DOCSLIB.ORG

Izza Leghtas

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Izza Leghtas Out of Reach LEGAL WORK STILL INACCESSIBLE TO REFUGEES IN JORDAN Izza Leghtas FIELD REPORT | SEPTEMBER 2018 Cover Photo: A Syrian refugee is training to be a plumber at a vocational school in Jordan. (Thomas Imo/Photothek via Getty Images) Contents 4 Introduction 6 Recommendations 8 Background 9 Worsening Living Conditions for Refugees in Jordan High Cost of Rent Lack of Public Transport Massive Cuts to Health Care Subsidies U.N. Food Vouchers and Cash Assistance Psychological Impact of Protracted Displacement 14 Limited Access to Legal work Restricted Access to Legal Employment Working in the Informal Sector 17 Additional Challenges for Women 18 Inaccessibility of Home-based Businesses 20 The Need for Better Vocational Training 20 Conclusion Introduction Jordan is one of the countries most affected by the Syrian crisis, now in its eighth year. A coun- try of fewer than 10 million, Jordan hosts more than 750,000 registered refugees.1 The vast ma- jority are from Syria, but Jordan also hosts tens of thousands of refugees from other countries, including Iraq, Yemen, and Sudan, and many more who are not registered. In February 2016, the government of Jordan, the European Union (EU), and the World Bank agreed on a compact designed to turn the challenges of hosting a large number of Syrian ref- ugees into an economic opportunity. One of its aims is to improve the lives of both Jordanians and the Syrian refugee population by giving them greater access to the labor market. During a June 2018 research mission to Jordan, Refugees International (RI) found that the sit- uation for refugees in the country is bleak and in many ways worsening. Underfunded United Nations (U.N.) agencies have reduced financial and food assistance; refugees are struggling to make ends meet, given the high cost of living; and few have legal employment. The vast ma- jority – close to 85 percent – of Jordan’s refugee population lives outside of refugee camps.2 Rents outside of the camps are high and public transportation is poor, pushing many families into debt. In addition, in early 2018, the Jordanian government suddenly cut health subsidies to Syrians from 80 percent to 20 percent, and the increased costs of medical care and medication present a huge additional burden for them. Although the Jordan Compact has somewhat improved refugee access to labor markets, the fact remains that in Jordan most professions are closed to non-Jordanians, including refugees. Open sectors include agriculture, construction, and manufacturing. According to official figures as of June 2018, the government had issued 104,000 work permits to Syrians. However, that number includes renewals of existing permits. Therefore, the actual number of Syrians legally employed in Jordan is likely to be much lower. In reality, the majority of refugees who work do so in the informal sector, where wages are low and conditions are often difficult and physically taxing. To make ends meet, many families send their children to work instead of school. Women and girls represent more than 49 percent of Jordan’s registered refugee population.3 Many refugee women shoulder the responsibility of providing for their families, yet they face particular challenges in accessing employment. One-third of Syrian households in Jordan are headed by females.4 Women whose husbands are not able to find work because they are too old or unfit for manual labor have also had to step in and find work if they can. It is common for Syrian women in Jordan to sell food they prepare at home or handicrafts they make. However, in early 2018, the Jordanian government issued instructions that have made it almost impossible for Syrians to register these home-based businesses. 1. UNHCR Jordan Fact Sheet. June 2018 <http://reporting.unhcr.org/sites/default/files/UNHCR%20Jordan%20Fact%20 Sheet%20-%20June%202018.pdf>. 2. Ibid. 3. UNHCR Refugee Statistics for Jordan as of May 31, 2018 <https://data2.unhcr.org/en/documents/download/63934>. 4. Factsheet: Care Jordan – Syrian Refugee, Other Minority Refugee, and Jordanian Host Households. June 2017 <https:// www.care.at/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2017-CARE-Jordan-Syrian-refugees-Fact-Sheet-final-web-15062017.pdf>. 4 | Out of Reach: Legal Work Still Inaccessible to Refugees in Jordan Syrian refugee Fawaz al-Jasem pulls weeds on a tomato farm in Ramtha, Jordan. He’s among thousands of displaced Syrians who recently obtained work permits as part of the Jordan Compact. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh) Registering a business means working legally and being able to advertise and market products freely without fear of being caught and punished. The obstacles to registration of home-based businesses have a major impact on women, many of whom prefer to work from their homes due to a lack of child care and transportation, as well as social and cultural norms that oppose women’s work outside the home. Only 4 percent of the work permits issued by the Jordanian government to Syrians have been obtained by women. The Jordan Compact’s failure to deliver meaningful results for women is one of its greatest failures. Although the vast majority of refugees in Jordan are Syrian, tens of thousands of refugees from Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, and other countries live in a difficult environment but are left out of most humanitarian assistance programs aimed at Syrians. Refugees from sub-Saharan Africa face racism and discrimination because of their skin color and are more easily identifiable when working informally than Syrian refugees. Even though Jordan’s economy faces many challenges, the commitments made by the Jordani- an government and the international community in the Jordan Compact provide an opportunity to improve the lives of both refugees and their host communities, and set an example for other countries facing similar challenges. Key stakeholders need to take steps to improve refugees’ access to legal work and better livelihoods to make the compact a success. These steps would make a huge difference in the abilities of refugee women and men to support themselves and live in dignity in Jordan, and allow their host communities to benefit from the skills and expe- rience they bring. Opening up opportunities for refugees to work legally and establish formal businesses would also help the government and the international community deliver on their commitments. www.refugeesinternational.org | 5 Recommendations Drawing from RI’s mission to Jordan in June 2018 and the analysis in this report, RI offers the following recommendations to the government of Jordan, U.N. agencies and humanitarian or- ganizations operating in Jordan, the United States government, the EU and EU member states, the parties to the Jordan Compact, and the private sector in Jordan. To the Government of Jordan: • To improve refugees’ access to legal employment in Jordan, expand the job sectors in which they can obtain work permits. • Continue the current practice of waiving work permit fees for Syrian refugees and extend the waiver to refugees of other nationalities. • Extend to other sectors the flexible work permits in place for agriculture and construction. • Repeal the requirement for Syrians registering home-based businesses to have a Jordanian partner. This change would facilitate self-reliance and the participation of refugees, particu- larly women, in the formal labor market. • Reverse the decision to reduce health care subsidies for Syrians from 80 percent to 20 percent. To U.N. Agencies and Humanitarian Organizations Operating in Jordan: • Commission a survey of the skills and qualifications of the refugee population in Jordan, disaggregated by gender and nationality, to better identify job opportunities for refugee men and women. • Increase livelihoods projects and funding for programs that support refugee women in es- tablishing their own businesses and working as employees, and provide them with training and mentoring throughout the process. • Include non-Syrian refugees in all livelihoods programs and humanitarian assistance, includ- ing food vouchers, both by opening eligibility criteria to non-Syrian refugee beneficiaries and conducting outreach to ensure they benefit in practice. To the United States Government, the EU, and EU Member States: • Especially in light of the considerable responsibilities the government of Jordan has as- sumed in providing for its refugee population, significantly increase funding for U.N. agen- cies giving assistance to refugees in Jordan, prioritizing food, health care, transportation subsidies, and shelter support – specifically, cash assistance for rent. • Greatly increase the resettlement of Syrian and non-Syrian refugees from Jordan. 