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

Stop Press: A Late Addition, New Report by the Refugee Council

From the Refugee Council web site:

Protection sensitive borders

Remote Controls: how UK border controls are endangering the lives of refugees [Refugee Council, 2008]

The Refugee Council is concerned that the plethora of UK border controls placed overseas and aimed at preventing irregular migration is preventing refugees fleeing from their own countries and getting to a place of safety. This study is the result of a one year research project by the Refugee Council and explores the various overseas UK border controls and their impact on refugees.

The report includes evidence gathered during a field visit to Turkey, a key country of transit for many refugees coming to the UK. The Refugee Council found that the UK’s overseas border controls may risk refugees being sent back to countries where they face persecution. The report contains recommendations as to protection safeguards the UK should put in place to ensure that refugees are not put at such risk and are able to access protection.

Full Report (88p) Available online at: Download the report (PDF)

Supplementary Report Information at: information around the report

Refugee Council Press release: View the Press Release.

Posted in: Publications.

P.S. This should hopefully now be the last posting for 2008.

Asylum/Legacy: 'Case resolution' - 'care, protection and education'

The following news item is reproduced courtesy of Frank's List - http://www.frankslist.info :

Case resolution
----------

Update on case resolution: Q&A now on Home Office website – Case
Resolution is not an amnesty [August 2007]
In the week commencing 2 July 2007 the Home Office sent out a total of
6,000 letters and questionnaires to families with children in accordance
with its priority to address cases in receipt of support.
This briefing provides some basic advice about responding to these
letters.
http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/policy/briefings/2007/caseresolution.htm
Briefing:
"In July 2006 the Home Secretary announced that all asylum cases outside
the New Asylum Model1 will be resolved by June 20112. These cases,
formerly known as legacy cases and now called case resolution, are being
dealt with by the Case Resolution Directorate at the Border and Immigration
Agency (BIA). It is estimated that there could be as many as 450,000
such cases at all stages of the asylum determination process, hence the
need for a planned approach to their resolution."
http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/policy/briefings/2007/caseresolution.htm

Case Resolution Programme
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/applying/asylum/caseresolutionprogamme

Case Resolution Programme - FAQs
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/applying/asylum/caseresolutionprogammefaqs/


[02] Education
----------

Children of asylum seekers
- From autumn 2007, giving asylum children who have spent at least
three years in Scottish schools the same access as Scottish children
to full time further and higher education
- Working with Glasgow City Council to implement recent HMIE
recommendations on providing nursery places for 3 and 4 year-old
children of asylum families

This government believes that regardless of where they come from and why
any child living in Scotland should receive care, protection and
education.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2007/08/03082811

UNHCR Note on Fumigations

New Publication from UNHCR:

Note on Issues Related to Eligibility for International Protection in the Context of Fumigations 30 July 2007 http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/refworld/rwmain?docid=46b6d62f2

This Note provides guidance on the elements to be considered in deciding on asylum applications for international protection as refugees which may be lodged by persons who have fled areas where fumigation operations are conducted. In Part I, the Note analyses the applicable criteria set out in the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. It examines two distinct situations: (a) persons fleeing harm related to conflict and/or generalized violence in areas where fumigations take place; and (b) persons fleeing harm resulting from fumigation operations as such. Part II of the Note outlines the assessment which should be undertaken with respect to other international protection needs that may be relevant under broader refugee definitions and/or by virtue of the extended refugee definition under UNHCR's mandate.

The position can be accessed through www.refworld.org, or directly at the above-mentioned URL.