08/10/2010
By opening its borders to some 100,000 vulnerable ethnic Uzbek refugees
fleeing deadly violence in southern Kyrgyzstan, the Uzbekistan
government demonstrated rare humanitarianism and respect for
international law. After the clashes subsided, Uzbekistan arranged with
Kyrgyzstan to encourage the refugees to voluntarily return for
Kyrgyzstan’s June 27 constitutional referendum. While Uzbekistan and its
citizens should be commended for their humane actions they should be
encouraged, along with their neighbors, to provide temporary asylum to
any refugee at risk and cease any deportation of those still fearing
persecution if returned to Kyrgyzstan.
07/29/2010
The official mourning period for the dead and wounded in southern
Kyrgyzstan has ended, but inter-ethnic tensions, fears and human rights
abuses haunt this area, particularly its Uzbek citizens. Some 75,000
people remain displaced. Thousands of Uzbeks have sought refuge in
neighboring countries or have migrated to Russia. Kyrgyzstan’s interim
government must act to ensure physical and legal security for all
citizens and end impunity for those responsible for attacks, arbitrary
arrests, detention, kidnappings, extortion and intimidation. The
government must restore justice and tolerance for all or risk its
economic, social and political development as central Asia’s leading
democracy.
06/28/2010
Sudan is preparing to hold a referendum on southern independence in
January 2011 as mandated by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
Indications suggest that the vote will be overwhelmingly in favor of
separation. Although an explosion of full scale north-south war is not
inevitable, the risk of new outbreaks of conflict in hotspot areas is
all too real. If the south separates, southerners in the north and
northerners in the south will be especially vulnerable to violence and
loss of citizenship resulting in statelessness. The parties to the CPA,
international donor governments and the United Nations must place
urgent priority on preventing and responding to possible abuses.
06/28/2010
Même si l’on se réjouit du lancement d’une nouvelle stratégie contre
les violences sexuelles en République démocratique du Congo (RDC), de
nombreux défis sont encore à relever. La stratégie, qui fait partie du
plan de stabilisation de l’est de la RDC du gouvernement congolais a,
sans le vouloir, provoqué une baisse de l’attention et des fonds
destinés à la lutte contre les violences sexuelles dans un nombre accru
de zones touchées par le conflit. Par ailleurs, le manque de
coordination et d’implication des groupes locaux fait obstacle à la
réponse dans son ensemble. Afin de garantir une approche véritablement
compréhensive visant à combattre et répondre aux violences sexuelles en
RDC, les gouvernements des pays donateurs doivent soutenir la nouvelle
stratégie tout en assurant que les besoins d’urgence soient satisfaits.
06/28/2010
The launch of a new strategy on sexual violence in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo (DRC) is welcome, but numerous challenges remain.
The strategy, which is part of the Congolese government’s stabilization
plan for eastern DRC, has unintentionally led to a loss of attention
and funding to address sexual violence in more conflict-affected areas.
Further, poor coordination and lack of engagement with local groups are
hindering the overall response. To ensure a truly comprehensive
approach to combating and responding to sexual violence in the DRC,
donor governments need to support the new strategy while ensuring that
emergency needs are met.
06/16/2010
Tens of thousands of Somali refugees have sought asylum in cities in
neighboring countries but have long been overlooked by humanitarian
actors. Registration and documentation should be the foundation of refugee protection in cities.
05/12/2010
The government of Kuwait continues to balk at granting nationality to
its approximately 90,000 stateless residents, or bidoon. Lack of legal
status impacts all areas of their lives. Kuwait must begin immediate
and transparent reviews of all bidoon cases towards providing
naturalization. Meanwhile Kuwait should guarantee the bidoon the right
to work and earn equitable incomes, allow their children to enroll in
public schools, provide them healthcare free of charge, and issue
certificates that record births, marriages, and deaths. With Kuwait
about to enter the UN Universal Periodic Review process on May 12,
other states have an immediate opportunity to press the country to take
these steps to address the statelessness problem.
