GLOBAL DETENTION PROJECT NEWSLETTER
September 2017
- New Publications
- New Book
- News & Activities
- GDP on the Record
- Job Announcement
NEW FROM THE GDP
Global Compact on Migration
The GDP submitted comments to the UN Special Representative for International Migration as part of the preparatory phase for the Secretary-General’s report on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration. The submission focuses on immigration detention, improved transparency and data collection on the human rights of migrants, and concerns about the human rights commitments of international organizations involved in global migration governance. Read submission.
Immigration Detention through the Lens of International Human Rights: Lessons from South America (Global Detention Project Working Paper No. 23)
By Pablo Ceriani Cernadas (September 2017)
Why has South America not witnessed the same growth in immigration detention regimes that has occurred in most other parts of the world? This Global Detention Project Working Paper discusses developments across the region through the lens of international human rights standards. Read paper.
Spatial Control: Geographical Approaches to the Study of Immigration Detention (Global Detention Project Working Paper No. 24)
By Deirdre Conlon, Nancy Hiemstra and Alison Mountz (September 2017)
This paper surveys research on immigration detention conducted using geographical methods, highlighting how geography’s conceptualization of detention as a form of spatial control offers tools to scholars and activists working to contest this form of immigration control. Read paper.
Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review: Germany
In this joint submission, the GDP and Jesuit Refugee Service Germany raise concerns about the broad grounds used to justify immigration detention, the detention of children, the excessive length of detention, and the lack of progress in limiting the use of detention by employing non-custodial measures. Read submission.
NEW BOOK
Challenging Immigration Detention: Academics, Activists, and Policy-makers
Edited by Michael Flynn and Matthew Flynn (Edward Elgar Publishing, September 2017)
Governments increasingly rely upon detention to control the movement of undocumented migrants and asylum seekers. Approaching detention from an interdisciplinary perspective, this new edited volume brings together leading writers and thinkers to provide a greater understanding of why it is such an important social phenomenon and suggest ways to confront it locally and globally. More information is available here.
“This is an excellent book on the highly topical subject of immigration detention. The contributors are experts in the field and their work together creates impressive new knowledge.”
– Elspeth Guild, Queen Mary University of London, UK
“The resort to immigration detention of asylum seekers and migrants is a global phenomenon that breaches fundamental human rights. In Challenging Immigration Detention the authors examine the impact on families and their children held in detention in the United States, Australia, the European Union and South America. This collation of research is an invaluable tool in responding to the growing movement of peoples across national borders in search of safety and a better life.”
– Gillian Triggs, Australian Human Rights Commission, Australia
NEWS & ACTIVITIES
Immigration Detention of Children: Coming to a Close?
The GDP’s Michael Flynn participated in this two-day conference co-hosted by the Council of Europe and the Czech Ministry of Justice (Prague, 25-26 September 2017). Information about the event is available here. Flynn’s presentation was titled “Are There ‘Alternatives’ for Children?”
Presentation summary: If, as the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child affirms, immigration detention is never in the best interests of children, then not detaining them should be framed as an obligation, not as an “alternative.” This raises the question of whether it is possible to develop “alternatives to detention” for children in a way that does not bolster the logic of detention itself. How have states exploited this paradox by developing alternatives that fail to move policy and practice away from prioritizing detention? Are there long-term unintended consequences of advocating alternatives? And what would be the characteristics of an “alternative” policy that is effective at ending the detention of children? More information here.
Immigration Detention in Europe: Research and Advocacy
Izabella Majcher gave a presentation titled “Immigration Detention in the European Union: Research and Advocacy” at the Open Society Initiative for Europe‘s (OSIFE) Protection and Rights of Migrants Grantee Convening “Between Politics And Enforcement: Safeguarding And Advancing Migrant Rights In Europe.” Madrid, 18 – 19 September 2017.
Law and Practice of Immigration Detention in the European Union: European Law v. International Human Rights Law
Izabella Majcher presented a paper on the the EU detention regime and its compatibility with international human rights law at the Migration Law Section of the 2017 Society of Legal Scholars (SLS) Conference taking place in Dublin on 5-8 September.
GDP ON THE RECORD
“Post-Deportation Risks: A Country Catalogue of Existing References.” LOS. Stichting Landelijk Ongedocumenteerden Steunpunt (2017), Stichting LOS, pp. 30,31. Accessible here.
“Migration Control.” Die Tageszeitung (2017). Accessible here.
“Immigration Comess.” Trinidad and Tobago Newsday (4 September 2017), Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Accessible here.
“Access to Health Care.” sentenced to detention (2017). Blog. Accessible here.
“Research results: EU border regime – causes, strategies and consequences.” (Rechercheergebnisse: EU Grenzregime – Ursachen, Strategien und Konsequenzen), inEUmanity (2017). Blog. Accessible here.
“Detention of Asylum Seekers and Irregular Migrants and the Rule of Law.” The European Law Institute (2017), ELI publications. Accessible here.
“Czech Republic to be scrutinized on its human rights record.” Anna Ksiazczak (03 September 2017), Institute of International Relations Prague. Accessible here.
“Government of Indonesia Questioned 90 Questions by the United Nations Migrant Workers Committee: Recommendations of the UN Migrant Workers Committee Must Become A Roadmap for Improving the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers.” (Pemerintah Indonesia Dicecar 88 Pertanyaan Oleh Komite Pekerja Migran PBB: Rekomendasi Komite Pekerja Migran PBB Harus Menjadi Peta Jalan bagi Perbaikan Perlindungan Buruh Migran Indonesia). Suarakristen (07 September 2017), Suarakristen. Accessible here.
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Communications Consultant
The Global Detention Project, a non-profit organization based in Geneva that investigates immigration detention globally, is seeking qualified, junior-level applicants for the post of externally based “Communications Consultant.” The position will initially be based on a limited-term contract (4-6 months) with the possibility of extending the contract or making the position permanent. Please carefully review the qualifications below before deciding to apply.
Qualifications
1. Exceptional (native or equivalent) English-language writing and speaking skills (mandatory).
2. At least three years of professional experience in the field of communications, including journalism, editing, publishing, or other institutional communications roles (mandatory).
3. Demonstrated knowledge of international human rights and/or global migration and refugee issues (mandatory).
4. Experience managing social media.
5. Additional language skills.
Responsibilities
1. Edit and publicize reports, papers, newsletters, and submissions to international bodies;
2. Manage all GDP online resources, including website and social media;
3. Monitor media for immigration-detention-related developments globally;
4. Respond to queries from the media, public, partners, and colleagues;
5. Work with partner organizations to find ways to ensure that the GDP’s work complements and bolsters their own work safely and effectively;
6. Collaborate with GDP staff to develop new ideas for research and advocacy on emerging immigration detention issues;
7. Maintain timely production schedule;
8. Assist GDP director in donor reporting and applications;
9. Learn the GDP’s database tools and, time permitting, monitor and report on detention developments in the region he/she is based.
Please send one-page letter of motivation and one-page resumé by 15 October 2017 to: admin@globaldetentionproject.
