At World Refugee Week

The Co-Secretary Generals of APRRN attended and spoke virtually at the World Refugee Day Seminar organised by one of APRRN's members, the COAST Foundation. During the seminar, speakers and participants highlighted the dignified durable, and long-term solutions for Rohingyas and the responsibilities of the Bangladesh government and global, international communities. The event reignited the passion and shared visions of the different actors in this space. The Co-SGs called for a more coordinated and a Whole of Society Approach in responding to the issues of Rohingya in the region. Read More Here

While Klaus Dik Nielsen attended and networked at a World Refugee Day event in Bangkok hosted by the Australian embassy, Hafsar Tameesuddin attended and represented APRRN at the World Refugee Day event at the Parliament of New Zealand hosted by the Immigration New Zealand and Red Cross New Zealand. 

Klaus (in-person) and Hafsar (virtually) also spoke at an event hosted by The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Bangkok. The "Refugee Voices from Southeast Asia: Commemorating Refugee Day" workshop on 26 June 2024 was a collaborative initiative involving the Centre on Gender and Forced Displacement (CGFD)/Gender and Development Studies at AIT; Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS); and Asylum Access, Thailand (AAT). Hafsar and Klaus spoke about the importance of bringing diverse voices of people with lived experience into solutions on displacement and how APRRN works with diverse refugee-led organisations and initiatives, including communities that are hard to reach. Read More Here

They brought a Rohingya voice directly into the auditorium as APRRN member, Khair Ulla, had produced a video for World Refugee Day calling for attention to the dire situation in Cox’s Bazaar. Watch the video Here

All events highlighted the pressing need for exploring diverse options including short-, medium- and long-term solutions for refugees. The Co-SGs of APRRN also participated in and supported other events at World Refugee Day by our members and communities in solidarity. They also encouraged and welcomed youth from diverse backgrounds in the region at the APRRN Online Youth Summit hosted on 22 June. This was one of the many more steps towards the meaningful and diverse inclusion and leadership of refugee youths across the region. 

Important Notice: On 25 June, APPRN had its second board meeting.  

On 5 June, the OHCHR South-East Asia Regional Office convened a meeting in Bangkok with the UN Human Rights Commissioner, Volker Tür. Klaus Dik Nielsen, along with some other regional human rights organisations, including APRRN members, attended the meeting where he talked about the implications of the situation in Myanmar to Thailand and the region, and called for action in Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Indonesia. He had a brief exchange with the High Commissioner who knows APRRN from his time as UNHCR representative in Malaysia. 

2024 Consultations on Resettlement and Complementary Pathways (CRCP)

APRRN secretariat and members attended the annual Consultations on Resettlement and Complementary Pathways, 4-7 June 2024 in Geneva, joining 340 government representatives from resettlement and host States, NGOs, refugees, academia, intergovernmental and international organisations, and UNHCR discussing resettlement needs and how to further complementary pathways towards “Solutions In Action: Advancing the 2030 Roadmap”. As a first in the 29 years of the consultation, host states, including Thailand and India,  were invited, while Japan and the Philippines presented their Education pathway model and practice. Points of reflection from the four days for our region include exploring the “routes-based approach”, and the application of “each one (University), take one (refugee)” to further access to education and relevant pathways in the Asia Pacific. Recommendations were shared in the NGO statement and the statement of the Refugee Advisory Committee to the CRCP. 

In June, APRRN Chair David Keegan led meetings between APRRN members and Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan, Australia and US Missions to the UN in Geneva, and attended the 2024 UNHCR Global Consultations with NGOs and organisations led by displaced and stateless individuals. Discussions centered around how UNHCR can strengthen collaborations toward solutions, inclusion, and gender equality.

Refugee Youth Summit 2024 - Youth Working Group

In commemoration of World Refugee Day, the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) Youth Working Group hosted the Refugee Youth Summit on 22nd June with the theme of "Nothing About Youth, Without Youth!". We brought young voices together in a 90-minute virtual summit where we dived into the value of protecting refugee rights and how YOUTH can make a difference in this climate. We also had an amazing line-up of panellists who dived deeper into their stories of community activism and refugee advocacy. This summit was also a space for networking, building a sense of solidarity with the refugee youth movement, and harnessing youth-led advocacy and action.

We're proud of bringing these energies and power together for common purposes: to empower youth, to advocate for the rights of refugees, and to foster leadership that inspires and transforms communities. Watch the Summit Here

Members Spotlight!

