| Press Releases | |
| International: G20 summit, an opportunity for world leaders to put refugee hospitality at the heart of globalisation |
| Dispatches is a fortnightly e-mail bulletin of the JRS International Office. It features refugee news briefings, press releases, featured articles and project updates from our people in the field. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ethiopia: refugees flee Somalia seeking security
Dollo Ado, 16 June 2012 – The Ethiopian Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs told the Jesuit Refugee Service recently that the flow of refugees from Somalia into the Dollo Ado area has increased from about 300 a week to 1,000 a week. The refugees said they are given a stark choice in their homeland: give up a son to militants, or pay with livestock or cash to be left alone. The influx is blamed on the al-Shabaab militant group. Refugees told JRS the militants force rural Somalis to make a harsh choice: give up a son to join the fighters, or pay the militants off with camels or cash. The Somali subsistence farmers cannot afford to lose what livestock they may have, nor can they afford to pay the cash in order to make the militants go away. So they pack what they can and begin the long journey across the desert to find refuge in Ethiopia. Several refugees with whom JRS spoke at the transit centre in Dollo Ado last week told us they had walked for six days across the desert frontier before finding Ethiopian authorities. Refugees are brought to the transit centre here to be registered by ARRA and UN refugee agency (UNHCR) before being transported to one of five refugee camps in the area. Refugees typically stay at the transit centre for no more than 15 days, with the newest arrivals in the oldest accommodations — ragged remainders of what were once crude tarpaulin shelters. Refugees who have been at the centre for several days live in functional tents, which offer some shelter against the blowing sand and direct sunlight, but which provide little relief from the heat. As these refugees move to the camps, the newer arrivals take their places and so refugees are constantly cycled through the shelters. The Jesuit Refugee Service operates several projects in the largest of the camps, Melkadida, which is about 65km from Dollo Ado. More than 40,000 refugees live in tents at the camp. JRS provides counseling, adult literacy and a variety of youth programmes at the camp. The youth programme is so successful that UNHCR has asked JRS to open a similiar programme at the nearby Kobe refugee camp, where 27,000 refugees are hosted. JRS Ethiopia is studying the logistical and financial requirements necessary in order to do so. For further information on the JRS appeal for Somalis see http://www.jrs.net/campaigns_focus?TN=PROMO-20110725042251 Christian Fuchs, JRS USA Communications Director Greece: unaccompanied minors detained in abhorrent conditions
Brussels, 26 June 2012 – A new report reveals the situation of unaccompanied migrant children detained in filthy, overcrowded cells in a detention centre near at the Greek-Turkish border. The report – Unaccompanied Minors in the Greek-Turkish Borders – written by the Greek Refugee Council, is based on visits conducted between March 2011 and March 2012 to the Fylakeio detention centre. It is published to coincide with a campaign by the International Detention Coalition to end the detention of children in Greece and around the world. Children were crowded into rooms, nearly 100 at a time, and left with few toilet facilities and broken sewage systems. Hot water was rarely available. Medical and psychological was nearly non-existent. Children neither had access to telephones, entertainment, activities, and to persons who might help them such as lawyers and social assistants. "Reading the report, its hard to believe that its describing a situation in an EU country. It is unfathomable to think that anywhere in the EU children can be detained in such abhorrent conditions", said Philip Amaral of Jesuit Refugee Service Europe. A 2011 report by JRS Europe, From Deprivation to Liberty, reveals that there are more dignified alternatives for dealing with unaccompanied migrant. In Germany, a Protestant organisation provides individualised services to unaccompanied minors in a community-based environment. Their physical and mental health is better protected, and they can better follow the procedures surrounding their asylum applications. The EU institutions are currently negotiating new rules on the detention of asylum seekers. Decision makers in the European Parliament and the member states are debating whether unaccompanied asylum-seeking children should be detained. "EU lawmaking should be about achieving good, protective, standards, rather than codifying already existing bad practices", added Mr Amaral. "A detention centre is not a place for a child, let alone one without parents, relatives or a guardian. Experience shows that it's hardly ever in a child's best interests to be detained, and that there are other more dignified and humane ways to handle their cases" concluded Mr Amaral. Europe: Italy-Libya agreement risks endangering the lives of asylum seekers
