Understanding the issues most important to refugee and asylum seeker youth in the Asia Pacific region

Transcription

1 Understanding the issues most important to refugee and asylum seeker youth in the Asia Pacific region June 2016 This briefing paper has been prepared by the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN), an open and growing network of 260 members from 26 countries committed to advancing the rights of refugees in the Asia Pacific region. 1. Background Throughout early 2016, APRRN and local partners hosted Global Refugee Youth Consultations in Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Thailand. In addition, APRRN also consulted with different refugee communities across the region. During the consultations, youth drafted recommendations on how stakeholders (NGOs, governments, UNHCR, etc.) and youth can work together to address their most pressing issues in a collaborative manner. The purpose of this briefing paper is to share these recommendations as a way for refugee youth to contribute directly to the development of advocacy strategies and policies for refugee and asylum seeker youth in the Asia Pacific region. 2. Introduction to refugee and asylum seeker youth in the Asia Pacific region By the end of 2014, the Asia Pacific region hosted 27% of the world s refugees. 1 The number of refugee children under the age of 18 had grown to 51% 2 of the total population of refugees worldwide; refugees ages represented 46% of all refugees worldwide. 3 For the purpose of the consultations and general youth programming, refugee and asylum seeker youth include anyone ages While specific data on the number of refugees and asylum seekers in this demographic is not available, it can be inferred from the available data that a significant percent of the general refugee and asylum seeker population identify as youth in the Asia Pacific region. Refugee and asylum seeker youth are no different from other young people; they share certain priorities and aspirations because of their age. These years are crucial in forming a sense of identity, figuring out educational and career goals, taking risks and overcoming the character building challenges that will influence every aspect of their adult lives. As refugees and asylum seekers, youth often face extraordinary barriers accessing these experiences while in transit and living in host countries that view refugees and asylum seekers 1 UNHCR Global Trends: Forced Displacement Rep. UNHCR, Web. 16 May < 2 If the population of refugees resulting from the Syrian crisis is excluded, this figure becomes 49%. See: 3 "Demographics and Location Data." UNHCR Statistical Yearbook UNHCR, Web. 16 May < 1

2 as temporary guests. In the Asia Pacific region specifically, refugees and asylum seekers lack legal protection and are subject to arrest and arbitrary detention, among numerous other protection challenges. In this environment, continuing education and skills training become secondary to fulfilling basic needs. 3. Recommendations and advocacy points The following recommendations are prepared by refugee and asylum seeker youth from around the Asia Pacific region. They provide suggestions to stakeholders at the local, national and regional level for ways in which they can partner with youth to address their challenges together. It should be noted that youth clearly emphasised their willingness to contribute to, work for and support stakeholders as they implement these recommendations. As one youth shared, We are responsible for making change happen ourselves and to approach people to ask for support. 1. Education Provide access to existing educational opportunities: The lack of proper documentation prevents refugee and asylum seeker youth from accessing educational opportunities that already exist. Library cards, merit scholarships, university enrolment, and language courses all offer multitudes of opportunities for continued learning without the need to create additional programming. Allowing refugee and asylum seeker youth to use identification or UNHCR cards in lieu of a legal passport could grant youth access to much needed educational opportunities. Share information about existing educational opportunities: Many schools, language centres and universities offer free programmes or low-cost distance learning courses, but refugee and asylum seeker youth lack information regarding these programmes. Local NGOs and partner organisations could research and share this information with youth. Support educational programmes that address refugees needs: Limited financial capabilities impede youths ability to access traditional models and their unique needs are often not addressed in these programmes. Secondary education programmes specifically for refugees would allow youth, who are often too old for local primary schools, to continue their education in a flexible and understanding environment. 2. Employment Advocate for the right to work: Refugee and asylum seeker youth are often forced to engage in the informal sector, making them vulnerable to different forms of abuse and exploitation. Limited livelihood opportunities increase their reliance on NGOs and prevent refugees from making contributions in their host communities. Youth desire access to fair and meaningful employment in order to decrease their dependency on others and gain financial and social stability and independence. 2

3 Facilitate skills and vocational training: Adult refugees and asylum seekers with specialised skills can volunteer as teachers and teach youth vocational skills. Local youth can volunteer to teach refugee and asylum seeker youth the local language and build their resume while helping others. NGOs with the financial capacity can hire teachers with vocational job experience to prepare youth for work in the informal sector. Stakeholders should ensure that young women and girls have equal access to these trainings. 3. Engaging with the local community Address Stereotypes: There is often a lack of understanding within the local community about the diversity of people with a refugee background, the talents they have to offer, and the broad range of experiences that make up the refugee experience. Host community perceptions have a significant impact on young people s sense of safety. The impacts of stereotypes include experiences of racism and discrimination and are not only socially isolating but also limit opportunities for education and employment. Educate the public: Until the local population is sympathetic to refugees, governments are unlikely to change or develop policies related to refugees. Local NGOs can conduct information sharing sessions in which local participants learn about the legal definitions of refugees and the situations in the countries refugees flee from. Overtime the perspective of local people will become more positive and reduce tensions. Increase cultural understanding of refugees: More opportunities to understand local culture, rules and cultural norms are needed when refugees first arrive. Having the impression that they do not understand the local culture prevents many youth from engaging in the wider community, as they are worried about offending local people. Youth face many challenges integrating into their host cultures and establishing their identity. Youth could also benefit from a platform through which they can preserve and explore their own cultural identity. Raise awareness of university students: University students are generally open to discussion and willing to hear from refugees and asylum seekers their own age. Integrating human rights education into a college curriculum can start with hosting panels and events geared at bringing refugee youth and university youth together. 4. Health Address mental health: Past trauma and the daily stress and anxiety of living in a host/ transit country can quickly take a toll on youth who feel they have little control over their situation. Many youth have lost family members in the past and are living alone or with friends. A group meeting with a psychologist or trained professional can have a positive impact. Additionally, youth need opportunities to relieve stress and sports and recreational activities can be outlets to improve mental health as well. Improve healthcare facilities in refugee camps and access to healthcare in host countries: Health facilities inside refugee camps or detention centres frequently lack staff or 3