Welcome Japan is a non-governmental platform at the national level of Japan, aiming to achieve an effective whole-of-society approach to refugee inclusion in Japan. Established in 2021, Welcome Japan is leading and providing a series of spaces and initiatives for various stakeholders such as NGOs, RLOs, private sectors, academia, etc. to mobilise resources and commitments for the needs or approaches that have easily unfocused and their collective actions. Welcome Japan aims to accelerate multi-sectoral collaboration for refugee inclusion and complementary pathways in Japan and create a multicultural society where no one is left behind. Established in November 2021 and registered as a general incorporated association in June 2022, Welcome Japan has worked with various members including academia, NPOs, private companies, and refugees. Visit Their Website Here

INTERNATIONAL DETENTION COALITION (IDC): The integration of digital technology into immigration detention and alternatives to detention (ATD) presents a double-edged sword: it can either undermine human rights or enhance freedom and dignity. Over the past two decades, the global trend toward employing technologies like biometric data collection, AI, and electronic monitoring in migration governance has accelerated, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. While these tools aim to improve migration systems, their application often overlooks the human impact, placing vulnerable migrants under heightened surveillance and control. For example, electronic tagging, used as an alternative to detention in several countries, effectively imposes a form of "digital detention" with significant negative effects on individuals' liberty and mental health. To address these challenges, IDC has launched a new initiative to examine the multifaceted impacts of digital technologies on migrants' lives. This initiative aims to ensure that technology supports positive engagement and upholds human rights, rather than contributing to further criminalization and erosion of dignity. Read More Here

Refugee Council of Australia. On 12 June,  CEO Paul Power wrote to Immigration Minister Andrew Giles, expressing concern over the high rejection rate of visitor visas for individuals fleeing Gaza. The letter highlighted data from Senate estimates showing 4,614 visa rejections against 2,686 approvals since October 2023, critiquing the unrealistic expectation for these applicants to prove temporary stay intentions. The RCOA urged the government to adopt a compassionate approach, proposing principles for emergency evacuations, including safe emergency pathways, rapid response systems, and durable visa solutions. Power also called for increased diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Gaza. Read More Here

Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network - Rohingya women are sharing their experiences of violence and resilience amid the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, calling for safe spaces and empowerment. At a recent event in Bangkok, the documentary "The Journey of Love" highlighted the stories of five Rohingya women who fled to various countries and now advocate for women's rights. The panel discussed the increased dangers for Rohingya, including forced military recruitment and severe restrictions on their movement and rights. Despite seeking refuge in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, Rohingya women continue to face significant barriers, including access to healthcare and education. The event underscored the need for the international community to recognize and support Rohingya women in their fight for justice and equality. Read More Here

“Besides doing the work, we have a relationship of sisterhood. We’re here for one another.”

Watch the recap of the “Journey of Love” documentary screening, organized by the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network on May 25 at The Fort. Watch Here

Equal Asia Foundation co-hosted a side event “LGBTQI+ forced displacement: Building cross-movement solidarity to understand key issues and strategize solutions” with Rainbow Railroad during the UNHCR NGO Consultations. Ryan Figueiredo, Executive Director of Equal Asia Foundation, and Renee Dixson, the Chair and Founder of Forcibly Displaced People Network as well as Artemis Akbary of Afghanistan LGBTIQ Organization (ALO) spoke during the event.  

Emplace Youth Initiative has joined the call for Unity and Friendship between Refugee Women-Led groups in Asia, engaging in meaningful discussions on the role of the community in supporting refugee women and organisations. On June 29th, the Sisterhood hosted a webinar to foster connections and conversations, featuring speakers from diverse refugee-led organizations. Established in June 2023, Emplace is a vibrant youth-focused, refugee-led initiative with 67% girl leadership, emphasising shared leadership to create a safe space for youth refugees to realise their potential. Emplace envisions a society where youth refugees have equal opportunities and thrive in their communities, with a particular focus on addressing the concerns of women and girls. In Indonesia, where refugees lack access to formal education, healthcare, and employment as the country has not ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention, Emplace is working to provide a safe space for young women to collaborate and find solutions to the challenges they face. 

