News Stories (10/04/08)

Burma migrants suffocate in lorry (BBC News) - [text online]

Zimbabwe emergency talks called (BBC News) - [text online]

Kenya opposition urges restraint (BBC News) - [text online]

Kosovo adopts a new constitution (BBC News) - [text online]

What George Clooney told Gordon Brown about China and Darfur (The Daily Telegraph) - [text online]

Osama bin Laden's 'right-hand man' Abu Qatada wins deportation fight (The Times) - [text online]

Terror suspects win battle against deportation (The Independent) - [text online]

Calls grow for immigrant amnesty (The Independent) - [text online]

Protesters clash with police as Kenya's power-sharing dispute rumbles on (The Independent) - [text online]

United Kingdom: Appeals Court Blocks National Security Deportations (Human Rights Watch) - [text online]

ReliefWeb/OCHA Situation Report : Somalia Humanitarian Overview Vol. 1 Issue 3 - Mar 2008 (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

Uprooted Kenyans long to return home (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

Kenya: Revised appeal seeks $189m for humanitarian action in 2008 (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

Sudan: DDR an "unprecedented and unique challenge" (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

Colombia: UNHCR and Gov't sign accord to protect land rights of displaced (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

Appeal court blocks deportation of terror suspects (The Guardian) - [text online]

UNHCR and Colombia sign accord to protect land rights of displaced (UNHCR News) - [text online]

Abu Qatada wins deportation fight (Daily Express) - [text online]

Sudan: Militia Attacks Threaten Crucial Census (Human Rights Watch) - [text online]

KENYA: Talks deadlock could slow IDP returns - officials (IRIN News) - [text online]

Plight of displaced in Chad, Central African Republic worries Security Council (UN News) - [text online]

UN and African Union envoys for Darfur crisis hold talks in southern Sudan (UN News) - [text online]

ZIMBABWE: SADC steps into the fray (IRIN News) - [text online]

GHANA: Postponed deportations of Liberians over refugee status (IRIN News) - [text online]

Selected News Sources:

BBC News - http://news.bbc.co.uk/

The Times Online - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/

The Telegraph - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

The Independent - http://www.independent.co.uk/

The Guardian: Special News Reports on Immigration & Refugees: http://www.guardian.co.uk/immigration/0,,1397447,00.html

UNHCR News - http://www.unhcr.org/news.html

UN News Centre - http://www.un.org/news/

ReliefWeb - http://www.reliefweb.int

Reuters AlertNet - http://www.alertnet.org/

Posted in: News.

News Stories (09/04/08)

Australian PM speaks out on Tibet (BBC News) - [text online]

Zuma condemns Zimbabwe poll delay (BBC News) - [text online]

Violence as Kenya talks suspended (BBC News) - [text online]

Zimbabwe faces starvation as mobs rampage through farms (The Times) - [text online]

Thousands of migrants win right to stay (The Times) - [text online]

Mayoral candidates unite in call for illegal immigration amnesty (The Independent) - [text online]

Militias accused of threats to Mugabe's rivals (The Independent) - [text online]

Violence breaks out as Kenyan leaders fail to agree cabinet (The Independent) - [text online]

Skilled migrants win right to stay as judge says rule change unlawful (The Guardian) - [text online]

High court declares new immigration rules unlawful (The Guardian) - [text online]

UNHCR and Google Earth unveil programme for humanitarian operations (UNHCR News) - [text online]

UNHCR condemns attack on vehicle in Somalia’s Puntland region (UNHCR News) - [text online]

China: concerns over deportation (UNHCR Briefing Note) - [text online]

High Commissioner warns about impact of global food shortages (UNHCR Briefing Note) - [text online]

Ambush on UNHCR vehicle in Somalia's Puntland region (UNHCR Briefing Note) - [text online]

Colombia: agreement to protect the property rights of displaced (UNHCR Briefing Note) - [text online]

Internal displacement in Iraq (UNHCR Briefing Note) - [text online]

UNHCR launches US$40.3 million Darfur appeal for refugees and internally displaced (UNHCR Briefing Note) - [text online]

ReliefWeb/OCHA Situation Report : Timor-Leste: Humanitarian update, 15 Feb - 04 Apr 2008 (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

Uganda: Refugees grow impatient (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

Global: Climate change poses humanitarian challenges - UN official (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

Kenya: Talks deadlock could slow IDP returns (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

Iraq: the plight of 2.77 million IDPs remains precarious (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