6 | Out of Reach: Legal Work Still Inaccessible to Refugees in Jordan To the Parties to the Jordan Compact: • Include refugee women’s effective access to livelihoods as an indicator of the compact’s success. To the Private Sector in Jordan: • Work with the government of Jordan and U.N. agencies and nongovernmental organiza- tions to create new job opportunities for refugees and Jordanians alike. • Provide transportation support and on-site child care to increase the rate of refugee wom- en’s access to employment and retention. • Work with U.N. agencies and humanitarian organizations operating in Jordan to establish vocational training for refugees that are better tailored to the needs of the country’s labor market. www.refugeesinternational.org | 7 plans to raise taxes led to the resignation of Background Jordan’s prime minister and his cabinet. Jordan, a country of fewer than 10 million To help Jordan turn the challenge of hosting inhabitants, hosts more than 750,000 regis- this large refugee population into an econom- tered refugees, of whom upward of 660,000 ic opportunity, in February 2016, the EU, the 5 are from Syria. Tens of thousands of ref- World Bank, and the Jordanian government ugees from other countries – mainly Iraq, agreed to a set of measures that constitute Yemen, and Sudan – also live in Jordan, as the Jordan Compact.9 This innovative ap- well as more than 2 million Palestinian refu- proach includes commitments by the govern- gees, most of whom have acquired Jordani- ment of Jordan to ease certain restrictions on 6 an citizenship.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Refugee Protec- Tion Act of 2010
    S. HRG. 111–599 REVIEWING AMERICA’S COMMITMENT TO THE REFUGEE CONVENTION: THE REFUGEE PROTEC- TION ACT OF 2010 HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY UNITED STATES SENATE ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION MAY 19, 2010 Serial No. J–111–93 Printed for the use of the Committee on the Judiciary ( U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 58–223 PDF WASHINGTON : 2010 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512–1800; DC area (202) 512–1800 Fax: (202) 512–2104 Mail: Stop IDCC, Washington, DC 20402–0001 VerDate Nov 24 2008 12:23 Sep 28, 2010 Jkt 058223 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 5011 Sfmt 5011 S:\GPO\HEARINGS\58223.TXT SJUD1 PsN: CMORC COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY PATRICK J. LEAHY, Vermont, Chairman HERB KOHL, Wisconsin JEFF SESSIONS, Alabama DIANNE FEINSTEIN, California ORRIN G. HATCH, Utah RUSSELL D. FEINGOLD, Wisconsin CHARLES E. GRASSLEY, Iowa CHARLES E. SCHUMER, New York JON KYL, Arizona RICHARD J. DURBIN, Illinois LINDSEY GRAHAM, South Carolina BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, Maryland JOHN CORNYN, Texas SHELDON WHITEHOUSE, Rhode Island TOM COBURN, Oklahoma AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota EDWARD E. KAUFMAN, Delaware ARLEN SPECTER, Pennsylvania AL FRANKEN, Minnesota BRUCE A. COHEN, Chief Counsel and Staff Director MATT MINER, Republican Chief Counsel (II) VerDate Nov 24 2008 12:23 Sep 28, 2010 Jkt 058223 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 5904 Sfmt 5904 S:\GPO\HEARINGS\58223.TXT SJUD1 PsN: CMORC C O N T E N T S STATEMENTS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS Page Feingold, Hon. Russell D., A U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • A Bridge to Firmer Ground: Learning from International Experiences to Support Pathways to Solutions in the Syrian Refugee Context
    A BRIDGE TO FIRMER GROUND: LEARNING FROM INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES TO SUPPORT PATHWAYS TO SOLUTIONS IN THE SYRIAN REFUGEE CONTEXT FULL RESEARCH REPORT MARCH 2021 The Durable Solutions Platform (DSP) aims to generate knowledge that informs and inspires forwardthinking policy and practice on the long-term future of displaced Syrians. Since its establishment in 2016, the DSP has developed research projects and supported advocacy efforts on key questions regarding durable solutions for Syrians. In addition, DSP has strengthened the capacity of civil society organizations on solutions to displacement. For more, visit https://www.dsp-syria.org/ The nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute seeks to improve immigration and integration policies through authoritative research and analysis, opportunities for learning and dialogue, and the development of new ideas to address complex policy questions. The Institute is guided by the belief that countries need to have sensible, well thought- out immigration and integration policies in order to ensure the best outcomes for both immigrants and receiving communities. For more, visit https://www.migrationpolicy.org/ This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP II) for Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq, which is supported by the Czech Republic, Denmark, the European Union, Ireland and Switzerland. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of the Durable Solutions Platform and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the RDPP or its donors. A BRIDGE TO FIRMER GROUND Acknowledgements This report was authored by Camille Le Coz, Samuel Davidoff-Gore, Timo Schmidt, Susan Fratzke, Andrea Tanco, Belen Zanzuchi, and Jessica Bolter.
