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INTRODUCING NET-IPR
WRITTEN 11 JUN 99, 6:00AM.
THE NETWORK FOR INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION OF REFUGEES
****************************************************
10 December 1998.
Grass-roots Human Rights Network for the Protection of Refugees
within Asia-Pacific Region, including Australia
Name: The Network for International Protection of Refugees (NetIPR)
Structure: (#)
Patrons: Sr Janet Mead
Chairperson: The Rev'd Martin Chittleborough
Secretary: Dr U Ne Oo
Treasurer: Salai Nilian
Executive Members: Danny Connell, David Mathieson, Scott Litchfield,
Juan Garrido
Members: ( not listed)
Object: The Network will primarily campaign for displaced persons to
receive international protection in accordance with UN refugee
conventions. The Network will study the root causes of the refugee
movements in Asia-Pacific region as well as the policy responses by the
governments of the region and international agencies.
The Network will function purely as a refugee advocacy network, in
contrast to the refugee support network/groups. It will take interest
in the matters of protecting human rights of the refugees and displaced
persons. The Network will not be involved in matters such as the
individual casework of refugee. It will not be engaged in
resettlement/sponsorship of refugees to Australia. It will primarily be
devoted to responding to government policies, including that of
Australia, with regard to the refugees and displaced persons.
Though the Network is not intended to function as a refugee support
network, it will however be engaged in advocating governments for
humanitarian support to the refugees and displaced persons. For example,
the network may advocate the governments to provide humanitarian support
to a group of refugees or displaced persons within the region.
The Network is intended to function at the grassroots level with the
longer-term aim of providing solutions to the problems of refugees and
displaced people. Since refugee problems essentially are human
rights problems with political roots, the policy coordination
between the professional human rights organizations ( such as Amnesty
International, Human Rights Watch) and solidarity groups can be
beneficial to solving refugee problems. The Network will be autonomous
and independent in its operation, and will not take any political
position on issues beyound the stated objectives.
Assessment for the need: Currently, organization such as 'Coalition for
Asylum-Seekers' have been doing the advocacy for protection of refugees
in Australia . The Network will have similar aim in advocating for
refugees and displaced persons within the Asia-Pacific region. In
addition, the Network will explore and advocate, whenever possible, for
a solution to refugee and displaced people problems.
There has been a vacuum for grassroots advocacy as regards
international protection of refugees and displaced people. Although the
protection of the human rights of refugees will generally fall within
the mandate of organizations such as Amnesty International, it is not
always the case that AI can act. A locally based grassroots group,
with more autonomy and wider political mandate is more appropriate in
advocating for the refugees.
The ethnic solidarity groups and community organizations often are not
in the best position to act upon refugee protection cases. Most ethnic
solidarity groups often work closely with governments concerning
refugees. They can become dependent upon governments. Therefore, the
solidarity groups are not a good platform to start with as regards
international protection of refugees.
Therefore, an independent grassroots network focusing on international
protection of refugees can make a valuable contribution to this end.
Membership: Individuals, social justice and human rights groups, and
international solidarity organizations are invited to join the Network.
There will be two types of membership: The executive and ordinary
membership.
The executive member can be either an individual or a group; and must
be based in Adelaide, South Australia. The executive members shall be
responsible for setting the agenda of the campaign.
Ordinary members can also be individuals or groups, and may reside
interstate or overseas. The ordinary members will have the benefit of
having a South Australian based organization, readily linked with them
and working on issues in the interest of refugees. Ordinary members
may also make input in setting agenda for the campaign.
Both executive and ordinary members are to be involved in writing
letters to governments and international agencies. All members will
receive the newsletter.
Campaign resources: To carry out a campaign, the Network will require
information concerning refugees and displaced persons within the
Asia-Pacific region. The executive members may do research on the issue
or may solicit materials from other human rights organizations and
solidarity groups.
Procedure for campaigning: Campaign will mainly involve letter writing
to governments and international agencies, such as the United Nations.
Any of the executive members may initiate a campaign of their interest.
Firstly, the member may collect the relevent and accurate information
regarding matters of concern. If the executive member decided to act
upon the information, say writing to a government, they must (1) inform
the Secretary and (2) write an embargoed draft letter which should be
sent out to all executive members for their opinion. The executive
members may respond to the initiative. No response will be considered
as the approval. Any executive member may write on behalf of the
network. The executive members may act on anything that deems to fall
within the objectives of the Network.
Term and operation of the Network: Tentitively assumed the term to be
(2 ) to (2 1/2) years. Campaign should be financed solely by public or
membership support. Financial support from governments will not be
accepted. All positions within the Network will be voluntary. Support
is needed for photocopying and mailing. If the Network would like to
extend to an Internet based operation, one energetic volunteer will be
required.
Meeting and Publications:
regular meeting: Executive members should meet twice a year.
other meeting: Anytime matters arise.
publication: hope to produce 2 Newsletters in a year.
Mailing and Photocopying support: Scott Litchfield, Cross Cultural
Ministry Fieldworker, Uniting Church in Australia. (Any other groups
offering support of this task would be greatly appreciated).
(*) Temporary contact address. (#) Executive membership are still
pending expansion.
--
HTTP://www.physics.adelaide.edu.au/~uneoo
EMAILS: drunoo@xxxxxxxxxxxx, uneoo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
POSTMAIL: Dr U Ne Oo, 18 Shannon Place, Adelaide SA 5000, AUSTRALIA
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