News From The Region

Pakistan/Afghanistan:

Pakistan has announced a second phase of a contested campaign to expel Afghan refugees imminently.  Some 800,000 Afghans are at risk of being forcibly returned. Over 650,000 Afghans have returned from Pakistan since October 2023, almost 200,000 since January 2024, after authorities raided homes and shelters, detaining significant numbers before deportation. Many returned, reportedly, due to fear of being detained and arrested.  Media narratives portraying Afghan refugees as enemies of the state, a security threat, and a burden are part of this concerning trend.  NGOs have so far not reported large numbers arrested or deported.. Notably, Proof of Registration (POR cards) issued to approximately  1.3 million Afghans in Pakistan are due to expire on 30 June 2024, leaving them vulnerable to deportation. Due to reported intimidation, extortion, and fear of arrest numbers of returnees have increased with almost 38 000 returnees from Pakistan in June 2024 alone.

The DTM IOM Afghanistan dashboard provides detailed data on the number of Afghans leaving the country to enter Iran or Pakistan and the number of those who returned. Notably, the numbers of those forcibly returned from Iran remains are the highest numbers recorded. Read More Here

The APRRN Afghanistan website continues to be updated with the latest information on resettlement options including visas, sponsorship, and complementary pathways for Afghans in transit. The website also shares education and employment opportunities and relevant news coverage for Afghans in transit, displaced in the Asia Pacific region in both English and Dari.

Indonesia:

Many refugees in Indonesia have spent years awaiting resettlement, often having initially fled to the Southeast Asian archipelago as a stepping stone to Australia. On Batam Island, Morwan Mohammad and his family have lived in a converted hotel for the past eight years after fleeing war in Sudan. This former tourist hotel, now housing 228 refugees from countries such as Afghanistan, Somalia, and Sudan, was repurposed in 2015 to serve as a temporary shelter. Despite Indonesia's history of accepting refugees, the country is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and does not permit refugees to work. Many refugees find themselves in limbo, unable to progress to third-country resettlement. Mohammad and his family struggle with the uncertainty of their future and the inability to work. The UNHCR reports that nearly a third of the 12,295 refugees registered in Indonesia are children with limited access to education and health services. Read More Here

Thailand: 

In Thailand, Myanmar refugees have turned to digital counter-surveillance to navigate the intense scrutiny they face from host country authorities. Despite appearing powerless under the constant threat of arrest, imprisonment, or deportation, these refugees in Mae Sot leverage their tech-savviness, particularly with platforms like Facebook, Signal, and Telegram, to gather and share real-time intelligence on security checkpoints and patrols. This digital reconnaissance helps them avoid arrest and extortion. Many of these refugees, who fled Myanmar after the 2021 military coup, are young, educated, and adept at bypassing internet restrictions and forming networks to protect themselves and the innovative use of digital tools illustrates their resilience and agency in the face of significant challenges. Read More Here

APRRN's urgent statement on 21 June called upon the Royal Thai Government to immediately release Y Quynh Bdap, a Montagnard religious freedom activist and refugee, and to ensure that he is not forcibly returned to Vietnam. The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, Human Rights Watch and OHCHR human rights experts have, amongst others, also expressed alarm that  Y Quynh Bdap, a UNHCR-recognised refugee, is now subject to extradition proceedings. Furthermore, whilst the Royal Thai Government seeks candidature at the Human Rights Council for the 2025-2027 term, the handling of this case will serve as a litmus test for Thailand’s commitment to human rights. 

Myanmar

The Rohingya people are at risk of losing their ethnic identity due to persecution and displacement. A new digital archive project aims to preserve Rohingya cultural heritage, but it faces numerous challenges. The Rohingya have indigenous roots in Arakan, now Rakhine State, Myanmar, but since 1948, they have been persecuted, leading to exile and statelessness. Restrictions on cultural expression and low literacy have hindered the preservation of their culture. Recent efforts, such as the Rohingya Historical Archive (R-Archive), launched by the Rohingya Project, use digital technology to archive documents and media of ancestral value. This initiative faces difficulties due to security concerns, low awareness of cultural preservation, and the need for immediate survival. Despite high mobile access, restrictions and mistrust complicate preservation efforts. Educating communities about cultural legacy and focusing on intangible cultural resources could help mitigate these challenges while respecting the community's priorities and ensuring their collective identity is retained. Read More Here

Bangladesh: 

Floods and landslides caused by heavy monsoon rains in Bangladesh and India killed 15 people and left millions displaced, according to officials. Some 7,794 Rohingya refugees in camps in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar region were affected, with at least seven refugees killed by landslides, and about 1,191 shelters destroyed.  Read More Here

