propositions en matière de normes applicables en cas de détention (y compris les garanties procédurales et les conditions de détention), mais aussi en matière de restrictions à la liberté de mouvement pour les personnes vivants dans les camps de réfugiés.
La Coalition regroupe plus d’une centaine de membres (organisations non gouvernementales (ONG), organisations confessionnelles, des universitaires, des individus) répartis dans 36 pays de par le monde – en Europe, au Moyen-Orient, en Afrique, en Asie, dans les Caraïbes, en Amérique du Nord et en Amérique Centrale et Latine – autant de pays où des individus sont détenus uniquement en raison de leur statut administratif.
La Groupe de pilotage de la Coalition regroupe un certain nombre d’ONG internationales qui portent le souci du traitement réservé aux migrants placés en détention, comme par exemple : Amnesty International, Human Rights First, Human Rights Watch, le Service Jésuite des Réfugiés, le Service Luthérien pour les Réfugiés et les Immigrés, La Commission des Femmes pour les Femmes et les Enfants Réfugiés, le Conseil Mondial des Eglises, ainsi qu’un certain nombre d’ONG nationales.
La Coalition Internationale sur la Détention sera lancée officiellement le 20 juin 2006. A cette occasion, des événements seront organisés par des membres de la Coalition dans les pays suivants : Etats-Unis, Canada, Mexique, Kenya, Afrique du Sud, Inde, Australie, Liban, Belgique, Espagne, Italie, Hongrie, Malte, Suisse, Irlande.
Pour plus d’informations sur la Coalition,
contacter Anna Gallagher à l’adresse électronique suivante : [email protected] ; ou par téléphone : (+34) 947 541 835. Ou Melanie Teff : [email protected] ou par téléphone : (+39) 06 6897 7386 ; (+39) 338 752 2606.
IDC Press Release: International Launch (Italian)
Coalizione Internazionale per la Detenzione di Rifugiati, Richiedenti Asilo e Immigrati
Più di 100 gruppi in difesa dei diritti umani di tutto il mondo hanno costituito una coalizione contro la detenzione degli immigrati
19 Giugnio 2006
“Perchè sono in prigione? Non sono un criminale… È peggio che essere in prigione. Almeno, quando sei in prigione sai quanto tempo dovrai starci e perché”. Queste sono alcune delle dichiarazioni fatte da rifugiati e immigrati detenuti semplicemente per essere entrati in uno stato o esservi rimasti o ancora per essersi mossi senza autorizzazione
Gli stati hanno il diritto di controllare i propri confini. Ma questo diritto non è assoluto. I diritti umani fondamentali non sono negoziabili e questi includono il diritto a non essere detenuti arbitrariamente. La detenzione di immigrati – pur se ammissibile in determinate circostanze eccezionali – non dovrebbe mai violare i diritti umani fondamentali di protezione della persona, limitare l’accesso degli individui alla richiesta e all’ottenimento dell’asilo, o prevedere una durata irragionevole o illimitata.
“Centri recintati, campi, centri per il rimpatrio, centri di transito negli aeroporti… Chiamateli come volete. Sono tutti forme di prigionia. Lentamente, ma in modo costante, hanno criminalizzato l’istituto dell’asilo politico e hanno demonizzato l’immigrazione”, dice Anna Gallagher, Coordinatrice della Coalizione Internazionale per la Detenzione dei Rifugiati, Richiedenti Asilo e Immigrati.
In Zambia, alla maggior parte dei rifugiati, alcuni da oltre 30 anni, non è concesso di lasciare i propri campi. E quelli che lasciano il proprio campo possono venire arrestati e messi in carceri sporche, sovraffollate e spesso in condizioni che minacciano la vita stessa. In Australia gli immigrati possono venire detenuti per un tempo illimitato fino al rimpatrio, senza alcun giudizio della magistratura. Ad esempio, un richiedente asilo del Kashmir, a cui è stata rifiutata la richiesta, è stato detenuto per 7 anni. Questi sono solo due esempi delle pratiche di detenzione che la Coalizione ha documentato.
La Coalizione ha raccolto informazioni sulle pratiche di detenzione degli immigrati in 36 paesi diversi. Ha scoperto che le peggiori pratiche di detenzione adottate dai governi sono state copiate da altri governi e che i politici spesso giustificano le loro politiche sull’immigrazione sulla base del fatto che un altro paese, spesso più ricco, sta attuando una politica simile.