04/20/2010
La signature récente d’un accord tripartite entre l’Agence des Nations Unies pour les réfugiés (HCR) et les gouvernements de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC) et du Rwanda va mener au retour officiel de milliers de réfugiés congolais. Cependant, l’escalade des tensions dans les zones contrôlées par le groupe rebelle CNDP rend la réintégration de ces anciens réfugiés plus difficile. Les Etats-Unis doivent apporter un soutien plus important aux stratégies d'atténuation des conflits politiques qui existent autour des terres et des ethnicités. Les Etats-Unis et les membres du Conseil de sécurité des Nations unies doivent aussi presser les gouvernements de la RDC et du Rwanda de s’atteler à la question de la domination grandissante du CNDP dans les zones de retour.
04/20/2010
The recent signing of a tripartite agreement between the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda will lead to the official return of tens of thousands of Congolese refugees. However, their reintegration is challenged by mounting tensions in areas controlled by the CNDP rebel group. More support is needed from the U.S. for strategies that mitigate potential conflicts over land and ethnicity. The U.S. and members of the UN Security Council should also urge the DRC and Rwanda to address the growing dominance of the CNDP in return areas.
04/08/2010
Five years after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) southern Sudan remains highly volatile, with longstanding tribal tensions, competition for land, and new economic competition fueling south-south violence that has resulted in 450 deaths and the displacement of 40,000 people this year alone. Just nine months from the planned referendum for southern independence, the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) remains weak, and its army and police remain incapable of maintaining stability and protecting civilians. In this context, the UN peacekeeping mission, UNMIS, must develop and implement a clear mission-wide protection plan that incorporates all the relevant civilian, military, and policing units within the mission.
04/05/2010
Military operations in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas
(FATA) continue to displace thousands of civilians. The role of the
Pakistani military in the humanitarian response as well as allegations
of human rights abuses in its counterinsurgency operations, has yet to
be prioritized, particularly by the U.S. government. Simultaneously,
U.S. development funding in the FATA is not having its intended impact,
while projects that could significantly improve the lives of hundreds
of thousands of Pakistanis are not receiving enough support. While
Refugees International recognizes the complexity of the U.S. role in
the region, greater oversight of humanitarian and human rights issues
should inform the U.S. government’s strategic partnership with Pakistan.
03/31/2010
Violent conflict in Equateur province in northwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) forced nearly 200,000 Congolese civilians to flee their homes in the last six months. Humanitarian agencies have struggled to meet the needs of those who fled, many of whom do not want to return anytime soon, and assistance is urgently needed now in areas of displacement. At the same time, events in Equateur underscore the overall fragility of peace in the Congo and the vital role that the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC) continues to play in responding to outbreaks of violence and protecting the Congolese people.
03/31/2010
Un conflit violent dans la province de l’Equateur dans le nord-ouest de
la République démocratique du Congo (RDC) a forcé presque 200.000
civils congolais à fuir leur foyer au cours des six derniers mois. Les
agences humanitaires ont du mal à répondre aux besoins de ceux qui ont
pris la fuite, dont nombreux ne veulent pas rentrer chez eux dans un
avenir proche, et l’approvisionnement d’aide est désormais urgent dans
les zones de déplacement. En même temps, les événements en Equateur
soulignent la fragilité de la paix générale au Congo ainsi que le rôle
crucial que continue de jouer la Mission des Nations Unies en RDC
(MONUC) lors d’éruptions de violence ainsi qu’en matière de protection
du peuple congolais.
03/25/2010
The next two years will be critical in determining Sudan’s future. The
country faces national elections in April, the first multi-party
elections in 24 years, and a referendum on southern independence in
January 2011. While the U.S. and others must do everything possible to
ensure that the governments in north and south Sudan reach agreement on
outstanding issues before the referendum, the humanitarian community
must simultaneously prepare to respond if conflict erupts around the
upcoming political events. Decades of responding to crises in Sudan has
created a complacent “business as usual” attitude among some
humanitarian agencies and donors that must be overcome.
03/17/2010
The humanitarian situation facing Iraqi refugees and internally
displaced people is quickly becoming a protracted one for which the
U.S. bears special responsibility. Though the country is well
positioned to generate vast sums of revenue from its oil, it will take
many years before the government is able to rebuild the country’s
infrastructure and provide basic services to its people. Ongoing
political and security concerns continue to challenge development
efforts. It is thus critical that the U.S. and other donors continue
to support a strong and expanded humanitarian program, working
hand-in-hand with a variety of community development initiatives.
