Australian Journal of Emergency Management, vol. 21, no. 1 (Feb. 2006)
[full-text]
AWR Bulletin, vol. 43, no. 4 (2005)
[scroll down to see contents]
Hommes et Migrations, no. 1259 (janvier février 2006)
[contents, selected full-text]
International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters, vol. 23, no. 3 (Nov. 2005)
[contents; one focus of this issue is the future of disaster research]
International Migration Review, vol. 40, no. 1 (Feb. 2006)
[contents; theme for this issue is "Gender and Migration Revisited"; note that IMR is now being published by Blackwell]
Journal of Peace Research, vol. 43, no. 2 (March 2006)
[contents]
Migration Letters, vol. 3, no. 1 (April 2006)
[full-text]
Migration News Sheet: Monthly Information Bulletin on Immigrants, Refugees and Ethnic Minorities (March 2006)
[overview]
Posted in Periodicals.
21 March 2006
New IDP Reports
The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre and the Refugee Law Project have issued a report examining the extent to which the recommendations of the former UN IDP Special Representative regarding the internal displacement situation in Uganda have been implemented. A press release provides a brief summary of the report, "Only Peace Can Restore the Confidence of the Displaced" (March 2006).
The Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement has posted documents/statements from two recent conferences:
- Panel on Internal Displacement and the Marsh Arabs of Iraq (1 March 2006)
- UNDP Internally Displaced Persons Conference, Ankara (23 Feb. 2006)
More information about the latter conference is available in UNDP Turkey's newsletter. As the IDMC reports, the Turkish government has launched a national IDP framework which is fairly consistent with the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.
IDMC also reports that Nepal has plans to adopt a new IDP policy in line with the UN Guiding Principles. Earlier this year, the country's Supreme Court ordered the government to provide relief to displaced persons.
Posted in Publications.
The Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement has posted documents/statements from two recent conferences:
- Panel on Internal Displacement and the Marsh Arabs of Iraq (1 March 2006)
- UNDP Internally Displaced Persons Conference, Ankara (23 Feb. 2006)
More information about the latter conference is available in UNDP Turkey's newsletter. As the IDMC reports, the Turkish government has launched a national IDP framework which is fairly consistent with the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.
IDMC also reports that Nepal has plans to adopt a new IDP policy in line with the UN Guiding Principles. Earlier this year, the country's Supreme Court ordered the government to provide relief to displaced persons.
Posted in Publications.
20 March 2006
New Reports: Women; Trafficking; Asylum
The Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children has published a report entitled "Beyond Firewood: Fuel Alternatives and Protection Strategies for Displaced Women and Girls." Two case studies for the report are also provided for Darfur and Nepal.
Two reports focus on trafficking:
- Hope Betrayed: An Analysis of women victims of trafficking and their claims for asylum (POPPY Project and the Refugee Women’s Resource Project, Feb. 2006).
- Report on Activities to Combat Human Trafficking: Fiscal Years 2001-2005 (U.S. Department of Justice, Feb. 2006).
A House of Commons report reviews UK policy and procedures for "Returning failed asylum applicants" (March 2006).
Finally, after conducting research in 20 countries, ECRE reports its findings on the Dublin II system (March 2006).
Posted in Publications.
Two reports focus on trafficking:
- Hope Betrayed: An Analysis of women victims of trafficking and their claims for asylum (POPPY Project and the Refugee Women’s Resource Project, Feb. 2006).
- Report on Activities to Combat Human Trafficking: Fiscal Years 2001-2005 (U.S. Department of Justice, Feb. 2006).
A House of Commons report reviews UK policy and procedures for "Returning failed asylum applicants" (March 2006).
Finally, after conducting research in 20 countries, ECRE reports its findings on the Dublin II system (March 2006).
Posted in Publications.
Asylum Statistics
UNHCR reported Friday (17 March 2006) that the "number of asylum seekers arriving in all industrialized countries has fallen by half" in the last five years. More details are provided in the complete report entitled "Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries, 2005."
The Migration Information Source offers a Global Data Center which provides, among other things, figures for the "Annual number of asylum applications by nationality." Currently, the countries for which data are provided are located in Europe and North America; Australia is also included. A separate data tool allows users to "analyze the numbers and origins of asylum seekers over 24 years."
Links are provided to other statistical sources.
Posted in Publications and Web Sites/Tools.
The Migration Information Source offers a Global Data Center which provides, among other things, figures for the "Annual number of asylum applications by nationality." Currently, the countries for which data are provided are located in Europe and North America; Australia is also included. A separate data tool allows users to "analyze the numbers and origins of asylum seekers over 24 years."
Links are provided to other statistical sources.
Posted in Publications and Web Sites/Tools.
18 March 2006
Country Facts and Figures
I mentioned the Library of Congress Country Profiles in a previous post. Here are a few other new or newly updated resources that report country facts and figures:
National Trends in Population, Resources, Environmentand Development 2005: Country Profiles (UN Dept. of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Div., 2006) [text]
SIPRI Yearbook 2005: Armaments, Disarmament andInternational Security, Pocket-size Summary Editions (SIPRI) [access page]
- Available in 7 languages; made available March 2006.
The World Factbook 2005 (CIA) [text]
- Updated Jan. 2006
(Thanks to the Human Security Gateway and ResourceShelf for these references.)
Examples of other country resources that are updated regularly on the web:
Country Briefings (The Economist) [menu page]
- Update date displayed; some linked articles are subscription-access only.
Country Profiles (BBC) [menu page]
- Update date displayed.
Guía del Mundo (Instituto del Tercer Mundo) [menu page]
- Published biennially, no update date displayed.
Posted in Publications.
National Trends in Population, Resources, Environmentand Development 2005: Country Profiles (UN Dept. of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Div., 2006) [text]
SIPRI Yearbook 2005: Armaments, Disarmament andInternational Security, Pocket-size Summary Editions (SIPRI) [access page]
- Available in 7 languages; made available March 2006.
The World Factbook 2005 (CIA) [text]
- Updated Jan. 2006
(Thanks to the Human Security Gateway and ResourceShelf for these references.)
Examples of other country resources that are updated regularly on the web:
Country Briefings (The Economist) [menu page]
- Update date displayed; some linked articles are subscription-access only.
Country Profiles (BBC) [menu page]
- Update date displayed.
Guía del Mundo (Instituto del Tercer Mundo) [menu page]
- Published biennially, no update date displayed.
Posted in Publications.
17 March 2006
New Journal Issues: JRS, RSQ
Tables of contents for the latest issues of the Journal of Refugee Studies (vol. 19, no. 1, March 2006) and Refugee Survey Quarterly (vol. 25, no. 1, 2006) have been posted online by OUP.
JRS includes articles on Australian conversations about refugees, refugee law in Brazil, UNHCR RSD in Egypt, Somali refugees in Norway, and ethnic riots in Kosovo.
The RSQ issue focuses on EXCOM 2005 and reproduces the principal documents and reports. It also provides a bibliography on EXCOM, along with its regular abstracts and books received sections.
Posted in Periodicals.
JRS includes articles on Australian conversations about refugees, refugee law in Brazil, UNHCR RSD in Egypt, Somali refugees in Norway, and ethnic riots in Kosovo.
The RSQ issue focuses on EXCOM 2005 and reproduces the principal documents and reports. It also provides a bibliography on EXCOM, along with its regular abstracts and books received sections.
Posted in Periodicals.
16 March 2006
New UN Human Rights Council
By an overwhelming majority, the UN General Assembly voted March 15, 2006, to establish a new Human Rights Council. This will replace the existing Commission on Human Rights.
For more information, see the UN Pulse post, Amnesty International's press release, Human Rights Watch's statement, and comments from the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights also has background information about the discussions that led to the establishment of the new council.
Posted in Publications.
For more information, see the UN Pulse post, Amnesty International's press release, Human Rights Watch's statement, and comments from the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights also has background information about the discussions that led to the establishment of the new council.
Posted in Publications.
14 March 2006
Humanitarian Law Guide
I plan to highlight different reference sources that I come across while compiling the guide that I mentioned in a previous post. For example:
The Practical Guide to Humanitarian Law, by Françoise Bouchet-Saulnier (Rowman & Littlefield, English ed., 2002)
- Written for both practitioners and researchers, this guide is organized alphabetically by the terms and concepts that are relevant to international humanitarian law. Each entry includes a definition and/or background information, cross-references, contact details where relevant, and often, a brief bibliography for more information. The publisher's order page for this title includes a table of contents, sample entries, and reviews.
IRIN interviewed the author as part of its web special on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.
Posted in Publications.
The Practical Guide to Humanitarian Law, by Françoise Bouchet-Saulnier (Rowman & Littlefield, English ed., 2002)
- Written for both practitioners and researchers, this guide is organized alphabetically by the terms and concepts that are relevant to international humanitarian law. Each entry includes a definition and/or background information, cross-references, contact details where relevant, and often, a brief bibliography for more information. The publisher's order page for this title includes a table of contents, sample entries, and reviews.
IRIN interviewed the author as part of its web special on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.
Posted in Publications.
Student Conference on Forced Migration
The annual forced migration student conference provides a forum for postgraduates (MA/MSc/MPhil/PhD, etc.) to meet and share their research and academic experiences. The fourth conference will be held 18-19 March 2006 at the University of East London. Abstracts and/or papers from the first, second, and third conferences are online for reference purposes.
Posted in Publications and Events & Opportunities.
Posted in Publications and Events & Opportunities.
13 March 2006
Forced Migration Reference Guide
I received a Carnegie-Whitney grant from the American Library Association (ALA) which I will be using to compile a guide to information resources relating to refugees and forced migration. To that end, I will be tracking down details about a variety of reference materials in both print and electronic formats. Here are some examples of the type of resources I'm referring to:
Bibliographies/Literature Reviews:
- Psychosocial Concepts in Humanitarian Work with Children: A Review of the Concepts and Related Literature (National Academies Press, 2003)
- Selected Bibliography on the Global Crisis of Internal Displacement (Brookings, 2001)
Dictionaries/Glossaries:
- Glossary of Humanitarian Terms in relation to the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict (OCHA, 2003)
- Historical Dictionary of Refugee and Disaster Relief Organizations, 2nd Ed. (Scarecrow Press, 2000)
Directories:
- Directory of NGOs Working on Refugee Issues in Africa
Encyclopedias:
- Encyclopedia of Diasporas: Immigrant and Refugee Cultures Around the World (Springer, 2004)
- Immigration and Asylum: From 1900 to the Present (ABC-CLIO, 2005)
Literature/Document Collections:
- Forced Migration Digital Library (FMO)
- The Refugee Council Archive at UEL
...among many others.
