Issue 16 - Tuesday 30th June 2009

01.07.2009

 The Refugee Information Service (RIS) provides information, advice, advocacy and referral services for asylum seekers, refugees and others who have leave to remain in Ireland. We seek best practice in the areas of Protection and Integration by providing training and capacity building. The RIS conducts research and works to influence government policy and legislation. Through our e-bulletin we share our efforts and progress.

CONTENT -

  • RIS report highlights need for improved coordination among education service providers
  • RIS  meets GNIB, INIS on immigration matters
  • RIS welcomes publication of Civil Partnership Bill 2009
  • RIS partners Integrating Ireland and FOMACS to  produce  ‘Living in Direct Provision: 9 Stories’
  • MRCI produces leaflet on new work permit changes
  • RIS celebrates World Refugee Day 2009
  • UNHCR advises Swedish presidency of EU on asylum
  • European Court of Human Rights finds detention of asylum seeker in Greece contrary to ECHR.
  • European Commission outlines five years vision
  • RIS staff, interns and volunteers


RIS report highlights need for improved coordination among education service providers
Prohibitive fees and the need for improved coordination among education service providers are some of the difficulties migrants face when they seek to address post second level education.  The Paper, entitled The Challenges and Obstacles facing Refugees, Persons with Leave to Remain and Persons granted Subsidiary Protection, as they seek to access post-second level education in Ireland as authored by Dr Liam Coakley, social and cultural geographer. Speakers at the launch of the paper included Paul Rowe, CEO Educate Together, Tendai Madondo, Adviser to Christian Aid  and  Eloho Egwuterai of SPIRASI.  A number of key recommendations have been included in the Paper including that a properly supported ESOL strategy should be established; eligibility for reduced fees need to be revisited and comprehensive, independent and critically informed research on the educational experiences of immigrants should be carried out.  The RIS looks forward to raising the report’s recommendations with government and non-government agencies to achieve more equitable access to post second level education for refugees, people with subsidiary protection and people with leave to remain. The report is available on our website www.ris.ie.


RIS  meets GNIB, INIS on immigration matters
The RIS has expressed satisfaction at the achievements brought about by regular meetings with the GNIB and INIS on matters that affect our client groups. The RIS meets with these government bodies on a quarterly basis as part of the Immigration Information Network (IIN) on family reunification, residence, visas, the asylum process and rights and entitlements of these groups. While welcoming the opportunity to engage strategically with government at this level, the RIS would like to see more collaboration between government and non-government agencies in other areas including education and employment. For more information contact Edmund Mindomba Boko on 016453087 or email Edmund@ris.ie


RIS welcomes publication of Civil Partnership Bill 2009
The RIS welcomes the publication of the Civil Partnership Bill 2009 and we hope that this Bill will be a significant step towards full equality for same sex couples.  The Bill provides for a civil partnership scheme for same sex couples and sets out the rights of couples who enter into a civil partnership including in relation to protection of their shared home, maintenance, pensions and immigration.  Section 5 of the Bill provides for the recognition of registered foreign relationships if conditions set out in this section are fulfilled.  The RIS also welcomes the commitment of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform that registered civil partners will be treated the same as spouses for the purposes of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008 as this has implications for family reunification of refugees and their families. The RIS continues to campaign for more equitable family reunification law and practice and this includes the right to family reunification for same sex couples. For further information contact Catherine Kenny, Head of Policy and Research on 016453070 or email catherine.kenny@ris.ie .

RIS partners Integrating Ireland and FOMACS to  produce  ‘Living in Direct Provision: 9 Stories’
A collaborative effort on participatory media workshop between the RIS, Integrating Ireland and FOMACS has produced  ‘Living in Direct Provision: 9 Stories’  which was screened at the Irish Film Institute on May 28, 2009. The nine storytellers participated in a  six-month collaborative process facilitated by Darcy Alexander of the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) that integrated storytelling, group and individual reflection, creative writing, photography and the use of multi-media technologies, in order to make a 3-5 min story about each person’s experiences as asylum seekers and refugees.  As with earlier work on ‘Team Spirit’, an education pack will be developed alongside the printing of a DVD to facilitate screening of the stories in other local and national settings. 