03/02/2010
The devastating earthquake that struck Port-Au-Prince in January radically altered the lives of the Haitian people, as well as the international community’s engagement with the country. Billions of dollars in government and private donations have been provided from around the world. However, millions of Haitians are still desperate for food, water, shelter and protection from abuse and exploitation. Moving forward, the U.S. and UN must quickly improve its efforts for displaced Haitians by connecting with Haitian civil society groups and streamlining bureaucratic processes. The U.S. must also ensure that government-assistance programs for Haiti are not funded at the expense of other international humanitarian emergencies.
12/08/2009
Like Burma’s other neighbors, India hosts a large and growing refugee
population, the majority of whom are Chin ethnic minorities. India
generally tolerates the presence of Burmese refugees, but does not
afford them any legal protection, leaving them vulnerable to
harassment, discrimination, and deportation. While India’s lack of a
legal regime for refugees is a major impediment to addressing the needs
of Burmese refugees, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and international
donors need to explore creative ways to work within the existing
framework to provide assistance and increase protection for this
population.
11/16/2009
Las mujeres y niñas colombianas desplazadas son las estoicas sobrevivientes del conflicto que persiste en el país. Frustradas por la desidia de las autoridades, las organizaciones de mujeres desplazadas presentaron múltiples peticiones a la Corte Constitucional, que ordenó al Gobierno de Colombia que llevara ante la justicia a los perpetradores de actos de violencia sexual y que formulara programas para proteger a las mujeres desplazadas y atender sus necesidades socioeconómicas. Es hora de que el Gobierno de Colombia dé prioridad al cumplimiento de las órdenes judiciales. El Gobierno de Estados Unidos debería aprovechar la oportunidad que le ofrece su estrecha relación con el Gobierno de Colombia para impulsar enérgicamente el pleno cumplimiento de la orden y proporcionar ayuda y recursos con el propósito de facilitar esa tarea.
11/16/2009
Displaced Colombian women and girls are the resilient survivors of the ongoing conflict inside the country. Frustrated by continued neglect from the authorities, displaced women’s organizations successfully petitioned the Constitutional Court, which ordered the Colombian government to bring to justice perpetrators of sexual violence and devise programs attending to the protection and socio-economic needs of displaced women. It is time for the government of Colombia to prioritize the implementation of the court orders. The U.S. government should take the opportunity of its close relationship with its Colombian counterpart to strongly encourage full compliance and provide help and resources to facilitate that task.
11/13/2009
La sécurité en République Démocratique du Congo s’est considérablement
détériorée à la suite de l’offensive militaire contre les FDLR, groupe
rebelle composé d’anciens génocidaires Rwandais. Cette opération
militaire a fait fuir des centaines de milliers de personnes dans les
provinces du Nord et Sud Kivu. Face à cette situation, le mandat de la
mission onusienne de maintien de la paix en RD Congo (MONUC) est de
soutenir les forces armées Congolaises (FARDC), faibles et souvent
criminelles, tout en protégeant les civils de la violence environnante.
Les dirigeants de la MONUC et le Conseil de sécurité de l’ONU doivent
renforcer les stratégies de protection de la mission, et s’assurer de
l’application rigoureuse des critères concernant les droits de l’homme
afin que le soutien aux FARDC ne compromette pas le travail de
protection des civils.
11/13/2009
The security environment in the Democratic Republic of Congo has worsened dramatically with the launch of a military offensive against the FDLR rebel group. In the face of this conflict, the UN peacekeeping mission to the Congo (MONUC) has been mandated to support the weak and often criminal Congolese military, the FARDC, while simultaneously protecting civilians from ongoing violence. MONUC mission leadership and the UN Security Council must reinforce the mission’s protection strategies, and ensure the rigorous application of human rights criteria to ensure that support given to the FARDC does not undermine overarching protection objectives.
10/26/2009
Pakistan is facing a complex humanitarian crisis. Recent military offensives against militant groups have displaced several million civilians and left thousands dead. While many have returned home, the new offensive in South Waziristan is currently displacing hundreds of thousands more. The UN’s activities are limited by both the insecure environment and restrictions by the government of Pakistan, but it must do a better job at adopting a principled approach to humanitarian assistance. As for the U.S., if it wants to help stabilize Pakistan, it needs to insist that the government prioritize the protection of civilians.
09/30/2009
Burmese refugees have been living in Thailand for more than two
decades. The situation is fluid: resettlement programs have provided
tens of thousands of people with new lives, while a new wave of
conflict in Burma is changing the political landscape and forcing
thousands of new refugees to flee into Thailand.
