NEWSLETTER DETAILS
News Briefs (May 2024)
Our News Briefs bring you the latest highlights from the advocacy efforts of APRRN and our members, as well as keeping you informed on upcoming events and activities. We strive to provide regular updates on the network’s activities and developments in the refugee protection sphere, alongside the emerging political climate in the Asia Pacific region. We welcome contributions from members! Please share your updates, information, or resources with Ali at msco@aprrn.org
IN MALAYSIA
Hafsar Tameesuddin, Co-Secretary General of APRRN attended the Thirteenth Asia Dialogue on Forced Migration (ADFM) meeting which took place on May 7 - 8 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, hosted by the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia. This was the first meeting held in Malaysia since 2016 and addressed significant changes since then, such as the Rohingya displacement to Bangladesh and Afghan refugees fleeing the Taliban. The Dialogue focused on enhancing cooperation among Indo-Pacific states to address forced displacement, reviewing commitments made at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum, addressing the Myanmar conflict's regional implications, and exploring options for regional responsibility-sharing. Participants reviewed pledges made at the forum and discussed collaboration opportunities for their implementation, as well as preparations to support those in need in Myanmar and future engagement with the region. Read More Here
Hafsar also attended a workshop with Women’s Refugee-Led Groups in Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Thailand, led by APPRN partners, Linda Bartolomei and Eileen Pittaway from the University of New South Wales, where they co-facilitated sessions on how women’s groups can become more empowered to run their own organisations, serve their communities and advocate for their rights, access to services and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Klaus Dik Nielsen, APRRN’s other Secretary General, also took part in a strategic planning day with the groups, UN agencies and external partners and donors, as the 5-year project: Implementing Gender Commitments in the Global Compact on Refugees, and the Multistakeholder Pledge: Gender Equality and Protection from Gender-Based Violence came to an end.
APRRN’s Co-Secretaries General, Hafsar and Klaus attended and spoke at the Asia Pacific Summit of Refugees (APSOR) 2024. They also met with APRRN partners and held separate meetings with Charles Santiago on Malaysia’s forthcoming ASEAN chairmanship and with the British High Commission on possible collaboration.
IN BANGKOK
Klaus and Hafsar took part in a regional meeting on “Nurturing collaboration to counter misinformation, disinformation & hate speech impacting Rohingya refugees in Asia”, co-convened by UNHCR and the Association for Progressive Communications (APC).
Along with APRRN’s Board member, Puttanee Kangkun, the Co-Secretaries General of APRRN attended a gathering by the Ambassador of the European Union to Thailand, and met with members of the EU delegation to Thailand, the diplomatic community, and journalists.
Members Spotlight!
Community World Service Asia
Community World Service Asia (CWSA) is a regional humanitarian, development, advocacy, and capacity enhancement organization operating in Asia, with a significant focus on empowering Asia’s most vulnerable communities through self-implemented projects, partnerships, and capacity-building programs. Our focus areas include Emergencies, Climate Action & Risk Reduction, Education, Health, Livelihoods, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH), Equality, Inclusion & Participation (EIP), and, Quality and Accountability (Q&A). Historically, CWSA has been active in supporting refugees and displaced populations in Pakistan, including providing emergency relief, healthcare, education, livelihood support, and advocacy for rights and services. CWSA started health work with Afghan Communities living in Pakistan since 1980 and provided services to over a million patients through its health component in the KPK Province. CWSA’s health programs then moved to South Eastern Afghanistan as the communities were repatriated back to their hometowns in Laghman and Nangarhar Provinces.