MRCI produces leaflet on new work permit changes
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment changes to the work permit system (see issue 15 of RIS ebulletin) have been developed by the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) into an information sheet entitled ‘Dealing with new work permit changes’. The information sheet explained some of the implications of recent changes to the work permit system including steps to be followed by a work permit holder who has been made redundant and the conditions for a short time permit renewal. For further information visit www. entemp.ie or www.mrci.ie

RIS celebrates World Refugee Day 2009
The RIS joined individuals and organisations across the world to celebrate the World Refugee Day 2009 with the theme ‘Real People, Real Needs’. The WRD is celebrated on June 20 every year in recognition of the courage refugees  manifest while fleeing persecution  of the own government and their effort to integrate into their new homes. As part of the activities earmarked for the occasion, the Head of Communications and Integration was speaker at a Workshop organised by the Africa Centre on the effect of ‘Direct Provision’ on asylum seekers in Ireland. Other speakers included Robin Hanan, CEO of the IRC and Manuel Jordao, UNHCR representative in Ireland. For Further information contact Wale Mogaji, Head of Communications and Integration, RIS.

UNHCR advises Swedish presidency of EU on asylum
The UNHCR recently published a series of recommendations to the Swedish presidency of the EU which is due to commence in July.  Among its key recommendations are that the development of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) should be guided by principles set out in human rights and Community law including the right to seek and enjoy asylum and to protection from refoulement. It also urges Sweden to make the quality of asylum decision-making a central aim of its Presidency and of the Stockholm programme.  The UNHRC recognises the role that NGOs can play in building a fair and effective CEAS and encourages the Swedish Presidency to support a role for NGOs in the Asylum Support Office.  It encourages the Swedish Presidency to focus attention on the integration needs of people that have been granted international protection. 

European Court of Human Rights finds detention of asylum seeker in Greece contrary to ECHR.
The European Court of Human Rights ( ECHR) held earlier this month that the detention of a Turkish asylum seeker in Greece was in violation of Article 3 (which prohibits torture, inhuman and degrading treatment) and Article 5.1 and 5.4 (providing for the right liberty and security).  The asylum seeker (S.D.) was held at two detention centres in one of which he was prevented from going outdoors and had no access to clean bed clothes or the use of a telephone.  In the other centre, he was confined to his cell for 6 days.  The Court also held that his detention was unlawful as Greek law prohibits pre-expulsion detention for people who have made an application for a declaration as a refugee Under Greek law. S.D. had been unable to challenge the lawfulness of his detention.  S.D. v Greece, APPLICATION No. 53541/07.

European Commission outlines  five years vision
The European Commission recently outlined its vision in the area of freedom, security and justice for the next five years. The vision which is contained in the ‘Stockholm Programme’ (2010-2014), for Justice and Home Affairs is expected to be adopted later this year.  In relation to protection, the Commission states that the EU should continue to build a common area based on respect for human rights, high standards and improved national systems.  It also recommends that the proposed Asylum Support Office must be provided with the resources to carry out its remit.   On the integration of people granted international protection, the Commission recommends  improvement and that account be taken of the conditions of their arrival in the EU. 