09/15/2009
The unexpected political cooperation between the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda in 2009 led to optimistic assessments that the long-running conflict in eastern DRC would soon end. But nine months after the Congolese military launched operations against the FDLR rebel group in North and South Kivu provinces, there have been few signs of success and civilians continue to pay a horrible price.
09/14/2009
La surprenante coopération politique entre les gouvernements de la République Démocratique du Congo (RDC) et du Rwanda en 2009 a laissé envisager un dénouement proche du long conflit dans l'est de la RDC. Or, neuf mois après le lancement des opérations contre le groupe rebelle FDLR par l'armée congolaise dans les provinces du Nord et Sud Kivu, les signes de réussite sont rares et la population civile continue de payer un prix très lourd.
09/02/2009
When world leaders gather to address hot issues such as security,
governance, poverty, discrimination, human trafficking, and climate
change, they invariably skirt around one of the problems that links
them all: statelessness. Taking steps to uphold the nationality rights
of the more than 12 million stateless persons around the world could go
a long way toward responding to these inter-related challenges.
07/20/2009
Despite the investments made in Afghanistan in the last eight years,
the country is still facing a serious humanitarian situation, the
result of both natural disasters and ongoing conflict. The UN and
donors must increase budgets for humanitarian assistance and support
the recently re-established UN Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
07/15/2009
The Iraqi refugee crisis is far from over and recent violence is
creating further displacement. Iraqi women will resist returning home,
even if conditions improve in Iraq, if there is no focus on securing
their rights as women and assuring their personal security and their
families’ well being.
07/07/2009
The impact of Colombia’s internal armed conflict on Ecuador and
Venezuela is destabilizing border regions while thousands of Colombians
continue to flee their country in search of sanctuary.
07/07/2009
El impacto del conflicto armado interno de Colombia en Ecuador y
Venezuela está desestabilizando las regiones fronterizas, al mismo
tiempo que miles de colombianos continúan huyendo de su país en busca
de refugio.
06/24/2009
Pakistan is witnessing the largest population movement since its independence in 1947. Needs are enormous, as millions of people have fled without anything and sought shelter in camps or with relatives. Yet, the implications of this humanitarian crisis and growing instability have not been adequately recognized
04/09/2009
The number of displaced Iraqis remains high, both inside the country and in neighboring ones. They remain reluctant to go back due to lack of security, the creation of ethnically cleansed neighborhoods, and poor government services.
04/03/2009
Somalia remains the site of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with
regional consequences that require greater international attention. The
formation of a new government has so far meant little to the more than
three million Somalis in need of emergency assistance inside the
country.
03/26/2009
International engagement is urgently needed to rescue south Sudan from the brink of an unfolding crisis. The perilous situation is being ignored amid the focus on the indictment of President Al-Bashir by the International Criminal Court.
03/18/2009
In the past year, humanitarian assistance to Burma has been primarily focused on victims of Cyclone Nargis, which struck the Irrawaddy delta on May 2, 2008. Though the initial delivery of assistance was hampered by government obstruction, the aid programs that have since developed in the delta have benefited from an ease of operations unseen in other parts of the country.
03/04/2009
With the recent shift in the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) must quickly reorient their strategies to assist and protect vulnerable people.
03/04/2009
Il est urgent que les agences des Nations Unies et les organisations non gouvernementales (ONG) remodèlent leurs stratégies d’aide aux populations vulnérables dans l’est de la République Démocratique du Congo (RDC) qui a récemment connu un changement dramatique dans sa situation sécuritaire.
01/26/2009
The humanitarian situation has severely deteriorated over the past year in Afghanistan and Pakistan, creating more displacement and vulnerability. To promote stability, the international community must better balance development and humanitarian assistance and target returnees to Afghanistan as well as displaced people in both countries.
01/15/2009
Donor governments, international agencies, and national leaders should seize the current opportunity to break the cycle of violent conflict and sow the seeds for a steady recovery in the Central African Republic (CAR).
01/15/2009
Les gouvernements donateurs, les agences internationales, et les
dirigeants nationaux devraient saisir l’occasion qu’ils ont aujourd’hui
de mettre un terme au conflit afin que la République Centrafricaine
puisse se rétablir progressivement.