Why are these so important? They distill large amounts of information, define and explain important concepts, and/or help to locate and identify materials of interest. They are, therefore, invaluable for gaining entree to a field of knowledge, for learning what's available where, for facilitating access to information, and for contributing to the research process.
Posted in Publications.
Bibliographies/Literature Reviews:
- Psychosocial Concepts in Humanitarian Work with Children: A Review of the Concepts and Related Literature (National Academies Press, 2003)
- Selected Bibliography on the Global Crisis of Internal Displacement (Brookings, 2001)
Dictionaries/Glossaries:
- Glossary of Humanitarian Terms in relation to the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict (OCHA, 2003)
- Historical Dictionary of Refugee and Disaster Relief Organizations, 2nd Ed. (Scarecrow Press, 2000)
Directories:
- Directory of NGOs Working on Refugee Issues in Africa
Encyclopedias:
- Encyclopedia of Diasporas: Immigrant and Refugee Cultures Around the World (Springer, 2004)
- Immigration and Asylum: From 1900 to the Present (ABC-CLIO, 2005)
Literature/Document Collections:
- Forced Migration Digital Library (FMO)
- The Refugee Council Archive at UEL
...among many others.
Why are these so important? They distill large amounts of information, define and explain important concepts, and/or help to locate and identify materials of interest. They are, therefore, invaluable for gaining entree to a field of knowledge, for learning what's available where, for facilitating access to information, and for contributing to the research process.
Posted in Publications.
10 March 2006
Finding out about New Books/Research Literature
Accession lists such as those posted by the RSC library are one way to find out about new research literature. The UNHCR library compiles similar lists. What are some other online resources to refer to?
Digests of relevant publications
http://www.icar.org.uk/?lid=5111
- The Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees in the UK (ICAR) provides access to “summaries of reports, books and other publications that we feel might be of interest to professionals and others involved with asylum seekers and refugees in the UK.” Browse or search by geographic region/subject.
Ethnic Conflict Research Digest
http://www.incore.ulst.ac.uk/services/ecrd/
- This resource from INCORE “publishes peer reviews of recently published books, journal articles and research papers on the dynamics and management of ethnic conflict.” Searchable archive.
H-Net Reviews in the Humanities and Social Sciences
http://www.h-net.org/reviews/
- Reviews of books, articles and multimedia materials. Subscribe to email announcements of new reviews, or add RSS feed. Searchable archive.
Human Rights and Human Welfare: An International Review of Books and Other Publications
http://www.du.edu/gsis/hrhw/
- This publication “publishes thematic review essays, book notes, topical review digests and hosts a working papers website.” Also lists books received from publishers. What’s new email list available. Not searchable.
Another feature to take advantage of is publisher alerts. Most journal publishers will email table of contents alerts to users. Increasingly, they are also offering RSS feeds (see previous post). For example, OUP offers RSS feeds for new issues of IJRL, IngentaConnect to subscribe to RSS feeds. This list highlights journal publishers that offer feeds.
Similarly, Amazon offers an option to be notified about new book titles that match a particular search. For example, conduct a search on "refugees" in the books section. The results page will include an "Amazon.com Alerts" item in the sidebar on the right that allows you to enter your email address for notification of new book releases about "refugees."
Posted in Publications and Web Sites/Tools.
Digests of relevant publications
http://www.icar.org.uk/?lid=5111
- The Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees in the UK (ICAR) provides access to “summaries of reports, books and other publications that we feel might be of interest to professionals and others involved with asylum seekers and refugees in the UK.” Browse or search by geographic region/subject.
Ethnic Conflict Research Digest
http://www.incore.ulst.ac.uk/services/ecrd/
- This resource from INCORE “publishes peer reviews of recently published books, journal articles and research papers on the dynamics and management of ethnic conflict.” Searchable archive.
H-Net Reviews in the Humanities and Social Sciences
http://www.h-net.org/reviews/
- Reviews of books, articles and multimedia materials. Subscribe to email announcements of new reviews, or add RSS feed. Searchable archive.
Human Rights and Human Welfare: An International Review of Books and Other Publications
http://www.du.edu/gsis/hrhw/
- This publication “publishes thematic review essays, book notes, topical review digests and hosts a working papers website.” Also lists books received from publishers. What’s new email list available. Not searchable.
Another feature to take advantage of is publisher alerts. Most journal publishers will email table of contents alerts to users. Increasingly, they are also offering RSS feeds (see previous post). For example, OUP offers RSS feeds for new issues of IJRL, IngentaConnect to subscribe to RSS feeds. This list highlights journal publishers that offer feeds.
Similarly, Amazon offers an option to be notified about new book titles that match a particular search. For example, conduct a search on "refugees" in the books section. The results page will include an "Amazon.com Alerts" item in the sidebar on the right that allows you to enter your email address for notification of new book releases about "refugees."
Posted in Publications and Web Sites/Tools.
09 March 2006
Guide to Forced Migration Periodicals
I recently updated my Guide to Forced Migration Periodicals (March 2006) and the revised version is now online on Forced Migration Online (FMO).
The Guide highlights journals and newsletters that focus on forced migration, humanitarian assistance, human rights, and migration and ethnic relations. Both full-text and contents/abstracts-only titles are listed.
Also listed are links to other periodicals collections in related areas, e.g., conflict studies, social sciences, etc. Journal indexes (i.e., resources that help users find individual articles) are noted in the last section.
Posted to Periodicals and Web Sites/Tools.
The Guide highlights journals and newsletters that focus on forced migration, humanitarian assistance, human rights, and migration and ethnic relations. Both full-text and contents/abstracts-only titles are listed.
Also listed are links to other periodicals collections in related areas, e.g., conflict studies, social sciences, etc. Journal indexes (i.e., resources that help users find individual articles) are noted in the last section.
Posted to Periodicals and Web Sites/Tools.
Finding Journal Articles
I have posted previously about journal indexes and databases, here and here. A few additional resources that have come to my attention include:
CiteULike - http://www.citeulike.org/journals- Allows you to search both journal titles and journal contents and provides links to document delivery services.
FreeFullText.com - http://www.freefulltext.com/- This service lists and links to over 7000 journal titles that make some content available for free online. For many, it might just be one free sample issue, but other titles provide the complete full-text for free. Note that you may need to first register with the publisher before you can access the free content.
Open J-Gate - http://www.openj-gate.com - This database provides access to the complete text of online journals. Users can search the complete text or search for/browse through journal titles.
Posted to Periodicals and Web Sites/Tools.
CiteULike - http://www.citeulike.org/journals- Allows you to search both journal titles and journal contents and provides links to document delivery services.
FreeFullText.com - http://www.freefulltext.com/- This service lists and links to over 7000 journal titles that make some content available for free online. For many, it might just be one free sample issue, but other titles provide the complete full-text for free. Note that you may need to first register with the publisher before you can access the free content.
Open J-Gate - http://www.openj-gate.com - This database provides access to the complete text of online journals. Users can search the complete text or search for/browse through journal titles.
Posted to Periodicals and Web Sites/Tools.
08 March 2006
2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
The U.S. State Department's latest annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices is now online. The report surveys human rights violations that occurred during 2005 in 196 countries. Previous reports are also available on the site.
Posted in Publications.
Posted in Publications.
International Women's Day
International Women's Day is commemorated annually on March 8. This year's official theme is "women in decision-making."
Forced migration-related resources relating to the empowerment of women can be found here:
- Center for Gender and Refugee Studies site
- Forced Migration Online, Resource Summary on women page
- HREA, International Women's Day page
- IDMC, Women & Children page
- ReliefWeb, Policy & Issues relating to gender page
- RHRC Consortium site
- UNHCR, Refugee Women page
- Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children site
- Women's Human Rights Net (WHRnet)
Posted in Publications and Web Sites/Tools.
Forced migration-related resources relating to the empowerment of women can be found here:
- Center for Gender and Refugee Studies site
- Forced Migration Online, Resource Summary on women page
- HREA, International Women's Day page
- IDMC, Women & Children page
- ReliefWeb, Policy & Issues relating to gender page
- RHRC Consortium site
- UNHCR, Refugee Women page
- Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children site
- Women's Human Rights Net (WHRnet)
Posted in Publications and Web Sites/Tools.
07 March 2006
Humanitarian Reform Developments
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) recently prepared an Update on Humanitarian Reform (March 2006). The update describes the humanitarian reform programme that has been adopted based on recommendations made in the Humanitarian Response Review (Aug. 2005), an independent study commissioned by the Emergency Relief Coordinator and supported by the Secretary-General in his June 2005 report on strengthening the coordination of humanitarian assistance. It comprises three components: strengthening the humanitarian response capacity through the “cluster” approach, strengthening the Humanitarian Coordinator System, and ensuring predictable funding through a modernized Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) (due to be launched 9 March 2006).
The World Summit Outcome document has echoed these calls for enhancing coordination of operational activities (see para. 169, pp. 36-37). In a related development, the Secretary-General recently convened a high-level panel to “explore how the UN system could work more coherently and effectively across the world in the areas of development, humanitarian assistance and the environment.”
For reports and articles providing background on the humanitarian reform process, please refer to:
- Forced Migration Review 24, IDP Supplement, “Protecting and Assisting the Internally Displaced: The Way Forward” (Oct. 2005)
- HPG Briefing Note, “The Currency of Humanitarian Reform” (Nov. 2005)
- OCHA, Coordination of Humanitarian Response web page
- Talk Back, Special Issue on Humanitarian Reform (Oct. 2005)
Posted in Publications.
The World Summit Outcome document has echoed these calls for enhancing coordination of operational activities (see para. 169, pp. 36-37). In a related development, the Secretary-General recently convened a high-level panel to “explore how the UN system could work more coherently and effectively across the world in the areas of development, humanitarian assistance and the environment.”