Brussels, Rome, 27 June 2012 – Reports of renewed migration cooperation between the Italian and Libyan governments has been firmly condemned by Italian and European human rights NGOs which for years have worked on shining light on EU government dealings with third countries. "With the return of the spectre of interdiction on the high seas and further loss of life in the Mediterranean Sea, we urge the government do all in its power to avoid the sacrifice of human life off the Italian coastline", said JRS Italy Director (Centro Astalli), Giovanni La Manna SJ. In mid-June, the Italian media leaked the contents of an agreement apparently signed on 3 April this year. It focuses on improving training for Libya's security forces, providing funds for the construction of reception and detention centres, stronger border monitoring and more frequent deportations of irregular migrants. Both countries also agreed to continue planning sea activities in their areas of jurisdiction, as well as in international waters. JRS offices in Italy and around Europe have long called for EU states to protect the human rights of people fleeing from war and persecution in Libya, as well as in neighbouring countries. Identifying humanitarian channels for the safe passage of asylum seekers to Europe has been an oft-repeated recommendation. Past condemnations. In February 2012, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Italy had violated international human rights laws when it intercepted migrants adrift in the Mediterranean in 2009 and pushed them back to Libya. According to Fr La Manna, the new agreement poses dire implications for asylum seekers and migrants and risks the reintroduction of practices that the Court has already condemned. "We are very seriously concerned that at this moment, as guidelines principles are being laid down for bilateral relations between Italy and Libya, there is no mention of protecting the rights of asylum seekers", added Fr La Manna. JRS Europe Advocacy Officer Stefan Kessler links the Italy-Libya agreement with the EU's broader efforts to create a 'smart border' system at the periphery. "Neither the Italy-Libya agreement nor the EU's ambition to create a 'smart border' system offers protection mechanisms that can guarantee people's fundamental human rights, and access to asylum procedures", said Mr Kessler. "Ensuring that people who arrive at our borders are protected should be a guiding principle in the EU's relations with third countries", Mr Kessler added. Global: Jesuit Refugee Service joins international campaign to stop rape and gender violence in conflict
Rome, 28 June 2012 – Earlier this month, Jesuit Refugee Service officially signed on as a member of the latest civil society coalition, the International Campaign to Stop Rape and Gender Violence in Conflict. Large numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons suffer sexual- and gender based violence in their homes, while they flee and once they arrive in their new host communities, be they urban areas or camps. Present in more than 50 countries worldwide, JRS teams are often witnesses to these atrocities on a daily basis, and membership in the campaign offers enhanced opportunities to raise awareness of these crimes and promote political action. "Our current priority is to spread the word about this new initiative and find innovative solutions to this heinous crime, affecting an ever-growing number of women and girls each year", said JRS International Advocacy Coordinator, Amaya Valcárcel. Following the 2011 decision by the 10 JRS regional directors to select sexual- and gender-based violence as an advocacy priority, the organisation has been seeking ways to raise public awareness of and public action on this issue. "In recent years, massive numbers of women have suffered not only the physical trauma of rape and gender violence in war and conflict situations, but also the shame and stigma that often leave survivors suffering in silence. Perpetrators of rape and gender violence go unpunished and impunity is the order of the day", Ms Valcárcel continued. Until now, commitments to end rape and gender violence in war and other conflict situations have been either seriously inadequate or simply not enforced. JRS supports the view that it is time to demand powerful, urgent leadership at the local, national, regional and international levels to:
As well as bringing the perspective of refugees and internally displaced persons to the campaign, JRS teams have large and diverse networks with which to share information on sexual violence, and a grassroots organisational focus on prevention and protection supporting women and communities. JRS teams provide psychosocial services and assist working groups and committees to develop appropriate advocacy and protection actions. In more detail. The global cooperative effort was launched on 6 May 2012 by Nobel peace laureates, international advocacy organisations and groups working on conflict at regional and community levels. The mission statement of the new campaign is to unite organisations and individuals into a powerful and coordinated effort for change and to demand bold political leadership to prevent rape in conflict, to protect civilians and rape survivors, and call for justice for all – including effective prosecution of those responsible. Although the geographical focus is expected to expand, the campaign is currently focusing on Burma, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya, because they represent places where immediate, coordinated action is most urgently needed. JRS has teams present in all of these countries except Burma, in which case the organisation is working on the Thai-Burma border. http://www.stoprapeinconflict.org Asia Pacific: new research shows failings in protection in the region
Bangkok, 15 June, 2012 – When asylum seekers reach the Asia Pacific they may realise more than anyone what is missing in terms of their protection. Where some countries are successfully helping asylum seekers live in safety, others are lacking. The truth is, protection space for asylum seekers and refugees in Southeast Asia is limited and constantly changing. It is in this environment that asylum seekers and refugees must negotiate the difficult, long and confusing refugee-status-determination (RSD) processes that will ultimately decide the direction their lives will depend. The Search: Protection Space in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, The Philippines and Cambodia in Practice is a practical guide which will assist other advocates to give accurate information to asylum seekers and refugees about the realities of protection space within the region. In Southeast Asia, where only three countries, Cambodia, the Philippines and Timor Leste, are signatories to the UN refugee convention the challenges of living in an urban setting are amplified on a daily basis as people struggle to make a living, avoid detention, send their children to school and tend to their medical needs. This guide covers five broad themes: protection concerns, convention obligations and domestic legal frameworks, refugee-status determination, durable solutions, and finally an outline of the realities of living in the region in relation to employment, education, healthcare and housing. Given the range of challenges, it is essential that those that work with asylum seekers and refugees know as much as possible about the asylum options available in urban areas in the capital cities of Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila and Phnom Penh. The focus of this research has been to emphasise the experience of asylum seekers and refugees, to let them tell their own stories, while at the same time compile the relevant contextual information that presents a broad picture of the current situation in Southeast Asia. The asylum seekers and refugees who have willingly shared their stories, opened up their homes and lives for the purpose of this guide have done so in the hope that it may ultimately help others on the same journey: the search for protection. Nikola Errington, JRS Cambodia legal officer
USA: Supreme Court decision reaffirms the need for humane and comprehensive immigration reform
Washington DC, 27 June 2012 – The Jesuit Refugee Service USA, the US Jesuit Conference and the Kino Border Initiative welcomed the decision by the Supreme Court on Monday to strike down three key provisions of Arizona's controversial immigration law, SB1070. "In doing so, the Court correctly recognised the federal government's constitutional authority to regulate immigration", according to the statement issued by the three Jesuit groups. The segments of the law that were overturned include the rule making it a crime for migrants to seek employment without work permits and also overturned the portion of the law that forced immigrants to carry their ID papers with them at all times. In addition, Arizona police will not be able to arrest someone because they suspect s/he is a deportable immigrant. However, the court unanimously sustained the law's centrepiece, which requires state law enforcement officials to determine the immigration status of anyone they stop or arrest if they have reason to suspect that the individual might be in the country irregularly. "We are disappointed, however, that the decision left standing a final provision of the Arizona law, requiring state law enforcement officers to stop and detain without warrant individuals on the sole basis of "reasonable suspicion" of irregular status. We fear this provision places Arizona law enforcement officers at odds with the communities they seek to protect", the statement read. This decision not only affects all Hispanics in the state of Arizona, but anyone deemed "foreign looking" is subject to detention and interrogation by law enforcement officers of the state. Such laws endanger all residents of Arizona by creating a fear and mistrust of law enforcement and drive immigrant communities further into the shadows by discouraging them from contacting the police when they are victims of crimes. "The Supreme Court's decision on this provision of the Arizona law acknowledges