4 supplies to address the needs of the refugee population. In host and transit countries, cost, distance, local laws and an inability to communicate with providers impede youth from accessing healthcare through local clinics and hospitals. NGOs can advocate for legalised access to existing healthcare structures, as well as bringing healthcare facilities inside detention centres and camps up to international standards. Offer first aid and sexual health training: Volunteer doctors and nurses can train community members in basic first aid, allowing them to handle small illnesses and injuries before they require hospitalisation or expensive medical care. Many youth have never received access to sexual health education and lack vital information on reproductive and sexual health issues. Educating youth about these issues can help prevent unwanted pregnancies and inform them of their rights. 5. Lack of a legal protection framework Advocate for protection: International law requires all states to adhere to the principles of non-refoulement, regardless of their national laws. NGOs, UNHCR, and local advocates should continue to encourage states to adhere to this principle and not forcibly return refugees to home countries in which they face threats and danger. Adherence to these principles can be enforced through systematic monitoring of post-deportation risks. Data from post-deportation monitoring can help identify and document where the fears of asylum seekers are wellfounded, as well as provide valuable insights for country of origin reports and thus serve to improve refugee policy at large. Educate officials: Since majority of states in the Asia region are not party to the 1951 Refugee Convention, they lack legal protection frameworks for refugees and asylum seekers. In many cases this leads to irregular and arbitrary processes, with decisions made by immigration officers and police officers with little knowledge of refugee protection issues. Educational sessions and trainings with local officials and offices could create more understanding and reduce arrests and detention. End immigration detention: The threat of arbitrary arrest and detention restricts their freedom of movement and prevents youth from accessing employment and educational opportunities, while creating an environment of fear and stress. Youth who have experienced detention report inhumane conditions and a lack of access to basic services. Being detained for even short periods of time can cause lasting mental health issues; the trauma of detention will affect them long after they are released. 6. Specific needs of young women Ensure equal access: Social and cultural barriers often prevent young women from having equal access to educational opportunities and employment programmes. Education increases access to life changing opportunities and provides a pathway to the attainment of many other human rights. Special attention should be given to single mothers and young wives who may 4

5 be overlooked for traditional training programmes. Stakeholders must also address the travel safety and childcare concerns that young women may have. Protect adolescent girls from forced and early marriage: In much of the Asia region, early marriage is culturally acceptable and viewed as a mechanism by which to protect young women. Early and forced marriage limits development, inflicts physical and mental harm and increases the likelihood of violence and abuse. Poor infant and child health outcomes are likely to affect children of young mothers. Stakeholders should address the lack of social and reproductive health services for this high-risk group. Protect youth from sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) and support victims: Young women are especially vulnerable to SGBV in both their transit and host countries. Many face unwanted pregnancies, rape, sexual abuse and the threat of being trafficked; they are often unable to seek help or justice for the crimes committed against them. Many lack health services that respond to sexual violence, including a lack of female doctors. Additionally, many young women face shame from their communities if they speak out against the violence they have experienced. Both supporting victims and preventing SGBV requires educating the entire community, not just potential victims, to increase the number of people who will speak out against such abuses and support the young women who stand up for their rights. 7. Working together with UNHCR Increase transparency: UNHCR can improve openness and transparency surrounding the RSD process through community outreach programmes that also improve UNHCR s perception within the community and enhance community relations. UNHCR should also educate asylum seekers about RSD procedures upon their arrival, thereby giving them the immediate option to return voluntarily to their country of origin if they believe they are unlikely to be awarded refugee status in the near future, thus saving them three to four years of their lives whilst waiting for decision. Meet with youth regularly: UNHCR should consider meeting with a select delegation of youth, chosen by their community and organised by a local NGO. The delegation can share updates with UNHCR and act as an intermediate between UNHCR and the community. Support youth representation: Refugee and asylum seeker youth should be given a higher degree of influence by key decision-making groups. Youth want to be involved, they have the capacity and agency to do so, and they need to be supported by government agencies and NGOs to drive their own development. Platforms that allow refugee and asylum seeker youth to help other refugee youth are especially important. Special focus should be given to ensuring that young women are equally represented and supported. 5