FM Alert, Vol II, No. 47
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Subject: FM Alert, Vol II, No. 47
From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Original sender: Paulette Layton <[email protected]>
FM Alert, Vol II, No. 47
FM Alert, Vol II, No. 47
November 25, 1998
FMP PUBLISHES SPECIAL REPORT ON MESKHETIAN TURKS
The Forced Migration Projects (FMP) have published a special report
that examines the complexities surrounding Meskhetian Turk efforts to
return to their traditional homeland in Georgia. Deported by Stalin in
1944, Meskhetian Turks now find themselves dispersed throughout the
countries of the former Soviet Union. The FMP report, Meskhetian
Turks: Solutions and Human Security, discusses current conditions for
this formerly deported people, as well as the potential obstacles to a
well-managed repatriation to Georgia. The 72-page book, which includes
22 pages of photographs, concludes with recommendations for the humane
management of the Meskhetian Turk repatriation issue. Several key
documents pertaining to return are attached as appendices, including
the Document of The Hague Meeting on Issues Relating to The Meskhetian
Turks. That document, adopted at an FMP-sponsored meeting of key
actors in September, provides a potential framework for the resolution
of repatriation-related issues. Copies of the special report are
available free of charge from the FMP. To obtain the special report
call the FMP at (212) 548-0655 or send a fax request to (212)
548-4676. Requests can also be sent via e-mail to [email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>.
(For additional information see FM Alerts of September 25 and 18).
SUMMER COURSE EXAMINES FORCED MIGRATION
Scholarships will be available for a two-week interdisciplinary course
examining all aspects of forced migration. The course, titled Human
Rights and Forced Displacement: An Interdisciplinary Approach, will be
held July 5-16 at the Central European University in Budapest.
Dilemmas arising from population displacements since World War II will
be examined from social, political and economic perspectives. Lectures
will also take in-depth looks at the entire process, from the causes
of displacements to the formulation of durable solutions, as well as
provide a human rights context. The course is part of the Central
European University's summer 1999 program. Applications are being
accepted until January 15. Co-directors, Arthur C. Helton, director of
the Forced Migration Projects, and Boldizar Nagy, an associate
professor at Eotvos Lorand University in Hungary, will head the group
of international lecturers, drawn from the fields of law,
international relations, psychology, economics and intergovernmental
and nongovernmental organization management. The course is designed to
benefit young professors, lawyers, researchers and policy-makers from
the Central and Eastern Europe. The Summer University (SUN) program
will make determinations on awarding scholarships. Scholarship
applications may be obtained from Eva Gedeon at Central European
University/SUN (36-1) 327-3069 or by e-mail at [email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>. Course applications can also be obtained from
Soros foundations across Central and Eastern Europe.
(For additional information see FM Alert of October 16).
AZERBAIJAN APPOINTS NEW OFFICIAL RESPONSIBLE FOR REFUGEES AND
DISPLACED
Azerbaijan has made personnel and legislative changes in an effort to
improve the Transcaucasian nation's ability to accommodate refugees
and displaced persons. A presidential decree signed November 18 named
Ali Hassanov as deputy prime minister in charge of internally
displaced persons, refugees and migration. Hassanov will also serve as
the head of the State Committee for Refugees. According to a Forced
Migration Projects consultant in Baku, Hassanov appointment signals an
increased desire on the part of Azerbaijan's government to address
forced migration-related issues. There are an estimated 800,000
refugees and displaced persons in Azerbaijan, created mostly by the
war over Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave within
Azerbaijan's territorial boundaries. In addition to the personnel
move, Azerbaijan has taken legislative steps to reduce the number of
refugees, providing automatic citizenship to tens of thousands of
persons. Under the country's new Citizenship Law, those who fled
neighboring Armenia between 1988 and 1992 as a result of the fighting
in Karabakh are now eligible for citizenship. Efforts to reach a
political solution to the Karabakh conflict remain elusive. A recent
OSCE Minsk Group initiative to resolve Karabakh's status has been
formally rejected by Azerbaijan, which insists that Karabakh must
remain within its territorial jurisdiction. Armenians in Karabakh seek
independence.
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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