For reports and articles providing background on the humanitarian reform process, please refer to:
- Forced Migration Review 24, IDP Supplement, “Protecting and Assisting the Internally Displaced: The Way Forward” (Oct. 2005)
- HPG Briefing Note, “The Currency of Humanitarian Reform” (Nov. 2005)
- OCHA, Coordination of Humanitarian Response web page
- Talk Back, Special Issue on Humanitarian Reform (Oct. 2005)
Posted in Publications.
06 March 2006
Women's Commission report on displaced women/girls
The Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children has issued a report entitled Displaced Women and Girls at Risk: Risk Factors, Protection Solutions and Resource Tools (Feb. 2006). The aims of the report are:
to clarify risks leading to displacement, risk factors during displacement and risks that inhibit safe and sustainable return. Additionally, the paper looks at protection solutions in the context of displacement and in situations of return. Finally, the paper presents tools for assessing risks and for identifying good field practices that reduce the risks displaced and returnee women and girls confront (p. 1).
Posted in Publications.
New Report on Security, Human Rights, and Canadian Immigration
The Institute for Research on Public Policy's Immigration and Refugee Policy programme released a report on 21 Feb. 2006 entitled Controlling Irregular Migration in Canada: Reconciling Security Concerns with Human Rights Protection. Visitors to the IRPP site can also read a news release about the report and a summary.
Posted in Publications.
Posted in Publications.
05 March 2006
Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies
Formerly the Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Services, Haworth Press' Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies assumes its new name with volume 4. Where the original incarnation of the journal focused particularly on the trauma and stress of adaptation, the successor will look more broadly at the effects of international migration. Prepublication contents and abstracts are available for volume 4's first and second issues.
Posted in Periodicals.
Posted in Periodicals.
03 March 2006
Forced Migration Newsfeeds
Increasingly, forced migration-related sites are syndicating their content for delivery through RSS and Atom web feeds. If you have a newsreader and would like to add feeds that focus on refugees, forced migration, IDPs, humanitarian assistance, or human rights, then here is a partial listing of relevant sites.
- Forced Migration Current Awareness Blog (i.e., *this* site!) includes an Atom feed with headlines of each new post. Copy the site feed shortcut from the sidebar under the "Links" heading.
- The Forced Migration Discussion List is hosted by JISCMail, but since they currently do not offer RSS feeds, FMO created one for the list.
- Human Rights Watch (HRW) has numerous newsfeeds available for its latest news, regions, individual countries, or themes (including "refugees" and "refugee and IDP women/gender-based asylum claims").
- The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) provides one feed that includes bi-weekly news and information about their reports, profiles and other activities.
- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) provides a newsfeed along with a nice introduction to RSS and newsreaders.
- IRIN News offers feeds for individual countries, regions, and themes, or for their Africa, Asia, Iraq, HIV/AIDS, or French-language news services. Look for these at the bottom of the home page, left corner.
- OUP Journals: Subscribe to a newsfeed for the contents of current or recent issues of the International Journal of Refugee Law, the Journal of Refugee Studies, and the Refugee Survey Quarterly.
- Pambazuka News is a weekly newsletter that focuses on social justice issues in Africa. Users have multiple newsfeed options: They can subscribe to a single feed for the complete issue of Pambazuka or to various category-specific feeds, including "conflict and emergencies" and "refugees and forced migration."
- ReliefWeb has separate feeds for its headlines (latest updates), situation reports, training, vacancies, maps, and news on individual countries.
- UNHCR offers a newsfeed, but it doesn't appear to be fully operational as of this writing. Keep checking the bottom left corner of the home page.
If you *don't* have a newsreader, then take advantage of Forced Migration Online's newsfeeds. The right-hand column of the home page displays headlines from the forced migration discussion list, UNHCR's refugee news, IDMC's IDP news, ReliefWeb's humanitarian news, and this blog - a quick, easy, and technology-free way to keep up with the latest developments!
Posted in Web Sites/Tools.
- Forced Migration Current Awareness Blog (i.e., *this* site!) includes an Atom feed with headlines of each new post. Copy the site feed shortcut from the sidebar under the "Links" heading.
- The Forced Migration Discussion List is hosted by JISCMail, but since they currently do not offer RSS feeds, FMO created one for the list.
- Human Rights Watch (HRW) has numerous newsfeeds available for its latest news, regions, individual countries, or themes (including "refugees" and "refugee and IDP women/gender-based asylum claims").
- The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) provides one feed that includes bi-weekly news and information about their reports, profiles and other activities.
- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) provides a newsfeed along with a nice introduction to RSS and newsreaders.
- IRIN News offers feeds for individual countries, regions, and themes, or for their Africa, Asia, Iraq, HIV/AIDS, or French-language news services. Look for these at the bottom of the home page, left corner.
- OUP Journals: Subscribe to a newsfeed for the contents of current or recent issues of the International Journal of Refugee Law, the Journal of Refugee Studies, and the Refugee Survey Quarterly.
- Pambazuka News is a weekly newsletter that focuses on social justice issues in Africa. Users have multiple newsfeed options: They can subscribe to a single feed for the complete issue of Pambazuka or to various category-specific feeds, including "conflict and emergencies" and "refugees and forced migration."
- ReliefWeb has separate feeds for its headlines (latest updates), situation reports, training, vacancies, maps, and news on individual countries.
- UNHCR offers a newsfeed, but it doesn't appear to be fully operational as of this writing. Keep checking the bottom left corner of the home page.
If you *don't* have a newsreader, then take advantage of Forced Migration Online's newsfeeds. The right-hand column of the home page displays headlines from the forced migration discussion list, UNHCR's refugee news, IDMC's IDP news, ReliefWeb's humanitarian news, and this blog - a quick, easy, and technology-free way to keep up with the latest developments!
Posted in Web Sites/Tools.
02 March 2006
New Monthlies: CrisisWatch, Migration Information
Produced by the International Crisis Group, CrisisWatch is a monthly bulletin that aims to keep readers apprised of the status of conflict situations around the world. Each issue characterizes situations as deteriorated, improved or unchanged, and identifies particular conflict risks or conflict resolution opportunities. The March issue is now available.
The Migration Information Source for March has also been posted. This monthly offers "global analysis of international migration and refugee trends," along with data, country profiles, and policy reviews.
Posted in Periodicals.
The Migration Information Source for March has also been posted. This monthly offers "global analysis of international migration and refugee trends," along with data, country profiles, and policy reviews.
Posted in Periodicals.
01 March 2006
New Caselaw Resources
Part 5 of the UNHCR Manual on Refugee Protection and the ECHR has been updated with summaries of relevant caselaw of the European Court of Human Rights. See specifically part 5.10 for summaries covering June-Dec. 2005.
Refugee Caselaw has launched a case of the month feature. The purpose is to highlight a case of particular interest in order to generate discussion within the refugee law community about points of law or unusual facts.
The Refugee Review Tribunal's Jan. 2006 bulletin includes summaries of selected published decisions.
Summaries of Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada decisions are published in RefLex. The latest issue is no. 279, 16 Feb. 2006.
Posted in Publications, Periodicals, and Web Sites/Tools.
Refugee Caselaw has launched a case of the month feature. The purpose is to highlight a case of particular interest in order to generate discussion within the refugee law community about points of law or unusual facts.
The Refugee Review Tribunal's Jan. 2006 bulletin includes summaries of selected published decisions.
Summaries of Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada decisions are published in RefLex. The latest issue is no. 279, 16 Feb. 2006.
Posted in Publications, Periodicals, and Web Sites/Tools.
New Periodicals: Disasters (PAHO), Human Rts., NICS, Refuge,
The Jan. 2006 edition of PAHO's newsletter, Disasters: Preparedness and Mitigation in the Americas, is available in English and Spanish.
The International Journal of Human Rights has published its vol. 10, no. 1, March 2006 issue.
The UN System's Standing Committee on Nutrition has published the Jan. 2006, no. 8 issue of Nutrition Information in Crisis Situations.
After a lengthy absence, Refuge issues are now returning to the Centre for Refugee Studies web site; see vol. 22, no. 2, September 2005, which is entitled "Betwixt and Between: Refugees and Stateless Persons in Limbo."
Posted in Periodicals.
The International Journal of Human Rights has published its vol. 10, no. 1, March 2006 issue.
The UN System's Standing Committee on Nutrition has published the Jan. 2006, no. 8 issue of Nutrition Information in Crisis Situations.
After a lengthy absence, Refuge issues are now returning to the Centre for Refugee Studies web site; see vol. 22, no. 2, September 2005, which is entitled "Betwixt and Between: Refugees and Stateless Persons in Limbo."
Posted in Periodicals.
Country of origin information news/resources
Country of origin information is used in the refugee status determination process by asylum-seekers, as a means to help verify their claims, and by decision-makers, to better inform their assessment of asylum cases.
The EU has recently agreed on a "Common approach to the information used to make decisions (country of origin information): information will be shared and, in the long term, a common database will be developed."
A working party on country of origin information and country guidance was established in Feb. 2006 under the rubric of the International Association of Refugee Law Judges (IARLJ). The rapporteur, Hugo Storey, has issued an invitation to IARLJ members to join the working party, which references three papers that discuss how refugee law judges use COI and judicial criteria for assessing COI. (Access the invitation from the IARLJ home page.)
The UK Country of Origin Information Service (COI service) produces country analysis and reports; visit the site for Feb. updates. These reports in turn are periodically reviewed by the Advisory Panel on Country Information.
The European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI.net) provides access to a wide variety of country information resources, including those produced by the UK COI service. Sign up for their alert service to be informed of new reports added to their database or search the site. A browse feature is available but limited to a handful of focus countries.
UNHCR has also produced a country of origin information database. It's available both on its web site and the REFWORLD cd-rom. While there is certainly source overlap between ECOI.net and UNHCR, the latter provides an opportunity to browse human rights and legal documents by all countries. This is helpful both for users who are less comfortable with searching and for those who wish to get an initial sense of the types of resources available.
A relatively new addition to the University of Minnesota Human Rights Library, Resources for Researching Country Conditions is structured to facilitate browsing. Unfortunately, it is not yet fully fleshed out, so the information provided is still fairly limited.
