The IOM Moscow Times International Organization for Migration Moscow, Russia

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1 The IOM Moscow Times International Organization for Migration Moscow, Russia Issue 25, April, , 2-aya Zvenigorodskaya, , Moscow Tel 7 (495) Fax 7 (499) iommoscow@iom.int, INSIDE THE ISSUE: Project: Support to implementation of the EU readmission agreements with the Republic of Moldova, The Russian Federation and Ukraine Project: Development of administrative mechanisms in support of readmission of migrants in the Russian Federation Central Asian Regional Migration Programme Preventing and Counter-Acting Trafficking in Human Beings in the Russian Federation Migration Health Moscow Programme on Cultural Orientation Moscow migrants processing and movements PROJECT: SUPPORT TO IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EU READMISSION AGREEMENTS WITH THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AND UKRAINE: FACILITATION OF ASSISTED VOLUNTARY RETURN AND REINTEGRATION (SIREADA) Second meeting of the National Steering Committee On 31 January 2012, the second meeting of the SIREADA National Steering Committee was held in IOM Moscow. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Federal Migration Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, and the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. The meeting was cochaired by the International Organization for Migration and the Federal Migration Service. During the meeting the intermediate results of project implementation were summarized. In particular, the report on implementation of such activities as Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) of Third Country Nationals (TCN) to home countries, Reintegration assistance to returning nationals, as well as thematic training for readmission center personnel in Pskov were presented. Special interest of the participants was aroused by analytical research in the field of the practice of some European countries in implementation of AVR and prospects of the practical applicability of AVR institution in the Russian Federation. In the conclusion of the meeting an announcement about upcoming project events in 2012 was made, and further steps in project implementation were coordinated with the representatives of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, the MFA of Russia and the FMS of Russia. The participants of the meeting evaluated the second meeting of the National Steering Committee as constructive and useful. Second meeting of the Regional Steering Committee On 20 March 2012, within the framework of the EU project «Support to Implementation of the EU Readmission Agreements with the Republic of Moldova, the Russian federation and Ukraine: Facilitation of Assisted Voluntary return and Reintegration (SIREADA)» the second meeting of the Regional Steering Committee was held in Chisinau. The meeting was attended by a representative of the Federal Migration Service of Russia in the Republic of Moldova, representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova, the State Migration Service of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, representatives of IOM Missions to Russia, Moldova and Ukraine, the EU Delegation to Moldova, UNHCR Moldova, UNHCR Ukraine and also representatives of NGOs of Moldova and Ukraine. During the meeting the intermediate results of regional activities on projects in Russia, Moldova and Ukraine were presented. These results included the efforts made for the development of voluntary return mechanisms; initiating dialogue and capacity building in the field of reintegration of own nationals; carrying out monitoring of human rights compliance. In addition the participants marked the priorities which facilitate project implementation. First of all it is the necessity of further development of national reintegration mechanisms for own nationals, both from the normative and the The IOM Moscow Times, Issue 25 1

2 operational point of view. Also procurement of biometric equipment was mentioned. In addition, representatives of the Border Guard Services of Moldova and Ukraine have expressed interest in getting acquainted with the use of such equipment in the relevant services of the European colleagues who have wide experience in this field. As the result of the discussion the Joint Statement on the Phase-Out Strategy in Readmission Support was officially adopted. Included in the final part of the Regional Steering Committee was a visit to the Migrant Accommodation Centre, the first institution of such kind on the territory of Moldova. During the visit participants learned about the services provided by the Centre to migrants, as well as its design and organization of work. Participants of Second meeting of the Regional Steering Committee in the process With regard to the results already achieved in the framework of national activities of the project, special attention was paid to legislative reviews on Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) which were prepared by experts in Moldova and the Russian Federation respectively. In the Russian Report terminology questions related to the institution of voluntary return were covered. Also comparative analyses of the EU legal acts regulating migrants voluntary return, as well as comparative analysis of the Russian migration legislation, were made. Concrete recommendations of legal nature on amendments to the federal legislation needed for proper implementation of the AVR institution in the Russian Federation were proposed. In Moldova, a series of recommendations were developed for possible incorporation into national legislation and are currently under consideration. Another important result of projects funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Organization for Migration, including SIREADA, is contribution to formation of a tolerant attitude towards migrants and thus reduction of xenophobia. One of the main topics of the meeting was the discussion of Phase Out Strategy in Readmission Support. During the meeting a number of concrete actions were proposed for its further implementation: 1. Gradual decrease of financial support for the coverage of basic needs of migrants in detention in Moldova and Ukraine (Special Assistance Fund); 2. Establishment of government-led AVR programmes in the three countries; 3. Gradual transfer of the Observatory Mechanism tool to state authorities and civil society in Moldova and Ukraine. Visit of participants in Migrant Accommodation Centre in Chisinau All the participants highlighted the excellent and long-standing cooperation between state authorities, NGOs and international organizations. Comments expressed by participants will help to correct the activities of all stakeholders, thereby improving the quality of the project implementation. Study visit to Great Britain on biometrics for migration agencies in Russia, Moldova and Ukraine On April , the International Organization for Migration, together with the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA), organized study visit to Great Britain on biometrics and readmission for representatives of the migration agencies of the Russian Federation, Moldova and Ukraine. The main goal of the visit was to exchange experience and to establish working connection with state authorities of Great Britain involved in the field of migration, return, readmission and biometrics. Thus, in particular, meetings with the UKBA representatives and with the officers from other units of the UKBA such as National Document Fraud Unit, Asylum screening Unit and etc. were held. The IOM Moscow Times, Issue 25 2