01/07/2009
Sudan is entering a volatile period in the implementation of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The risk of violent outbreaks is acute.
The UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) was deployed with a mandate to observe
and monitor CPA implementation, and is therefore both ill-equipped and
ill-disposed to engage in civilian protection efforts.
12/18/2008
Among Burma’s ethnic minorities, the Rohingya, a stateless population,
stand out for their particularly harsh treatment by Burmese authorities
and their invisibility as a persecuted minority. Despite decades of
severe repression, there has been minimal international response to the
needs of this extremely vulnerable population compared to other Burmese
refugees.
11/25/2008
Having fled killings, kidnappings, torture, and death threats, about
3,000 Palestinian refugees from Iraq are currently stranded in three
camps along the border between Syria and Iraq. Denied asylum and
refugee rights, they are extremely vulnerable in poorly situated camps.
The Syrian government and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)
are both open to third country resettlement on humanitarian grounds and
on the basis of individual choice.
11/19/2008
Somalia is the world’s worst humanitarian disaster and aid agencies are
unable to respond to the immense scale of needs. The insecurity
preventing assistance is a consequence of failed international
political and diplomatic efforts. To stabilize the situation in south
central Somalia, U.S. policy requires a complete overhaul, prioritizing
humanitarian concerns over narrow counterterrorism objectives.
11/06/2008
The UN peacekeeping mission in the DR Congo (DRC) is stretched beyond all reasonable expectations. The force has responded in earnest as several hundred thousand Congolese have fled homes and displacement camps, intent on escaping the violence that has reignited in the North Kivu province in recent days.
11/05/2008
La mission de paix de l’ONU en République Démocratique du Congo a été mise à rude épreuve. Alors que plusieurs centaines de milliers de Congolais fuyaient leurs foyers et les camps de réfugiés pour éviter la violence qui reprenait dans le Nord-Kivu, la force a fait son possible pour répondre aux demandes pressantes de la population.
10/30/2008
Two million Iraqi refugees are increasingly desperate and
few of them are willing to return home. Although the United Nations and donor
governments have dramatically increased their response to Iraqi refugees' needs,
these efforts must be expanded as refugees are increasingly vulnerable due to
depleting assets and rising costs.
10/08/2008
A concerted effort to tackle aggressively road access issues in
northern Katanga can accelerate the creation of basic services and
stimulate economic activities. Improved security, communities’
welcoming attitudes towards returning refugees, and a commitment from
local government officials to help returnees and residents provide an
opportunity in an area known for its geographic isolation, battered
infrastructure and chronic humanitarian needs.
10/08/2008
Un effort soutenu pour remédier aux problèmes d’accès par la route dans le Nord du Katanga pourrait accélérer la création de services de base et stimuler les activités économiques. La région est connue pour son isolement géographique, ses infrastructures délabrées et ses besoins humanitaires chroniques.
10/01/2008
Le Burundi doit faire face à d’importants défis pour réintégrer les réfugiés qui ont passé des décennies en exil. Pour assurer une stabilité durable, le gouvernement du Burundi devrait aborder de façon plus volontariste les questions relatives à la terre et à la propriété entre les rapatriés et les résidents; de même, les pays donateurs devraient renforcer les strctures gouvernementales locales et les aider à relancer les services et les activités de subsistance pour les rapatriés.
10/01/2008
Burundi is facing enormous challenges reintegrating thousands of
refugees who spent decades in exile. To ensure long-term stability, the
government of Burundi should address more vigorously land and property
disputes between returnees and residents, and donor countries should
strengthen local government bodies and help them boost services and
livelihood opportunities for returnees.
09/25/2008
For the first time since Bangladesh gained independence in 1971, Urdu
speaking minorities will be eligible to vote in December’s
parliamentary elections. A High Court judgment last May confirmed the
group’s rights to Bangladeshi citizenship, ending nearly four decades
of political and socio-economic exclusion.
09/17/2008
Kuwait must begin immediate and transparent reviews of all
bidun cases towards providing naturalization and at the same time
consider undertaking a tolerance campaign to address discrimination in
the society at large.
Kuwait should provide civil registry and social services equitably,
particularly ensuring that birth certificates, inclusive of name, are
provided for all children. The Government of Kuwait must move to
resolve statelessness within its borders.