    [Show full text]
  • A Guide to International Refugee Protection and Building State Asylum Systems
    A guide to international refugee protection and building state asylum systems Handbook for Parliamentarians N° 27, 2017 Acknowledgements This publication is jointly published by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Authors: Frances Nicholson and Judith Kumin. Joint inter-agency editorial committee: Cornelis Wouters, Ariel Riva, Alice Edwards, Madeline Garlick (UNHCR Division of International Protection); members of the IPU Committee to Promote Respect for International Humanitarian Law, in particular Senator Gabriela Cuevas Barron (Mexico), Senator Philippe Mahoux (Belgium) and Kareen Jabre, Secretary of the Committee. Other commentators and contributors: Sanne Andersen, Caroline Dulin Brass, Subin Cho, Carole Simone Dahan, Alice Farmer, Sibylle Kapferer, Jackie Keegan, Nese Kilincoglu, Alexandra Pamela McDowall, Michele Simone, Peter Swiniarski, Beatrice Ureche, numerous other staff in UNHCR headquarters in Geneva and national offices around the world. The IPU expresses its gratitude to the Federated States of Micronesia for its financial contribution towards the production of this Handbook. All parts of this publication may be reproduced for personal and non-commercial use on condition that copyright and source indications are also copied and no modifications are made. Please inform the Inter-Parliamentary Union on the usage of the publication content. © Inter-Parliamentary Union and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2017 Cover photo: © UNHCR/Benjamin Loyseau Design and
    [Show full text]
  • Priorities for the 117Th Congress: Humanitarian Engagement for Displaced Populations
    Priorities for the 117th Congress: Humanitarian Engagement for Displaced Populations Refugees International January 2021 The U.S. Capitol. Photo by Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images. Rebuilding U.S. Global Leadership in Humanitarian Work In a bipartisan fashion, Members of Congress have long supported critical assistance to vulnerable communities around the world, based on a shared belief in the importance of a values-driven foreign policy and an understanding that the United States has security interests in promoting reconciliation and well-being in circumstances where despair and misery threaten stability. Roles and responsibilities include appropriating funds, mandating action and diplomatic engagement, and holding hearings and voicing statements that raise the visibility of urgent crises and humanitarian concerns. As a new legislative session begins, Congress faces dramatic challenges on the domestic and international front. The COVID-19 global pandemic has exacerbated underlying vulnerabilities of displaced populations, and additional financial and diplomatic investments are urgently needed. The risk of outbreaks among displaced people in camps remain as access to testing, treatment, hygiene, and healthcare is minimal in these settings, and there are concerns about equitable and inclusive vaccine distribution. Furthermore, border and market closures and other movement restrictions have led to bottlenecked humanitarian supply chains, a rise in food insecurity, and a loss of livelihoods, which has impacted displaced populations both within and outside of camps. The 117th Congress must work to support the more than 80 million people displaced globally as a result of persecution, conflict, and violations of human rights. Congress should continue to provide lifesaving emergency funding for current crises as well as essential humanitarian and development assistance more broadly, including for education and livelihood support.