the potential for future legal challenges, and we are hopeful that the provision will be overturned once the problems associated with it are further documented", the statement continued. "Through the Kino Border Initiative (a cooperative endeavour between six religious organisations, including JRS USA and two provinces of the Society of Jesus, operating in the twin cities of Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico) we have borne daily witness to the harsh realities of the current broken immigration system", the statement concluded. The Jesuit Conference, JRS USA, and the Kino Border Initiative have long been committed to a humane and comprehensive approach to immigration reform. In this spirit, the three groups also welcomed the words of Archbishop José H Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Migration in his response to the Supreme Court decision. "The US Catholic bishops across the nation will urge their state governments not to pursue laws such as in Arizona, but rather to pursue humane reform on the federal level. Humane enforcement of our nation's laws are part of any solution, but enforcement by itself, unjustly administered, only leads to abuses and family breakdown", said the Archbishop. International: G20 summit, an opportunity for world leaders to put refugee hospitality at the heart of globalisation
World Refugee Day press release Putting refugees at the centre of economic policy making Rome, 18 June 2012 – Over the next two days, the leaders of the G20 nations will make difficult decisions regarding the stability of the global economy. In commemoration of World Refugee Day, 20 June, the Jesuit Refugee Service urges world leaders to place social cohesion at the core of their decision-making process, and not lose sight of the needs of more than 45 million forcibly-displaced migrants worldwide. Keeping the humanitarian needs of refugees at the centre of policy is never more important than in times of economic turmoil. The economic recession threatens essential international aid to forcibly-displaced persons. Likewise, refugees struggle even more to make ends meet. Tragically, further displacement of impoverished populations is likely to occur, as hard times result in the increased marginalisation of oppressed minorities. "Forced migrants are concrete examples of what happens to societies pushed beyond the limit: conflict, human rights violations, displacement. The G20 summit is an opportunity to take preventative action, to reduce economic instability by promoting holistic refugee protection, enhancing livelihood opportunities for marginalised communities and strengthening inclusive social protection systems", said JRS International Director, Peter Balleis SJ. In the midst of economic crisis, the fragile value of hospitality ought to be nurtured. Shrinking economic opportunities are placing greater burden on overstretched social support networks, fuelling intolerance. A clear example is the success of political populism that places xenophobic rhetoric at the centre of everyday public discourse. Instead of describing refugees as courageous survivors rebuilding their lives in safety, politicians turn to simplistic and misleading labels, which demonise refugees for societal ills. This constant dehumanisation and hostility marginalises refugees even further. "The populations of host countries generally have little contact with refugees and other forced migrants. Their opinions are largely shaped by political and civil society leaders. If governments took a more positive approach to forced migration, it's likely we would see the beginning of a reversal of the current levels of hostility and exclusion of refugees", added Fr Balleis. Despite the current trend, people across the world individually and collectively respond to the needs of refugees. For instance, owing to the French government's inability to house asylum seekers, JRS volunteers in Paris have stepped in and opened up their homes. Besides offering a necessary service, friendships are formed and a powerful message is being sent to society: strangers are welcome. Similar acts occur in Jordan where local residents and Iraqi refugees are helping displaced Syrians. Analogous examples of grassroots hospitality can be found in Congo, Kenya, Venezuela and many other countries. Time and again we see refugee and host communities offer protection, housing, food, medicine, and most importantly, friendship. These simple acts have the power to transform difficult situations. "Our message is simple; encourage hospitality and cooperation. Hospitality is a door that opens the way to other possibilities, such as access to rights and services. Refugees have human resources, skills and energy. It's important to let them do something for their new communities. Governments would do well to follow these examples of solidarity, rather than seek short-term solutions, creating further problems for the future", concluded Fr Balleis. Notes to the editor: JRS works in more than 50 countries around the world. The organisation employs over 1,200 staff: lay, Jesuits and other religious to meet the education, health, social and other needs of approximately 700,000 refugees and IDPs, more than half of whom are women. Its services are provided to refugees regardless of race, ethnic origin or religious beliefs. For further information contact James Stapleton, Communications Coordinator Jesuit Refugee Service (International Office) Tel: +39 06 69868 468; +39 346234 3841; Email: international.communications@jrs.net; www.jrs.net For further information on hospitality and refugees, see the latest JRS campaign to bring refugees out of obscurity, http://www.jrs.net/campaigns Rwanda: refugees cultivate vegetables and greens for older people