In the past, I produced a Guide to Country Research for Refugee Status Determination which provides more information on how to undertake COI research; please note, however, that the bibliography that accompanies the guide is in need of updating.
Posted in Publications and Web Sites/Tools.
The EU has recently agreed on a "Common approach to the information used to make decisions (country of origin information): information will be shared and, in the long term, a common database will be developed."
A working party on country of origin information and country guidance was established in Feb. 2006 under the rubric of the International Association of Refugee Law Judges (IARLJ). The rapporteur, Hugo Storey, has issued an invitation to IARLJ members to join the working party, which references three papers that discuss how refugee law judges use COI and judicial criteria for assessing COI. (Access the invitation from the IARLJ home page.)
The UK Country of Origin Information Service (COI service) produces country analysis and reports; visit the site for Feb. updates. These reports in turn are periodically reviewed by the Advisory Panel on Country Information.
The European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI.net) provides access to a wide variety of country information resources, including those produced by the UK COI service. Sign up for their alert service to be informed of new reports added to their database or search the site. A browse feature is available but limited to a handful of focus countries.
UNHCR has also produced a country of origin information database. It's available both on its web site and the REFWORLD cd-rom. While there is certainly source overlap between ECOI.net and UNHCR, the latter provides an opportunity to browse human rights and legal documents by all countries. This is helpful both for users who are less comfortable with searching and for those who wish to get an initial sense of the types of resources available.
A relatively new addition to the University of Minnesota Human Rights Library, Resources for Researching Country Conditions is structured to facilitate browsing. Unfortunately, it is not yet fully fleshed out, so the information provided is still fairly limited.
In the past, I produced a Guide to Country Research for Refugee Status Determination which provides more information on how to undertake COI research; please note, however, that the bibliography that accompanies the guide is in need of updating.
Posted in Publications and Web Sites/Tools.
28 February 2006
New Periodical Issues/News: IJRL, IMR, JEMS, Social Issues
The International Journal of Refugee Law has just published its first issue of 2006 (vol. 18, no. 1, March 2006). Visit the table of contents to read the abstracts. Included are articles on UNHCR's RSD process by Michael Kagan (who also manages RSDWatch.org), property restitution in Bosnia-Herzegovina by Charles B. Philpott, asylum claims and drug offences by Martin Gottwald, and refugee law in Slovenia by Bostjan Zalar.
Keep in mind that the full-text of all back issues of IJRL (with a five-year time delay) are available at Forced Migration Online.
The Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies has recently published its vol. 32, no. 3, April 2006 issue of the Journal of Social Issues (vol. 62, no. 1, March 2006).
The Center for Migration Studies in NY has announced the appointment of Dr. Joseph Chamie as new editor of the International Migration Review. Dr. Chamie was formerly Director of the UN's Population Division.
Posted in Periodicals.
Keep in mind that the full-text of all back issues of IJRL (with a five-year time delay) are available at Forced Migration Online.
The Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies has recently published its vol. 32, no. 3, April 2006 issue of the Journal of Social Issues (vol. 62, no. 1, March 2006).
The Center for Migration Studies in NY has announced the appointment of Dr. Joseph Chamie as new editor of the International Migration Review. Dr. Chamie was formerly Director of the UN's Population Division.
Posted in Periodicals.
Religion and Human Rights
An article in the December 2005 issue of the Journal of Social Issues entitled "The Three Monotheistic World Religions and International Human Rights" is provided in full-text online by Blackwell. The author is J. Paul Martin of Columbia's Center for the Study of Human Rights.
Resources relating to religious persecution and human rights standards include:
- Claims for Protection Based on Religion or Belief: Analysis and Proposed Conclusions, by Karen Musalo (Dec. 2002) (text)
- Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, General Assembly resolution 36/55 of 25 November 1981 (text)
- The Complexity of Religion in Determining Refugee Status, by T. Jeremy Gunn (Oct. 2002) (text; revised version in Harvard Human Rights Journal)
- Human Rights Watch reports on "religious freedom"
- The International Religious Freedom Report (2005 version) - surveys religious freedom on a country-by-country basis
- Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on freedom of religion or belief (web site) - see esp. annual reports and country visits
Posted in Publications.
Resources relating to religious persecution and human rights standards include:
- Claims for Protection Based on Religion or Belief: Analysis and Proposed Conclusions, by Karen Musalo (Dec. 2002) (text)
- Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, General Assembly resolution 36/55 of 25 November 1981 (text)
- The Complexity of Religion in Determining Refugee Status, by T. Jeremy Gunn (Oct. 2002) (text; revised version in Harvard Human Rights Journal)
- Human Rights Watch reports on "religious freedom"
- The International Religious Freedom Report (2005 version) - surveys religious freedom on a country-by-country basis
- Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on freedom of religion or belief (web site) - see esp. annual reports and country visits
Posted in Publications.
27 February 2006
Web Bibliographies on Forced Migration Topics
Each issue of College & Research Libraries News includes an Internet Resources feature, which is a collection of web sites on a particular topic. This month's (Feb. 2006) focuses on "disaster relief." Other topics relevant to forced migration have included human rights (Sept. 1999 - by yours truly) and refugees (Sept. 1998).
This type of resource is always helpful for providing an introduction to a topic and a sampling of the range of information that is available online. Unfortunately, the ever-fluctuating nature of the web means that these bibliographies can quickly become out of date, as evidenced by the latter two mentioned above.
I have compiled several web bibliographies that I try to update at least on an annual basis:
- Guide to Forced Migration Resources on the Web (last update June 2005)
- Guide to International Refugee Law Resources on the Web (last update Feb. 2005)
The first guide is on the Forced Migration Online (FMO) site. See also their research guides; each always includes a listing of web-based resources that relate to the theme/country focus of the guide.
The latter guide was published by LLRX.com, which is a great place to check for research guides on a wide range of legal topics.
Posted in Publications and Web Sites/Tools.
This type of resource is always helpful for providing an introduction to a topic and a sampling of the range of information that is available online. Unfortunately, the ever-fluctuating nature of the web means that these bibliographies can quickly become out of date, as evidenced by the latter two mentioned above.
I have compiled several web bibliographies that I try to update at least on an annual basis:
- Guide to Forced Migration Resources on the Web (last update June 2005)
- Guide to International Refugee Law Resources on the Web (last update Feb. 2005)
The first guide is on the Forced Migration Online (FMO) site. See also their research guides; each always includes a listing of web-based resources that relate to the theme/country focus of the guide.
The latter guide was published by LLRX.com, which is a great place to check for research guides on a wide range of legal topics.
Posted in Publications and Web Sites/Tools.
New Annual Reports: Press, Human Rights, Sec. Council
Reports covering the developments during the previous 12 months usually appear at the start of a new year. I've recently highlighted several examples of this type of resource in the following posts:
- Conflict Barometer
- Human Rights Watch World Report 2006
- State of the World 2006
- State of the World's Minorities 2006
- Underreported Humanitarian Stories of 2005
Several other titles to add to this growing list of annual reports/surveys are:
Attacks on the Press in 2005: A Worldwide Survey of the Committee to Protect Journalists (2006)
Human Rights Annual Report 2005: Report, together with formal minutes, oral and
written evidence (UK House of Commons, Foreign Affairs Committee, 23 Feb. 2006)
- Actually, this not a survey in and of itself; instead, it scrutinises "the [FCO's Human Rights Annual] Report in order to evaluate its successes and identify its shortcomings"
Security Council 2005 Round-Up (Jan. 2006)
The next annual report to watch for is the U.S. State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, which is usually issued in February or March.
Posted in Publications.
- Conflict Barometer
- Human Rights Watch World Report 2006
- State of the World 2006
- State of the World's Minorities 2006
- Underreported Humanitarian Stories of 2005
Several other titles to add to this growing list of annual reports/surveys are:
Attacks on the Press in 2005: A Worldwide Survey of the Committee to Protect Journalists (2006)
Human Rights Annual Report 2005: Report, together with formal minutes, oral and
written evidence (UK House of Commons, Foreign Affairs Committee, 23 Feb. 2006)
- Actually, this not a survey in and of itself; instead, it scrutinises "the [FCO's Human Rights Annual] Report in order to evaluate its successes and identify its shortcomings"
Security Council 2005 Round-Up (Jan. 2006)
The next annual report to watch for is the U.S. State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, which is usually issued in February or March.
Posted in Publications.
26 February 2006
Finding Out about New Pubs. from UNHCR
UNHCR makes many of the documents it produces available in full-text either on its web site or its REFWORLD cd-rom (available thru. subscription). Not every addition is advertised or highlighted, though, making it difficult to keep track of new resources. The web site does provide a "What's New" section, although it is an incomplete listing. However, it did inform me that three new working papers had been added to the New Issues in Refugee Research series, as of 24 Feb. 2006:
- An exploration of the livelihood strategies of Durban Congolese refugees, by Baruti Bahati Amisi
- Getting back home: Impact on property rights of the Indian Ocean earthquake-tsunami 2004, by Shaun Williams
- La définition de « réfugié » dans les législations africaines : une analyse comparative critique, by Cristiano d'Orsi
Another way to find out about new protection-related resources is through the Protection Information Section's email alerts; send a request to hqpr12@unhcr.org to be included. Recent alerts have pointed to the following legal opinions/guidelines:
- Advisory Opinion from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on the Scope of the National Security Exception Under Article 33(2) of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (6 Jan. 2006)
- UNHCR Guidelines on the Application in Mass Influx Situations of the Exclusion Clauses of Article 1F of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (7 Feb. 2006)
- UNHCR's Position on Sudanese Asylum-Seekers From Darfur (10 Feb. 2006)
The alerts also highlight country reports, such as:
- Japan: Refugees and Asylum Seekers, Writenet report by Meryll Dean (Feb. 2006)
Other "publications" sub-sections within UNHCR's web site to check for new resources:
- Publications
- Partnership Guides (especially for operational handbooks)
- Protection Publications (for handbooks, commentaries, training materials)
- Legal and Protection Policy Research Series (for refugee law papers)
Posted in Publications and Web Sites/Tools.