Our most recent programs include:
- Empowering Afghan refugee women
- Multipurpose Cash Assistance
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), and Dignity Kits (Menstrual Hygiene Management) for Afghan Refugees
- Education and Child Protection – Pakistan and Afghanistan
- Girls Education Projects (Digital Learning Center & Research Project)
- Advocacy and Elevating Afghan Refugee Voices
Furthermore, CWSA has been instrumental in advocating for Afghan refugee projects on various global platforms, including the UNHCR Global NGO’s Consultation in Bangkok, the Psychosocial Support CoP for Asia Pacific in Bangkok and Bali, and the Regional Partnership Week in Bangkok, showcasing its commitment in 2022 and 2023. Visit CWSA's Website
Co-producing Research with Refugees and Other People with Lived Experience of Displacement
Introducing Guidelines for Collaborative Research with Refugees and Individuals with Lived Experience of Displacement, this video explores the significance, rationale, and methodology behind co-produced knowledge. Najeeba Wazefadost from APNOR and Tristan Harley from the Kaldor Centre at the University of New South Wales provide insights into essential factors for all stakeholders to consider when engaging in such research. Read More Here
RISE #4 - Advocating for the Well-Being of Refugees for Comprehensive Community Empowerment
Refugee communities in Indonesia face significant uncertainties about their future, leading to disruptions in their psychological well-being. These challenges are compounded by poor living conditions and significant gaps in the fulfilment of basic rights, further deteriorating their overall well-being and highlighting the need for comprehensive advocacy. There are numerous alternatives to enhance self-well-being, including various empowerment efforts that can help refugees develop their personal profiles and increase self-reliance. However, these initiatives have not been widely adopted due to several structural barriers. To address this, SUAKA and JRS, along with Naweed Aieen from CDC and Dr. Leonardo Lalenoh from PDSKJI, aim to provide information on well-being. Their goal is not only to encourage community resilience in the face of limitations and protection barriers but also to offer various methods to improve self-well-being and personal resilience. Watch the Talk Here
Emplace Youth Initiative attended APSOR 2024, from the Indonesia local hub. Representing youth refugees and sharing our first-hand experiences of displacement and detention across various Indonesian cities was both an honour and a responsibility that Emplace representatives deeply cherished and brought to the table. Throughout the summit, Emplace representatives advocated for refugee rights on multiple fronts, drawing from years of engagement in community initiatives, awareness campaigns, policy dialogues, and international forums. Such discussions emphasised crucial issues such as agency and inclusion, resettlement, safety, legal challenges, education, healthcare, and funding. The summit highlighted the necessity of providing spaces where youth refugees can directly address decision-makers, policymakers, and stakeholders, fostering meaningful dialogue and partnership. Witnessing the formulation of actionable plans and the cultivation of equitable collaborations reinforced the belief in the efficacy of refugee-led advocacy. Such gatherings are pivotal in ensuring that refugee voices shape policies and practices that affect our lives, paving the way for substantial and enduring positive change.
Upholding protections for women and girls under CEDAW
Asylum Access Malaysia’s (AAM) Executive Director, Hui Ying Tham, addressed the 88th CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women) Session in Geneva highlighting Malaysia’s failure to protect refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls. AAM also provided critical information to the CEDAW committee and submitted two detailed reports, which will be available on the website soon! Read More Here
News From The Region
Afghanistan:
Returns to Afghanistan
The UNHCR continues to support Afghans returning to an uncertain future in Afghanistan. Despite the cessation of active conflict following the Taliban takeover in 2021, the country faces significant challenges, with widespread poverty, soaring unemployment, and insufficient public services. The Taliban's restrictive edicts have severely curtailed the social, economic, and political rights of women and girls, effectively erasing them from public life. Consequently, the UNHCR advises against the forced return of Afghan nationals from their countries of asylum, emphasising that any returns must be voluntary. In October 2023, Pakistan's "Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan" led to the expulsion of nearly half a million Afghans, with many returns being coerced. Returnees face numerous hardships, including poverty, unemployment, and inadequate public services, compounded by climate change and severe droughts. Women and girls, who make up a significant portion of returnees, are particularly affected by restrictions on their participation in public life and limited access to essential services, contributing to their deteriorating mental health. UNHCR has been monitoring return trends and providing targeted assistance in high-return areas since 2002, aiming to address the pressing needs of returnees in a country still grappling with the aftermath of decades of conflict. Read More Here