Kibuye, 27 June 2012 – Despite the numerous daily difficulties and challenges of living in a refugee camp, a group of refugees in Rwanda have decided to dedicate their free time to voluntary activities to help those in most need. In Kiziba camp in western Rwanda, this group is dedicated to the cultivation of vegetables and greens, which are then donated to those in the most vulnerable circumstances, in two community gardens established by the Jesuit Refugee Service. Alphonese Nsabimana, a 41 year-old refugee, has lived in Kiziba since 1996 when he was forced to flee the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Every Saturday morning, he leaves home early to go to the JRS gardens. Hoe in hand, perspiration running from his forehead, he spends hours taking care of carrots, cabbage and spinach lots. He knows the fruit of his labour will go towards improving the lives of the many older refugees who live alone in the camp in precarious circumstances. "When I discovered this JRS initiative to give older refugees something more to eat, I said to myself: why wait and always let NGOs help? Why not do my part to help refugees who are worse off than me?" Alphonese said. Putting others first. Alphonese lives with his wife and four children, the youngest only three years of age. Feeding his own family is the most difficult challenge, since the monthly food rations distributed by the UN agency, the World Food Programme (WFP), are not always enough. Alphonese often looks for odd jobs to earn some money to buy potatoes, tomatoes and other foods not distributed by the WFP. "Even with the thousands of difficulties, in some way I manage to put food on the table for my children. But the older refugees? How can they get by on their own? Every time we pick vegetables and give them to the older refugees, it's enough to see the appreciation and gratitude in their faces to fill my heart with joy. Inside I feel that I'm doing something that makes a difference in the lives of these people", Alphonese added. Venantie Nyiramwingo is a 70 year old woman who receives the food from the JRS community garden. With a bag of spinach from JRS, she is happy to know that she will have something nourishing to eat that she would not otherwise be able to afford. "The corn distributed by the World Food Programme is inedible, it's too tough for me. If I didn't receive this assistance, I don't know what I'd do for vegetables or greens. I'm really happy to know that there are other refugees like me who are busy trying to help those more in need; it makes me feel less alone", Venantie explained. Community gardens in context. The community garden in Kiziba camp, which hosts some 18,000 Congolese refugees, is part of a larger JRS programme of assistance to those in the most vulnerable circumstances, including older people, the sick, orphans who are household heads and single mothers. In 2011, 329 refugees were provided with food, clothing and other basic goods. "On the one hand, the community gardens have been able to strengthen our capacity to respond to the needs of those in the most vulnerable circumstances and improve the quality of food for older people, and on the other hand we wanted to involve refugees themselves in taking care of their neighbours and to contribute to sense of solidarity and hospitality in the community. Not only here in this camp but also when they return to Congo to their home villages one day", JRS project director in Kiziba, Deogratias Kimenyi. Thanks to JRS community awareness activities and the good example of Alphonse Nsabimana and his fellow volunteers, other refugees have contacted those responsible for the project to volunteer in the gardens. Danilo Giannese, Advocacy and Communications Officer, JRS Great Lakes Africa Rwanda: mobile refugee team in the service of the most in need