- An exploration of the livelihood strategies of Durban Congolese refugees, by Baruti Bahati Amisi
- Getting back home: Impact on property rights of the Indian Ocean earthquake-tsunami 2004, by Shaun Williams
- La définition de « réfugié » dans les législations africaines : une analyse comparative critique, by Cristiano d'Orsi
Another way to find out about new protection-related resources is through the Protection Information Section's email alerts; send a request to hqpr12@unhcr.org to be included. Recent alerts have pointed to the following legal opinions/guidelines:
- Advisory Opinion from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on the Scope of the National Security Exception Under Article 33(2) of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (6 Jan. 2006)
- UNHCR Guidelines on the Application in Mass Influx Situations of the Exclusion Clauses of Article 1F of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (7 Feb. 2006)
- UNHCR's Position on Sudanese Asylum-Seekers From Darfur (10 Feb. 2006)
The alerts also highlight country reports, such as:
- Japan: Refugees and Asylum Seekers, Writenet report by Meryll Dean (Feb. 2006)
Other "publications" sub-sections within UNHCR's web site to check for new resources:
- Publications
- Partnership Guides (especially for operational handbooks)
- Protection Publications (for handbooks, commentaries, training materials)
- Legal and Protection Policy Research Series (for refugee law papers)
Posted in Publications and Web Sites/Tools.
25 February 2006
International Law Commission Web Site
The International Law Commission is tasked with promoting "the progressive development of international law and its codification." The UN Pulse recently noted that the ILC web site was completely revised, providing more indepth access to its documents, publications and other information. Examples of topics of interest to the forced migration community include right of asylum, nationality including statelessness, and the expulsion of aliens.
Posted in Web Sites/Tools.
Posted in Web Sites/Tools.
24 February 2006
Asylum Developments in Europe
Here are several references to recent reports/news relating to asylum in Europe:
- Frattini presents common EU rules on asylum (EurActiv.com, 24 Feb. 2006) [text]
Note: For more background on EU developments, see this previous post and the EUROPA portal page on asylum.
- Invisible children: the human rights of migrant and asylum-seeking minors detained upon arrival at the maritime border in Italy (Amnesty International, 23 Feb. 2006) [text]
- Ukraine: Uzbek Asylum Seekers Sent Back to Face Abuse (Human Rights Watch, 17 Feb. 2006; note erroneous date in press release) [text]
Posted in Publications.
- Frattini presents common EU rules on asylum (EurActiv.com, 24 Feb. 2006) [text]
Note: For more background on EU developments, see this previous post and the EUROPA portal page on asylum.
- Invisible children: the human rights of migrant and asylum-seeking minors detained upon arrival at the maritime border in Italy (Amnesty International, 23 Feb. 2006) [text]
- Ukraine: Uzbek Asylum Seekers Sent Back to Face Abuse (Human Rights Watch, 17 Feb. 2006; note erroneous date in press release) [text]
Posted in Publications.
22 February 2006
ICVA Conference Papers
Papers from the International Council of Voluntary Agencies conference, "NGOs: The Principles and Politics of Humanitarian Action" (Feb. 2006) are posted on the ICVA web site.
Posted in Publications.
Posted in Publications.
21 February 2006
New FMO Research Guide on Sudan
Forced Migration Online (FMO) has produced 22 country- and 20 theme-specific research guides. The most recent one to be issued is by Peter Verney and focuses on Sudan.
Posted in Publications.
Posted in Publications.
20 February 2006
State of the World 2006
Worldwatch Institute has recently published its annual report on the State of the World 2006. This year's edition includes a chapter on natural disasters. An online feature focusing on Natural Disasters & Peacemaking is also provided.
Posted in Publications.
Posted in Publications.
16 February 2006
U.S. Immigration Courts
The latest issue of Georgetown Immigration Law Journal includes an article by J. Palmer, S. Yale-Loehr, and E. Cronin entitled "Why Are So Many People Challenging Board of Immigration Appeals Decisions in Federal Court? An Empirical Analysis of the Recent Surge in Petitions for Review."
A pre-print of this article is available in full-text through the Social Science Research Network.
Another immigration court issue that is being reported in the media concerns the U.S. Attorney General's investigation into the behavior and procedures of immigration judges. Read more about it in this press release from AILA.
Posted in Publications.
A pre-print of this article is available in full-text through the Social Science Research Network.
Another immigration court issue that is being reported in the media concerns the U.S. Attorney General's investigation into the behavior and procedures of immigration judges. Read more about it in this press release from AILA.
Posted in Publications.
15 February 2006
New Books: Migration, Human Trafficking, Nomads, Refugees
Here are details about various books that I have come across/been informed about:
Asylum Seekers and Refugees in the Contemporary World, by D. Whittaker, Routledge, Dec. 2005
Migrant Nurses: motivation, integration and contribution, by A. Winkelmann-Gleed, Radcliffe Publishing, March 2006
The Migration Reader: Exploring Politics and Policies, ed. by A. Messina and G. Lahav, Lynne Rienner, 2006
Nomadic Societies in the Middle East and North Africa: Entering the 21st Century, ed. by D. Chatty, Brill, 2006
Small Places, Close to Home, Community Links, Dec. 2005
And two new titles in Lexington Books' "Program in Migration and Refugee Studies":
Managing Migration: The Promise of Cooperation, By P. Martin, S. Martin and P. Weil, April 2006
Trafficking & the Global Sex Industry, ed. by D. Amir and K. Beeks, Feb. 2006
To learn about other new forced migration-related books and publications, browse through the accessions lists posted on the Refugee Studies Centre library page.
Posted in Publications.
Asylum Seekers and Refugees in the Contemporary World, by D. Whittaker, Routledge, Dec. 2005
Migrant Nurses: motivation, integration and contribution, by A. Winkelmann-Gleed, Radcliffe Publishing, March 2006
The Migration Reader: Exploring Politics and Policies, ed. by A. Messina and G. Lahav, Lynne Rienner, 2006
Nomadic Societies in the Middle East and North Africa: Entering the 21st Century, ed. by D. Chatty, Brill, 2006
Small Places, Close to Home, Community Links, Dec. 2005
And two new titles in Lexington Books' "Program in Migration and Refugee Studies":
Managing Migration: The Promise of Cooperation, By P. Martin, S. Martin and P. Weil, April 2006
Trafficking & the Global Sex Industry, ed. by D. Amir and K. Beeks, Feb. 2006
To learn about other new forced migration-related books and publications, browse through the accessions lists posted on the Refugee Studies Centre library page.
Posted in Publications.
14 February 2006
New Journal Issues: Hum. Rts., Migration, Peace & Sec.
Tables of contents and/or abstracts have been posted for the following journal titles:
Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 28, no. 1, Feb. 2006 (contents)
- Includes "The Human Rights of Stateless Persons," by D. Weissbrodt and C. Collins.
International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, vol. 1, no. 1, Feb. 2006 (contents)
- Includes two articles on refugee mental health.
International Migration, vol. 44, no. 1, March 2006 (contents)
- Focus is on the final report of the Global Commission on International Migration. Also includes articles addressing social change and language acquisition among immigrants and refugees.
Journal of Peace Research, vol. 43, no. 1, Jan. 2006 (contents)
- Includes articles on Rwanda, Kosovo, the Middle East, and Colombia, among others.
Security Dialogue, vol. 36, no. 4, Dec. 2005 (contents)
- Focus is on post-conflict peacebuilding.
[Note: Contents for the forthcoming issue of Security Dialogue are available through PRIO.]
Posted in Periodicals.
Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 28, no. 1, Feb. 2006 (contents)
- Includes "The Human Rights of Stateless Persons," by D. Weissbrodt and C. Collins.
International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, vol. 1, no. 1, Feb. 2006 (contents)
- Includes two articles on refugee mental health.
International Migration, vol. 44, no. 1, March 2006 (contents)
- Focus is on the final report of the Global Commission on International Migration. Also includes articles addressing social change and language acquisition among immigrants and refugees.
Journal of Peace Research, vol. 43, no. 1, Jan. 2006 (contents)
- Includes articles on Rwanda, Kosovo, the Middle East, and Colombia, among others.
Security Dialogue, vol. 36, no. 4, Dec. 2005 (contents)
- Focus is on post-conflict peacebuilding.
[Note: Contents for the forthcoming issue of Security Dialogue are available through PRIO.]
Posted in Periodicals.
New Issues in Refugee Research: Comprehensive Plans of Action
The latest paper in UNHCR's working paper series, New Issues in Refugee Research, is entitled "Comprehensive Plans of Action: Insights from CIREFCA and the Indochinese CPA," by Alexander Betts.
The CIREFCA and CPA plans of action are reproduced as follows in the International Journal of Refugee Law, back issues of which are made available in full-text through Forced Migration Online:
- International Conference on Central American Refugees (CIREFCA) (29-31 May 1989), Declaration and Concerted Plan of Action in Favour of Central American Refugees, Returnees and Displaced Persons
- International Conference on Indo-Chinese Refugees (13-14 June 1989), Declaration and Comprehensive Plan of Action
To retrieve these, go to FMO's journals page: http://fmo.qeh.ox.ac.uk/fmo/index.asp
Select "International Journal of Refugee Law" from the drop-down title list.
Select "1989" from the drop-down year list.
Expand the journal's contents by clicking on the plus (+) sign.
Scroll down until you see the above-mentioned titles.
Select the relevant title to read the text.
Posted in Publications.
The CIREFCA and CPA plans of action are reproduced as follows in the International Journal of Refugee Law, back issues of which are made available in full-text through Forced Migration Online:
- International Conference on Central American Refugees (CIREFCA) (29-31 May 1989), Declaration and Concerted Plan of Action in Favour of Central American Refugees, Returnees and Displaced Persons
- International Conference on Indo-Chinese Refugees (13-14 June 1989), Declaration and Comprehensive Plan of Action
To retrieve these, go to FMO's journals page: http://fmo.qeh.ox.ac.uk/fmo/index.asp
Select "International Journal of Refugee Law" from the drop-down title list.
Select "1989" from the drop-down year list.
Expand the journal's contents by clicking on the plus (+) sign.
Scroll down until you see the above-mentioned titles.
Select the relevant title to read the text.
Posted in Publications.