Indonesia:
Officials and local fishermen rescued 75 Rohingya refugees from the hull of a capsized boat off the coast of Aceh. Survivors recount harrowing abuse and terror inflicted by the boat's captain and crew, who tortured and sexually assaulted women and girls, including a 12-year-old girl. After threatening to capsize the boat if the women didn't comply with their demands, the captain ultimately caused the vessel to overturn, resulting in the deaths of 67 passengers, including at least 28 children. This tragedy is part of the ongoing suffering faced by the Rohingya, a stateless Muslim minority fleeing violence in Myanmar and dire conditions in Bangladesh's refugee camps. The incident underscores the continued plight of the Rohingya and the urgent need for international intervention and support. Despite initial rescues, many passengers remain unaccounted for, and survivors, now in limbo, demand justice for the atrocities they endured. Read More Here
Protest Emerges as North Sumatra Village Objects to Rohingya Refugees
Kwala Langkat village in Langkat regency, North Sumatra, witnessed a protest by its residents demanding the departure of 51 recently arrived Rohingya refugees from their community. The demonstration occurred at a multipurpose building where the refugees had sought shelter overnight after their arrival the previous day. Local officials, including representatives from UNHCR and government agencies, were present during the protest. Villagers insisted that the UNHCR escort the refugees out and restricted UNHCR staff from leaving until their demand was met. Village head Mahyudanil expressed the residents' rejection of the refugees' presence, stating they would be evicted if they did not leave voluntarily. The refugees reportedly arrived via a coastal mangrove forest at the village edge, claiming to have spent nearly a month lost at sea after departing from Malaysia. Tanjung Pura Police are exploring relocation options for the refugees as the local population opposes their stay. Read More Here
Thailand:
Human Rights Watch Urges Thailand to Cease Expelling Dissident Refugees
Human Rights Watch has called on the Thai government to halt the forced return of political dissidents seeking refuge in Thailand to their authoritarian home countries, where they risk torture, persecution, or death. A new report by the organization, titled "We Thought We Were Safe," reveals that Thai authorities have repeatedly violated international law by expelling registered refugees awaiting resettlement. The report examines 25 cases from 2014 to 2023, highlighting the forced repatriation of Cambodians, as well as dissidents from Vietnam, Laos, and China, who were often abducted or disappeared. In exchange, Thailand received cooperation from these countries to monitor Thai dissidents abroad. The report calls for the Srettha administration to investigate these practices and distinguish itself from previous military-led governments. Thailand, currently vying for a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council, recently ratified the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance, signaling a commitment to human rights that Human Rights Watch insists must be backed by concrete actions, including new investigations into unresolved cases of enforced disappearances. Read More Here
Resettlement Interviews Commence for Myanmar Refugees in Thailand
Thailand has initiated interviews for Myanmar refugees residing in the country who qualify for a new resettlement initiative in the United States, as announced by the Thai government. Approximately 90,000 refugees inhabit nine camps along the Thai border, seeking refuge from ongoing conflicts between Myanmar's military and ethnic minority rebel groups. Many refugees have spent decades in these camps, with limited prospects for returning home due to persistent unrest in Myanmar, exacerbated by the military coup in February 2021. The resettlement program, jointly implemented by Thailand, the United States, and the UNHCR, aims to offer refugees a secure path out of the camps. The first phase of interviews has begun, with expectations for the initial group to relocate by year-end. However, specific details regarding the number of refugees to be resettled and the program's timeline remain undisclosed. Amid ongoing challenges, charities advocate for permanent settlement options for refugees, emphasizing the need for a sustainable future beyond the camps' limitations. Read More Here