Zimbabwe: New funding to provide critical assistance to mobile and vulnerable people (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

ReliefWeb/OCHA Situation Report : Humanitarian action in Southern Sudan weekly bulletin, week 13, 30 Mar - 04 Apr 2008 (RTeliefWeb) - [text online]

REDBRIDGE: Racism in schools 'cover-up' fear (Guardian Series News) - [text online]

Somalia: Beyond the Brink (Refugees International world:bridge blog) - [text online]

Sudan-Chad relations crucial for Darfur talks: envoys (Reuters) - [text online]

Darfur: UN and African Union envoys begin new round of consultations (UN News) - [text online]

Peacekeeping force in DR Congo stretched to the limit – latest UN report (UN News) - [text online]

More money needed to help displaced in Georgia, UN refugee agency says (UN News) - [text online]

Gulf States play vital role in global relief efforts, says UN humanitarian chief (UN News) - [text online]

Colombia and UN refugee agency to sign deal to protect land rights of displaced (UN News) - [text online]

Selected News Sources:

BBC News - http://news.bbc.co.uk/

The Times Online - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/

The Telegraph - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

The Independent - http://www.independent.co.uk/

The Guardian: Special News Reports on Immigration & Refugees: http://www.guardian.co.uk/immigration/0,,1397447,00.html

UNHCR News - http://www.unhcr.org/news.html

UN News Centre - http://www.un.org/news/

ReliefWeb - http://www.reliefweb.int

Reuters AlertNet - http://www.alertnet.org/

Posted in: News.

News Stories (08/04/08)

China vows to keep torch on track (BBC News) - [text online]

Mbeki's 'quiet diplomacy' doubted (BBC News) - [text online]

Zimbabwe poll officials detained (BBC News) - [text online]

UN expert stands by Nazi comments (BBC News) - [text online]

Iraqi interpreters fly out to a new life in Britain (The Times) - [text online]

Fear of Islam is ruining our chance for peace (The Daily Telegraph) - [text online]

UN refugee agency chief concerned about global food shortages (UNHCR News) - [text online]

Donors concerned about humanitarian needs in Georgia (UNHCR News) - [text online]

UNHCR and Google unveil new map programme for humanitarian operations (UNHCR Press Release) - [text online]

Burundian refugee returns from Tanzania hit 300,000 mark (UNHCR Briefing Note) - [text online]

Internal displacement update for Iraq (UNHCR Briefing Note) - [text online]

UNHCR welcomes new Panama law (UNHCR Briefing Note) - [text online]

High Commissioner in Tajikistan (UNHCR Briefing Note) - [text online]

Tooting man breaks his legs fleeing immigration raid (This Is Local London) - [text online]

ReliefWeb/OCHA Situation Report : OPT: Protection of civilians weekly report 26 Mar - 01 Apr 2008 (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

Colombia: ICRC helps protect and assist victims of armed conflict Source : ICRC (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

Sudan: Five years on - no justice for sexual violence in Darfur - HRW (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

RWANDA: Protect genocide survivors, authorities urged (IRIN News) - [text online]

SUDAN: Human Rights Watch calls on government to end sexual violence in Darfur (IRIN News) - [text online]

UN unveils latest list of ‘10 Stories the World Should Hear More About’ (UN News) - [text online]

DR Congo: UN envoy calls on parties to implement commitments in Kivus (UN News) - [text online]

UN human rights body begins first-ever examination of all countries’ records (UN News) - [text online]

UN has ‘moral duty’ to act on lessons of Rwanda – Ban Ki-moon (UN News) - [text online]

Selected News Sources:

BBC News - http://news.bbc.co.uk/

The Times Online - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/

The Telegraph - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

The Independent - http://www.independent.co.uk/

The Guardian: Special News Reports on Immigration & Refugees: http://www.guardian.co.uk/immigration/0,,1397447,00.html

UNHCR News - http://www.unhcr.org/news.html

UN News Centre - http://www.un.org/news/

ReliefWeb - http://www.reliefweb.int

Reuters AlertNet - http://www.alertnet.org/

Posted in: News.

News Stories (07/04/08).

IOC chief speaks out over Tibet (BBC News) - [text online]

Talks to avert Somali aid crisis (BBC News) - [text online]

Darfur women still face rape risk (BBC News) - [text online]

Immigration has reduced jobs for Britons (The Sunday Telegraph) - [text online]

Asylum system 'marred by inhumanity' and 'still denies sanctuary', says report (Refugee Council) - [text online]. Full report available via the Independent Asylum Commission website - [Fit For Purpose Yet?].