Refugees and humanitarian workers in camps in Bangladesh reported armed Rohingya nationalist groups are intensifying efforts to coerce young male Rohingya refugees to join the Myanmar military to fight against the armed Arakan Army group. More than 500 Rohingya refugees have reportedly been pressured to join the military since May, according to local news outlets, and some young men have fled from camps to avoid forced conscription. Meanwhile, a Bangladeshi official said escalating conflict between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army has forced more Rohingyas to flee to Bangladesh. Read More Here

The biometric registration of nearly a million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, initiated by the Bangladesh government and UNHCR in 2018, faced significant controversy over the lack of informed consent, or "ejajot" from the refugees. Human Rights Watch claimed in 2021 that the biometric data was shared with the Myanmar government without proper consent, a claim disputed by UNHCR. Through focus group discussions and interviews, researchers found that while the concept of informed consent was unfamiliar to many Rohingya, the principle was understood as “ejajot”. Despite assurances from UNHCR that refugees were informed and consented to the registration, many Rohingya felt pressured and inadequately informed, fearing repercussions if they did not participate. The process, marked by a lack of transparency and engagement with the refugees, highlights the complexities and ethical challenges of using digital technologies in humanitarian contexts, raising important questions about the true meaning and feasibility of informed consent in such situations. Read More Here

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported a ’globally unprecedented’ prevalence of hepatitis C amongst Rohingya refugees in camps in Bangladesh, with almost 20% of those tested having an active infection. MSF said their teams are the only ones providing hepatitis C care in the camps, and they are being forced to turn away patients due to demand exceeding capacity.  Read More Here

Reports & Publications

"A 'Whole-of-Society Approach' to Refugee Protection in Asia"

The thesis compares how refugee protection is managed in practice on the ground in 10 jurisdictions across Asia:  Thailand, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, India, Taiwan, the Philippines, Japan, and Korea.  It also identifies legal obligations and standards of treatment that Asian States all recognise including, importantly, non-refoulement, temporary refuge, and respect for human and some refugee-specific rights. 

Finally, it identifies common 'typologies' among refugee protection systems and develops a model to support the evaluation and strengthening of existing systems.  This model has already been utilised in the Philippines, and we are working with several other governments and partners, for example, the government of Thailand as it sets up its new National Screening Mechanism. Read More Here 

Refugee-led organizations (RLOs) play a critical role in providing essential services and leading accountable, transparent, and effective responses within their communities. However, a five-year research project reveals that RLOs are severely underfunded, receiving just $26.4 million in 2022, with grant sizes significantly smaller than those for local/national NGOs. Most funding for RLOs is funneled through intermediaries, and few major humanitarian agencies transparently report their support for RLOs, with private philanthropies driving most of the available funding. The belief that RLOs are too risky to fund is unfounded and leads to exclusionary compliance requirements. The study calls for a more pragmatic approach to funding, recognizing RLOs as vital actors in the localization agenda, and urges the international community to increase and improve funding for RLOs to enable meaningful change. Read More Here

Despite not being a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, Thailand has long provided humanitarian aid to refugees, including recent arrivals from Myanmar fleeing violence and persecution. In 2021, Thailand introduced a National Screening Mechanism (NSM) to help these refugees gain protected status, though challenges persist. Asylum Access Thailand and the Myanmar Response Network have identified key issues: enforcement of immigration laws over refugee protection, lack of access to fundamental rights, detention in immigration centers, inadequate local community support, and NSM regulations that often exclude those in need. The report recommends recognizing the definition of refugees in Thai law, improving integration policies, empowering local civil society to assist refugees, and strengthening the practical protection of refugees to ensure their rights and well-being are upheld. Read More Here

Global Attitudes to Refugees: A new 52-country survey from Ipsos and UNHCR for World Refugee Day 2024 reveals enduring public support for refugees, alongside stark variations in attitudes. The survey included people from Australia, China, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, New Zealand, and Malaysia. For detailed information including on country findings see here

PILnet's Global Forum returns to Asia on 12–14 November in Bangkok, Thailand. This three-day event will feature workshops, networking opportunities, and discussions on leveraging the law to support civil society. The forum will run alongside the 2024 Access to Justice Exchange (A2JX), organized by BABSEACLE and the Asia Pro Bono Consortium. APRRN members will attend sessions to explore different ways to utilize the law to advance access to justice, rights, and solutions for displaced and stateless people in the region and beyond. Register Here

APRRN/Members’ Job Vacancies

Asylum Access is seeking a Legal Services Programme Coordinator in Bangkok, Thailand. The closing date is 30 July 2024. 

