Your Good Practices on International Refugee Law by Refugee Department

Philippines - Foreign Affairs Research Specialist

idpprogramme — 2023-07-04 13:11:50 UTC

In Southeast Asia, the Philippines is one of the only three countries which have acceded to the legally binding frameworks which are the United Nations’ (UN) 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees. The Philippines has been most vocal about its willingness to welcome Afghan, Rohingya, and Ukrainian evacuees. Neither has the country set a specific quota on the number of evacuees which may be taken in, nor has it defined an order of preference as to who will be granted refugee status. So long that the UNHCR recognizes their status as refugees, the Philippines promises to have an emergency mechanism in place, pursuant to the memorandum of agreement with UNHCR.

Greece - RSD experience

idpprogramme — 2023-07-04 13:19:25 UTC

During my RSD experience in Greece, we would take the subjective element of the well-founded fear of the asylum applicant as a given, presuming that since the person applied for asylum, they are afraid for their life and integrity. This is perceived as a good practice by the EUAA, since it accommodates the cases of persons that are ashamed to express their fear, or maybe they are not actually afraid, or they have some mental issue that does not allow them to grasp the severity of a situation or to assess risks.

South Sudan - Individual Refugee Status Determination (RSD) for Ethiopian soldiers

idpprogramme — 2023-07-04 13:24:39 UTC

In South Sudan, we had Ethiopian soldiers who were serving in United Nations Mission in the department of Peacekeeping Operation in South Sudan. Due to circumstances back home with the fighting between the Government of Ethiopia and Tigray region. Majority of the DPKO Ethiopian soldiers with different ranks and files could not return to their country of origin due to well-founded fear of persecution and sought asylum in South Sudan. The Ethiopia soldiers were subjected to individual Refugee Status Determination (RSD) procedures to ensure civilian and humanitarian nature of asylum before the government of South Sudan could recognize them as "refugees".

North Macedonia - Combating Trafficking and assessing vulnerabilities

idpprogramme — 2023-07-04 13:29:01 UTC

To determine who is who in the mixed movements countries need to have a well-educated officer who can recognize the indicators of the people and also to have well-educated "screeners" and "debriefers". Also, the logistic infrastructure is necessary for all categories of people. For example, the Macedonian authorities have national unities for combating THB and smuggling migrants and mobile teams for dealing with the victims, so if the police officer finds some indicators but still have doubts, he will report to the mobile team and they will continue with the investigation. Most of the time the THB couldn't be supported with evidence in transit countries. At least the victim could be saved and properly accepted. With the screening and debriefing interviews, you can have maximum information to make clear distinction between the categories and provide necessary help.

Belize - Assisted Voluntary Return Program

idpprogramme — 2023-07-13 09:55:41 UTC

The Government of Belize in collaboration with IOM has implemented an Assisted Voluntary Return Program (AVR). This program facilitates safe, orderly and responsible return of persons to their country of origin. This program is spearheaded specifically by the Refugee department through concerted efforts by IOM, UNHCR, and the Department of Border Management and Immigration Services. Belize's Refugee Act (Chapter 165, Rev Ed 2000.) does not permit those awaiting refugee status determination to work during this period. Certainly, this creates some barriers to integration, self reliance and the fulfillment of basic needs. Many applicants have expressed frustration with the gaps in the process and are compelled to work in an informal economic sector to survive. As a result, a number of asylum seekers continue to withdraw their applications to return to their country of nationality or admission into a third safe country. (predominantly Central American nationals). Once these persons are identified, they are issued an official withdrawal approval from the Director of Border Management and Immigration Services to allow for a seamless departure process via border controls. Border officials are trained to work in conjunction with agents from IOM to facilitate departure. Belize's Amnesty Program (2022-2023), seeks to reduce the gaps and vulnerabilities experienced by asylum seekers/ refugees by specifically targeting their population to be included in the amnesty process (by way of awareness campaigns, informational clinics, application support and translations particularly across known immigrant communities). The aim is for the successful integration of persons seeking international protection, reducing a backlog in asylum applications, and ultimately to redirect financial activity among migrant communities towards a formal economic sector.