Latest report from the Myanmar Response Network
In 2021, Asylum Access Thailand formed the Myanmar Response Network (MRN) together with six other organizations to focus specifically on the challenges faced by refugees from Myanmar. The latest report from the coalition details those main challenges, as well as recommendations to improve Myanmar refugees’ access to their rights and their integration into Thai society. Check out our blog post for a summary of the report. Read More Here
India:
Guernica 37 Chambers urges the International Criminal Court's Office of the Prosecutor to examine the forced expulsion of Rohingya refugees from India to Bangladesh. Through a submission lodged on May 29, 2024, the organization outlines how Rohingyas, who sought refuge in India from Myanmar's mass atrocities in 2016/2017, are being pressured to leave as part of the Indian government's anti-Muslim initiative. Despite being granted refugee status by the UNHCR between 2012 and 2017, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs declared Rohingyas “illegal immigrants” in August 2017, revoked their refugee status, and ordered their deportation, leading to the detention of numerous Rohingyas awaiting deportation. With the loss of their refugee protection, Rohingyas faced indefinite immigration detention, devoid of access to essential services and employment, compelling many to flee to Bangladesh. Guernica 37 Chambers argues that Indian authorities are effectively deporting Rohingyas to Bangladesh, falling within the ICC's jurisdiction to investigate. This shift in government policy towards Rohingyas reflects the anti-Muslim stance of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), evident through its rhetoric and policies since assuming power in 2014. Read More Here
Myanmar:
Urgent Call for UN Human Rights Council to Address Myanmar Crisis
The Special Advisory Council for Myanmar emphasises the critical need for the United Nations Human Rights Council to convene an urgent special session regarding the escalating crisis in Myanmar, particularly in Rakhine state, where Rohingya communities face renewed threats of genocide. Reports indicate coordinated attacks targeting Rohingya in Buthidaung township, including killings, arson, and shelling, allegedly perpetrated by Arakan Army soldiers. Despite its opposition to the Myanmar military, the Arakan Army now seems complicit in targeting Rohingya populations, exacerbating their vulnerability. This crisis demands immediate attention and action from the Human Rights Council to ensure the protection of Rohingya rights and uphold international humanitarian law. SAC-M urges the Council to adopt a resolution reinforcing the need for compliance with provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice, accelerate efforts for accountability, and explore avenues for justice, including referral to the International Criminal Court or the establishment of a special tribunal for Myanmar. Read More Here
Bangladesh:
In Cox's Bazar, a stark contrast emerges between the bustling tourist hub and the world's largest refugee camp, home to nearly one million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. Amidst scenic beaches and tourist attractions, the Kutupalong-Balukhali refugee camp stands as a testament to the struggles faced by the Rohingya community, trapped in a cycle of displacement and uncertainty. With densely packed living conditions and frequent disasters such as fires and cyclones, the camp embodies both despair and resilience. Despite efforts to improve conditions and provide education and support services, rising violence, illicit activities, and security concerns continue to plague the camps. The international community, led by organisations such as the World Food Programme, is rallying to address these challenges, but with donor fatigue setting in and repatriation prospects bleak, the plight of the Rohingya remains a pressing humanitarian crisis with no easy solution in sight. Read More Here
Reports & Publications
Publication by APRRN Members: Danish Refugee Council (DRC), HOST International Malaysia, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Indonesia.
The latest publications from the "Protecting Refugees in Asia" (PRiA) project include a Research Report and Briefing Paper on the "Impact of Climate Change on the Migration and Displacement Dynamics of Rohingya Refugees." This research explores how climate change uniquely influences the (im)mobility of the Rohingya, examining the interplay of environmental, social, economic, and political factors in affecting their displacement, protection risks, and long-term solutions. The study offers specific recommendations for stakeholders to create climate-resilient and sustainable refugee protection strategies.
The Research Report is available here, while the shorter Briefing Paper is available here.