    [Show full text]
  • Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict
    DCAF Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict MEGAN BASTICK KARIN GRIMM R A H E L K U N Z Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict: Global Overview and Implications for the Security Sector demonstrates the horrifying scope and magnitude of sexual violence in armed conflict. In its first part, the Global Overview, the report profiles documented conflict-related sexual violence in 51 countries – SEXUAL VIOLENCEIN ARMED CONFLICT in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East - that have experienced armed conflict over the past twenty years. The second part of the report, entitled Implications for the Security Sector, explores strategies for security and justice actors to prevent and respond to sexual violence in armed conflict and post-conflict situations. Global Overview and Implications DCAF Geneva Centre for the Security Sector for the Democratic ISBN 978-92-9222-059-4 Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) SEXUAL VIOLENCEIN ARMED CONFLICT Global Overview and Implications for the Security Sector Megan Bastick Karin Grimm Rahel Kunz DCAF Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces This report was prepared by Megan Bastick, Karin Grimm and Rahel Kunz, in consultation with Anja Ebnöther. DCAF thanks the many people who contributed to the report by contributing information and commenting on drafts, in particular the following: Ancila Adrian-Paul; Augusta Angelucci of UNDP; Karen Barnes, International Alert; John Braithwaite at the National University of Australia; Charli Carpenter of the University of Pittsburgh; Nicola Dahrendorf of DFID;
    [Show full text]
  • Protecting Syrian Refugees: Laws, Policies, and Global Responsibility Sharing
    Protecting Syrian Refugees: Laws, Policies, and Global Responsibility Sharing Researched and Written by: Boston University Law Students Sarah Bidinger Aaron Lang Danielle Hites Yoana Kuzmova Elena Noureddine and Clinical Professor Susan M. Akram Additional Contributors: Boston University Law Students Lys Runnerstrom Timothy Kistner Boston University School of Law International Human Rights Clinic 765 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02215 617-353-3131 http://www.bu.edu/law/central/jd/programs/clinics/international-human-rights/ i The authors are particularly grateful to the staff and officials of the following individuals, organizations and government ministries for their valuable contributions, without which this report would not have been possible. We also recognize the many additional individuals who gave us assistance and guidance on this project, whom we could not list, but who have our deep gratitude. Egypt *The American University in Cairo *UNHCR-Egypt *UNRWA representative officer-Egypt *US Embassy-Cairo *Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry for Palestinian Affairs-Cairo *Egyptian Foundation for Refugee Rights, Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights, Freedom Center for Human Rights (Alexandria) *Africa and Middle East Refugee Assistance *United States Embassy-Cairo Jordan *Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization *Institut Francais des Proche-Orient *International Organization for Migration-Amman *UNHCR-Jordan *UNRWA-Jordan *Palestine Liberation Organization—Jordan *Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development-Legal
    [Show full text]
  • COVID-19 and the Displaced: Addressing the Threat of the Novel Coronavirus in Humanitarian Emergencies
    COVID-19 and the Displaced: Addressing the Threat of the Novel Coronavirus in Humanitarian Emergencies March 30, 2020 Table of Contents Introduction………………………………………………………………………………..2 Asia………………………………………………………………………………………..3 Afghan Refugees and Internally Displaced People Rohingya Refugees Africa…………………………………………………………………………………...…5 The Horn of Africa Central Africa The Sahel The Democratic Republic of Congo South Sudan The Americas……………………………………………………………………………...8 The U.S. Border Mexico Central America The Venezuela Crisis Other Regional Countries Hosting Venezuelans Europe……………………………………………………………………………………14 Italy Greece The Middle East………………………………………………………………………….15 The Syria Crisis IraQ Yemen Recommendations………………………………………………………………………..18 Endnotes………………………………………………………………………………….21 1 Introduction The world is gripped by a truly global public health emergency. From New York to Wuhan, attention and resources are being directed to fight the spread of COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus (officially, SARS-CoV-2). On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the situation a pandemic.1 Healthcare systems in even the most advanced countries are being overwhelmed. As the pandemic2 spreads, the coronavirus will disproportionately impact the world’s most vulnerable, among them refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced people (IDPs). These populations must be included in the global response to the virus. This is essential to protecting not only these communities, but societies at large. The scale and speed of the pandemic underscore how deeply interconnected the world’s populations are. Nevertheless, at precisely the moment when global solidarity and cooperation are essential, many nations are turning inward as they seek to protect their citizens. But a virus does not respect borders. Nor does it discriminate. A truly effective response, not to mention a morally correct one, also must not discriminate.
