FM Alert, Vol. III, No. 10
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Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 20:02:34 +0200 (EET)
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Subject: FM Alert, Vol. III, No. 10
From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Original sender: Paulette Layton <[email protected]>
FM Alert, Vol. III, No. 10
FM Alert, Vol. III, No. 10
March 12, 1999
UNICEF-SPONSORED WORKING GROUP EXAMINES PHENOMENON OF CHILD SOLDIERS
Strengthening migration management frameworks throughout the world
could help address the phenomenon of child soldiers, according to some
participants at an UNICEF-co-sponsored workshop, held under the
auspices of its NGO Working Group on Children in Armed Conflict.
Representatives of international organizations, nongovernmental
organizations (NGOs) and academics attended the March 8 workshop,
"Child Soldiers/Optional Protocol and Small Arms," which was also
co-sponsored by the International Rescue Committee and the Women's
Commission for Refugee Women and Children. The main aim of the
gathering was to promote an exchange of information on the phenomenon
of child soldiers. Uprooted children can become embroiled in armed
conflicts. The meeting featured presentation by several experts,
including Jo Becker of the Children's Rights Division of Human Rights
Watch, and Rachel Stohl, a research analyst at the Center for Defense
Information. Future meetings of the UNICEF NGO Working Group will
examine the topics of rights-based programming, lobbying strategies
for the United Nations, and new initiatives in field-based programming
for children in armed conflict. The Forced Migration Projects and the
Emma Lazarus Fund, part of the Soros foundations network, are sponsors
of a seminar series on promoting the rights of refugee and migrant
children. The last meeting on January 19 discussed guidelines for
children's asylum claims in the United States.
BEREZOVSKY WARNS OF POTENTIAL FORCED MIGRATION EMERGENCIES
Boris Berezovsky, the recently ousted executive secretary of the
Commonwealth of Independent States, expressed concern about potential
interethnic conflict in the Transcaucasus, and the within the Russian
Federation itself. Such confrontations could create conditions for
forced migration emergencies. "There is a danger that the Russian
Federation can disintegrate," said Berezovsky, speaking March 8 in New
York. "Chechnya is an example ... that can spread [to other
constituent parts of the federation]. The problem is that Russia has
no policy regarding the federal nature of the state." Berezovsky also
cited a lack of Russian diplomatic focus as a major factor in the
inability to find political settlements to Transcaucasian conflicts.
He warned of a "heightened danger" of renewed clashes in the region.
"Russia does not have the understanding to help resolve
Nagorno-Karabakh or Abkhazia," he said. "The future of the
Transcaucasus is unpredictable." Hundreds of thousands of Armenians,
Azerbaijanis and Georgians remain displaced because of fighting that
accompanied the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. The
Forced Migration Projects (FMP) have called for the creation of a
civilian police force in Abkhazia. Such an initiative could enhance
human security and promote return. In addition, the FMP is supporting
the creation of an association of CIS migration-related
nongovernmental organizations. The association is designed to assume
implementing responsibilities for migration-related programs after the
end of CIS Conference follow up in 2000.
(For background information see FM Alerts of February 26, February 5
and January 22).
LAWYER'S COMMITTEE EXAMINES ROMA-RELATED ISSUES
A March 5 briefing to the New York City Council by the Lawyer's
Committee for Roma Rights and Recognition (LCRRR) examined the
conditions faced by Roma populations in both Europe and North America.
"We seek to expand our limited understanding of Roma history and
culture, as well as the overwhelming burden of prejudice and
persistent persecution that this community has endured for nearly a
thousand years," Lloyd Henry, the chairman of the New York City
Council's Subcommittee on Immigration, said in opening remarks. Other
speakers included; David Crowe, the noted author of books and articles
on Roma; George Kaslov and Lawrence Otway, both of the LCRRR; and
Andre Mirga, a professor of history at Rutgers University. "These
hearings can have an impact on the policies of these countries towards
Roma," said Crowe, referring to the Central European governments of
Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic. The LCRRR gathering was the
first of a planned series of meetings to promote awareness of
Roma-related issues. The Forced Migration Projects have published an
annotated bibliography of books, articles and other information
relating to Roma and forced displacement. The second edition of the
annotated bibliography is available from the FMP at no charge by
contacting Paulette Layton at (212) 548-0337, or by e-mail at
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>.
(For additional information see FM Alerts of December 4 and July 10,
1998).
For more information contact:
The Forced Migration Projects
400 West 59th Street, 4th floor
New York, NY 10019
tel: (212)548-0655
fax: (212) 548-4676
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.soros.org/migrate.html
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