The Danish Refugee Council is seeking a MMC Specialist - Information Management in Bangkok. The closing date is 19 July 2024.

UNHCR: Call for applications for new refugee advisors – open until July 19

The Refugee Advisory Group to the CRCP is an important formal mechanism. The Refugee Advisory Group to the Consultations on Resettlement & Complementary Pathways (CRCP) consists of 15 refugee representatives, who advise on the planning of the CRCP, the CRCP objectives and Resettlement & Complementary Pathways programs more broadly. Group members will have a 2-year tenure. Find out more here or apply here. 

Home-based Internship Programme Alert  

Global Resilience Partnership(GRP) is looking for x3 Young Professionals to Join its Global South Talent Pool (home-based internship programme): As part of its activities, GRP has successfully implemented 3 rounds of the Global South Talent Pool (GSTP), a paid internship programme for graduates and young experts from the Global South. Apply here until 21st July 2024.

Awards and Prizes

The Villa Decius Association is now accepting applications for the 21st Sérgio Vieira de Mello Polish Prize. This award honors individuals and non-governmental organizations for their work in promoting peaceful coexistence and cooperation among different societies, religions, and cultures. Candidates can be from Poland or abroad and can be submitted in two categories: non-governmental organization and person. The Award Chapter includes representatives from various esteemed entities, such as the President of Poland, the Ambassador of Brazil, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, among others. Notable past recipients include Tadeusz Mazowiecki and the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights. Interested applicants should complete the application form and review the rules and regulations provided. Read More Here

Funding opportunities

Equality Fund - Canada launched a new funding opportunity. “Prepare” is designed to support grassroots feminist movements in crisis preparation and response, supporting community-led approaches in building resilience and long-term solutions to crises. 

Key areas:

1. Visionary Capacity: Strengthening the ability to envision and plan for future challenges.
2. Warning Systems (Infrastructure): Building systems to detect and respond to crises early.
3. Political Building: Enhancing political strategies and advocacy.
4. Narrative Change: Shifting public narratives and attitudes towards feminist crisis response.

Apply Here. Deadline is July 24, 2024.

USA Office of Global Criminal Justice Programs Funding opportunity $1 million USD

for Promoting Accountability for Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, and War Crimes in Burma. Objective to advance victim-survivor-centered investigations and prosecutions of perpetrators of atrocities committed in Burma since 2011, by supporting the implementation of the justice and accountability components of UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/78/219 with respect to the situation of human rights of Rohingya and other ethnic and/or religious minority groups in Myanmar. A successful project will result in the advancement of victim-survivor-centered investigations and prosecutions of perpetrators of atrocities committed in Burma since 2011. Deadline 19 July. Find out more here. 

Kaleidoscope Trust calls for applications: Small Grants - 5000-8000 USD - to promote Intersectional Advocacy Interventions (Respect, Mainstreaming and Realisation of LGBT+ Rights) in Asia and the Pacific Regions (Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Sri Lanka only). Deadline 21 July. See here

Applications open for Unifor Social Justice Fund till 2nd September - tackling the social and economic conditions that contribute to injustice and inequality to improve the lives of workers, families and other marginalised communities around the world. Past programs and initiatives included protecting human and workers’ rights, supporting gender equity and women’s rights, promoting water justice, supporting access to education, improving health care services, fostering community development, and providing emergency aid and disaster relief. More here

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, and the performance period is 12 to 24 months. Deadline Date: September 30, 2024 Read More Here

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 Read More Here 

U.S. Mission to Japan provides $10,000 to a maximum of $100,000 via the Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program, for projects that use U.S.-Japan cooperation to increase transparency and good governance, strengthen democratic processes, counter state-sponsored disinformation, and promote respect for the rule of law and human rights in the Indo-Pacific region. Deadline Date: September 30, 2024. Read More Here

The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) provides a range of grants via its LIFELINE: THE EMBATTLED CSO ASSISTANCE FUND, including:

1. short-term emergency assistance to CSOs threatened because of their human rights work
2. Lifeline rapid response advocacy grants give local CSOs the resources to push back against restrictions on civic space
3. Lifeline resiliency grants are meant to provide support to CSOs at high risk to avoid or mitigate the threats they face

ICNL accepts applications for advocacy support and resiliency support on a rolling basis. A preliminary application for Lifeline support may be found here (as a form) or here (as a Word document)