Alternatives to Detention EXCOM meeting
Following the IDC's meeting on Alternatives to Detention at the UNHCR Consultations in Geneva, a joint UNHCR/IDC meeting will be held during EXCOM in Geneva on the topic on September 30th.
The meeting will be moderated by Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees, Erika Feller, and will include Governments, UNHCR and NGOs exploring in a panel and floor discussion, community-based alternatives to detention and possibilities for improved practice on alternatives and release options.
International Catholic Migration Commission: Annual Report 2008
The International Catholic Migration Commission released their Annual Report for 2008.
Find the report here.
USA: Michelle Brané, WRC writes for Huffington Post
Michelle Brané the Director of Detention and Asylum, Women’s Refugee Commission writes for the Huffington Post regarding child detainment in the USA.
Find her article "Good News on Immigration Detention But Keeping the Pressure On" here.
USA: USCRI's World Refugee Survey 2009: Available on Refworld
United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants published their World Refugee Survey - Canada for 2009.
Find the full report here.
Europe: JRS Update: Belgium: Detention devastates lives Turkey: HCA co-authored report: Unsafe Haven: The Security Challenges Facing LGBT Asylum Seekers & Refugees in Turkey
"Unsafe Haven: The Security Challenges Facing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender, Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Turkey" is a joint publication of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly – Turkey, Refugee Advocacy and Support Program & ORAM - Organization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration.
It focuses on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals as they are among the most vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees in Turkey today.
Germany: JRS Dispatch No.261: Berlin Urgently Needs to Monitor Deportations
Following the deportation of 100 people from Berlin to Vietnam, JRS Director, Martin Stark SJ, urged the state government to introduce an independent body to oversee removals. As the current system fails to ensure humane and transparent treatment.
South Africa: LHR Press Release: Court declares Home Affairs actions unlawful & unconstitutional
Article from Lawyers for Human Rights regarding the South Gauteng High Court ruling the deportation of an asylum seeker by the Department of Home Affairs was unlawful, unconstitutional, and invalid, and ordered the Department to pay for and facilitate his return to South Africa.
idc-global-detention-survey-findings
International Detention Trends
In October 2008, the IDC completed a global survey of members requesting information
about detention trends and priorities. The survey covered 21 countries in six regions, with
the following ?ndings:
66% of members identi?ed the following detention concerns and priorities:
- The detention of children, vulnerable individuals, asylum seekers and refugees
- Improving the rights of detainees, monitoring places of detention and ensuring detention conditions comply with international human rights standards
- The need for alternatives to detention
60% of countries had no of?cial detention statistics
61% of countries had no of?cial monitoring body for places of detention
88% of countries had restrictions on visiting places of detention
59% of countries had no functioning alternatives to detention
95% of members cited the need for the IDC and its information sharing, advocacy,
campaign and training initiatives.
Click here to download the IDC's Global Detention Survey Findings