3 In general, the study visit was evaluated by participants as informative and productive, promoting the development of cooperation between the countries and the exchange of positive experience in the field of migration, return, readmission and biometrics. CENTRAL ASIA REGIONAL MIGRATION PROGRAMME IOM participation in the scientific-practical conference Information Support to the social projects in modern world Participants of study visit on biometrics on the meeting with colleagues from the UKBA A National Document Fraud Unit Officer conducted a tour through office departments and displayed equipment which is used to detect and check false documents. An updated database contains the latest samples of documents from all over the world. A chemical laboratory enables development of modern elements of documents protection. On April 16 and 17, the third international scientific-practical conference Information Support to the Social Projects in the Modern World was conducted with support of the Russian Association on Public Relations. Within the framework of the Conference two sections were held on strategic planning of social projects and on experiences and achievements in social planning. The main programme report Social agenda: technologies of creation was delivered by Prof. I. M. Dzyaloshinsky, a long term partner of IOM Moscow, who was the author of a special manual for journalists within the framework of the counter-trafficking project in During the meeting an Asylum Screening Unit Officer told the participants about the procedures for asylum application, about the procedures for communication with applicants, and also demonstrated the interviewing area. Members of the delegation witnessed the full process of applying for asylum, which included enrolling biometric data (fingerprints and digital photo), checking information provided through multiple databases and issuing a temporary document, which states that a person is in asylum proceedings. Meeting of the participants with of the UKBA officers On the last day of the visit, participants had an opportunity to get acquainted with the practical work on border control area of Heathrow and Gatwick Airports. The participants saw how the latest biometric equipment was operating and saw how the databases were used with concrete examples. A representative of IOM Moscow delivered a presentation on development of communication strategy for the information campaigns aimed at labour migrants within the Central Asia Regional Migration Programme. In particular she described the main approaches of organization of such information, education and awareness raising campaigns among labour migrants, main methods of outreaching migrants, as well as main principles of development of information materials for labour migrants (content and design). Presentation raised big interest among the participants, initiating discussion on the issues of labour migration in Russia as well as the region, which is the hot topic for many nowadays. Mobile consultations of Tajik migrant workers in the train Dushanbe - Moscow For the second year, IOM Moscow s Information Resource Center staff, in cooperation with the counselors of the Labor Migrants Trade Union, carry out mobile consultations in the trains coming from the The IOM Moscow Times, Issue 25 3

