Egypt: Diploma in Forced Migration and Refugee Studies
Refugees have the right to legal representation during the asylum determination process, but until recently, for thousands of refugees in Egypt, professional legal services have been almost non-existent. Egypt guarantees the right to asylum in its constitution; it has acceded to UN and the Organisation of African Unity conventions on refugees. However, in Egypt, it is the Office of the UN High Commissioner (UNHCR) who determines who gets refugee status, not the Government of Egypt. There is no independent appeal process against negative decisions. There are more than 23 nationalities represented in Egypt's refugee population. In July 2000, the Forced Migration and Refugee Studies programme at the American University in Cairo began to address this deficiency. It now provides formal training in refugee law through courses that are part of the Diploma in Forced Migration and Refugee Studies and the MA in Human Rights Law, as well as 'hands on' practical experience of preparing cases for refugees seeking asylum in Egypt.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Refugees have the right to legal representation during the asylum determination process, but until recently, for thousands of refugees in Egypt, professional legal services have been almost non-existent. Egypt guarantees the right to asylum in its constitution; it has acceded to UN and the Organisation of African Unity conventions on refugees. However, in Egypt, it is the Office of the UN High Commissioner (UNHCR) who determines who gets refugee status, not the Government of Egypt. There is no independent appeal process against negative decisions. There are more than 23 nationalities represented in Egypt’s refugee population.
In July 2000, the Forced Migration and Refugee Studies programme at the American University in Cairo began to address this deficiency. It now provides formal training in refugee law through courses that are part of the Diploma in Forced Migration and Refugee Studies and the MA in Human Rights Law, as well as ‘hands on’ practical experience of preparing cases for refugees seeking asylum in Egypt. Through these training activities we aim to promote:
· The assistance of refugee clients in preparing their testimony and to write legal briefs based on international refugee and human rights law for each case.
· The training of Egyptian lawyers and students in refugee law and legal practice to take major responsibility for providing legal aid.
· Advocating for the improvement of policies and practices concerning refugees.
· The involvement of other Egyptian and Middle Eastern NGOs in refugee-related work, and to provide training to their staff.
There are now three centres which are actively involved in providing legal aid: the Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights (EOHR), which began offering free legal advice to refugees in Cairo in August 2001, the Centre of Studies and Human Development Programmes, the Association for Human Rights Legal Aid, and Musa’adeen (a refugee self-help group situated at four locations in Cairo).
Lawyers and non-lawyers are encouraged to apply to work as volunteers in these programmes. Volunteers take testimonies, prepare legal arguments, collect country of origin information, and represent clients who are applying for refugee status or appealing against rejection at UNHCR. Volunteers are also urgently needed to provide intensive English training in legal vocabulary and writing skills. For information on how to apply, see: http://www.aucegypt.edu/schools/huss/fmrs/Affiliation_Opportunities/aff….