FM Alert, Vol III, No. 3
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Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 13:47:57 +0200 (EET)
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Subject: FM Alert, Vol III, No. 3
From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Original sender:Paulette Layton <[email protected]>
FM Alert, Vol III, No. 3
FM Alert, Vol III, No. 3
January 22, 1999
CRIMEAN TATAR HEADQUARTERS FIREBOMBED
Local nongovernmental organizations (NGO) in Ukraine's Crimean
Peninsula are concerned about stability in the region following the
firebombing of the headquarters of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis. The
firebombing, which occurred in the early hours of January 15, gutted
the office of Mejlis leader Mustafa Jemilev, and caused extensive
damage. An investigation was continuing. Hours prior to the incident,
telephone service and water at the Mejlis headquarters was cut, a
Forced Migration Projects (FMP) consultant reported from Crimea. "We
deplore this act of violence against the Crimean Tatar people," the
International Committee for Crimea said in a statement. "We are
further concerned because the new (Crimean) constitution fails to
protect adequately the political and cultural rights" of Tatars. The
new constitution for the autonomous republic that was approved in
December 1998 eliminates some privileges for formerly deported
peoples, including a quota of representatives in the regional
legislature. Simmering discontent in Crimea increases the difficulties
for the stable reintegration of formerly deported peoples, including
Armenians, Bulgarians, Crimean Tatars, Germans and Greeks. Banished by
Stalin in 1944, about 275,000 Crimean Tatars have returned to their
ancestral homeland over the last decade. The FMP is among the
supporters of the renovation of the Crimean Tatar Gasprinsky Library,
a project that is designed to foster reintegration and interethnic
tolerance. The library is scheduled to reopen in May. (For additional
information see FMP special report of January 1999 on the Renovation
of the Gasprinsky Library).
ABKHAZ RETURN OFFER GREETED WITH SKEPTICISM
Georgian government officials and nongovernmental organization (NGO)
representatives are reacting cautiously to a declaration by leaders of
the separatist Abkhazia region on permitting the unilateral return of
displaced persons. Abkhazian leader Vladislav Ardzinba announced
January 12 that the voluntary return process would begin on March 1.
At the same time, Abkhazian leaders appealed to Russia to lift
economic sanctions against the region, a Forced Migration Projects
consultant in Abkhazia reported. In a gesture aimed to ease
repatriation concerns, Abkhazian authorities extended a security
guarantee for displaced persons returning to the Gali region, many of
whom are ethnic Georgians. Georgia government officials reacted
skeptically to the proposal. A Georgian Foreign Ministry statement
asserted that only the international community could guarantee the
safety of returnees. Forced Migration Projects Director Arthur C.
Helton has called for the deployment of a civilian police force in
Abkhazia, under United Nations auspices, as a way to improve the
security climate in the region. "There is a unique opportunity, indeed
a responsibility, to organize a framework to ensure the human security
of those who wish to repatriate to Abkhazia," Helton said. The
civilian police proposal has received support from the United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees. Meanwhile, the mandate for the UN
Observer Mission in Abkhazia is scheduled to expire at the end of
January. (For additional information see FM Alerts of August 28,
August 14 and July 23, 1998. Also see the FMP special report on
Georgia and repatriation).
FMP MEETING EXAMINES INS ASYLUM GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN
The Forced Migration Projects (FMP) and the Emma Lazarus Fund on
January 19 co-sponsored the second in a series of meetings on migrant
and refugee children. The meeting focused on the new "Guidelines for
Children's Asylum Claims," issued by the Immigration and
Naturalization Service (INS) on Human Rights Day, December 10, 1998.
The Children's Guidelines represent an effort to achieve
child-sensitive consideration of children's asylum claims in the
United States. However, participants stressed the need for proper
implementation of new procedures. Speakers at the meeting included
Michael J. Creppy, Chief Immigration Judge at the Executive Office for
Immigration Review, Paul W. Virtue, General Counsel of the INS, and
Jeffrey L. Weiss, Director of the International Affairs Division of
the INS. They described their respective efforts to see the guidelines
implemented in all phases of the asylum process, from the initial
interview by asylum officers to the review of individual cases in the
immigration court. The speakers noted the need for legal
representation, and the presence of a trusted adult during
proceedings. Two follow-up meetings are being considered, one with
family law experts on systemic issues, and another on the
international dimensions of children's rights, with a focus on the
widespread phenomenon of child soldiers.
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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