Asylum system 'marred by inhumanity' and 'still denies sanctuary', says report (Refugee Council) - [text online]

More help for Iraqi refugees says NGOs in letter to governments (Refugee Council) - [text online]

Tales of belonging (The Guardian) - [text online]

Rivers of blood? No. Just a divided idea of what Britishness means (The Guardian) - [text online]

How migrants fuel Britain's boom town (The Observer) - [text online]

A healthy economy is impossible with closed borders (The Observer) - [text online]

Immigration: For and against (The Observer) - [text online]

UK immigration: Factfile (The Observer) - [text online]

Smith launches UK Border Agency (The Guardian) - [text online]

The global issue of new labour (The Guardian) - [text online]

Populism and prosperity (The Guardian) - [text online]

What the witnesses thought of the Lords report (The Guardian) - [text online]

Immigration to the UK: facts and figures (The Guardian) - [text online]

Row as Lords committee backs cap on immigration (The Guardian) - [text online]

Review migrant and asylum systems (The Guardian) - [text online]

Care homes 'employing illegal immigrants' (The Guardian) - [text online]

Q&A: A photographer for all seasons (UNHCR News) - [text online]

UN refugee agency seeks US$40 million for Darfur operations (UNHCR News) - [text online]

Mine Awareness Day: North Kivu's harmless-looking, but deadly killers (UNHCR News) - [text online]

Chechen arrivals in Poland back to normal after surge (UNHCR News) - [text online]

UNHCR-run festival in Syria highlights arts and culture of Iraq (UNHCR News) - [text online]

UNHCR and Tajikistan agree on integration of refugees (UNHCR News) - [text online]

Milestones reached in UNHCR's operations for Burundian refugees (UNHCR News) - [text online]

UNHCR welcomes new law giving refugees chance for Panama residency (UNHCR News) - [text online]

Nepal: Final UN report before historic polls warns of violence, intimidation (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

King of Saudi Arabia and UN Humanitarian Chief discussed ways of strengthening partnership between UN and the Kingdom in humanitarian area (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

ReliefWeb/OCHA Situation Report : OCHA Kenya Humanitarian Update vol. 13, 27 Mar - 02 Apr 2008 (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

ReliefWeb/OCHA Situation Report : Humanitarian action in Southern Sudan weekly bulletin, week 12, 23 - 29 Mar 2008 (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

ReliefWeb/OCHA Situation Report : West Africa: Humanitarian situation report 03 Apr 2008 (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

ReliefWeb/OCHA Situation Report : OPT: Gaza Strip inter-agency humanitarian fact sheet, Feb 2008 (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

Darfur: No Redress for Rape (Human Rights Watch) - [text online]

DR Congo: Conference Highlights Protection From Violence (Refugees International world:bridge blog) - [text online]

Launch of Britain's new unified Border Agency (Border & Immigration Agency) - [text online]

Selected News Sources:

BBC News - http://news.bbc.co.uk/

The Times Online - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/

The Telegraph - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

The Independent - http://www.independent.co.uk/

The Guardian: Special News Reports on Immigration & Refugees: http://www.guardian.co.uk/immigration/0,,1397447,00.html

UNHCR News - http://www.unhcr.org/news.html

UN News Centre - http://www.un.org/news/

ReliefWeb - http://www.reliefweb.int

Reuters AlertNet - http://www.alertnet.org/

Posted in: News.

News Stories (20/03/08)

China steps up Tibetan crackdown (BBC News) - [text online]

New 'Bin Laden tape' threatens EU (BBC News) - [text online]

Zimbabwe rejects free poll fears (BBC News) - [text online]

Removed Ghanaian dies of cancer (BBC News) - [text online]

Bail denied for Khmer Rouge head (BBC News) - [text online]

Nepal action on Tibet 'excessive' (BBC News) - [text online]

Bin Laden in video threat to EU over cartoons (The Independent) - [text online]

Mugabe opponents face violent attacks ahead of elections (The Independent) - [text online]

Foreign Office minister calls on Olympians to speak out (The Independent) - [text online]

Deported Ghanaian dies of cancer (The Guardian) - [text online]

From Baghdad to Britain (The Guardian) - [text online]

Somali refugee community takes lead in local integration in South Africa (UNHCR News) - [text online]