RIS staff, interns and volunteers
The RIS is delighted to welcome our new intern Peter Bengston.  Peter is from Connecticut in the US and has come to the RIS through the EUSA Academic Internship Programme. Peter is a Political Science Student at the American University, Washington DC and during his time with the RIS, Peter will be working with the Communications and Policy teams.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Integrating Ireland will host a National Dialogue Camp as part of their Europe for  Youth Through Intercultural Dialogue (EYID)  project on 1st and 2nd July 2009 at the  Glencree Peace and Reconciliation Centre, Co.Wicklow.  The event will feature youths representing the ten regional panels sharing their experience of Europe, expressing their views and opinions on various issues raised from the regional panels and formulating recommendations which will be forwarded to local authorities, Irish Government and EU institutions.  Thematic workshops will be organized for in-depth discussion and training will be provided for leadership, media, intercultural communication and facilitation skills.  For more information contact Dr Jean-Pierre Eyanga Ekumeloko ,International Liaison and Research Co-ordinator, Integrating Ireland on 016453098 or email: jeanpierre@integratingireland.ie.
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The International Council for the Education of people with Visual Impairment (ICEVI)  will host their 7th European Conference: Living in a Changing Europe From July 5 to July 10,at the   Trinity College Dublin. To register visit www.icevidublin2009.org.
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The National College of Ireland will host a Part-time Courses Open Evening on Thursday  9th July, from 17:00 to  18:30 at the IFSC, Dublin Prospective candidates will have the opportunity of consulting with Programme Directors and Education Advisers. For more information visit www.ncirl.ie.
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Clare Intercultural Network will host the 5th Clare Intercultural Festival in Ennis, County Clare between 10.00 am and 15.00 pm on the 18th of July 2009 at St. Flannan’s College, Clare. Highlights of the event include a soccer tournament - (with more than 10 teams representing all the different nationalities and cultures that are living in County Clare), children’s entertainment, intercultural music , food-tasting and many more. For more information :Tel 065 6869026 or email clarintercultural@eircom.net
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The Homeless Agency will be hosting information sessions over July for local authorities, homeless service providers, health service providers and mainstream services in relation to the Pathway to Home model from 2nd July to 14th July 2009. All information sessions will take place in the offices of the Homeless Agency, Parkgate Hall, 6-9 Conyngham Road, Dublin 8. Fore more information call 01 703 6111 or Email: homeless@dublincity.ie

 
RIS INFORMATION & ADVOCACY CLINICS
The RIS provides its information and advocacy services on an outreach ‘clinic’ basis in Dublin and Galway.  The following are the times and locations of clinics:

  • Tuesdays in Dublin 10.00 to 12.30 and 14.00 to 16.30: Community Resource Centre,1 Green Street, off North King St. Dublin 7
  • Wednesdays in Dublin 14.15-16.30: Tallaght Citizen’s Information Centre, 512 Main Street, Tallaght Dublin 24 and 10.00-12.30: Blanchardstown Citizen’s Information Centre, Westend House, Westend office Park Dublin 15
  • Thursdays in Dublin 10.00 to 12.30: Rathmines Information Centre, 11 Wynefield Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6 and 14.00-16.30: Meath Street Citizen’s Information Centre, Meath street Dublin 8


Clinics are provided in Galway and surrounding areas at the following times and places:

  • Mondays in Galway 14.00-16.00: Citizen’s Information Centre Augustine Street, Galway
  • Tuesdays in Galway 14.00-16.00: Citizen’s Information Centre Augustine Street, Galway
  • Thursdays in Galway 10.30- 16.00: Citizen’s Information Centre Augustine Street, Galway

 
JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Offaly Integrated Local Development Company: Part Time Development Worker: for more information contact the CEO Offaly Local Development Company, Bury Quay, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Deadline: Wednesday 01 July 2009 @ 5pm
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Ballybough Inner City: Weekend Porter, Receptionist (2 vacancies): For more information call 8560945: Deadline: July 3
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Oxfam Ireland: Administrator (HR & Corporate Services): For more information call 01 6727662 or Email recruitment1@oxfamireland.org.  Closing date: 3 July, 12:00 noon.
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Médecins Sans Frontières: EU Policy Advocacy Assistant for Access Campaign:  Based in Brussels: For more information contact Alexandra Heumber on 00322 4747509 or email   alexandra.heumber@msf.org : Deadline 5 July.
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County Sligo Youth Theatre: Seeks Youth Theatre Director; For more information Contact: Jean-Marie Perinetti on 071 913 8489 or Email: sligoyt@gmail.com. Deadline: 6 July 2009.
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Compare Chathair Chorcaí Teo: Centre Manager: For more information contact The Chief Executive Officer ,Cork City Partnership on 021 4302310 or email info@partnershipcork.ie: Deadline: 4.30pm on Wednesday, 8th July 2009.
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Dundalk Simon Community: Community Fundraiser: For more information call Niall Mulligan on 042 9339583 Deadline: 5pm on Friday 10th July.
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Tipperary Rural Travellers’ Project Ltd: Development Worker: For further information contact the Administrator on 062 – 31138 or Email: tipptraveller@eircom.net Deadline: 10th July 2009.