09/04/2008
Three months after Cyclone Nargis, the world has an outdated image of the situation inside Burma. Although aid agencies delivered assistance within days after the storm and continue to do so, the story of a recalcitrant government that rejects aid from the generous nations of the world has not been updated.
08/04/2008
To promote peace and stability in the region, donors should provide increased funding to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) so that Sudanese refugees who wish to return home from Uganda can do so safely, voluntarily, and in dignity. Assistance will also be needed for those who wish to integrate locally. At the same time, the threat of new violence in south Sudan requires ongoing space for refugees to seek asylum in Uganda. This will be enhanced by ensuring that former refugee settlement areas are rehabilitated and handed over to the local authorities in good condition.
07/29/2008
Increasing numbers of Colombians are fleeing their homes in several regions of the country and continue to face serious vulnerability. Despite greater security in urban centers and improvements in funding and the legal aspects of the government’s emergency response system for new displacements, the large numbers of newly displaced people are overwhelming the capacity of the government and humanitarian agencies.
07/29/2008
Se incrementa el número de colombianos que escapan de sus casas en varias regiones del país y siguen afrontando un alto grado de vulnerabilidad. A pesar que hay mayor seguridad en centros urbanos, más recursos financieros y un gran marco normativo que incluye un sistema de respuesta para la emergencia en caso de nuevos desplazamientos, la gran cantidad de personas recién desplazadas desborda la capacidad de las agencias de gobierno y humanitarias. Los presupuestos de las administraciones locales y sus infraestructuras afrontan esa enorme tensión y las distancias de las áreas donde ocurre el desplazamiento también complica la respuesta humanitaria.
07/24/2008
Malgré la présence d’une force militaire de l’Union européenne à l’est du Tchad, des mouvements rebelles, la violence intercommunautaire, des attaques transfrontalières et le banditisme sont endémiques. Les civils et le personnel humanitaire sont régulièrement attaqués et une insécurité continuelle entrave la distribution de l’aide humanitaire. Pour augmenter la stabilité au Tchad, le Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies doit renforcer la mission de maintien de l’ordre de l’ONU (MINURCAT), augmenter les efforts pour la réforme du secteur de la justice et donner la possibilité au responsable civil de la mission de l’ONU de s’engager dans des efforts politiques en vue de la stabilisation et de la réconciliation.
07/24/2008
Les agences d’aide internationale et les pays donateurs devraient
développer des stratégies pour promouvoir des solutions durables pour
les personnes déplacées internes (PDI) dans l’est du Tchad et pour
diminuer la dépendance des réfugiés soudanais à l’assistance
extérieure.
07/24/2008
Despite the presence of a European Union military force in eastern
Chad, rebel movements, inter-communal violence, cross border attacks
and banditry are rampant. Civilians and humanitarian staff are
routinely attacked and ongoing insecurity is hampering the delivery of
humanitarian aid. To increase stability in Chad, the United Nations
Security Council must strengthen the UN policing mission (MINURCAT),
increase efforts for justice sector reform and give the civilian head
of the UN mission the ability to engage in political efforts towards
stabilization and reconciliation.
07/24/2008
International aid agencies and donor
governments should develop strategies to promote durable solutions for
internally displaced people (IDPs) in eastern Chad and to decrease
Sudanese refugees’ dependence on outside assistance.
07/21/2008
Peace negotiations over the past two years between the Government of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) have produced tangible gains for the north which must not be lost. Despite the fact that LRA leader Joseph Kony has not signed the Final Peace Agreement, improved security has meant that many internally displaced people (IDPs) can now access their farm land and begin rebuilding their homes. The situation remains fragile, however, and many of the displaced keep a foot in two places – one in the original camp or transit site and one in their home land – in case security deteriorates.
05/30/2008
Despite strong historic and ethnic ties,
relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia have rarely been smooth. As a
result, and particularly over the past decade, nationality rights of
residents of both countries have been at risk.
05/28/2008
On May 16, President Leonel Fernandez won a further term in office using the electoral slogan "Pa'lante"
("moving forward") with a campaign message of modernization and
development for the country. But the Dominican Republic is not
utilizing all its human resources to move forward. An illegal
retroactive application of nationality laws is leaving increasing
numbers of Dominicans of Haitian descent functionally stateless.
