Ireland: State policy Drives asylum seekers into real poverty

We would like to share the following article ' State policy drives asylum seekers into real poverty' published today in the Irish Times by Sue Conlan, chief executive of the Irish Refugee Council. Sue Conlan argues that poverty is not just about income or needs, it is about being part of society. According to Sue Conlan, asylum seekers are living in poverty over a sustained period of time as a matter of State policy. Sue Conlan argues for a reception system that allows for both direct provision of support and the right to work for asylum seekers -a "policy- mix" reception policy, in conformity with recommended best practices. Sue Conlan calls for a revision of the Irish direct provision system as " it has not only outlived its necessity but, more importantly, it is damaging those within the system and Ireland’s reputation for human rights in the international community".

Refugees in Malaysia arrested, abused and denied right to work

We found a report from Amnesty International (dating already from June 2010) on the denial of the right to work experienced by refugees in Malaysia, the vast majority being from Myanmar. The report Abused and Abandoned: Refugees Denied Rights in Malaysia documents the plight of refugees and asylum-seekers who have reached Malaysia, where they are refused legal recognition, protection, or the right to work. This report was part of Amnesty International's Demand Dignity campaign, which aims to end the human rights violations that drive and deepen global poverty. 

Thailand, Closed Camps, No Work Authorization lead to Stagnation and Abuse

In the report 'Thailand: Refugee Policies Ad Hoc and Inadequate' dating from September 2012, Human Rights Watch finds that Thai refugee policies are not grounded in law and cause refugees of all nationalities to be exploited and unnecessarily detained and deported. 

Human Rights Watch concluded among others that closed camps and lack of work authorization lead to stagnation and abuse. 

The report focuses on the plight of Burmese refugees, the largest current refugee group in Thailand. It examines treatment and conditions of both Burmese refugees inside the camps on the Thai-Burma border and Burmese outside the camps, who are not officially recognized as refugees. 

Unlawful refugees' transfer plan in Kenya to violate human rights

The Kenyan authorities should halt their plan to forcibly move 55,000 registered refugees and asylum seekers from cities to overcrowded and under serviced refugee camps, Human Rights Watch said yesterday. Citing a number of grenade attacks in 2012, the authorities contend the move will improve Kenyan national security and lead to the return of Somali refugees to Somalia. 

The plan would violate refugees’ free movement rights and would almost certainly involve the unlawful forced eviction of tens of thousands of refugees from their lodgings in the cities, Human Rights Watch said. The longstanding humanitarian crisis in Kenya’s refugee camps also means the relocation would affect refugees’ ability to make a living and unlawfully reduce their access to adequate food, clothing, housing, health care and education. 

Better integration of refugees could lead to savings in Denmark

In the press article 'Better integration could lead to massive savings for councils' dating from the 8th of January, Peter Stanners in the Copenhagen Post highlights the fact that local programmes favoring the integration of refugees into the local labor market make sound economic sense.

Another interesting article, not related to refugees but concerning the lack of right to work of  family members of persons living as a mixed- couple for years without being authorized to stay permanently in Denmark- caught up our attention. Call it our "billet d'humeur" of the day: 

Join Asylum Access Refugee work Rights Coalition, fill in their Survey!

Asylum Access is conducting a survey on the right to work of refugees and asylum seekers and is initiating the Refugee work Rights Coalition. We invite all individuals and organisations active on this topic to fill in Asylum Access' questionnaire and to join the Coalition. 
Who should fill out the survey?  Academics, service providers and those generally familiar with the refugee population in their area of residence are invited to answer this short survey. 

Why you should join the Coalition? NGOs, academics, advocates and service providers committed to advocating for and facilitating access to safe, lawful employment for refugees are welcome to join this international forum. Together we can put this issue on the agenda, make informed recommendations, and help refugees access their right to work around the world. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be a part of this discussion.

Interested in being a part of the movement? Sign up for updates and meeting notices by joining the Refugee Work Rights Coalition Google group.To obtain more information on Asylum Access campaign and survey: click here. To fill in Asylum Access survey on the right to work in English (click here) or in Spanish (click here)