Kites and spirits soar at UNHCR spring festival in Pakistan (UNHCR News) - [text online]

ReliefWeb/OCHA Situation Report : OCHA Nepal Situation Overview Issue No. 22, 01 - 17 Mar 2008 (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

ReliefWeb/OCHA Situation Report : OPT: Protection of civilians weekly report 27 Feb - 04 Mar 2008 (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

Bin Laden threatens Europe as President Bush claims victory in Iraq (The Daily Telegraph) - [text online]

TIMOR-LESTE: IDPs begin to return home as security improves (IRIN News) - [text online]

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Humanitarian satellite channel to be launched by end of 2008 (IRIN News) - [text online]

KENYA: State failed to protect citizens during unrest - UN report (IRIN News) - [text online]

Central African Republic: Chadian Army Attacks, Burns Border Villages (allafrica.com) - [text online]

Afghanistan must do more to address impunity, advance human rights – UN (UN News) - [text online]

UN Population Fund joins in Congolese campaign against sexual violence (UN News) - [text online]

DR Congo: UN mission says Katanga conditions still suitable for refugee returns (UN News) - [text online]

Selected News Sources:

BBC News - http://news.bbc.co.uk/

The Times Online - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/

The Telegraph - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

The Independent - http://www.independent.co.uk/

The Guardian: Special News Reports on Immigration & Refugees: http://www.guardian.co.uk/immigration/0,,1397447,00.html

UNHCR News - http://www.unhcr.org/news.html

UN News Centre - http://www.un.org/news/

ReliefWeb - http://www.reliefweb.int

Reuters AlertNet - http://www.alertnet.org/

Posted in: News.

Conferences and Other News

First Podcast from IASFM Conference

As promised in this earlier post, Forced Migration Online (FMO) has released the first of a planned series of podcasts recorded during the 11th International Association for the Study of Forced Migration (IASFM) conference, which was held in Cairo earlier this year. The theme of the initial plenary was "Emerging patterns of irregularity and their effects among migrants and refugees in the Middle East."
(Source: Forced Migration Current Awareness Blog - http://fm-cab.blogspot.com/)

New IDP Database

The Global Database on the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement was recently launched by the Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement and the Institute for the Study of International Migration (ISIM). Its aim is to facilitate the development of national legal and policy frameworks on internal displacement by providing "instant access to official documents, including recommendations of United Nations treaty-monitoring bodies, reports of UN charter bodies, and UN General Assembly resolutions about the rights of these IDPs."
(Source: Forced Migration Current Awareness Blog - http://fm-cab.blogspot.com/)

State of the World's Minorities 2008

Minority Rights Group International (MRG) just launched the online World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples. Now it has released the 2008 edition of the State of the World's Minorities. The volume can be downloaded in its entirety or by chapter. Contents include thematic articles such as "climate change and minorities" and regional sections with an initial introduction to relevant issues affecting the region, followed by profiles of minority populations in individual countries.
(Source: Forced Migration Current Awareness Blog - http://fm-cab.blogspot.com/)

Citizens Speak Consultation: How Should Asylum Seekers be treated?

An independent enquiry into the UK’s asylum system has launched CITIZENS SPEAK, the biggest ever consultation with ordinary citizens on how asylum seekers should be treated.

http://www.independentasylumcommission.org.uk/

http://www.citizensspeak.org.uk/

(Source: Welsh Refugee Council - www.welshrefugeecouncil.org/)

Advisory Board on Naturalisation and Integration: Citizenship in the Community Conference, 21^st May 2008

A conference to consider the Government’s proposals for further reform on citizenship. For more details and to express interest e-mail Imran Khan imran.khan@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
(Source: Welsh Refugee Council - www.welshrefugeecouncil.org/)

2008 Perrie Lectures- Outsiders Inside: Foreign Nationals, Detention and Crime, 6 June 2008

Speakers include Donna Covey Chief Executive of the Refugee Council, Jonathan Lindley Strategic Director for Enforcement, Borders and Immigration Agency.
http://perrielectures.org.uk/index.htm
(Source: Welsh Refugee Council - www.welshrefugeecouncil.org/)

Human Rights for Every Child: 15 March 2008 at Clore Management Centre, Birkbeck College

Organised by UNISON and the British Association of Social Workers and looking at refugee, asylum seeker, migrant and trafficked children. Email dave@abelard.org.uk for details.
(Source: Welsh Refugee Council - www.welshrefugeecouncil.org/)