Uganda - Policy of integration

idpprogramme — 2023-07-13 10:00:09 UTC

1) Assimilation policy of integration. Mixed movements will continue and are not about to stop. incorporating groups of people moving into respective societies should be the goal to ensure prosperity of those societies and maintain or rather keep like minded people together, People who move seeking religious freedom should be incorporated into societies that will not persecute them so instead of keeping them away there should be laws protecting different movements and how these various movements can be integrated into various societies.

2) Open door policy for example being practiced by Uganda which accepts all refugees and asylum seekers from all societies or nations has worked for Uganda; they host communities have grown and developed because of the impact brought about by refugees and asylum seekers. These refugees contribute to economic growth in various ways including sharing of knowledge and ideas on various topics of life (social, economic, cultural, spiritual e.t.c) these refugees flee from various reasons and have different needs; this policy has helped many achieve their dreams.

Yemen - Capacity building on trafficking and smuggling

idpprogramme — 2023-07-13 10:08:20 UTC

Aden Sub -ffice, UNHCR is a co-chair with IOM , working on mixed movement working group, ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated response to the protection and humanitarian needs of migrants and asylum seekers coming from the Horn of Africa to Yemen, most of whom arrive along the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea coastlines, conducting training that sharing concepts on refugees trafficking and smuggling for authorities such as Ministry of Interior ministry, of Foreign Affairs, etc.

Ukraine - Protection of unaccompanied children

idpprogramme — 2023-07-13 10:14:30 UTC

In Ukraine, unaccompanied children are usually placed in special social and psychological centers until they reach the age of 18. However, if the child has acquaintances in Ukraine who are ready to temporarily accept him or her into the family, the child can live in such a family.

Ukraine - Community-based protection

idpprogramme — 2023-07-30 12:54:49 UTC

In Ukraine, in particular in the city of Kharkiv, there was an active Afghan community, which helped both refugees and asylum seekers from Afghanistan with the search for housing and work, provided translators and conducted Ukrainian language courses.

Uganda's Refugee Act

idpprogramme — 2024-04-30 10:09:36 UTC

Uganda is party to 1951 Convention as well as its 1967 protocol, committing to protect persons fleeing from persecution, the OAU Convention 1969, granting prima facie refugee status to refugees fleeing from conflicts. It's asylum space is maintained, equal and unhindered access to territory is preserved (Open Door Policy to refugees and asylum seekers seeking safe heavens, avoiding the risks related to repatriation and refusal of entry). Most of the refugees in Uganda come from neighboring countries, especially South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Somalia, Rwanda, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan among others. In 2006 the Parliament passed the Refugee Act 2006, followed by its 2010 Regulations. Consistent with the Refugee Convention and Protocol, The Refugee Act unquestionably constitutes the most progressive protection model where refugees are welcomed, registered, allocated land and provided with documents.

Uganda - REFUGEE ACT 2006, PART IV—APPLICATION FOR REFUGEE STATUS AND RELATED MATTERS

idpprogramme — 2024-04-30 10:10:40 UTC

In Uganda focusing on the REFUGEE ACT 2006, PART IV—APPLICATION FOR REFUGEE STATUS AND RELATED MATTERS emphasizes on 02 methodologies of RSD ie, (01) Prima facie or “group” recognition where most of asylum seekers from Burundi since 2015, South Sudan, DRC and currently Sudan have been recognized as refugees in Uganda. (02) Individualized determination where refugee status is determined by REC (Refugee Eligibility Committee composed of representatives from immigration, foreign affairs, national security, local administration, human rights and refugees generally, UNHCR as an Observer). Most of asylum seekers from DRC, Burundi, Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia among others have been granted refugee status. 3) In 2023 with advice from the Refugee Commisioner and UNHCR RSD team, Uganda employed Simplified or accelerated procedures for “easy” caseloads to clear backlog of Urban Asylum Seekers in Kampala. Over 7000HH of 10,000 IDs Asylum Seekers from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Burundi, Congolese and Pakistan were granted refugee status.

