Ethnic Minority Partnership EMP: September 2010

Thursday, September 9, 2010

IOM Ireland E-Newsletter

August 2010, Issue # 3

Welcome to the third issue of the IOM Ireland E-Newsletter! International Organisation for Migration
IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. With 127 member states, a further 17 states holding observer status and offices in over 100 countries.
IOM Ireland
Since opening in 2001, the IOM Dublin office has been engaged in a number of thematic areas which all seek to contribute to positive and humane migration. IOM Ireland is active in the following areas: Voluntary Return and Reintegration Project; Family Reunification; Counter Trafficking Activities; Research. Ireland has been an IOM Member State since 2002.

In this Issue:
IOM Ireland* IRRiCO Country of Origin information project conference* New Research project launched* Moldova monitoring Trip June 2010 IOM Worldwide* IOM responsible for the coordination of Emergency Shelter relief in Pakistan* IOM assists the 400,000 victims displaced and directly affected by the inter-ethnic conflict in Kyrgyzstan* IOM Launches New Project: 'Best Practices for a Coordinated Approach to Assist Unaccompanied Minors in the EU'

IRRiCO: Information on Return and Reintegration in Countries of OriginFinal Conference of Phase II IRRiCO Project held in June 2010

IRRiCO is an IOM specially designed web-based tool that facilitates the exchange of information on return and reintegration options between EU countries and countries of origin.The first phase of this useful information resource began in 2007 as a pilot project and today IRRiCO has expanded to provide information on return related queries on the following countries of origin:Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Armenia, Brazil, Cameroon, Congo DRC, Georgia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Kosovo, Moldova, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Serbia, Sudan and Ukraine.Essentail information in the form of country sheets, is provided on a wode variety of issues of relevance to migrants considering to voluntarily return to their home countries. this information then assists the migrant in making a more well-informed decision on whether or not voluntary return would be a good option for the individual. Topics covered include: education; healthcare; housing; employment possibilities; business set-up opportunties; custom's regulations; transportation; telecommuniication; special care and services for vulnerable groups.As an international organisation with offices in over 100 countries worldwide, IOM is a unique position to gather reliable information from staff in countries of origin with relative immediacy. With this regard, if a migrant has a particular query that is not covered by the information on the country sheets available on the website, a message is sent to the IOM focal point for IRRiCO in the country of oigin, who then responds to the query within 5 days. Specific queries are then incorporated into the relevant country sheets and shared with future users. A final conference on phase II of the project took place in Brussels in June 2010 with staff from participating IOM offices around the world. The conference evaluated the success of the project to date on information provision to migrants considering voluntary return and the assistance this provided with regard to making a more well-informed decision.Throughout phase II of the project, over 700 questions were sent from IOM staff in EU countries to colleagues in countries of origin. The top 3 countries receiving queries were Nigeria, Kosovo and Iraq, with the majority of questions being related to medical needs, transportation and business set-up costs relating to reintegration activities.The conference participants discussed the possible expansion of IRRiCO for the next phase of the project to include additional country profiles as well as further information on entitlements and benefits in countries of origin.IRRiCO is funded by the European Return Fund and the governments of Ireland, belgium, the Netherlands and Malta.Access the IRRiCO website here: http://irrico.belgium.iom.int/

New Research Project with the University College Cork launched:'Leave? Remain? Leading Factors in Voluntary Return or Remaining in Ireland'
IOM Ireland recently began a new research project aimed at assessing the experiences of asylum seekers and irregular migrants in Ireland and identifying their reasons to voluntarily return home to their countries of origin or to remain in Ireland.
This research will be hosted by the Department of Geography at the University College Cork, with consultations and input from researchers based in other departments; as well as practioners in migration management in Ireland and at the global level.The research will be comprised of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, to include surveys, interviews, focus groups and workshops with asylum seekers, irregular migrants and service providers in a variety of locations around the country.This project will be carried out over the coming months and a final evaluation and prpesentation oft he findings will be released for publication by Summer 2011.

Moldova Monitoring Trip June 2011
At the end of June 2010, two members of staff from the IOM Dublin office travelled to Moldova to meet with individuals and families who had previously voluntarily returned home with IOM Ireland assistance and availed of the reintegration grant. The main purpose of the trip was to monitor the reintegration activities of those who had returned and to assess and identify the most profitable and sustainable income-generating occupations. In addition to reintegration monitoring, the trip to Moldova gave staff the opportunity to visit the Chisinau Assistance and Protection Centre (CAPC) for victims of trafficking, which is now run in partnership with IOM Moldova and the Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Family.The Centre was first established by IOM in 2001 and it continues to be the first point of contact for persons returning home following a trafficking experience abroad. Upon arrival to Moldova, CAPC staff meet returnees at the airport and provide information on the various support programmes available to them. Onward travel is then arranged either home or to the centre if requested. At the centre, tempoary accommodation; psychological counselling; social support; medical assistance; legal support and recreational activities are provided. In addition, reintegration assistance is also provided to those choosing to stay at the centre and a plan is designed on an individual basis, based on the needs of the client. Activities included in the plan may include socio-economic empowerment; professional development; formal or informal education in addition to psychosocial and medical assistance. Clients may then also be referred on to other statutory or non-statutory organisations around the country as part of the National Referral System for victoms of trafficking.The extensive support offered by staff at the CAPC makes this facility an impressive and comprehensive service to those most in need. Further information on the Chisinau Assistance and Protection Centre can be found here: http://www.iom.md/index.php/en/programs/counter-trafficking/assistance-a-protection-programme