4 donor countries of labor migrants. This year the first consultation in a train coming from Dushanbe, Tajikistan to Moscow, Russia was held on April 17 th. Such consultations are conducted in the form of interactive discussion sessions with the migrants who are coming to Russia to work. In the beginning, the counselors present themselves and talk about their organizations, as well as what kind of assistance labor migrants can receive from them. Then they inform labor migrants about how to live and work legally in Russia, what steps should be taken to receive a work permit, medical and social insurance, and whether is there any access to free education and professional qualification courses. migrants newcomers to receive information beforehand and make informative and responsible decisions which allow them to stay and work legally in Russia. On April 29, 2012 IOM Information-Resource Centre specialists conducted training on health issues for Tajik labour migrants, men and women Upon arrival in Russia, Tajik labour migrants have strong advantages while settling down in a new place mutual assistance, helpfulness and maintenance of continual contacts with compatriots. The great merit in this belongs to the heads of Tajik diasporas and the Chairmen of Tajik communities. For example, the Chairman of the Khorog city community, Gorno- Badagshanskiy district, Tajikistan, in close cooperation with its leaders, organizes monthly meetings where community members can discuss their problems and share good news. Recently, the premises of the newly established multifunctional Centre of Assistance to Migrants Opora Druzhba became a good platform for these meetings. The classroom is equipped with computers that have free Internet access, and a big TV screen, which is used for power-point presentations. On April 29, Information-Resource Centre consultants met with the representatives of one of the twelve Khorog city communities Gulagen micro district compatriots. As a result of this activity, about 700 migrants were informed on such issues as legal stay and work in Russia. Of course, it is a drop the bucket but it is good to realize these 700 people who come to work for the sake of their families and children now know where to apply if help is needed, and they also can relay about such agencies to their fellow migrants. What is also important to see is that those migrants who come to Russia for the first time do not fully know or understand existing legal norms and rules. After a brief talk, however, they become very interested in knowing more and start to ask a lot of questions. Participants were very active. They listened to the counselors attentively, asked questions and everybody tried to receive informational materials: info cards of the Informational- Resource Center and samples of Kamilla - a magazine for women who come to work in Russia and the newspaper The labor migration news. The most frequently asked questions: How to receive migration registration if there is no recipient in the host country? How to obtain work permit? What is a patent and how to prolong it? Where to apply to find a job? What documents are needed to obtain a permit to go to the kindergarten? The benefit and effect from these consultations is obvious. It is a proven mechanism of preventive informational activity which allows IOM staff made a brief presentation on Information-Resource Centre activity in Moscow and talked about the opportunity to get free consultations and legal assistance through the anonymous hot-line or via face-to-face consultations on a wide range of issues regarding labour migration to Russia. Also IRC consultants made two presentations, one of which was devoted to the legal aspects of receiving emergency and planned medical assistance by foreigners in Russia (adults and children), policies of obligatory and voluntary health insurance and also getting medical examination for the purpose of obtaining work permit, permit for temporary and permanent residence in Russia. Issues of getting medical assistance by pregnant migrant women in period of pregnancy and childbirth were highlighted additionally. The following presentation was devoted to the tuberculosis problem. Main reasons, symptoms of tuberculosis, precautionary measures and procedures in case of detection of this The IOM Moscow Times, Issue 25 4

5 illness among foreign citizens, their children and friends were explained in very popular way. Metropolitan Police of London, and the All-Party Parliament Group on Human Trafficking. Health issues and protection of human rights were perceived with a huge interest and understanding among labour migrants. During the discussion process, participants had lots of additional questions on other topics, in particular related to the issues of receiving secondary and high vocational education by a growing generation of migrants and issues related to the process of obtaining Russian citizenship. Taking into account a large quantity of Khorog city communities in Moscow and the necessity of raising the awareness among labour migrants about their rights and obligations, during their stay in Russia, it was agreed to conduct such trainings on a regular basis. PREVENTING AND COUNTER-ACTING TRAFFICKING IN HUMAN BEINGS IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION Study-trip to London On February 2012, the IOM Moscow, within the project Preventing and Counter-Acting Trafficking in Human Beings in the Russian Federation, organized a study trip of Russian interagency delegation to London. Representatives of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Investigation Committee of the RF, Coordination Council of Prosecutors General of CIS member-states, Russian Advocates Guild and Moscow Patriarchy took part in the study visit. The delegation held a series of intensive working meetings with a number of UK key institutions dealing with the problems of human trafficking and provision of assistance to victims. In particular, working meetings were held with senior specialists from the UK Human Trafficking Center, Crown Prosecution Service, the Home Office, Department of Health, Specialist Crime Directorate of The meetings were held in an atmosphere of high interest, vivid exchange of opinions and experience from practical work. A presentation on operational work of London Metropolitan Police roused special interest. The participants from both sides emphasized the benefits of open direct dialog and importance of information and experience exchange. MIGRATION HEALTH IOM provides technical support to migrants in various technical aspects and Migration Health Division (MHD) works closely with State Health/Medical Institutes in the Russian Federation and also collaborates with international organizations, non governmental organizations and various professionals operating in the health field. MHD participated in TB laboratory diagnostics sessions of the Scientific and Practical Conference Interdisciplinary Aspects of Differential Diagnostics and Treatment of TB Patients organized by the Research Institute of Physiopulmonology of the Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov. The outcomes and experiences of year 2011 were analyzed, including issues related to TB detection and prevention among migrants groups. As a part of migrant expert society, IOM contributed to High Level Working Group (HLWG) on TB which was hosted by the World Bank Moscow Office, in April The HLWG meeting was focused on professional assistance to patients suffering from TB/HIV coinfection. Together with Ministry of Health and Social Development, World Health Organization (WHO), other medical and non medical colleagues, MHD took part in a series of TB Interagency Coordination Meetings, in order to consolidate efforts to confront TB infection in the Country and Region. In March 2012, IOM Moscow participated in the press conference led by Prof. Yablonskiy, Chief Phthysiatrist of the Russian Federation, on the occasion of the World TB Day. The The IOM Moscow Times, Issue 25 5

