Tuesday 27 October 2009

Refugee Studies Newsletter

Refugee Archive Newsletter

This newsletter is produced on a regular basis to help disseminate news and further information in relation to refugee and forced migration issues. The newsletter is produced by the Refugee Archives service at the University of East London.

News and Media Stories


Launch of Latest Population Statistics


The Times (22/10/09): Numbers game of population figures is not that simple

The Guardian (21/10/09): Experts dispute claim that UK's population will hit 70m in 2029

The Guardian (21/10/09): Perpetuating population paranoia

The Guardian (21/10/09): UK population data: how fast is it increasing?

The Guardian (21/10/09): UK population growth to 70m challenged

The Daily Telegraph (21/10/09): Immigration will push British population to 70 million

The Conservative Party and Plans to scrap the Human Rights Act


The Daily Telegraph (22/10/09): Keir Starmer says Tory plans to scrap Human Rights Act would bring shame on Britain


Refugee and Asylum Seeker News Stories


The Guardian (23/10/09): Removal halted of girl who tried to kill herself

The Guardian (23/10/09): The Real threat of Immigration

IRR News (23/10/09): Returned Iraqi asylum seekers on hunger strike

The Independent (23/10/09): Immigration judges: 'Afghanistan is not in a state of war'

The Times (22/10/09): Faith schools are accused of using ‘inflammatory language’

The Independent (22/10/09): No way home: The tragedy of the Palestinian diaspora

The Guardian (21/10/09): Detained Nigerian girl found trying to strangle herself

The Guardian (21/10/09): Trafficking isn't just about prostitution

The Guardian (21/10/09): British-chartered plane takes Afghan migrants home

The Guardian (21/10/09): Stop imprisoning children now

The Guardian (21/10/09): Trafficking: we can learn from victims


BNP related stories.


The Guardian (24/10/09): Letters: Griffin grilled, roasted – and on the front page
The Daily Telegraph (24/10/09): The British National Party and BBC Question Time: an anatomy of a PR coup

The Daily Telegraph (23/10/09): BNP's Nick Griffin: 'I was victim of Question Time lynch mob'

The Guardian (23/10/09): Can the BNP be part of the democratic debate?

The Guardian (23/10/09): What BNP leader says and what the facts show

The Daily Telegraph (23/10/09): BNP on Question Time: Nick Griffin uses BBC appearance to attack Muslims and gays

The Times (23/10/09): Nick Griffin caught in TV's glare amid hail of criticism

The Independent (23/10/09): The BBC gave Griffin the oxygen of publicity. He choked

The Times (22/10/09): Times interview with Nick Griffin: ‘the BBC is stupid to let me appear'

The Independent (22/10/09): BBC 'will lose trust for giving airtime to BNP'

The Independent (22/10/09): Steve Richards: The enemies of democracy are very grateful for this free gift

The Daily Telegraph (22/10/09): BNP's Nick Griffin cleared to appear on Question Time

The Times (22/10/09): BNP: Thank you Auntie for giving us such a boost

The Times (21/10/09): BBC rejects demands to bar Nick Griffin

The Daily Telegraph (21/10/09): BNP: British generals should be hanged for war crimes

The Independent (21/10/09): Griffin branded 'despicable' for attacks on Army top brass

The Independent (20/10/09): BNP plays race card with attack on Question Time rivals

The Times (20/10/09): Generals join forces to resist 'hijacking' by BNP

BBC News (20/10/09): 'Extremists hijack' military name


Sri Lanka


BBC News (20/10/09): Abuses may hit EU-Sri Lanka ties


New Reports and Publications


New Statistics released by UNHCR:

Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries, First Half 2009: Statistical overview of asylum applications lodged in Europe and selected non-European countries.

Available at: www.unhcr.org/statistics

Positive Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers has published a briefing paper by Jon Burnett and Fidelis Chebe on: 'Forced inactivity and barriers to participation among refused asylum seekers'.
Download briefing no. 12 at:
http://www.irr.org.uk/pdf2/PAFRAS_Briefing_Paper_12.pdf (pdf file 112kb)

(Source: Institute for Race Relations News – www.irr.org.uk/)

The Home Office has published: 'Update to the UK Action Plan on Tackling Human Trafficking'.
Download the action plan at:
http://www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/humantrafficking004b.pdf (pdf file, 184kb)

(Source: Institute for Race Relations News – www.irr.org.uk/)

The IRR has published its report on the Prevent agenda: 'Spooked: how not to prevent violent extremism'.
Download the report at:
http://www.irr.org.uk/pdf2/spooked.pdf (pdf file, 1.1mb)

(Source: Institute for Race Relations News – www.irr.org.uk/)

Monday 19 October 2009

Refugee Archive Newsletter

This newsletter is produced on a regular basis to help disseminate news and further information in relation to refugee and forced migration issues. The newsletter is produced by the Refugee Archives service at the University of East London.