Uganda - Security Screening Committee

idpprogramme — 2024-04-30 10:24:30 UTC

Under Section 3 of the Refugees Act 2006, Granting asylum is considered as a peaceful and humanitarian act (1) Subject to subsection 2 of this section, and for the avoidance doubt, the granting of refugee status to any person under this Act does not imply any judgment of, or may not be construed as an unfriendly act towards, the country of origin of the person granted refugee status, but must be regarded as a peaceful and humanitarian act extended to that person as part of his or her human rights. (2) The Government of Uganda has the sovereign right to grant or deny asylum or refugee status to any person. To this effect, a directive from the Hon. Minister for Relief, Disaster and Preparedness and Refugee of August 2019 was published to establish a Security/Nationality Screening Committee to carry out strict security screening at the border entry points/transit centers of individuals who are fleeing from neighboring countries. Some of the Congolese armed personals who claimed to have surrendered/ ex-combatants were separated from civilian asylum seekers and subjected to RSD procedures before recognizing them as refugees. Most of them were granted refugee status and reintegrated in refugee communities far away from those near the border (Uganda & DRC).

Uganda - Refugee Act and refugees rights

idpprogramme — 2024-04-30 10:26:38 UTC

The Refugee Act 2006 and 2010 Regulations consistent with the Refugee Convention and Protocol, Uganda’s legal framework, avail refugees access to key rights and social services as nationals, including freedom of movement, access to national health and education services. These are crucial differences with the policies of most neighbouring countries where refugees are typically confined in camps, face very long registration process, are often refused the status of refugees and cannot work and provide for their livelihood, remaining dependant on humanitarian based care and assistance. The Refugee Act unquestionably constitutes the most progressive refugee law in Africa and has enabled the Uganda settlement approach, a progressive protection model where refugees are welcomed, registered, allocated land and provided with documents.

Uganda - Refugees sensitization

idpprogramme — 2024-04-30 10:29:01 UTC

In 2014 following the drowning of Congolese refugees in lake albert who opted for a self-organized return using locally made boats to CoO claiming that their territory was free and safe from violence, the Ugandan government intensified Refugee Community sensitizations to warn persons about the dangers of (Pendular movements)using unsafe routes, jointly with UNHCR organized/conducted intended return surveys in refugee settlements to ascertain the reasons why refugees wanted to return (pull and push factors), how many wanted to return, how do they want to return and the protection risks involved. In the final report, over 90% were willing to stay in CoA while others who never have information about what was happening in CoO requested to return. However, they were counseled to wait untill all situation in CoO were desirable and safe for Agency & Governments Organized returns.

Nepal - Courts proactiveness in protecting the rights of the refugees and protecting them from illegal detention

idpprogramme — 2024-04-30 10:31:00 UTC

Most of the problems regarding refugees that come to the forefront in courts of Nepal are related to the issue of illegal detention of refugees by the Immigration Department. Nepal, as a country, has not ratified the UN Convention on Refugees, but it has human rights obligations under other conventions such as CAT, ICCPR, CEDAW. Further, the constitution of Nepal ensures an array of fundamental rights, such as the right to life with dignity (Article 16), the right to justice (Article 20), the right of victims of crime (Article 21), right against torture (Article 22) etc. and these have been the basis for the courts of Nepal to uphold the principle of non-refoulment as well as to release the refugees from illegal detention. I would like to present the case of Abdul Khaliq v. Office of Prime Minister where the Immigration Department misinterpreted the provisions of the Immigration Rules, interpreting "keeping the foreigner at a designated place" as the basis for detaining him. The court here interpreted that keeping the person in detention and keeping them in a designated place are two different things, and the act was malicious. there are also cases where court has ordered for providing refugee identity cards to the childrens of refugee parents and making arrangements for registering birth and death of refugees (Dechen Wangmo v. Government of Nepal). So, although Nepal has not ratified the convention on refugees, the courts of Nepal has always been proactive in protecting the rights of the refugees and protecting them from the illegal detention.

Uganda - Application of Age, Gender and Diversity approach & profiling exercise

idpprogramme — 2024-04-30 10:33:12 UTC

In 2018, 2019 and 2020 with support from UNHCR, Office of the Prime Minister, Department of Refugees (Field Offices in Refugee Settlements of South-Western Uganda) and Partners (IPs, OPs & CBOs) employed the age, gender and diversity approach supporting protection strategy to identify refugees with different inequalities, risks and specific needs in different communities, analyze data collected of different protection risks that women, men, girls, and boys of different ages and backgrounds were exposed to intended to design targeted measures to prevent and respond to protection risks and give to community members the relevant means to assert their rights. In 2021/2022 with support from UNHCR, OPM, Department of Refugees in Uganda conducted population verification & Individual Profiling Exercise (V&IPE) to validate & update family compositions, issue update refugee documents and assessing the social economic profiles of refugee through Individual Profiling assessments, sampling 10% of verified HHs based on strata covering settlement, CoO, Ethnicity, Family Composition, year of arrival and HH with persons with specific needs. The IPE target the socioeconomic concerns of FDPs with measures to respond to protection risks and promote resilience. (Socio-Economic/Monitoring Survey).