05/28/2008
Cientos de miles de personas han quedado en un limbo legal y, en práctica, una gran mayoría de ellas se ven sin acceso ni a la nacionalidad dominicana ni a la haitiana. El pasado 16 de mayo el Presidente Leonel Fernández renovó su mandato haciendo uso del slogan electoral "Pa’lante" (hacia adelante), transmitiendo durante su campaña un mensaje de modernización y desarrollo para el país.
05/23/2008
The ethnic divides that Kenya’s election
crisis brought to light overshadow
another longstanding form of marginalization: obstacles to citizenship
faced by minority groups such as the Nubians, Kenyan Somalis, and
coastal Arabs in the national identification (ID) card registration
process.
05/20/2008
La communauté internationale doit aller au-delà du fait de répondre aux besoins basiques immédiats et développer une stratégie pour traiter de façon complète les dynamiques de l’actuelle crise des déplacements dans l’est de la République Démocratique du Congo (RDC).
05/19/2008
The international community must move beyond providing immediate basic services and develop a strategy to deal comprehensively with the dynamics of the current displacement crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
05/07/2008
On May 2, 2008, Cyclone Nargis swept through Burma’s delta region, devastating a country that was already on the brink of a humanitarian crisis. The death toll is likely to mount to over 70,000, and as many as two million people have been displaced from their homes. There are alarming reports of entire villages destroyed, their populations missing. The international community must rally around a UN-led response to the crisis, set aside political disputes with the government of Burma, and begin preparing for not only immediate assistance, but also medium- and long-term stabilization and reconstruction plans.
04/10/2008
Yemen is one of the least developed
countries in the world, ranking 153rd in the Human Development Index.
In the north of the country, a localized conflict has displaced tens of
thousands of civilians since 2004. In the past few years the arrival of
large numbers of Ethiopian and Somali migrants and asylum seekers has
further jeopardized the economy and stability of the country.
03/31/2008
Somalia is without a doubt the most neglected crisis in the world
today. Over the past seventeen years, Somalia has been subject to
ongoing civil wars, droughts and floods. Most observers agree that the
crisis has never been as acute as it is today. The immense gap between
the level of need and the corresponding humanitarian response is
striking. Agencies struggle to provide food, water, health care, and
other basic assistance to one million internally displaced people
because of the worsening security crisis.
03/25/2008
Economic difficulties drove the dramatic September 2007 protests in Burma. In their aftermath, the international community is beginning to respond to the humanitarian needs of ordinary Burmese. The U.S. is a critical exception. While most analysts, including Refugees International, believe only a change in political leadership can address the structural causes of poverty in Burma, few forecast an end to the country’s political stalemate. The international community must do more to address the humanitarian needs of Burma’s 55 million people in the absence of political progress.
03/17/2008
In 2007, the international community
finally started responding to the plight of Iraqi refugees in the
Middle East. The attention to the crisis resulted in increased funding
that allowed the UN—particularly the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)—and
non-governmental organizations to develop and expand their programs.
Still, much more remains to be done to identify and meet the particular
needs of refugees from mixed socio-economic backgrounds living in
developed urban areas.
03/04/2008
Three years after the signature of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the Government of Sudan and
the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), adequate access
to basic services and creation of sustainable livelihoods remain
elusive for most Sudanese people. Since 2004, an estimated 2 million
southern Sudanese, either exiled in neighbouring countries or displaced
within Sudan, have returned home, with more than 90% having done so
spontaneously. Only a fraction has received adequate assistance.
01/22/2008
The Central African Republic (CAR) faces
political instability and chronic poverty that demand a long-term
concerted effort from the international donor community, the United
Nations and international NGOs. Several positive steps have been taken
in the last few months, but more can be done to assist the government
in tackling the crisis in the northwest that is at the heart of massive
displacement.
11/28/2007
The recent government crackdown on demonstrations by monks and common people inside Burma focused the world’s attention on the ongoing human rights and humanitarian catastrophe there. After years of internal conflict and repression, 500,000 have been displaced internally and an estimated three million seek sanctuary and livelihoods in neighboring countries. Thailand and other countries in the region are already straining to handle the Burmese exodus.
10/11/2007
09/17/2007
Iraqis are now the third largest
displaced population in the world, after Palestinians and Sudanese.
Their number will likely continue to grow as violence in Iraq shows no
signs of diminishing.