Guidance Note on the International Protection Needs of People Fleeing Myanmar
The "Guidance Note on the International Protection Needs of People Fleeing Myanmar" addresses the urgent need for protection of those escaping the country. Myanmar's political reforms, initiated in 2010, led to a mixed military-civilian government in 2011, and the 2015 general elections marked a significant milestone in its democratic transition. However, the military retained considerable power through the 2008 constitution, which allocated key ministries and parliamentary seats to military appointees. Persistent ethnic conflicts and human rights abuses, particularly the large-scale violence against the Rohingya ethnic minority in 2016-2017, forced hundreds of thousands to flee. Read More Here
From Crisis to Collaboration: Reflections on ASEAN’s Protection Mechanisms for Forced Migration The report "authored by Caitlin McCaffrie and Christy Kumesan as part of Centre for Policy Developments Asia Dialogue on Forced Migration, outlines existing processes and frameworks within ASEAN to address forced migration and proposes recommendations for their enhancement to protect displaced persons in the region better. Rather than advocating for a new regional architecture, the report suggests building upon existing frameworks. Southeast Asia harbours a significant refugee population yet has the lowest Refugee Convention acceptance rate globally, leading to an inconsistent patchwork of rights and protections. The lack of a unified protection framework within ASEAN results in improvised responses to forced migration crises. With ongoing crises in Asia, including in Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka, the region needs collaborative solutions. The report recommends incorporating forced migration in ASEAN's Post 2025 Vision, establishing better-connected employment and education pathways for refugees, enhancing search and rescue capabilities, establishing an ASEAN ministerial dialogue on forced migration, creating an ASEAN Declaration on Forced Migration, and establishing a multi-stakeholder ASEAN forum on forced migration to leverage expertise from civil society and other external actors. Read More Here
Resourcing Refugee Leadership Initiative (RRLI) at the Global Refugee Forum 2023
We have put together a report detailing our experience at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum (GFR_ as a community of refugee-led organisation. The GRF is supposed to be a platform for refugees to be heard, yet the voices featured at the Forum were for the most part not those of refugees. Read how RRLI supported refugee-led participation at the GRF and our comprehensive feedback on how the Forum can be improved. Read More Here
"Refugees and Asylum Seekers in East Asia Perspectives from Japan and Taiwan" is published as open access by Springer Link.
The book, edited by Lara Momesso and Polina Ivanova with the contributions of 19 other authors, offers an interdisciplinary approach to the theme of refugees and asylum seekers in East Asia. Integrating the overlooked cases of Japan and Taiwan in scholarship on refugees/asylum seekers, the book views refugees and asylum seekers’ experiences in East Asia through a human security lens. This book is open access, which means that you have free and unlimited access! Read More Here
APRRN/Members’ Job Vacancies
International Detention Coalition is seeking a Digital Technologies Research Consultant who will work closely with, and under the supervision of, the Asia Pacific Regional Manager and IDC’s Executive Director to implement IDC’s contribution to the joint research project.
Contract duration will be for 7 months
Consultancy fee: EUR 17,000.00
Location: Remote
Application Deadline: 30 June 2024
Call for Abstracts:
Call for Abstracts by the Workstream on “Ensuring migrant protection through strengthened responses to migrant smuggling and increased coordination on its linkages with trafficking in persons”
Researchers are invited to submit 300-word abstracts on the following macro-areas:
- Understanding decision-making processes shaping individuals’ choices to embark on smuggling-facilitated journeys.
- The impact of law enforcement operations to counter the smuggling of migrants on patterns of local development and mobility.
The deadline is 30 June. Read More Here
Awards and Prizes
Amnesty International:
Call for Nominations: The Ginetta Sagan Award 2024, recognises and assists women who are working to protect the liberty and lives of women and children in areas where human rights violations are widespread.
Deadline Date: August 05, 2024
Call for Nominations: Rafto Prize for Human Rights and Democracy - a person or an organisation who stands up for human rights and democracy.