Kenya - Counselling sessions with refugees

idpprogramme — 2024-04-30 10:35:02 UTC

As a resettlment caseworker, my best practise when conducting counselling session with the refugees during durable solution resettlement interviews is to hightlight different units roles such as Protection, Community Based Protection and Child Protection and inform the refugees to feel feel to approach those units whenever they have any protection issues.

Ethiopia - Whole-of-society approach in the development of National Migration Policy

idpprogramme — 2024-04-30 10:36:48 UTC

I participated in the drafting of the comprehensive National Migration Policy that the Government of Ethiopia recently created as a model for the best practices on a whole-of-society approach. The drafting team intends to use the whole of society approach in the development of the policy, allowing migrants to participate and offer their contributions. However, a question arose among the team as to when exactly the migrants should be involved: "Are we including them in the drafting team?" or Do we include them in the policy consultation process? Sparked a contentious discussion, during which one of the group members proposed that since the policy is a political document, immigrants and migrant returnees shouldn't be included in the writing committee. The opposing group contended that, despite the policy being a political document, we must consider the opinions of the migrants at every stage of the policy's development because it will affect them in one way or another. In the end, the team favors the first contention, and despite strong objections from many parties, migrants participated in the consultation sessions.

Guinea-Bissau - Voluntary repatriation and local integration

idpprogramme — 2024-04-30 10:40:49 UTC

As Juridical Director and Executive Director of Local Integration Strategy, I have been directly coordinating the inter-ministerial responses to the durable solutions and complementary pathways for the protracted refugees in Guinea-Bissau, for 15-years. 1. Concerning to Voluntary repatriation (mostly 2011, 2013...), I directly had chance to lead the following operational outcomes: • The national dissemination of the UNHCR recommendations on the cession clauses of the protracted refugees from Siena-Leone and Liberia. • The conduction of refugee's assessment - on their real personal intention, their own choices, and their free self-decision-making. • National support to VolRep program (particularly traveling documents, from Guinea-Bissau, exemption traveling costs... among other administrative requirements). • Full support to the individually and family refugees' status analysis – for those who decided to claim the maintenance of their international protection status. • Provided the ten-year free residence permit – to those who had chosen to migrant’s integration option. 2. Tanging to the local integration particularly, I mentored and led the innovative solutions for effective local integration of the protracted 11.000 refugees in Guinea-Bissau, which has been referred as case-model across West Africa countries, and UNHCR international forums. For real, tangible and effective local integration programs are the unique durable solutions for these groups of FDP, the country provided the four following outcomes: • Adopted the first ever "Official Declaration of Local Integration Clauses for Long Lasting Refugees in Guinea-Bissau. • Naturalized 11.000 protracted refugees enrolled and contemplated within official clauses. • Direct, free and easily issued the citizenship documentation to the naturalized FDP (children, girls, boys, women and men) – namely nationality registration, civil registration and birth certificate, citizenship ID. • Supported continuously the free land access – namely land tenure/acquisition, land title tenure formalization, land inclusion and participation on communal decision-making forums.

Nepal - Access to services and rights of Buthanese refugees

idpprogramme — 2024-04-30 10:42:38 UTC

Out of about 113000 refugees from Bhutan identified and registered in Nepal, most of them have already been re-settled in third country (Between 2008 - 2016). Now, there are 6365 Bhutanese refugees remaining in Nepal. Almost all the children from these refugees' families have accessed in education at local public schools, almost all refugees have access on government health insurance schemes for their medical services. Although, it took a very long time to get access on these services, however due to the constant lobbying and advocacy as a humanitarian concern, refugees are getting access on government services gradually. Recently the cabinet (Ministerial committee at federal government) has decided to give access refugees to establish small business/enterprises for their income generation activities for livelihood and employment in informal sectors. They have access on Personal Account Number (PAN Card issued by Inland Revenue Office (government entity to issue PAN card to all Nepalese). Birth registration of their children is ongoing at local government. Now, the refugee camp is called settlement as there is not any boundary for the refugee to go outside from the camps and entered into the camps. Now, the refugee camps look like a settlement.