Kibuye, 18 June 2012 – "We're refugees and we live in difficult circumstances. But there are refugees who are more vulnerable than us in the camp, older people, orphans, those with medical conditions. We believe in God and it's our duty help and be close to them", said Dieudonné Niyileiyi, who along with 18,000 Congolese refugees has lived for more than 15 years in Kiziba camp western Rwanda. Dieudonné immediately signed up to participate in the JRS pastoral services programme which seeks to welcome and accompany refugees in the most vulnerable circumstances, and promote solidarity among refugees in the camp. The pastoral services team comprises 10 catechists: six men and four women, all refugees. In addition to prayer and catechisms services offered to the 19 religious communities based in the camp, they carry out home visits to refugees in vulnerable circumstances to listen to their problems and seek ways of resolving them. Every Friday morning a group of catechists, the mobile refugee team, meets to examine and discuss the most urgent needs arising from their grassroots pastoral activities with the community. Afterwards they divide into groups and head towards the camp to meet a family or an individual. Furama and Ngendahayo. Furama is a 15 year-old who has lives alone with her 13 year-old younger brother, Ngendahayo. The two siblings were orphaned many years ago when their mother died suddenly. When the JRS mobile team visited the brothers they realised Furama was not able to feed herself or her brother. In addition, neither of them was going to school; Furama because she was spending all her time looking for food, Ngendahayo because he has a problem with his legs and is not able to walk to school, too far from their humble home. Furama and Ngendahayo remain locked up at home; they are always in silence and have no friends. They did not seek help from the JRS mobile team, of whose existence they were not even aware. It was some of their neighbours who realised how they were living, who following an awareness raising campaign organised by the JRS catechists, felt responsible for their upbringing. The two siblings felt relieved telling their story to the catechists, who since then regularly visit them. Furama has learned to ration better the food they receive from the World Food Programme to keep it from running out within a few days. In this way, she has realised she can attend school in the mornings instead of going out seeking food. The catechists are also busy looking for solutions for Ngendahayo and have asked the camp authorities to offer the family a home nearer to the school, allowing him to continue his studies. Promoting solidarity among refugees, taking care of neghbours. "The basis of our service is to raise awareness in the community of what we do in the field. Thanks to this, people understand that believing in God, above all, means taking care of your neighbour and they inform us of cases of older people, orphans or those with a medical condition who are in need of assistance, like in the case of Furama and Ngendahayo", said Dieudonné Niyileiyi. The interventions undertaken by the mobile team include the accompaniment of the ill to hospital, and manual work, like the restoration of houses or the construction of external kitchens, above all for older people who would not be able to so this sort of work alone. "In addition, as part of our public awareness activities in church, we organise collections for those most in need. Everyone in the community gives up a little bit of their monthly food rations, sell it in the market and with what they receive, they buy food, clothing and soap, and we distribute it. It is a way we have of helping each other so that a sense of solidarity and hospitality prevails in the refugee community, even though the conditions in which everybody lives are difficult", added Dieudonné Niyileiyi. Danilo Giannese, JRS Great Lakes Africa Advocacy and Communications Officer 'I'm part of Italy too': promoting justice through citizenship
Rome, 18 June 2012 – Accompanying forced migrants in Italy means, above all, sharing their many experiences of formal and informal exclusion, and facing the lack of hospitality they encounter on a daily basis. The bureaucracy is the most structured form of racism against forced migrants that exists in this country, providing legal reinforcement for the denial of hospitality. At every step of the way they are reminded that they do not belong, and made to feel estranged from the community of citizens. One example of the way unwelcoming attitudes become official practice is the term 'Non-EU' citizen”. An ugly label, whose everyday use carries extremely negative connotations, it remains attached to the person even after recognition of his or her right to international protection. It can remain even if s/he pays taxes for many years and in some cases, even if the person is born in our country. The modern conception of citizenship originated at the end of the 1700s as a way to eliminate discrimination on the basis of social class. It was an expression of equality; that is to say, 'we are all citizens'. Ironically, in the same period in which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognised the rights of all individuals, citizenship became an effective instrument of discrimination in many countries, including Italy, rather than equality. On the hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Italian unity, JRS Italy, together with 19 civil society organisations, launched a national campaign, 'I'm part of Italy too', to raise the issue of citizenship rights and publically condemn the current injustice. The campaign has collected 200,000 signatures petitioning for two legal initiatives: the reform of citizenship law, and the right