“Nascosti dall’opinione pubblica, i governi nel mondo stanno usando la detenzione come strumento per ridurre i flussi migratori e disincentivare la migrazione. Un grande numero di persone viene rinchiuso – a volte per periodi di tempo indefiniti – nelle carceri o detenuto in situazioni di simil prigionia. Abbiamo riconosciuto la necessità di lavorare insieme, a livello internazionale, per mettere a nudo e affrontare tali pratiche così arbitrarie” afferma Anna Gallagher, Coordinatrice della neo-costituita Coalizione Internazionale per la Detenzione di Rifugiati, Richiedenti Asilo e Immigrati.
Note per Editori e Giornalisti
La coalizione è stata costituita per sensibilizzare l’opinione pubblica alle problematiche riguardanti le politiche di detenzione e le prassi dei governi e per promuovere maggiore protezione e rispetto dei diritti umani dei detenuti.
Obiettivo della coalizione è promuovere azioni di advocacy per limitare l’uso di tali pratiche, per ricercare forme alternative alla detenzione e per un utilizzo delle forme minime di detenzione per gli immigrati. La coalizione ha creato dei gruppi di lavoro per studiare ed elaborare delle proposte politiche sugli standard di detenzione (incluse le procedure di protezione e le condizioni detentive) e sulle restrizioni alla libertà di movimento nei campi dei rifugiati.
La coalizione riunisce oltre un centinaio di membri (organizzazioni non governative organizzazioni di ispirazione religiosa, universitari e altri individui) di 36 paesi–: Europa, Medio Oriente, Africa, Asia, Oceania, Carabi, Nord America, Centro e Sud America. In tutti questi paesi delle persone vengono detenute solamente sulla base del loro status di immigrato.
Il comitato direttivo della coalizione riunisce un numero significativo delle più importanti ONG a livello internazionale, che condividono la preoccupazione circa il trattamento degli immigrati detenuti, come Amnesty International, Human Rights First, l’Osservatorio per i Diritti Umani, Il Servizio Gesuita per i Rifugiati, il Servizio Luterano per immigrati e rifugiati, La Commissione delle Donne per le Donne e i Bambini Rifugiati (Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children), il Consiglio Mondiale per le Chiese, e un certo numero di ONG nazionali.
La Coalizione Internazionale per la detenzione è stata lanciata a livello mondiale il 20 giugno 2006, con una serie di eventi organizzati nei seguenti paesi: Stati Uniti, Canada, Messico, Kenya, Sud Africa, India, Australia, Libano, Belgio, Spagna, Italia, Ungheria, malta, Irlanda, Svizzera.
Per maggiori informazioni sulla Coalizione è possibile contattare:
Anna Gallagher: e-mail [email protected] Tel: (+34) 947 541 835
o Melanie Teff [email protected] Tel: (+39) 06 6897 7386; (+39) 338 752 2606
IDC Press Release: International Launch (Spanish)
Coalición Internacional sobre la Detención de Refugiados, Solicitantes de Asilo e Inmigrantes
Más de 100 grupos pro derechos humanos de todo el mundo forman una coalición para denunciar la detención de inmigrantes
Fechado: 19 de junio 2006
“¿Por qué estoy aquí detenido? No soy un criminal... Es peor que estar en prisión. Al menos cuando estás en la cárcel sabes por cuánto tiempo estarás allí y por qué.” Estas son declaraciones realizadas por refugiados e inmigrantes detenidos – simplemente por entrar o permanecer en un país o por trasladarse de lugar sin autorización.
Los estados tienen derecho a controlar sus fronteras. Pero este no es un derecho absoluto. Los derechos humanos fundamentales no son negociables, y estos incluyen el derecho a no ser detenido arbitrariamente. La detención de inmigrantes – aunque permisible en determinadas circunstancias excepcionales – no debería violar jamás la protección de los derechos humanos fundamentales, ni ser utilizada para limitar el derecho de las personas a buscar y disfrutar del asilo, ni prolongarse por un tiempo ilimitado e irrazonable. “Centros cerrados, los campamentos, los centros de expulsión, los centros de tránsito de los aeropuertos… llámensele como se quiera, son cárceles. Paso a paso y con firmeza, hemos criminalizado el asilo y demonizado la inmigración”, dice Anna Gallagher, coordinadora de la Coalición Internacional sobre la Detención de Refugiados, Solicitantes de Asilo e Inmigrantes.
En Zambia, la mayoría de los refugiados, algunos de los cuales han permanecido allí durante más de 30 años, no son autorizados a abandonar los campamentos. Y aquellos que los abandonaban pueden ser encarcelados en los abarrotados y a menudo insalubres centros penitenciarios. En Australia, los inmigrantes pueden ser detenidos indefinidamente a la espera de su deportación sin que su causa sea vista judicialmente. Así, un solicitante de asilo cachemir permaneció detenido durante siete años. Son sólo dos ejemplos de las prácticas de detención que ha documentado la coalición.