    [Show full text]
  • The Plight of Forced Back Refugees
    Perico Pastor FORCED BACK Report by M. Lynch, Ph.D., Director of Research May 2004 661 FORCED BACK International Refugee Protection in Theory and Practice www.refugeesinternational.org 1705 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 202-828-0110 (phone) 202-828-0819 (fax) [email protected] (email) May 2004 661 2 Table of Contents Introduction . 5 Survivor Stories: Findings from RI’s Forced Back Project . 7 Human Rights: International Protection and Non-Refoulement . 13 State Responsibility and Practice . 17 UNHCR’s Mandate and Response . 19 Reviving the International Refugee Protection System . 21 Conclusion and Recommendations . 23 Table 1: Involuntary Returns . 26 Appendix A: Forced Back Project Questionnaire . 27 Endnotes . 28 Acknowledgements . 32 3 4 Introduction “I should have stayed in Liberia to die.” - refugee turned back from Togo Access to asylum can mean the difference between life and death. Yet asylum policies around the world have become increasingly restrictive. Every day individuals are refused admission into and expelled from countries without having access to fair and effective status determination processes. Some are returned to countries where their human rights cannot be guaranteed. Despite existence of international agreements, states often fail to protect refugees, fearing threats to national security, domestic destabilization, infiltration by armed groups or traffickers, depletion of scarce resources, and the influx of more refugees. Sometimes xenophobia or racism determines the states’ response. International agencies also fall short in their protection operations. Since the September 11 attacks, the U.S. has used national security concerns to tighten asylum restrictions. Previously, Haitian asylum seekers intercepted at sea Article 14 of were forced back to Haiti without adequate screening.
    [Show full text]
  • Desirable Solutions for Protracted Refugee in Thailand by Ploywaen
    Forgotten people: Desirable solutions for protracted refugee in Thailand By Ploywaen Singthainiyom A Thesis submitted to the Graduate School-Newark Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree of Master of Arts Graduate Program in Political Science Written under the direction of Professor Elizabeth Hull And approved by __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ Newark, New Jersey May 2016 ©2016 Ploywaen Singthainiyom ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION Forgotten people: Desirable solutions for protracted refugee in Thailand By Ploywaen Singthainiyom Dissertation Director: Professor Elizabeth Hull This thesis will focus on Burmese protracted refugees in Thailand who, for more than thirty years, have been residing in Thai-Myanmar border camps. As of January 2016, there are 106,213 refugees, of which 52,971 are unregistered, living in nine camps The Thai government stopped registering refugees in 2005. Unregistered refugees, therefore, must remain within the border camps where their freedom of movement is restricted by the Royal Thai government. Unregistered refugees are not eligible to apply for resettlement programs. Local integration is not an option either, as the Royal Thai government has demonstrated its desire to push Burmese refugees back to Myanmar, complementing negative stereotypes of Burmese immigrants held by the Thai general public. One final option is repatriation, but even so the option remains a challenging prospect. The central problem of this study is to determine the most desirable solutions for the protracted refugee crisis in Thailand. The present analysis will consider case studies of protracted refugee situations in other parts of the world, an evaluation of the ongoing situation in Myanmar, and the Thai general public’s attitude toward Burmese refugees integrating in Thai society.