of foreigners to vote in administrative elections. A dysfunctional system. The current citizenship legislation is an unjust and inadequate interpretation of the reality in this country, in which the local community has been both multicultural and multi-ethnic for years. This outdated conception of citizenship, linked almost exclusively to jus sanguinis, the right of blood, is a cause of confusion and legal inconsistency, even in situations where a person is fully and happily integrated. For children born in Italy to foreign parents, or those who come here at a very young age, it is impossible to automatically acquire citizenship. Although these children grow up in Italy, go to our schools and speak our language and dialects, at the age of 18 they must follow the same bureaucratic procedure as adult immigrants before they can become citizens. The sad result of this practice is that at some point in their lives, more than 600,000 adolescents make the painful discovery that they are not Italians, and must grapple with the feeling of suddenly being strangers in a place they once called home. Aside from the obligation and bureaucratic red tape of renewing residence permits – only too familiar to those who have been through the experience – activities like going on a school trip abroad, or being chosen for national athletics competitions suddenly become elusive dreams. Although local elections were held in many councils throughout the nation on 6 and 7 May last, not everyone living here was able to vote. More than 3.2 million non-EU citizens permanently resident in the country, approximately 5.3 percent of the population, are not represented by the local administrations governing the cities in which they live, study, work, and contribute to the local economic and social development. Legally-resident foreign citizens are denied the right to vote. In 1992 the Council of Europe adopted the Convention on the Participation of Foreigners in Public Life at Local Level. Chapter C of this text obliges signatory states “to grant to every foreign resident the right to vote and to stand for election in local authority elections, provided that he fulfills the same legal requirements as apply to nationals and furthermore has been a lawful and habitual resident in the State concerned for the 5 years preceding the elections”. Although Italy ratified the convention on 8 March 1994, it has not yet been implemented in full. Only the chapters A and B were implemented: referring to freedoms of expression, assembly and association, and the establishment of consultative bodies to represent foreign residents at local level. A reservation was placed on chapter C. The cardinal principle of full participation in public life at local level – the right to vote and be elected in local elections – was excluded. Standing up for our neighbours. According to statistics published by Caritas Italiana Fondazione Migrantes on 1 January 2010, more than five million persons of foreign origin live in Italy, comprising around eight percent of the population. Of this figure approximately one-fifth are children and adolescents, most of whom born in the country. They and their families face insurmountable limitations which perpetuate injustice, inequality and discrimination. Article three of our constitution establishes the principle of equality between individuals, committing the state to remove barriers that prevent the full achievement of this aim. For millions of residents, this principle has been disregarded. The campaign 'I'm part of Italy too' has given voice to many Italians who consider equality a fundamental value of every democracy, and see the decision to become a citizen as a choice to appreciate and value. JRS Italy fully shares in the conviction that the struggle for the recognition of rights for every citizen is decisive for our future as a country. We all must take responsibility and work so that Italy can become a more open, welcoming and civilised country. Until parliament examines draft laws submitted by citizens, we will to bring these urgent issues to the centre of public debate. We will continue to call upon the authorities, political and social forces in the world of work and culture, and to all those who live in Italy. Everyone should play a constructive role in building a future based on coexistence, justice and equality, in which every individual born and living in our country is welcomed as fully part of the community. Chiara Peri, JRS Italy Programme Manager Jordan: Sudanese refugees struggle against racism everyday