News and Media Stories

The continuing debate over the BNP invitation to appear on BBC Question Time programme

BBC News (19/10/09) - BNP debate 'illegal', warns Hain: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8313680.stm

The Independent (19/10/09) - Last-ditch bid to prevent BNP appearance on Question Time: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/lastditch-bid-to-prevent-bnp-appearance-on-question-time-1805226.html

The Telegraph (17/10/09) - Holocaust survivors will confront BNP on Question Time: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/6360260/Holocaust-survivors-will-confront-BNP-on-Question-Time.html

The Independent (15/10/09) - Baroness Warsi to face BNP leader on 'Question Time': http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/baroness-warsi-to-face-bnp-leader-on-question-time-1802814.html

The Independent (14/10/09) - Johann Hari: The looming threat of terror that comes from the far right: http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-the-looming-threat-of-terror-that-comes-from-the-far-right-1802167.html

The Times (14/10/09) - BBC ‘endangering public’ by inviting BNP leader to Question Time: http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article6873599.ece?&EMC-Bltn=DGMBLB

The Planned Visit of Dutch Politician Geert Wilders to Britain

BBC News (16/10/09) - Far-right Dutch MP heading to UK: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8308982.stm

The Guardian (14/10/09) - Should we let Geert Wilders in?: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2009/oct/14/geert-wilders-free-speech

The Daily Telegraph (13/10/09) - Dutch right-winger Geert Wilders wins challenge against British ban: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/netherlands/6317795/Dutch-right-winger-Geert-Wilders-wins-challenge-against-British-ban.html

The Guardian - Geert Wilders wins appeal against ban on travelling to UK: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/13/geert-wilders-wins-appeal-ban-uk

Asylum Seekers returning to Iraq

The Guardian (19/10/09) - My decade: The asylum seeker: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/17/my-decade-lukman-al-mayahy-asylum-seeker-interview

The Guardian (18/10/09) - Iraqis claim abuse and assault after failed deportation: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/18/iraq-deportees-asylum-seeker-claims

The Independent (19/10/09) - 'They gave me $100 and told me to fend for myself in Baghdad': http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/they-gave-me-100-and-told-me-to-fend-for-myself-in-baghdad-1805220.html

The Independent (19/10/09) - Border Agency to be quizzed over failed deportations - http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/border-agency-to-be-quizzed-over-failed-deportations-1805221.html

The Guardian (16/10/09) - Iraqi army confronted UK deportation officials on Baghdad plane: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/oct/16/unhcr-uk-baghdad-deportations

BBC News (16/10/09) - Iraq sends back UK asylum flight: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8310572.stm

The Guardian (16/10/09) - Court blocks six deportations to Baghdad: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/oct/15/court-blocks-baghdad-deportations

The Independent (16/10/09) - Protests as asylum-seekers are returned to Iraq: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/protests-as-asylumseekers-are-returned-to-iraq-1803628.html

The Independent (14/10/09) - Forcing asylum-seekers to return to Iraq is 'inhumane': http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/forcing-asylumseekers-to-return-to-iraq-is-inhumane-1802252.html

The Guardian (13/10/09) - Thirty failed asylum seekers to be sent back to Iraq, says refugee group: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/oct/13/iraqi-asylum-seekers-sent-back

Report on Children in Detention Centres*

The Independent (13/10/09) - Immigration centre's toll on children's mental health: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/immigration-centres-toll-on-childrens-mental-health-1801772.html

The Guardian (14/10/09) - Detention for children can never be justified: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/oct/14/immigration

The Guardian (13/10/09) - Children made 'sick with fear' in UK immigration detention centres - http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/oct/13/children-immigration-detention-health

*These news reports are based on a recently released journal article by Ann Lorek (et al.) in the international journal entitled Child Abuse and Neglect. Access to this journal should be possible for UEL staff and students and a full reference is given below:

Lorek, A. (et al.) (2009). The mental and physical health difficulties of children held within a British immigration detention center: A pilot study. Child Abuse & Neglect 33(9): 573-585.

Link: http://tinyurl.com/yf74ygs

New Reports and Publications

RSC Policy briefing

The Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford, has launched its third

Policy Briefing on Statelessness, Protection and Equality by Professor

Brad K. Blitz (Human and Political Geography, Kingston University and

RSC Research Associate). This briefing provides a typology of stateless

people and contexts, reviews, relevant international law and

jurisprudence, and assesses the links between nationality and the

protection of human rights. It gives recommendations for reducing and

eliminating statelessness in the future.