Canada - Temporary residence for displaced people due to disasters

idpprogramme — 2024-04-30 10:48:48 UTC

Though people in this situation do not meet the refugee definition, those who cannot return home due to natural disasters are sometimes facilitated to Canada by public policies; for example, there was a policy in place for almost a year for expedited processing of temporary resident applicants who are displaced due to the earthquakes in Turkiye a year ago.

Nepal - Resettlement of Butanes Refugees

idpprogramme — 2024-04-30 10:50:16 UTC

Out of 113000 Bhutanese Refugees in Nepal since 1991, more than one hundred thousand have been resettled in USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Germany. More than 90% are in USA. Still there are 6365 Bhutanese refugees are remaining to either resettled or repatriate or local integration. Most of the refugees remaining in Nepal have accessing in local services (livelihood, health, education and also in country free movement). Most of them have been employed in informal sectors due to the absence of legal documents however they have refugee ID card issued by the Nepal government. Local government is assisting them in many cases as a part of humanitarian concern. Although, the resettlement has been closed but more than 80% remaining in Nepal wants to resettle if any country (mostly they prefer USA) agreed for the same. Very few of them wants to repatriate and mostly the old age people want to stay in Nepal and localize with the host communities. Refugee diasporas are supporting them for their living in addition to the support they are getting with LWF Nepal, partner organization for UNHCR in Nepal for refugee operation. Local level advocacy and lobbying with the government has opened many livelihood options to them and are accessing the local services as national in the host communities. The joint livelihood initiatives supporting them for the reconciliations and harmony with the local communities. The mix marriages are also supporting for the local integration to the refugees as many refugee girls have been married with local boys and are getting legal identify through the marriage documents.

Canada - Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot

idpprogramme — 2024-04-30 10:51:29 UTC

In Canada there is a separate program, the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, specifically for people who are refugees or displaced persons to apply for permanent residence based on their work experience, education, and language skills. It is a pilot program for now but it's an excellent bridge between Canada's labour market needs and refugees' skills and background. The refugee resettlement process brings refugees to Canada to settle as permanent residents, The EMPP is also a permanent resident stream, with the bonus that it provides refugees with a way to link with employers in Canada so they can start using their skills and experience as soon as they arrive.

Philippines - COI

idpprogramme — 2024-04-30 10:55:41 UTC

In the Philippines, aside from conducting an interview of the applicant, we also rely on Country of Origin Information (COI) from UNHCR and other relevant organizations, to determine the extent of persecution an applicant is suffering from his/her country of origin.

Mozambique - Involvement of refugees leader

idpprogramme — 2024-04-30 10:59:04 UTC

In Maratane Camp we involve the leader of refugees and the leader of the host community to set activities for their daily lives.

Lebanon - Development projects/UNHCR

idpprogramme — 2024-04-30 11:01:58 UTC

Since I'm working with the Lebanese ministry of social affairs under the LCRP, we are doing a regular meetings with the stakeholders and authorities at the field level mainly to find how we can reflect all challenges that are faced by them in order to provide the public services for communities "Lebanese, Syrian, Palestinian an other nationalities". Recently and due to the absence of electricity with is considered as an essential issue to activate the water pumps that provide clear water for the villages, UNHCR provides a solar project for the north Lebanon water station. The station now is able to turn on the pumps and providing the clean water to the residents of three union of municipalities. In general this kind of project at the time being is much needed, such project has several positive impact, such as "reducing tension between communities, reducing pressure against public institutions and municipalities, providing a healthy and hygiene environment, eliminates the spread of infection " lice, scabies, cholera, skin disease".