Amman, 18 June 2012 – Hidden amongst the throngs of Amman's population, Sudanese face discrimination on a daily basis. "It's normal to be called 'Chocolate', 'Abu Samra' or other racist names when we walk in the street. I don't care what they say to me, but what makes me angry is when my children suffer", says Sudanese woman, Iman. Iman once found her young son covering his arms with flour. When she asked him what he was doing, he answered, "Now I'm white." Although Sudanese children can access the public schools in Jordan, they still face racism from their teachers and peers. "My children come home crying on most days, and some of their teachers call them 'Blackie'." After conducting a survey with Sudanese men and women who benefit from JRS services in Amman, it became clear that as a minority refugee and ethnic group, their daily lives are plagued with fear and discrimination. Including the Sudanese. Since September 2011 JRS has come into contact with more and more vulnerable Sudanese, and some Somalis, who are almost a forgotten refugee population in Jordan. Expanding the JRS activities to include the Sudanese and Somalis has been a process that required a lot of creative thinking, commitment and acceptance from JRS staff, volunteers and the more established Iraqi refugee community. Despite these logistical and cultural challenges, Colin Gilbert, JRS Jordan Director is upbeat about serving the Sudanese. "The presence of the Sudanese people in JRS activities has really had an uplifting effect on the entire refugee community that we work with," he enthuses. Responding to refugee needs. The main need expressed by the Sudanese was for English language classes. In response, JRS set up evening classes staffed by volunteers. At present, nearly 120 Sudanese refugees – and some Somalis – attend the classes twice a week. A concerted effort has been made to reach out to the Sudanese women, who are often illiterate in both English and Arabic. By encouraging women to attend, it means that the children participate too –allowing them to engage in educational activities in a safe and friendly environment. "Seeing these women progress from not recognising a word or letter to being able to write out simple words and phrases is profoundly powerful", says a volunteer who teaches the literacy class. The evening classes comprise 80% Sudanese, 8% Somalis and the remainder is a mix of Iraqis and Syrians. As the violence in Sudan escalates, more and more Sudanese people are seeking asylum in neighbouring countries. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) estimates that tens of thousands of civilians have been displaced since June 2011. Here in Jordan, nearly 750 Sudanese asylum seekers and refugees have registered with UNHCR and in receipt of services. Once registered with the UNHCR they receive documents which should protect them from deportation or encountering problems with the local police. However, this is often not the case. Mohammedin, a prominent and long-standing member of the Sudanese community in Jordan, frequently receives calls when someone has been arrested. He then has to mediate on their behalf with the police. "It's a mix of the police not always understanding the rights of those in receipt of UN documentation, and just discrimination against Sudanese people", says a JRS staff member. A forgotten population. Many Sudanese have complained that they are excluded from NGO services extended to Iraqis, and more recently, Syrians. Unfortunately, donors have earmarked certain funds for specific refugee populations. "Because of the media attention and strategic importance of the Middle East, a lot of donor money goes to Iraqis. The war in Sudan has fallen by the wayside, yet Sudanese refugees continue to arrive in Jordan", said Jen Compton, a volunteer who pioneered the JRS evening classes programme. "Even if it is not meant to be racist, it feels like it is another form of discrimination against us", says Yusuf, a young Sudanese man who works for 12 hours a day and then attends JRS evening classes. Moreover, as Jordan is not a signatory of the 1951 UN refugee convention, asylum seekers entering the country are received as guests, but are not entitled to access the labour market legally. In the case of Sudanese, they are deemed asylum seekers by UNHCR and are recommended for resettlement to a third country if considered to be in need of international protection. But needing to get by, many refugees find manual day jobs to earn an income. "It's not the best situation. We work hard all day, are treated badly and then have to often fight for our money at the end of the day because they don't want to pay us", says Yusuf. With two million Palestinian refugees in the country, and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and Syrians, it's not likely the situation will change any time soon. JRS teams try to find ways of helping Sudanese refugees cope psychologically with discrimination and promote better relationships with the host community. But for the moment, the only durable and dignified solution is resettlement in the US or western Europe. The problem is even these places are few and far between. Zerene Haddad, JRS Middle East Communications Officer |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| JRS DISPATCHES is sent from the International Office of the Jesuit Refugee Service, CP 6139, 00193 Roma Prati, Italy. Tel: +39-06 68977468 Fax: +39-06 6897 7461; Email: dispatches@jrs.net; JRS online: http://www.jrs.net; Publisher: Peter Balleis SJ; Editor: James Stapleton; Translation: Carles Casals (Spanish), Edith Castel (French), Simonetta Russo (Italian). JRS Dispatches No. 320 Editor: James Stapleton |