Estimates identify 2.5 million refugees, with Syria and Jordan, two
countries with sizeable Palestinian populations as well, hosting the
vast majority. Lebanon, Egypt, Iran, and Turkey have also received
significant flows of Iraqi refugees.
08/02/2007
07/25/2007
The Arabic word, “bidun,” meaning “without” and short for “bidun jinsiya” (without citizenship), is used to denote longtime residents of Kuwait who are stateless. The estimated number of bidun in Kuwait ranges from 90,000 to 130,000, less than half the number who resided in the country prior to Iraq’s invasion in 1990. Those who remain are subject to systematic discrimination and their future is uncertain.
06/13/2007
Decades of irregular migration to Sabah in eastern Malaysia have resulted in large numbers of undocumented children of migrants from the Philippines and Indonesia who are potentially at risk of statelessness. Undocumented migrants in Malaysia are targets for arrest and deportation, which in some cases has left their children alone on the street.
05/23/2007
Burmese refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia are facing increasing threats to their security. Starting in March 2005, the Government of Malaysia launched a nationwide operation targeting undocumented migrants in the country. This operation has led to serious human rights violations against Burmese in Malaysia, who the government classifies as illegal migrants rather than refugees or asylum seekers.
05/21/2007
The ongoing resettlement from camps in Thailand is giving Burmese
refugees a chance at a durable solution for the first time, yet the
policies of some countries resettling the refugees are creating
complications for those who will remain in the camps. An estimated 150,000 Burmese refugees, largely from the Karen ethnic
group, have lived in camps in Thailand, often for more than a decade.
Colombia: Deficiencias En El Registro De La Población Desplazada Conduce A La Denegación E Servicios
04/16/2007
03/09/2007
La violencia en Colombia continúa y en ciertas regiones del
país está incrementando a pesar de la retórica del
gobierno de que está tomando el control sobre el conflicto
interno que ha plagado a la nación por las últimas cuatro
décadas. Equipos de expertos de Refugiados Internacional (RI) visitaron los
departamentos de Nariño y el Chocó en junio de 2006 y
febrero de 2007 y hallaron que las condiciones de seguridad han
empeorado notablemente.
01/17/2007
Over the past decades, waves of asylum seekers have fled persecution in Haiti, seeking safe haven in neighboring countries in the region. For those fleeing by land, the Dominican Republic has issued only a handful of asylum decisions, and for those fleeing by sea, the U.S. Coast Guard has rarely provided interdicted Haitians meaningful access to refugee or asylum processing.
09/23/2006
Preparations for upcoming national elections in Bangladesh are providing a unique opportunity to resolve the protracted predicament of the country’s stateless Biharis, estimated to number as few as 240,000 and as many as 500,000, especially those who want to become citizens of Bangladesh.
06/21/2006
The Burmese military regime carries out systematic repression and human rights violations against the Rohingya ethnic minority living in Burma's northern Rakhine State. The Rohingya also continue to be denied Burmese citizenship under the 1982 Citizenship Law which renders them stateless. Consequently many Rohingya asylum seekers flee to neighboring Bangladesh where the government, fearing a "pull-factor", has become increasingly reluctant to harbor them.
11/10/2005
In 1962, when a census was conducted in the Hasakeh governorate under Decree No. 93, an estimated 120,000 people or about 20 percent of Syrian Kurds lost their citizenship, a number which has since more than doubled. Many persons who lost their nationality also later lost rights to their property, which was seized by the government and used for the re-settlement of displaced Arabs.
12/13/2004
In 2004 the already desperate living conditions of the stateless Biharis in Bangladesh have continued to worsen. This year alone, they have lost their government-subsidized food aid, and many families have lost their homes to tornado, fire, and eviction. They continue to eke out an inhuman existence in their camps of decaying squalor. The situation is critical and requires immediate attention.
12/09/2004
When Estonia joined the European Union on May 1, 2004, over 160,000 Russian-speaking non-citizens remained in limbo. These individuals are being forced to choose between learning a new language and passing an exam to acquire Estonian citizenship; applying for Russian citizenship and thus surrendering the benefits of EU membership; or remaining stateless with limited political access and foreign travel restrictions.
Refugees International (RI) advocates for lifesaving assistance and protection for displaced people and promotes solutions to displacement crises.
We are an independent organization, and do not accept any government or UN funding.
We are an independent organization, and do not accept any government or UN funding.