IOM WorldWide
IOM Responsible for the Coordination of Emergency Shelter Relief in Pakistan
IOM is leading and coordinating the 40 humanitarian agencies working in Pakistan, along with the government, on emergency shelter provision. This work involves carrying out assessments of the areas in greatest need so as to ensure that aid is delivered to those most urgently requiring emergency relief. This coordinated approach enables agencies working in the region with common goals, to carry out emergency assistance in a more efficient way.An estimated 20 million people have been displaced by the floods in Pakistan in recent weeks, which have already caused approximately 1,500 deaths to date.Of those affected, hundreds of thousands have lost everything and are urgently in need of emergency shelter and other relief items.Initial rapid assessments of the damges caused by the floods so far, have highlighted the worst affected districts and regions for organisations working as part of the humanitarian relief effort. Assessments show that over 890,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed, which far exceeds initial estimates made.IOM's appeal for victims of the floods, aims to reach an additional 500,000 families across the country. Details of the emergency appeal and situational analysis can be found here: http://www.iom.int/jahia/webdav/shared/shared/mainsite/published_docs/IOM-Pakistan-Flood-Appeal-August-2010.pdf

IOM assists the 400,000 victims displaced and directly affected by the inter-ethnic conflict in Kyrgyzstan
Following the displacement of civilians as a result of widespread violence in Kyrgyzstan in recent months, IOM have appealed for international donor support in humanitarian aid to directly assist victims in desperate need.A recent risk assessment of the situation has shown that 75,000 people are still internally displaced and a further 25,000 are directly and seriously affected by the violence.Temporary emergency shelter is urgently needed, in addition to food supplies, emergency psycho-social assistance and emergency logistics to assist those displaced by the conflict.

IOM Launches New Project: 'Best Practices for a Coordinated Approach to Assist Unaccompanied Minors in the EU'
According to recent statistics, the European Union is experiencing an increase in asylum applications from unaccompanied minors, children under-18 years migrating to the EU without a parent or guardian.This project brings together children's rights groups and NGOs, as well as government partners, to assess the most urgent needs of unaccompanied minors in ten European countries. The overall aim of this European Commission funded initiative is toidentify gaps in assistance to unaccompanied minors and to formulate recommendations for effetive service provision for the future.The countries participating in the project are Austria; belgium; Czech Republic; France; Hungary; Italy; the Netherlands; Slovakia; Slovnia and the United Kingdom. The project will conclude at the end of 2011 with an international conference to present the findings of the research. Although Ireland is not directly involved in this initiative, the project is likely to produce useful guidelines that are relevant for the protection of migrant child rights throughout the EU.

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the number of complaints made to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman

Dear All, Further to my e-mail dated 28 July 2010, please find attached an update (as of 30th June 2010) in relation to the number of complaints made to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission alleging discrimination on the grounds of race and/ or religion. Garda Síochána (Police) Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is an independent police complaints body established by the Garda Síochána Act 2005. It became operational in May 2007. It is responsible for receiving and dealing with complaints made by members of the public concerning the conduct of members of the Garda Síochána (Irish Police). GSOC also has a role in making recommendations about how policing is conducted with a view to preventing further complaints arising in particular areas. Since it became operational, it has received 8, 091 complaints between 9th May 2007 and 30th June 2010. Of these complaints, 126 , amounting to 1.5 % of the caseload, appear to relate to allegations of discriminatory behaviour by gardaí. Of these 126 complaints, 100 complaints relate to discrimination on the grounds of race or religion as follows:No. of complaints alleging discrimination on the grounds of race and/or religion (as of 30th June 2010)
Year
2007
2008
2009
2010
Count
39
22
25
14The outcomes of these 100 complaints are:28% were deemed inadmissible;3% resulted in a sanction under the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 2007;55% no breach of Garda Síochána (Discipline)Regulations 2007 or criminal action was disclosed following investigation;14% remain open and under investigation.Complaints against members of the Garda Síochána (Police) can be made to GSOC directly or at any garda station. Contact Details for GSOC are:-Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission 150 Upper Abbey Street, Dublin 1. Tel: 1890 600 800. Further information about GSOC can be found on the following website www.gardaombudsman.ie. Regards, Bernadette Phelan, The Office of the Minister for Integration, Dún Aimhirgin, 43 -49 Mespil Road,Dublin 4. Tel : 01 6473231Fax: 01 6473119

Centre for Creative Practicesa new arts centre in Dublin

Show Racism the Red Card

Please email: info@theredcard.ie or contact me on the mobile number above to confirm attendance as soon as possible as spaces are limited

Kind regards,
Garrett Mullan
Invite

Launching our Programme of Activities for 2010-11

- Our Airtricity League Poster Campaign 2010
- Our activity with UEFA Football Against Racism in Europe Week 2010
- Our Creative Competition 2011
- Our Intercultural Summer Camps 2011
- Our new website

Speaking: Mary White TD Minister for Integration and other special guests

Wednesday 22nd September 2010
1:45pm- 3pm
Tallaght Stadium
Dublin 24