Global: Asia Pacific consultation on refugee rights

The Asia Pacific Consultation on Refugee Rights was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 19-22 November. It was attended by some 70 civil society organizations from 13 countries within the region, all of which host African refugees. These refugees face particular challenges because of their small numbers, diversity in background and distinctive appearance vis-a-vis local populations.

This was the first time that NGOs had ever met to discuss the situation of refugees in the region and the challenges they face in doing advocacy. Mmost countries in this region are not signatories to the 1951 Convention on refugees. Thus, refugees are often treated as illegal immigrants as if they had no rights to reside, work, or access health and educational services. Attendees at the conference agreed to form the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN), committed to advancing the rights of refugees. They also formed working groups to collaborate on strengthening the provision of legal aid to refugees; to campaign against the detention of refugees, in particular children; to advocate for refugees' right to health, as well as the protection women and children at risk. Participants were in agreement that a major stumbling block to the protection of refugees was the failure of states to ratify the Convention and its 1967 Protocol. For further information and proceedings of the conference, see http://sites.google.com/site/apcrr2008/Home The next regional conference will be held in Thailand at the end of 2009.