    [Show full text]
  • UNHCR Resettlement Handbook Acknowledgments
    UNHCR Resettlement Handbook Acknowledgments This revised UNHCR Resettlement Handbook is the product of close consultation and collaboration among UNHCR staff and resettlement partners. The Division of International Protection (DIP) particularly wishes to thank the many colleagues and partners around the world who contributed to the Handbook revision process, and provided input and feedback on the drafts. This revision has been made possible thanks to the support of the Canadian Consultant Management Initiative. Using this Handbook The UNHCR Resettlement Handbook offers resettlement management and policy guidance to UNHCR staff, and is a key reference tool on global resettlement policy and practice for resettlement countries, NGOs and other partners. This revision of the Resettlement Handbook incorporates updates to UNHCR policy and practice since the release of the 2004 edition of the Handbook. The previous annexes are replaced by website hyperlinks to reference documents, some of which are internal documents accessible only to UNHCR staff. Resettlement States have described their policies and programmes in individual Country Chapters which are an integral part of this Handbook. As these Country Chapters are subject to frequent changes, they are not included in the printed Handbook, but are available online at http://www.unhcr.org/ resettlementhandbook. © 2011, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Any part of the UNHCR Resettlement Handbook may be reproduced, translated into other languages or adapted to meet local needs without
    [Show full text]
  • Statelessness, Protection and Epuality
    FORCED MIGRATION POLICY BRIEFING 3 Rs`sdkdrrmdrr+oqnsdbshnm`mcdpt`khsx Author Professor Brad K. Blitz September 2009 Refugee Studies Centre Oxford Department of International Development University of Oxford EnqbdcLhfq`shnmOnkhbxAqhdÜmfr e Refugee Studies Centre’s (RSC) Forced Migration Policy Brie#ngs highlight the very best and latest policy-relevant research #ndings from the #elds of forced migration and humanitarian studies. Designed to provide a clear and accessible means by which rigorous and objective research and analysis may in$uence a wider audience of policy makers and humanitarian practitioners in a manner that is current, credible and critical. e series provides a unique forum in which academic researchers, humanitarian practitioners, international lawyers and policy makers may share evidence, experience, best practice and innovation on the broad range of critical issues that relate to forced migration and humanitarian intervention. e Refugee Studies Centre invites the submission of policy brie#ngs on all topics of relevance to policy and practice in the #elds of forced migration, refugee protection and humanitarian intervention. Further details may be found at the RSC website (www.rsc.ox.ac.uk). If you have a paper for submission, or a proposal for a Policy Brief that you would like to discuss with the editor, please contact [email protected]. e series is supported by the UK Department For International Development(DFID). e opinions expressed in this paper are solely those of the authors and should not be attributed to DFID, the Refugee Studies Centre or to the University of Oxford as a whole. Bnmsdmsr Executive summary % %. Introduction & *.
    [Show full text]
  • Sexual Violence Has Accompanied War and Conflict for As Long A
    A Dangerous Euphemism: The Dark Side of Peacekeeping Missions A Case Study of the United Nations Missions to the Democratic Republic of Congo By Kelly Behr A thesis presented for the B.A. Degree with Honors in The Department of Political Science University of Michigan Spring 2011 At the heart of this project is a belief, one I share with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), that violence against women “is not inevitable: it is a problem with a solution.” (2008) I dedicate this to the women of the Democratic Republic of Congo. ii Abstract United Nations peacekeepers are supposed to improve the areas to which they are deployed; however, their presence can have negative consequences for the local populations. This has been the case for the peacekeeping operations to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a region that has struggled with violent conflict for the past fifteen years. In addition to the fighting, the country has suffered from widespread sexual violence by combatants and by civilians who are now habituated to violence. Beginning in 2003 peacekeepers serving in the United Nations Organization Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) have been accused of committing sexual abuse and exploitation against hundreds of Congolese women and girls. Reports of allegations have continued despite a variety of deterrence efforts by the UN and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). My thesis argues that peacekeepers have not improved the situation of sexual violence in the DRC, and I aim to substantiate this claim by evaluating three hypotheses. First, that the United Nations gender reform, officially in place since 2000 when the Security Council adopted Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, has not been implemented to a degree at which it deters sexual violence by peacekeepers, combatants or locals.
    [Show full text]