13 February 2006
HIV/AIDS and IDPs
A recent paper by UNHCR and OCHA's Inter-Agency Internal Displacement Division focuses on HIV/AIDS and IDP populations in Burundi, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Liberia, Nepal, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda. Its aim is to "provide recommendations and next steps on how to improve HIV policies and interventions for IDPs" in these countries.
Posted in Publications.
Posted in Publications.
Conflict Resolution/Post-conflict Reconstruction in Africa
Patricia Daley's article in Third World Quarterly's latest issue (vol. 27, no. 2, 2006) is entitled "Challenges to peace: conflict resolution in the Great Lakes region of Africa"; she examines contemporary conflict resolution models and the extent to which they can successfully be applied in Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC, especially when civil society is so often excluded from the peace process.
As more African countries emerge from conflict, the African Union is working to formulate a policy on post-conflict reconstruction and development (PCRD). A technical experts' meeting to discuss this was held 6-7 February 2006 in Addis, for which a draft programme, concept note, and draft policy framework for PCRD are available. Read the related news story from PANA.
The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) has been involved in laying out an agenda for post-conflict reconstruction in Africa and worked with NEPAD to develop a draft policy framework in 2005.
Watch for ACCORD's first 2006 issue of Conflict Trends, which will focus on post-conflict reconstruction and will no doubt include reports on AU developments.
Posted in Publications.
As more African countries emerge from conflict, the African Union is working to formulate a policy on post-conflict reconstruction and development (PCRD). A technical experts' meeting to discuss this was held 6-7 February 2006 in Addis, for which a draft programme, concept note, and draft policy framework for PCRD are available. Read the related news story from PANA.
The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) has been involved in laying out an agenda for post-conflict reconstruction in Africa and worked with NEPAD to develop a draft policy framework in 2005.
Watch for ACCORD's first 2006 issue of Conflict Trends, which will focus on post-conflict reconstruction and will no doubt include reports on AU developments.
Posted in Publications.
10 February 2006
New Journal Articles: IDPs, Detention of Refugees
The British Medical Journal (vol. 332, no. 7536, 4 February 2006) reports on the consequences of long-term detention of refugees/asylum-seekers. A related BBC news story is available here.
Related findings were reported earlier in the British Journal of Psychiatry (vol. 188, Jan. 2006: 58-64).
The Georgetown Journal of International Affairs has published its latest issue (vol. 7.1, Winter/Spring 2006), which includes an article by Roberta Cohen on the protection of IDPs.
Posted in Publications.
Related findings were reported earlier in the British Journal of Psychiatry (vol. 188, Jan. 2006: 58-64).
The Georgetown Journal of International Affairs has published its latest issue (vol. 7.1, Winter/Spring 2006), which includes an article by Roberta Cohen on the protection of IDPs.
Posted in Publications.
Update: Status of Sudanese Protestors in Cairo
Update to an earlier blog posting:
IRIN put together this chronology of events relating to Sudanese protestors in Cairo that occurred between September 2005 and January 2006. IRIN also reported that the Egyptian "government will not deport Sudanese detainees lacking official status as asylum seekers or refugees."
Posted in Publications.
IRIN put together this chronology of events relating to Sudanese protestors in Cairo that occurred between September 2005 and January 2006. IRIN also reported that the Egyptian "government will not deport Sudanese detainees lacking official status as asylum seekers or refugees."
Posted in Publications.
09 February 2006
Resources for Aid Workers: Negotiating with Armed Groups, Safety Issues
1. Negotiating
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has just published a manual and guidelines for humanitarian workers on how to negotiate with armed groups. Chapters in the manual cover: Humanitarian Negotiations: Motivations and Partners; Framing the Negotiations; Working Towards More Effective Negotiations; Negotiating on Specific Issues; and So You're Negotiating . . . Now What?. Case studies are included.
The manual comes with a CD housing a number of additional references, such as a bibliography, Internet resources, reference documents relating to humanitarian principles, legal reference documents, and others. These resources are not available online.
For a print version with CD, contact:
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
United Nations
S-3600
New York, NY 10017
United States of America
Tel.: +1 212 963-1234
Fax: +1 212 963-1312
E-mail: ochany@un.org
Other related resources:
Humanitarian Negotiation: A Handbook for Securing Access, Assistance and Protection for Civilians in Armed Conflict was published in October 2004 by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue. Its target audience is "humanitarians negotiating access, assistance and protection with government authorities, military personnel, armed groups and civilians in countries enduring armed conflict."
The ODI paper, "Humanitarian engagement with non-state armed actors: The parameters of negotiated access" (June 2005), looks more analytically at the negotiation process, with the aim "to investigate the scope of successful engagement, one which maintains minimal operational preconditions, such as security for aid workers, and to explore the available modalities of engagement with ANSAs [armed non-state actors]."
And a shorter article - "Vive la différence? Humanitarian and political approaches to engaging armed groups" - was included in Accord's report entitled Choosing to engage: Armed groups and peace processes (2005).
2. Safety of Humanitarian Personnel
From ICRC, a new book with advice on how to stay safe when working in conflict areas: Staying Alive: Safety and Security Guidelines for Humanitarian Volunteers in Conflict Areas (Jan. 2006)
More information is available from ICRC on the protection of humanitarian workers.
Other related resources:
The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel opened for signature on 16 January 2006. (Note: If this link does not work, the text can be retrieved by going to http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/resguide/r60.htm, and scrolling down to A/RES/60/42.) Read the UN press release about the purpose of the protocol.
Training courses and links to a number of other safety manuals are provided by the Centre for Safety and Development.
RedR offers another training course on personal security in emergencies.
Posted in Publications.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has just published a manual and guidelines for humanitarian workers on how to negotiate with armed groups. Chapters in the manual cover: Humanitarian Negotiations: Motivations and Partners; Framing the Negotiations; Working Towards More Effective Negotiations; Negotiating on Specific Issues; and So You're Negotiating . . . Now What?. Case studies are included.
The manual comes with a CD housing a number of additional references, such as a bibliography, Internet resources, reference documents relating to humanitarian principles, legal reference documents, and others. These resources are not available online.
For a print version with CD, contact:
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
United Nations
S-3600
New York, NY 10017
United States of America
Tel.: +1 212 963-1234
Fax: +1 212 963-1312
E-mail: ochany@un.org
Other related resources:
Humanitarian Negotiation: A Handbook for Securing Access, Assistance and Protection for Civilians in Armed Conflict was published in October 2004 by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue. Its target audience is "humanitarians negotiating access, assistance and protection with government authorities, military personnel, armed groups and civilians in countries enduring armed conflict."
The ODI paper, "Humanitarian engagement with non-state armed actors: The parameters of negotiated access" (June 2005), looks more analytically at the negotiation process, with the aim "to investigate the scope of successful engagement, one which maintains minimal operational preconditions, such as security for aid workers, and to explore the available modalities of engagement with ANSAs [armed non-state actors]."
And a shorter article - "Vive la différence? Humanitarian and political approaches to engaging armed groups" - was included in Accord's report entitled Choosing to engage: Armed groups and peace processes (2005).
2. Safety of Humanitarian Personnel
From ICRC, a new book with advice on how to stay safe when working in conflict areas: Staying Alive: Safety and Security Guidelines for Humanitarian Volunteers in Conflict Areas (Jan. 2006)
More information is available from ICRC on the protection of humanitarian workers.
Other related resources:
The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel opened for signature on 16 January 2006. (Note: If this link does not work, the text can be retrieved by going to http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/resguide/r60.htm, and scrolling down to A/RES/60/42.) Read the UN press release about the purpose of the protocol.
Training courses and links to a number of other safety manuals are provided by the Centre for Safety and Development.
RedR offers another training course on personal security in emergencies.
Posted in Publications.
08 February 2006
New reports on child health, peacebuilding, IDPs,
Cutillo, Alberto (Feb. 2006), International Assistance to Countries Emerging from Conflict: A Review of Fifteen Years of Interventions and the Future of Peacebuilding, International Peace Academy Policy Paper (full-text, summary)
Kälin, Walter (12 Jan. 2006), Report of the Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights of internally displaced persons, E/CN.4/2006/71Moss, William J., et al (Jan. 2006), "Child Health in Complex Emergencies," Bulletin of the World Health Organization
Posted in Publications.
07 February 2006
Conflict Surveys
The 2005 edition of the Conflict Barometer is now available. This is an annual conflict analysis provided by the Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research. The editors define conflicts as "the clashing of interests (positional differences) on national values of some duration and magnitude between at least two parties (organized groups, states, groups of states, organizations) that are determined to pursue their interests and win their cases" (p. ii). This report begins with a global overview of different types of conflicts as well as conflict resolution actions. This is followed by regional surveys. Previous editions of the Conflict Barometer are available on the HIIK web site.
For other conflict research resources, see:
Center for International Development and Conflict Management, Peace and Conflict 2005: A Global Survey of Armed Conflicts, Self-Determination Movements, and Democracy (third edition of biennial report)
Human Security Centre, The Human Security Report 2005: War and Peace in the 21st Century (documents decline in wars, genocides and human rights abuses in the last decade)
INCORE, Conflict Data Service (conflict database with country profiles, thematic guides and peace agreements)
International Displacement Monitoring Centre, IDP Database (monitors conflict-induced displacement worldwide)
International Crisis Group, Databases and Resources (see especially the CrisisWatch database for information about current crises and the Conflict Histories database)
ISN and SIPRI, Facts on International Relations and Security Trends (database with factual information from a variety of sources including those listed in this posting)
PRIO/Uppsala Armed Conflict Dataset (armed conflict data for 1946-2004)
Project Ploughshares, Armed Conflicts Report 2005 (covers events in 2004)
SIPRI Yearbooks (highlights and summaries only)
Uppsala Conflict Database (information on 119 armed conflicts between 1989 and 2004)
Posted in Publications and Web Sites/Tools.