Thailand - Asylum Capacity Support Group

idpprogramme — 2024-06-11 08:39:21 UTC

We would recommend you to look at the Asylum Capacity Support Group (ACSG) for states who just recently set up their own asylum systems, which is the case of my country, Thailand, or for those who want to strengthen their asylum capacity. ACSG is under UNHCR and holds a number of discussion among the group of like-minded countries in many several areas. ACSG works as a platform for states, CSOs, and UNHCR to discuss or further explore collaboration in this area. For more information, please log in to https://acsg-portal.org/

Ghana - Assisting refugees and ensure protection of human rights

idpprogramme — 2024-06-14 13:15:10 UTC

In Ghana, the government has implemented several best practices to assist refugees and ensure their integration into society. These practices aim to provide support in various aspects of refugees’ lives, including education, employment, legal services, healthcare, and documentation. 1. Work Permit Assistance: The Ghanaian government assists refugees by facilitating the application process for work permits at no cost. This initiative enables refugees to legally seek employment opportunities in the country, contributing to their self-reliance and economic independence. 2. Free Education up to Secondary Level: Refugees in Ghana are granted access to free education up to the secondary level. This inclusive policy ensures that refugee children have the opportunity to receive formal education, promoting their academic development and future prospects. 3. Exemption from Foreign Fees: Refugees are exempted from paying foreign fees for various services such as police clearance, university fees, and other administrative costs. This exemption helps alleviate financial burdens on refugees and facilitates their access to essential services without discrimination. 4. National Identity Card with Refugee Status: Refugees in Ghana are issued with the National identity card (Ghana card) that clearly indicates their refugee status. This identification document helps refugees prove their legal status in the country and access relevant services and benefits. 5. Legal Aid Services: Refugees are provided with legal aid services at court proceedings to ensure they have proper representation and protection of their rights under the law. This support is crucial in navigating legal processes and addressing any challenges or disputes that refugees may encounter. 6. Social Security Contributions: Employed refugees are allowed to contribute to social security schemes such as the National Insurance Trust. By participating in these programs, refugees can secure social protection benefits for themselves and their families, enhancing their social welfare. 7. Business Ownership Rights: Refugees are permitted to open and register their businesses in Ghana, enabling them to engage in entrepreneurial activities and generate income independently. This practice promotes economic empowerment among refugees and fosters self-sufficiency. 8. Driving License Acquisition Support: Refugees are assisted in acquiring driving licenses, which can enhance their mobility, job prospects, and overall integration into society. Access to transportation facilities is essential for refugees to participate fully in economic and social activities. 9. Convention Travel Document (CTD): Ghana issues Convention Travel Documents (CTDs) to refugees, facilitating their international travel for various purposes such as family reunification, education, or employment opportunities. These documents help protect refugees’ rights during travel across borders. 10. National Health Insurance Coverage: All refugees and asylum seekers in Ghana are provided with National Health Insurance coverage, ensuring access to essential healthcare services without financial barriers. This initiative promotes the well-being and health security of refugees within the country. Overall, these best practices demonstrate Ghana’s commitment to upholding refugee rights, promoting their integration into society, and providing essential support services for their well-being and success.

Thailand - Community-based care

idpprogramme — 2024-06-17 06:11:36 UTC

Thailand has been working towards alternatives to detention. More and more we used community-based care meaning people can live in the community and children can go to school. We also pledged at the Second Global Refugee Forum (GRF) to continue and try to expand the use of community-based care and volunteered to be GCM Champion country in this area. We have put in place an inter-agency MoU to handle this issue as we see it’s interdisciplinary in nature. The MoU also comes with it, Standards Operating Procedures (SOP) which other stakeholders come at play. We partner with International organizations including IOM and UNHCR, as well as IDC (International Detention Coalition). I would like to personally recommend states who are interested to improve this area of work to discuss to international organizations mentioned and IDC since they have the expertise on this issue.

Ethiopia - Council and National Partnership Coalition

idpprogramme — 2024-06-17 12:05:40 UTC

There is a Council at national level to coordinate the prevention and control of the crimes of trafficking in persons, smuggling of persons and unlawful sending of persons abroad for work. Additionally, there is a National Partnership Coalition that is responsible to submit to the National Council by undertaking research and preparing policies, strategies and laws that enables such prevention and control.

Trinidad and Tobago - Legislation and Law Enforcement Organs

idpprogramme — 2024-06-17 12:07:14 UTC

The country has the Trafficking in Persons Act. There is also a special Unit of the Police Service called the Counter Trafficking Unit. Trinidad and Tobago adopts a multi-stakeholder approach to trafficking between the Immigration Division, Police Service, NGOS, Child Protection agencies.