La coalición ha recabado información sobre las prácticas de detención de inmigrantes en 36 países. Descubrió que los países copian los peores métodos de detención unos de otros y que los políticos suelen justificar sus políticas de detención amparándose en que otros, a menudo más ricos, llevan a cabo políticas parecidas.
“A escondidas de la opinión pública, los gobiernos del mundo utilizan la detención para restringir y desanimar los flujos migratorios. Por eso tantas personas están detenidas – a veces por periodos indefinidos – en cárceles o en condiciones similares a las carcelarias. Vemos la necesidad de trabajar juntos a nivel internacional para sacar a la luz y denunciar estas prácticas arbitrarias,” dice Anna Gallagher, coordinadora de la recién creada Coalición Internacional sobre la Detención de Refugiados, Solicitantes de Asilo e Inmigrantes
Nota a Editores y periodistas
La coalición se creó para llamar la atención sobre las políticas y prácticas de detención de los gobiernos y para promover una mayor protección y respeto por los derechos humanos de los detenidos. Defiende limitar el uso de la detención de inmigrantes, buscar alternativas, y recurrir a formas menos restrictivas de detención. La coalición ha creado grupos de trabajo para estudiar y realizar propuestas políticas sobre las normas que rigen la detención (incluyendo salvaguardas procesales y las condiciones de detención), y sobre restricciones a la libertad de movimientos en los campamentos de refugiados.
La coalición cuenta con más de un centenar de miembros (organizaciones no gubernamentales (ONG), organizaciones confesionales, académicos y particulares) en 36 países de todo el mundo – en Europa, Oriente Medio, África, Asia, Oceanía, el Caribe, América del Norte, Central y del Sur– todos de países donde se detiene a personas por el mero hecho de su estatuto migratorio.
El comité directivo de la Coalición reúne a las principales ONG internacionales que comparten la preocupación por el trato a los inmigrantes detenidos, tales como Amnistía Internacional, Human Rights First, Human Rights Watch, Jesuit Refugee Service, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children, Consejo Mundial de las Iglesias, y numerosas ONG nacionales.
La coalición internacional sobre la detención se presentará a nivel mundial el 20 de junio de 2006, mediante eventos organizados por las organizaciones miembros en EE.UU., Canadá, México, Kenya, Sudáfrica, India, Australia, Líbano, Bélgica, España, Italia, Hungría, Malta, Irlanda y Suiza.
Para más información sobre la coalición,
contacte con Anna Gallagher: e-mail [email protected] Tel: (+34) 947 541 835
o Melanie Teff en [email protected] Tel: (+39) 06 6897 7386; (+39) 338 752 2606
IDC Press Release: International Launch
International Coalition on the Detention of Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants
More than 100 human rights groups worldwide form coalition to challenge immigration detention
Dated: 19th June 2006
“Why am I detained here? I’m not a criminal...It’s worse than being in prison. At least when you are in prison you know for how long you are there and why.” These are statements made by refugees and migrants held in detention – simply for entering or remaining in a country or moving without authorisation.
States have the right to control their borders. But this right is not absolute. Fundamental human rights are not negotiable, and that includes the right not to be arbitrarily detained. Immigration detention - although permissible in certain exceptional circumstances - should never breach fundamental human rights protections, be used to limit people’s access to seek and enjoy asylum, or be of an unreasonable or unlimited duration. “Closed centres, camps, removal centres, airport transit centres… Call them whatever you like. They all amount to prisons. Slowly but surely we have criminalised asylum and demonised migration”, said Anna Gallagher, Coordinator of the International Coalition on the Detention of Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants.
In Zambia, most refugees, some for over 30 years, are not entitled to leave their camps. And those who leave these camps may be imprisoned in grossly overcrowded and often life threatening conditions. In Australia, migrants may be detained indefinitely pending their deportation without judicial oversight. For instance, a rejected Kashmiri asylum seeker was detained for 7 years. These are just 2 examples of the detention practices that the coalition has documented.
The coalition has been collecting information on immigration detention practices in 36 countries. It found that the worst detention practices adopted by governments were being copied from others and politicians frequently justify their immigration detention policies on the grounds that another, often richer, country is operating a similar policy.