For other conflict research resources, see:
Center for International Development and Conflict Management, Peace and Conflict 2005: A Global Survey of Armed Conflicts, Self-Determination Movements, and Democracy (third edition of biennial report)
Human Security Centre, The Human Security Report 2005: War and Peace in the 21st Century (documents decline in wars, genocides and human rights abuses in the last decade)
INCORE, Conflict Data Service (conflict database with country profiles, thematic guides and peace agreements)
International Displacement Monitoring Centre, IDP Database (monitors conflict-induced displacement worldwide)
International Crisis Group, Databases and Resources (see especially the CrisisWatch database for information about current crises and the Conflict Histories database)
ISN and SIPRI, Facts on International Relations and Security Trends (database with factual information from a variety of sources including those listed in this posting)
PRIO/Uppsala Armed Conflict Dataset (armed conflict data for 1946-2004)
Project Ploughshares, Armed Conflicts Report 2005 (covers events in 2004)
SIPRI Yearbooks (highlights and summaries only)
Uppsala Conflict Database (information on 119 armed conflicts between 1989 and 2004)
Posted in Publications and Web Sites/Tools.
06 February 2006
Recent Research Articles/Reports
A selected list of recently published journal articles and other reports. Links to abstracts or full-text are provided, if available.
Arnett, Amy K. (Winter 2005), “Applied Linguistics and Language Analysis in Asylum Seeker Cases,” Applied Linguistics 26(4):503-526.
Garimoi Orach, Christopher and Vincent De Brouwere (2006), “Integrating refugee and host health services in West Nile districts, Uganda,” Health Policy and Planning 21(1):53-64.
Gordon, Christine M. (Fall 2005), “Are Unaccompanied Alien Children Really Getting a Fair Trial? An Overview of Asylum Law and Children,” Denver Journal of International Law & Policy 33(4).
Granville, Johanna (January 2006), “Of Spies, Refugees and Hostile Propaganda: How Austria dealt with the Hungarian Crisis of 1956,” History 91(301): 62-90.
Hamood, Sara (January 2006), “African Transit Migration Through Libya to Europe: The Human Cost,” Forced Migration and Refugee Studies, The American University in Cairo.
Juss, Satvinder S. (2005), “The Decline and Decay of European Refugee Policy,” Oxford Journal of Legal Studies 25(4):749-792.
Kohli, Ravi K. S. (February 2006), “The comfort of strangers: social work practice with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people in the UK, Child & Family Social Work 11(1): 1-10.
Lacroix, Marie (2006), “Social work with asylum seekers in Canada: The case for social justice,” International Social Work 49(1): 9-17.
Lambert, Hélène (2006), “The EU Asylum Qualification Directive, Its Impact on the Jurisprudence of the United Kingdom and International Law,” International and Comparative Law Quarterly 55(1):161-192.
Omeri, Akram et al. (2006), “Prediction of negative attitudes toward Australian asylum seekers: False beliefs, nationalism, and self-esteem,” Australian Journal of Psychology 57(3).
Schweitzer, Robert et al., “Attitudes towards refugees: The dark side of prejudice in Australia,” Australian Journal of Psychology 57(3).
Sherlock, Paul (January 2006), “Water and sanitation for refugees and internally displaced people,” Waterlines 24(3): 2-4.
Shrestha, Dinesh and Aiden A., Cronin (January 2006), “The right to water and protecting refugees,” Waterlines 24(3): 12-14.
Sossou, Marie-Antoinette (2006), “Mental-health services for refugee women and children in Africa: A call for activism and advocacy,” International Social Work 49(1): 9-17.
01 February 2006
New Issue of JEMS
The Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies has published its vol. 32, no. 2 (March 2006) issue. The special theme of the issue is "Music and Migration." Table of contents/abstracts are available here.
Posted in Periodicals.
Posted in Periodicals.
New issue of Refugees Magazine
The December 2005 issue of UNHCR's Refugees Magazine is now online, and available in either a high-resolution or low-resolution PDF format.
The focus is on internally displaced persons (IDPs), with a lengthy article reviewing international efforts to provide legal and material assistance to this population. Sidebars within the article include statistics and an FAQ.
Posted in Periodicals.
The focus is on internally displaced persons (IDPs), with a lengthy article reviewing international efforts to provide legal and material assistance to this population. Sidebars within the article include statistics and an FAQ.
Posted in Periodicals.
30 January 2006
Developing the IDP Guiding Principles
The Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement were introduced in 1998. Since that time, they have been the focus of a number of studies, articles, and books. The following titles look more particularly at the process of developing the Principles, their status in international law, and their impact.
Bagshaw, Simon (2005), Developing a Normative Framework for the Protection of Internally Displaced Persons , Transnational Publishers.
- This book presents the Guiding Principles as an example of how it is not always necessary to develop a treaty, or seek a "hard" law solution, in order to effectively address human rights protection issues.
Cohen, Roberta (2004), "The Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement: An Innovation in International Standard Setting," Global Governance, vol. 10, pp. 459–480.
- The author analyzes "the origin and development of the Guiding Principles, the reasons for their growing international usage, the validity of the reservations about them, and finally the question of whether the process that developed them truly constitutes a turning point in standard setting reflecting a greater role for the nongovernmental community in developing international norms of conduct for states."
Entwisle, Hannah (2005), "Tracing Cascades: The Normative Development of the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement," Georgetown Immigration Law Journal, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 369-390.
- "The underlying purpose of this inquiry is twofold: one, to understand how and why States have chosen to adopt the Guiding Principles domestically, absent anyinternational legal obligation to do so, and two, to explore whether the development of the IDP norms provides any insight to lawyers seeking to enhance the overall security and protection of civilians in internal armed conflict."
Kälin, Walter (2005), "The Role of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement," Forced Migration Review, no. 24.
- Emphasizes importance of incorporating the Guiding Principles into domestic law.
Kälin, Walter (2001), "How Hard is Soft Law? The Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and the Need for a Normative Framework," presented at Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies RoundtableNew York, December 19, 2001.
- This lecture argues "that the preparation of a treaty or even a General Assembly declaration would not have been a realistic option when it came to protecting IDPs. ...[and] it show[s] that despite their non-binding character, the Guiding Principles are not without legal significance and that the approach chosen by the Representative has specific practical advantages."
Kälin, Walter (2000), "The Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement: Annotations,"
ASIL Studies in Transnational Legal Policy, no. 32.
- This text provides the legal basis for each principle enumerated in the Guiding Principles.
Phuong, Catherine (2005), "The International Protection of Internally Displaced Persons," Cambridge Studies in International and Comparative Law, no. 38.
- The author's second chapter provides a legal analysis/critique of the Guiding Principles.
Schmidt, Patrick (2004), "The Process and Prospects for the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement to Become Customary International Law: A Preliminary Assessment," Georgetown Journal of International Law, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 483-520.
- Reviews the typical sources of customary international law and considers whether or not the Guiding Principles meet the standard for being defined as such.
Posted in Publications.
Bagshaw, Simon (2005), Developing a Normative Framework for the Protection of Internally Displaced Persons , Transnational Publishers.
- This book presents the Guiding Principles as an example of how it is not always necessary to develop a treaty, or seek a "hard" law solution, in order to effectively address human rights protection issues.
Cohen, Roberta (2004), "The Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement: An Innovation in International Standard Setting," Global Governance, vol. 10, pp. 459–480.
- The author analyzes "the origin and development of the Guiding Principles, the reasons for their growing international usage, the validity of the reservations about them, and finally the question of whether the process that developed them truly constitutes a turning point in standard setting reflecting a greater role for the nongovernmental community in developing international norms of conduct for states."
Entwisle, Hannah (2005), "Tracing Cascades: The Normative Development of the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement," Georgetown Immigration Law Journal, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 369-390.
- "The underlying purpose of this inquiry is twofold: one, to understand how and why States have chosen to adopt the Guiding Principles domestically, absent anyinternational legal obligation to do so, and two, to explore whether the development of the IDP norms provides any insight to lawyers seeking to enhance the overall security and protection of civilians in internal armed conflict."
Kälin, Walter (2005), "The Role of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement," Forced Migration Review, no. 24.
- Emphasizes importance of incorporating the Guiding Principles into domestic law.
Kälin, Walter (2001), "How Hard is Soft Law? The Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and the Need for a Normative Framework," presented at Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies RoundtableNew York, December 19, 2001.
- This lecture argues "that the preparation of a treaty or even a General Assembly declaration would not have been a realistic option when it came to protecting IDPs. ...[and] it show[s] that despite their non-binding character, the Guiding Principles are not without legal significance and that the approach chosen by the Representative has specific practical advantages."
Kälin, Walter (2000), "The Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement: Annotations,"
ASIL Studies in Transnational Legal Policy, no. 32.
- This text provides the legal basis for each principle enumerated in the Guiding Principles.
Phuong, Catherine (2005), "The International Protection of Internally Displaced Persons," Cambridge Studies in International and Comparative Law, no. 38.
- The author's second chapter provides a legal analysis/critique of the Guiding Principles.
Schmidt, Patrick (2004), "The Process and Prospects for the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement to Become Customary International Law: A Preliminary Assessment," Georgetown Journal of International Law, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 483-520.
- Reviews the typical sources of customary international law and considers whether or not the Guiding Principles meet the standard for being defined as such.
Posted in Publications.
27 January 2006
Publications & documents focusing on women/gender
Eldis recently highlighted this title: Women in an insecure world: violence against women - facts, figures and analysis (Sept. 2005)
The UN Pulse announced the availability of this title: The World's Women 2005: Progress in Statistics (2006), which includes a chapter on violence against women.
UNESCO just published this report, focusing on gender and human trafficking: Poverty, Gender and Human Trafficking in Sub-Saharan Africa: Rethinking Best Practices in Migration Management (Jan. 2006)
And CEDAW is currently holding its 34th session.
Posted in Publications.
The UN Pulse announced the availability of this title: The World's Women 2005: Progress in Statistics (2006), which includes a chapter on violence against women.
UNESCO just published this report, focusing on gender and human trafficking: Poverty, Gender and Human Trafficking in Sub-Saharan Africa: Rethinking Best Practices in Migration Management (Jan. 2006)
And CEDAW is currently holding its 34th session.
Posted in Publications.
25 January 2006
Health-related resources
Malaria Control in Complex Emergencies: An Inter-Agency Field Handbook
- Developed by the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Technical Support Network on Complex Emergencies, based at the World Health Organization (WHO).