Philippines - The Interagency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT)

idpprogramme — 2024-06-17 12:10:23 UTC

The Interagency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) is the responsible body for tackling human trafficking and there is also a communications committee for an intensified IEC so many Filipinos are aware that we have laws against trafficking. Meanwhile, plenty of research and studies are being conducted on the subject.

Niger - Domestic Legislation and Criminalization

idpprogramme — 2024-06-17 12:11:54 UTC

Order No. 2010-86 on Combating Trafficking in Persons, enacted in 2010, criminalized sex trafficking and labor trafficking. The law prescribed penalties of five to 10 years' imprisonment for trafficking offences involving an adult victim, and 10 to 30 years' imprisonment for those involving a child victim.

Thailand - Private Sector Initiatives

idpprogramme — 2024-06-17 12:13:11 UTC

Big enterprises started adopting the Code of Conduct to ensure ethical recruitment and clean supply chains, fighting against forced labour and trafficking in industries. Although practices are voluntary at the moment, states try to work and promote these practices.

Ghana - Victim Support

idpprogramme — 2024-06-17 12:14:25 UTC

There is a Human Trafficking Secretariat. The Immigration and Police departments each have designated units for handling human trafficking and continuously work on awareness creation. Victims receive proper care, and traffickers are brought before the court to face the law.

Zambia - Ministerial Structure

idpprogramme — 2024-06-17 12:16:17 UTC

An anti- Human Trafficking department has been created in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security which is considered to be really effective.

Aruba - Prosecution and Awareness

idpprogramme — 2024-06-17 12:18:39 UTC

A special unit of the police force is responsible for the criminal prosecution against smuggling and trafficking. There is also a Commission against trafficking who regularly organizes information campaigns about the many forms of trafficking.

South Africa - Specialized police units and civil society

idpprogramme — 2024-06-17 12:23:24 UTC

The anti - trafficking specialized unit of the Police Force and a range of Laws are used to combat such crimes. These practices are intended to be administered under the South African Police Services (SAPS), Department of Home Affairs(DHA), and is ruled in part under the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons (PACOTIP). Additionally, the Department of Social Development collaborates with broader civil society organizations to deal with human trafficking.

Cameroon Refugee law

2026-06-24 09:12:08 UTC

Cameroon being a land of hospitality and party to both the 1951 convention and its 1967 protocol on the protection of refugees, as well as the 1969 OAU convention on the specific aspects of refugees in Africa, it passed Law No. 2005/006 of 27 July 2005 on the Status of Refugees in Cameroon which incorporates the definition of refugees contained in both international instruments. It equally adopted Decree No. 2011/389 of 28 November 2011, to establish the Management Organs of Refugee Status in Cameroon.

The 2005 law encompasses the rights and duties of refugees, granting access to documentation, education, employment, property ownership. The latter highlights the governments commitments to ensure that refugees enjoy protection and opportunities for self-reliance. For more than a decade, the country hosts almost half a million refugees mainly from neighboring countries, who co-habit with host communities. Refugees in the country are not only viewed as those in need of protection, but also as those who contribute to the country’s development mainly through entrepreneurial and economic activities.

Legal Framework and Protection of Refugees in South Sudan

2026-06-25 15:02:29 UTC

South Sudan’s refugee protection framework is based on the 1951 Refugee Convention, the 1967 Protocol, and the African Union 1969 Refugee Convention. Nationally, the Refugee Act 2012 and Refugee Regulations 2013 govern refugee protection, status determination, and rights. The Commission for Refugee Affairs, with support from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, implements these protections.

Hold the Child implements a community-based approach to refugee protection in South Sudan by engaging refugees, returnees, and host communities in identifying and addressing protection concerns. Through community structures such as refugee led organizations, women’s groups, youth groups, and child protection networks, the organization promotes local ownership and strengthens community resilience. Hold the Child conducts awareness and sensitization activities on child protection, gender-based violence (GBV), accountability to affected populations (AAP), peaceful coexistence, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, enhancing knowledge of rights and available services. The organization prioritizes vulnerable groups, including children, women, older persons, and persons with disabilities, by facilitating access to protection services and referral pathways. It also promotes access to civil documentation, particularly assessment of age certificates and nationality documentation. To strengthen social cohesion, Hold the Child organizes community dialogues, cultural events, and sports activities while supporting GBV prevention and response through community structures, awareness campaigns, and referrals, fostering dignity, inclusion, participation, and peaceful coexistence.