6 conference took place at RIA NOVOSTI information agency and was aimed at raising awareness among general public, TB patients, state officials, medical professionals, health planners and the media. MHD representative highlighted importance of inclusion of mobile populations in overall planning of anti TB interventions and assistance. MOSCOW PROGRAMME ON CULTURAL ORIENTATION Since January 2012, IOM Moscow USCO trainers traveled to seven different locations to conduct the USCO sessions. Apart from Moscow, the USCO was conducted in Malta, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Belarus, Ukraine (4 locations), Azerbaijan and Slovakia. The beneficiaries at the Emergency Transit Center in Humenne, Slovakia. were transferred to the ETC from Emkulu refugee camp in Eritrea. This was a new group for our trainers to deliver CO for. Mobile populations in the Region have high risk of TB and specific challenges in addressing their health needs. There is a necessity to find solutions for timely and adequate treatment of migrant beneficiaries receiving assistance under IOM programs. In April 2012, MHD explored durable options for organizing hospital assistance of migrants with active and infectious TB. In cooperation with IOM Project Development group, MHD identified potential partners in health care sector with capable clinical - laboratory setting which can be extended to migrants. In March 2012, MHD Moscow participated in Expert Group (EG) meeting on HIV/AIDS and Associated Infections (AI) organized by Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Social Wellbeing (NDPHS), which represents 11 countries in N. Europe. The meeting took place in European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) in Solna, Sweden. IOM provided updates on prevalent migration trends, existing health needs, factors affecting health data collection on mobile populations in Russia and neighbor countries. It was agreed that migrants should be identified on the Objective Tree as a priority need group for enhanced epidemiological monitoring and health data collection/management, the change will be reflected in MDPHS documents. Somali girls at USCO in ETC Humenne, Slovakia The participants actively engaged in the training showing a lot of enthusiasm. They knew very little about US and every fact presented to them by the trainer raised a lot of questions or remarks on the part of the beneficiaries. The trainer used a lot of picture-based activities which allowed the participants, most of whom were pre-literate, to grasp the presented concepts: What is accepted and what is not in US, Traveling to US and What an American looks like. IOM took part in Country Coordination Mechanism meeting on prevention of TB and HIV infection at the office of the Russian Health Care Foundation. The main question on the agenda was sustainability of TB programmes for vulnerable groups and individuals. IOM Migration Health Physician from Moscow, together with medical colleagues of IOM Kazakhstan, joined the Mobile Medical Team for organizing health assistance for a group of refugees in Kyrgyzstan, accepted for resettlement to the US. During the reporting period, a total number of 76 migrant beneficiaries under IOM care underwent comprehensive radiology and laboratory testing with our medical partner - Central TB Research Institute of Russian Academy of Medical Science. Somali refugees playing pool during the break The IOM Moscow Times, Issue 25 6

7 The weather in Humenne at the time of the training was quite cold and this was the first exposure of the participants to such weather conditions. Needless to say, the weather in certain parts of US was one of the major concerns for the refugees coming from hot African climate. On the first day of the training the trainer noticed that all of the beneficiaries wore flip-flops or sandals with no socks on. The group discussed different kinds of clothing and how to wear them properly to keep warm in the northern states of the US, during winter months, and the first home assignment for the refugees was to dress up appropriately for the second day of the training. Due to the fact that these refugees have never been exposed to the Western realities of life, the ETC was a good transition place for them. Watching Television and venturing outside of the ETC gave the participants an idea of how certain things work in the Western society. The refugees asked a lot of questions about such new concepts for them such as banking, cheques, credit cards, paying bills. The participants also took a lot of interest in different kinds of public transportation and in particular in subway/metro. This was a very rewarding group to deliver the CO training to. MOSCOW MIGRANTS PROCESSING AND MOVEMENT COPIES OF THE NEWSLETTER ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US. IOM MOSCOW 2 ND ZVENIGORODSKAYA STREET, , MOSCOW RUSSIAN FEDERATION TEL.: FAX: IOMMOSCOW@IOM.INT IOM Moscow works with the Russian government, the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and various UNHCR offices and U.S. Embassies across Europe and the ex-ussr to implement a program of voluntary resettlement to the United States for migrants and refugees. The biggest beneficiary groups are religious minorities from the ex-ussr who are joining immediate relatives already in the United States; third-country refugees referred for resettlement by the United Nations (Afghan refugees in Central Asia, Afghan and African refugees in Russia and Ukraine) and African boat people stranded in Malta. Comprehensive statistics for 01 January through 30 April 2012 are as follows: Applications received and processed: 731 cases / 2089 individuals Presented to DHS for status determination: 496 cases / 1115 individuals Departures to the U.S.: 221 cases / 500 individuals In total, IOM staff traveled to process cases, interview applicants, prepare files for interviews, assist U.S. government officials and provide Cultural Orientation in: Baku (Azerbaijan), Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Chisinau (Moldova) Dushanbe (Tajikistan), Humenne (Slovakia) and Malta. The IOM Moscow Times, Issue 25 7