Refugee Health Research Centre, PhD Scholarships 2006
- Deadline is March 15th 2006.
UNHCR Drug Management Manual 2006: Policies, Guidelines, UNHCR List of Essential Drugs
- "Developed...to meet the immediate minimum drug needs for a basic refugee health care
system."
Posted in Publications and Events & Opportunities.
- Developed by the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Technical Support Network on Complex Emergencies, based at the World Health Organization (WHO).
Refugee Health Research Centre, PhD Scholarships 2006
- Deadline is March 15th 2006.
UNHCR Drug Management Manual 2006: Policies, Guidelines, UNHCR List of Essential Drugs
- "Developed...to meet the immediate minimum drug needs for a basic refugee health care
system."
Posted in Publications and Events & Opportunities.
High-Level Dialogue on Intl. Migration & Development
During its 58th Session, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 58/208 calling for a high-level dialogue on international migration and development to be held in 2006. On 23 January 2006, the Secretary-General appointed Peter Sutherland as his Special Representative on Migration to assist with preparations for the upcoming meeting.
The Special Representative is specifically tasked with preparing a "comprehensive overview of studies and analyses on the multidimensional aspects of migration and development...," which will draw on the findings of the Global Commission on International Migration (GCIM), an expert body formed by the Secretary-General in 2003 which issued its final report entitled "Migration in an interconnected world: New directions for action" in October 2005.
An overview of the organizational arrangements for the meeting is provided in the Secretary-General's report, A/60/205 (8 August 2005).
As part of the lead-up to the high-level dialogue, a number of Expert Group and Coordination Meetings have been convened by the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Their reports are available here.
Posted in Publications and Events.
The Special Representative is specifically tasked with preparing a "comprehensive overview of studies and analyses on the multidimensional aspects of migration and development...," which will draw on the findings of the Global Commission on International Migration (GCIM), an expert body formed by the Secretary-General in 2003 which issued its final report entitled "Migration in an interconnected world: New directions for action" in October 2005.
An overview of the organizational arrangements for the meeting is provided in the Secretary-General's report, A/60/205 (8 August 2005).
As part of the lead-up to the high-level dialogue, a number of Expert Group and Coordination Meetings have been convened by the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Their reports are available here.
Posted in Publications and Events.
24 January 2006
State of the World's Minorities 2006
Minority Rights Group International published the first edition of the State of the World's Minorities last week. Regional summaries, along with articles by MRG Executive Director Mark Lattimer and human rights expert Asbjørn Eide, are available on the site. The complete text of the report can be ordered online.
MRG previously published the World Directory of Minorities, a well-respected reference book with detailed profiles of over 700 minority groups. However, the directory was not kept up-to-date, with the last edition appearing in 1997. MRG's aim is to make the State of the World's Minorities an annual publication with more current data and analysis.
See an earlier posting on this blog with descriptions of other resources on minorities.
Posted in Publications.
MRG previously published the World Directory of Minorities, a well-respected reference book with detailed profiles of over 700 minority groups. However, the directory was not kept up-to-date, with the last edition appearing in 1997. MRG's aim is to make the State of the World's Minorities an annual publication with more current data and analysis.
See an earlier posting on this blog with descriptions of other resources on minorities.
Posted in Publications.
Latest issue of ICRC journal
The ICRC recently posted the full-text of its latest issue of the International Review of the Red Cross, no. 859 (Sept. 2005). The particular focus is on the "means of warfare" and implications for international humanitarian law and action.
Posted in Periodicals.
Posted in Periodicals.
23 January 2006
Underreported Humanitarian Stories of 2005
For the eighth time, Doctors without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières has issued its annual list of the top 10 most underreported humanitarian stories of the preceding year. The list this year includes the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chechnya, Haiti, R&D for HIV/AIDS, Northeastern India, Southern Sudan, Somalia, Colombia, Northern Uganda, and the Ivory Coast. The covering press release notes that these 10 stories captured a mere 8 minutes of nightly news coverage on the three principal U.S. TV networks during 2005.
To monitor humanitarian developments in countries around the world, visit ReliefWeb. It serves as an information clearinghouse on disasters and complex emergencies. The International Crisis Group is another useful resource for information about both new and ongoing conflict situations.
Posted in Publications and Web Sites/Tools.
To monitor humanitarian developments in countries around the world, visit ReliefWeb. It serves as an information clearinghouse on disasters and complex emergencies. The International Crisis Group is another useful resource for information about both new and ongoing conflict situations.
Posted in Publications and Web Sites/Tools.
19 January 2006
Library of Congress Country Profiles
The Federal Research Division of the U.S. Library of Congress has been producing Country Profiles for its in-depth Country Studies series for a number years. Now, the Country Profiles are being updated and made available as "stand-alone" references sources. Profiles will continue to be updated, either annually or as country situations evolve.
(Thanks to the beSpacific blog for this reference.)
Posted in Publications.
(Thanks to the beSpacific blog for this reference.)
Posted in Publications.
18 January 2006
Human Rights Watch World Report 2006
Human Rights Watch released its world report today. It surveys human rights violations that occurred around the world during 2005. The introduction by Executive Director Kenneth Roth reviews the main human rights issues of the past year, including U.S. policy towards torture and its detention practices, Darfur, and UN reform. While the complete report is principally available in English, a number of individual country summaries are provided in additional languages such as French, Spanish, and Arabic.
Posted in Publications.
Posted in Publications.
17 January 2006
PHR Report on Darfur
Physicans for Human Rights (PHR) has issued a new report entitled "Darfur: Assault on Survival - A Call for Security, Justice, and Restitution." Findings are based on three missions during which investigators interviewed survivors of three representative villages who were selected randomly from refugee camp populations in Chad. PHR's recommendations are included.
Posted in Publications.
Posted in Publications.
12 January 2006
Human Trafficking Web Portal
Human Trafficking Search, a new web portal, has been launched by the National MultiCultural Institute. It provides access to web-based information resources on human trafficking generally, as well as child labor, bonded labor and sex slavery practices. Its target audience is "individuals and organizations working to eliminate human trafficking."
Users can search by country or keyword, using a variety of either basic or advanced search features. No browse function is provided, nor is there information about how or what kinds of resources are selected for inclusion. More details about the selection process and collection policy would be helpful to provide users a better sense of what they might expect to find.
Examples of other information-rich sites working to eliminate human trafficking include the Global Alliance against Traffic in Women, the Coalition against Trafficking in Women, and the ChildTrafficking Digital Library.
(Thanks to the beSpacific blog for highlighting this resource.)
Posted in Web Sites/Tools.
Users can search by country or keyword, using a variety of either basic or advanced search features. No browse function is provided, nor is there information about how or what kinds of resources are selected for inclusion. More details about the selection process and collection policy would be helpful to provide users a better sense of what they might expect to find.
Examples of other information-rich sites working to eliminate human trafficking include the Global Alliance against Traffic in Women, the Coalition against Trafficking in Women, and the ChildTrafficking Digital Library.
(Thanks to the beSpacific blog for highlighting this resource.)
Posted in Web Sites/Tools.
10 January 2006
ArticleFinder: Free Journal Citation Database
ArticleFinder is an interdisciplinary journal citation database that is now freely accessible. Produced by Infotrieve, it houses over 26 million citations to journal articles. Users can also access the tables of contents of journal issues through this database.
This resource complements the other databases described in an earlier blog posting; however, fees for accessing the full-text of individual articles appear to be slightly higher than Ingenta or HighWire, ranging from $30-$50. Unique features of ArticleFinder include the ability to export/email references in various formats, including EndNote.
Posted in Web Sites/Tools.
This resource complements the other databases described in an earlier blog posting; however, fees for accessing the full-text of individual articles appear to be slightly higher than Ingenta or HighWire, ranging from $30-$50. Unique features of ArticleFinder include the ability to export/email references in various formats, including EndNote.
Posted in Web Sites/Tools.
Job Opening at Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement
There is an opening for Deputy Director at the Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement, located in Washington, DC. The appointment is for one year. The job description and application instructions are located at http://www.brookings.edu/admin/fps0206.htm.
The Project's web site address is http://www.brookings.edu/fp/projects/idp/idp.htm.
Posted in Events & Opportunities.
The Project's web site address is http://www.brookings.edu/fp/projects/idp/idp.htm.
Posted in Events & Opportunities.
09 January 2006
Sudanese protesters in Cairo
For developments relating to the possible forcible deportation of Sudanese protesters in Cairo, read the following news sources:
- Amnesty International
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE120032006?open&of=ENG-EGY
http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/ENGMDE120012006?open&of=ENG-EGY
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE120022006?open&of=ENG-EGY
- Human Rights Watch
- Pambazuka
- ReliefWeb
- UNHCR
Posted in Publications.
- Amnesty International
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE120032006?open&of=ENG-EGY
http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/ENGMDE120012006?open&of=ENG-EGY
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE120022006?open&of=ENG-EGY
- Human Rights Watch
- Pambazuka
- ReliefWeb
- UNHCR
Posted in Publications.
06 January 2006
New Report on Trafficking of Burmese Refugees
The Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children has released a new report entitled
Abuse Without End: Burmese Refugee Women and Children at Risk of Trafficking. The complete text is available at http://www.womenscommission.org/pdf/mm_traff.pdf or in the ReliefWeb library at http://www.reliefweb.int/library/documents/2006/wc-mmr-01dec.pdf.
Forced Migration Review, in conjunction with the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women, will publish a special issue focusing on human smuggling and trafficking in March 2006; more details at http://www.fmreview.org/forthcoming.htm.
More information on Burma is available in the Online Burma Library at http://www.burmalibrary.org/.
Posted in Publications.
Abuse Without End: Burmese Refugee Women and Children at Risk of Trafficking. The complete text is available at http://www.womenscommission.org/pdf/mm_traff.pdf or in the ReliefWeb library at http://www.reliefweb.int/library/documents/2006/wc-mmr-01dec.pdf.
Forced Migration Review, in conjunction with the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women, will publish a special issue focusing on human smuggling and trafficking in March 2006; more details at http://www.fmreview.org/forthcoming.htm.
More information on Burma is available in the Online Burma Library at http://www.burmalibrary.org/.
Posted in Publications.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)