Deadline Date: February 01, 2025
The 2024 Photography 4 Humanity Global Prize Competition, 5000 USD, is looking for images that show people impacted by the escalating climate crisis, including climate refuges, the very young, the very old, the disabled and injured, the poor, indigenous and island people, and women. Images of climate champions advocating for change, and those helping to mitigate and reverse climate change are welcome.
Deadline Date: August 01, 2024
Funding opportunities
U.S. Mission to the Philippines: Public Affairs Annual Program Statement, Award amounts may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $50,000, the performance period is 12 to 24 months.
Deadline Date: September 30, 2024
Thailand & Cambodia: The World Childhood Foundation is inviting applications for its grant program to inspire, promote, and develop solutions to end sexual abuse and exploitation against children.
Project periods start from July 1 or January 1. The first grant period is a maximum of 12 months, with the possibility to apply for continuation and extend the project period up to a maximum of six years.
Deadline Date: October 15, 2024
The Afghanistan Integrated Activity (AIYA) by USAID aims to empower Afghan youth, particularly girls and young women, by equipping them with market-relevant technical and soft skills. This initiative seeks to enhance income, food security, and economic resilience among participants. The overarching goal of AIYA is to improve learning outcomes and livelihood opportunities for young women and men. Expected outcomes include 1) Improved post-secondary technical and vocational education or learning opportunities for youth, with a focus on market-relevant, skills-based learning within the agricultural sector and its related value chains. 2) Youth, particularly girls, and young women acquire market-relevant skills to improve livelihood opportunities and engage in climate-resilient agricultural value chains in their homes, communities, or other settings.
Grant Size: More than $1 million
Deadline Date: July 12, 2024
European Commission (EC) - CFPs: Human Rights and Democracy & NDICI Civil Society-Country level support for Bangladesh, contribute to sustainable development, human rights, and democracy as independent actors of good governance and development in their own right.
Deadline Date: July 03, 2024
USAID: Nagorikata Civic Engagement Fund - Bangladesh, seeks proposals from civil society organizations registered with the NGO Affairs Bureau and/or the Department of Social Services to implement projects that promote gender equality, peace, justice, and stronger institutions aligning with SDGs 5 and 16.
Deadline Date: June 27, 2024
U.S. Mission to Malaysia, U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State: Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program, invites proposals for programs that strengthen ties between the U.S. and Malaysia through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation (incl. countering disinformation, cybersecurity, and transnational threats), a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $99,000.
Deadline Date: September 19, 2024
U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Thailand: Public Diplomacy Program, Activities that strengthen democratic values, accountability, public participation, transparency, and rule of law in governance and political institutions / Technology, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Renewable Energy / Education. Awards may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $75,000.
Length of performance period: Up to 12 months
Deadline Date: July 03, 2024
U.S. Mission to Indonesia Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program, for projects that further and support the strategic partnership between Indonesia and the U.S. through educational, cultural, informational, and media programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation.
Deadline Date: June 30, 2024
The Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) has launched a Rapid Response Window (RRW) to address the funding gap in women’s participation in formal peace processes and the implementation of peace agreements.
Direct Support Stream (up to $25,000 USD) Requests for logistical and/or technical services, which will be paid directly by the WPHF’s RRW.
Short-Term Grants (up to 100, 000 USD): Open to requests for a grant to implement a project, which addresses the objectives of the RRW and is supported by an INGO partner.
Digital Defenders Partnership: Incident Emergency Fund, up to €10,000 over a maximum 4 months to cover costs which will directly reduce the risk or impact of a digital attack.
The Het Actiefonds - Grants to support Social Movements and Action Groups is accepting applications for its grant program to support activism that focuses on climate and various human rights needs including planning to organise a protest (LGBTQIA+ rights - Migrant rights - Workers' rights). maximum grant size is €2,500 per project. The average grant size is between €750 and €2,000.