Call for films

Refuge in Films 2008 is now receiving submissions of new films about refugees and immigration matters. Last year the festival screened 30 films, from refugee community productions to mainstream films.Deadline: 21 March 2008. Email refugeeinfilms@gmail.com for further information.
(Source: Welsh Refugee Council - www.welshrefugeecouncil.org/)

RefugeeMap
http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/comments/refugeemap_launched/
STAR (Student Action for refugees) has launched a new interactive online resource for young people. RefugeeMap is a collaborative Wiki providing easy and accessible information for volunteers, especially young people, working with refugees in England. This site seeks to gather in one place easily accessible information on refugee situations, news and policy, and volunteering opportunities around the UK. For press release with more background info see link above. RefugeeMap is at: http://refugeemap.wikidot.com/.
(Source: Welcome To Your Library - http://www.welcometoyourlibrary.org.uk/)

Posted in: News /and Conferences and Meetings.

News Stories (19/03/08)

Protesters 'surrender in Tibet' (BBC News) - [text online]

Zimbabwe election run-up 'flawed' (BBC News) - [text online]

UN envoy disappointed over Burma (BBC News) - [text online]

Kosovo riots 'were orchestrated' (BBC News) - [text online]

Dalai Lama threatens to stand down over violence as China calls him a liar (The Times) - [text online]

Robert Fisk: The only lesson we ever learn is that we never learn (The Independent) - [text online]

Dalai Lama threatens to quit over Tibet violence (The Independent) - [text online]

The Big Question: Who is the Dalai Lama, and why is he the focus of protests over Tibet? (The Independent) - [text online]

Our legacy is a dark and forbidding place of militias (The Independent) - [text online]

Military law imposed on divided Kosovo town after Serb rioting (The Independent) - [text online]

Report on 2007 Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialised Countries (UNHCR Briefing Note) - [text online]. he full report is also available online at: "Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries, 2007."

Situation of Palestinians on Iraq-Syria border continues to deteriorate (UNHCR Briefing Note) - [text online]

Chad: Central African Refugees moved away from border in south (UNHCR Briefing Note) - [text online]

Kindness of strangers eases refugees' arrival in United States (UNHCR News) - [text online]

UNHCR concerned about situation of Palestinians on Iraq border (UNHCR News) - [text online]

Deportations to Zimbabwe as 'no general risk' (The Independent on Sunday) - [text online]
(Source: IRR News - http://www.irr.org.uk)

Service for asylum seekers launched (Bradford telegraph & Argus) - [text online]
(Source: IRR News - http://www.irr.org.uk)

Iraqi Refugees: Improve UN Outreach in Syria (Refugees International) - [Download a .pdf of this information here.]

ReliefWeb/OCHA Situation Report : Humanitarian action in Southern Sudan weekly bulletin, week 10, 09 - 15 Mar 2008 (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

Philippines: Conflict IDPs in Mindanao face shortages (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

Balkans: NATO, UN warn Serbs after deadly Mitrovica riots (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

Humanitarian action in Iraq: Putting the pieces together - ODI-HPG (ReliefWeb) - [text online]

Iraq 5 Years On: Agencies from both sides of the Atlantic make plea for more help for refugees (Refugee Archive Poliblog) - [text online]

Keeping children safe from harm (Refugee Council Poliblog) - [text online]

One in five Iraqis displaced or refugees - agency (Reuters AlertNet) - [text online]

Sudan: Factions Delaying Darfur Peace Deal, Says Unamid Force Chief (allafrica.com) - [text online]

Sudanese-Chadian relations vital to ending Darfur conflict, says UN envoy (UN News) - [text online]

All States should sign global pact against racial discrimination – UN rights chief (UN News) - [text online]

Iraqi crisis fuels rise in asylum-seekers in industrialized world – UN report (UN News) - [text online]

Selected News Sources:

BBC News - http://news.bbc.co.uk/

The Times Online - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/

The Telegraph - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

The Independent - http://www.independent.co.uk/

The Guardian: Special News Reports on Immigration & Refugees: http://www.guardian.co.uk/immigration/0,,1397447,00.html

UNHCR News - http://www.unhcr.org/news.html

UN News Centre - http://www.un.org/news/

ReliefWeb - http://www.reliefweb.int

Reuters AlertNet - http://www.alertnet.org/

Posted in: News.