“Hidden from the general public, governments around the world are using detention to restrict and deter migration flows. So many people are being detained - sometimes for indefinite periods - in prisons or prison-like circumstances. We have recognised the need to work together internationally to uncover and challenge such arbitrary practices,” said Ms. Anna Gallagher, coordinator of the newly-formed International Coalition on the Detention of Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants.
Note to Editors and journalists
The coalition has been set up to raise awareness of governments’ detention policies and practices and to promote greater protection and respect for the human rights of detainees. It advocates limiting the use of, seeking alternatives to, and using the least restrictive forms of, immigration detention. The Coalition has established working groups to study and make policy proposals on the standards governing detention, (including procedural safeguards and conditions of detention), and on restrictions on freedom of movement for those living in refugee camps.
The coalition involves over one hundred members (non-governmental organizations (NGOs), faith-based organizations, academics and individuals) in 36 countries from around the world – in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean, North America, Central and South America – all from countries where individuals are detained purely on the basis of their immigration status.
The steering committee of the Coalition brings together a number of leading international NGOs which share concerns about the treatment of immigration detainees, such as Amnesty International, Human Rights First, Human Rights Watch, Jesuit Refugee Service, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children, World Council of Churches, and a number of national NGOs.
The international detention coalition is being launched worldwide on 20th June 2006, with events being organised by member organisations in the following countries: USA, Canada, Mexico, Kenya, South Africa, India, Australia, Lebanon, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Hungary, Malta, Ireland, Switzerland
For more information on the coalition,
contact Anna Gallagher: e mail [email protected] Tel: (+34) 947 541 835
or Melanie Teff at [email protected] Tel: (+39) 06 6897 7386; (+39) 338 752 2606
2014 Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) and People's Global Action (PGA)
IDC Secretariat staff and various members will be attending this year’s 2014 Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) to advocate for the rights of migrants at risk of immigration detention.
The Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) is an important annual migration conference held by states with the assistance of the Special Representative of the Secretary General on international migration and development, and chaired each year by a different state. This year, the GFMD is being hosted by Sweden from 12-16 May.
The GFMD is also preceded by a People’s Global Action on Migration, Development, and Human Rights (PGA), an independent civil society event which brings together migrant associations, migrant rights organizations, trade unions, faith groups, academia and other civil society from around the world to share information, dialogue, strengthen analyses and develop joint actions and campaigns on current and emerging issues related to migration. This year, the PGA will take place from 9-11 May.
The IDC—together with our Members and partners PICUM, and Terre des Hommes—will be holding several events on children and migration throughout the PGA and GFMD processes. If you’re in Stockholm, please plan to join us and please pass this information onto your networks and partners.
People’s Global Action 9-11th May
The IDC will be co-sponsoring two different PGA Workshops together with the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM) and Terre des Hommes. To view the final program of the PGA, please click here.
- ‘‘Children in the Context of International Migration: Coordinating before, during, and after GFMD, ensuring the inclusive implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.’ Workshop 18, Sunday 11 May 14:00 – 15:30, Room 106
- Criminalisation, Detention and Child Rights at the GFMD (and beyond): A global strategy for ending the immigration detention of children’ PGA Thematic session #7, Sunday 11 May 16:00-17:30, Assembly Hall
Please find the flyers for both of these events here.
GFMD Civil Society Days 12-13th May
Throughout the GFMD’s two Civil Society Days, the IDC and partner organisations will have information tables set up displaying information on child immigration detention, and sharing videos from our Global Campaign to End Child Immigration Detention. Please stop by and help us promote an end to child immigration detention. The IDC is also hosting a Side Event featuring Mr. François Crépeau, UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants. Finally, IDC Members and staff will be participating in the following thematic “Working Sessions”, below. To view the final Civil Society Days program, please click here.
- Side Event – Alternatives to the immigration detention of children. Monday 12 May 12:30 - 13:30, Fogelströmrummet Room
- Session 2.A: Protecting and empowering migrants in distress, in transit, at borders and in detention. Monday 12 May 13:30 – 15:30, Riddarsalan Room
- Session 2.B: Protecting and empowering children in contexts of migration. Tuesday 13 May 08:30 – 10:30, Riddarsalan Room
GFMD Common Space – Wednesday 14th May
The “Common Space” of the GFMD is a time allocated for interaction and dialogue between states and civil society. This year, the IDC will participate in two different events during the Common Space, below. To view the final Common Space program, please click here.
- Wednesday morning “Breakfast Roundtable” conversation on migrant children in detention. (Private meeting), Wednesday 14 May 08:30 – 10:30
Support at input to these events is always welcome. Please contact IDC Advocacy Coordinator, Ben Lewis, for further information about the IDC’s involvement in the 2014 GFMD.