The brief may be found at http://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/pub_policy.html

Events

Open See by Jim Goldberg

The Photographers' Gallery
16 - 18 Ramillies Street
London
W1F 7LW

16 October 2009 - 17 January 2010

Open See documents the experiences of people who travel from war torn, socially and economically devastated countries, to make new lives in Europe. They have left often violent, oppressive, poverty-stricken or AIDS ravaged communities, in search of stability and the promise of a better future. Originating from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, these ‘new Europeans’ have met violence and brutality as well as hope and liberation in their new homes.

Further information at: http://www.photonet.org.uk/index.php?pxid=956

= = = = = =

Harrell Bond Lecture at the Refugee Studies Centre, Oxford

On 18 November 2009 (5pm), Jan Egeland will give the tenth annual

Harrell-Bond lecture, organised by the Refugee Studies Centre (Oxford

Department of International Development, University of Oxford) . Mr

Egeland is the former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian

Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. The lecture will be entitled

'Beyond blankets: in search of political deals and durable solutions for

the displaced'. He will chart recent changes which have led to the

enhanced provision of humanitarian relief for the world's displaced. He

will also reflect on the importance of gaining political agreements and

delivering effective security arrangements, arguing how these are

central to any long-term resolution to the refugee crisis.

The lecture will take place at the Oxford University Museum of Natural

History, Parks Road in Oxford (OX1 3TB

<http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl&q=OX1%203PW>) and will be

followed by a drinks reception.

For more information or to reserve a seat, please contact Wouter te Kloeze: wouter.tekloeze@qeh.ox.ac.uk <mailto:wouter.tekloeze@qeh.ox.ac.uk> or
+44 (0)1865 281726.

Thursday 8 October 2009

Open See Exhibition

Jim Goldberg

Open See Exhibition

http://www.photonet.org.uk/index.php?pxid=956

The Photographers' Gallery
16 - 18 Ramillies Street
London
W1F 7LW

16 October 2009 - 17 January 2010

Open See documents the experiences of people who travel from war torn, socially and economically devastated countries, to make new lives in Europe. They have left often violent, oppressive, poverty-stricken or AIDS ravaged communities, in search of stability and the promise of a better future. Originating from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, these ‘new Europeans’ have met violence and brutality as well as hope and liberation in their new homes.

Since 2003, Magnum photographer Jim Goldberg (b.1953, USA) has been photographing and collecting stories through a range of media: Polaroids, video, written text, ephemera, large and medium format photographs. The exhibition installation reflects his dynamic approach to documentary through dense displays of images, objects and text.

The Polaroids on show have often been defaced and written on by the people they portray. The words and images combine to tell intimate stories of past and present experiences. Faces and features are sometimes scratched out, coloured in, or marked in some way. Larger-scale colour photographs depicting landscapes from the subjects’ countries of origin appear both poetic and dystopic in equal measure. One image shows a young family walking along a sunlit road, while another is of a man standing on a vast rubbish tip holding a dead goat salvaged from the debris.

Part of an ongoing project by Goldberg, Open See confronts us with the realities of migration and the conditions for desiring escape.

This exhibition is presented in collaboration with Magnum Photos.

Refugee Studies Centre Policy Briefing

The Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford, has launched its third
Policy Briefing on Statelessness, Protection and Equality by Professor
Brad K. Blitz (Human and Political Geography, Kingston University and
RSC Research Associate). This briefing provides a typology of stateless
people and contexts, reviews, relevant international law and
jurisprudence, and assesses the links between nationality and the
protection of human rights. It gives recommendations for reducing and
eliminating statelessness in the future.

The RSC Forced Migration Policy Briefings highlight the very best and
latest policy-relevant research findings from the fields of forced
migration and humanitarian studies. The RSC invites the submission of
policy briefings on all topics of relevance to policy and practice in
the fields of forced migration, refugee protection and humanitarian
intervention. Enquiries should be directed to rscpolicy@qeh.ox.ac.uk

The brief may be found at http://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/pub_policy.html

Harrell Bond Lecture

On 18 November 2009 (5pm), Jan Egeland will give the tenth annual
Harrell-Bond lecture, organised by the Refugee Studies Centre (Oxford
Department of International Development, University of Oxford) . Mr
Egeland is the former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian
Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. The lecture will be entitled
'Beyond blankets: in search of political deals and durable solutions for
the displaced'. He will chart recent changes which have led to the
enhanced provision of humanitarian relief for the world's displaced. He
will also reflect on the importance of gaining political agreements and
delivering effective security arrangements, arguing how these are
central to any long-term resolution to the refugee crisis.

The lecture will take place at the Oxford University Museum of Natural
History, Parks Road in Oxford (OX1 3TB
<http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl&q=OX1%203PW>) and will be
followed by a drinks reception.

For more information or to reserve a seat, please contact Wouter te Kloeze: wouter.tekloeze@qeh.ox.ac.uk wouter.tekloeze@qeh.ox.ac.uk> or
+44 (0)1865 281726.