共筆 #6｜難民有出路嗎？Co-writing #6 | Is there a way out for refugees?

Conference host: Jun Yuan

Diana, Christy, Jing-JIe

• How to determine whether voluntary repatriation is truly "voluntary"?

"Voluntary" repatriation facilitated by deterrence policies? (overcrowded refugee hosting facilities, basic living conditions)

"Basic living conditions" have been met before we think about it.

Signing a contract due to language barrier

• Voluntary repatriation mechanism and process

Security State: How much space for evaluation is reasonable (Afghanistan example)

Poor psychological and medical conditions on the way home

Will it cause too much burden (additional trauma) to the deportees?

• What if unrest occurs again after voluntary repatriation?

Registration of voluntary repatriation/emergency response mechanism/evaluation of backup policies

After all, the United Nations is still the result of political trade-offs between countries. It is difficult for UNHCR to avoid the possibility of policy changes under such circumstances.

Afghanistan Case: Conflicts between ethnic groups and tribes, and the conflicting influence of local residents have made progress unable to proceed

International organizations need to take responsibility; but if it is difficult for UNHCR to predict future changes, it should communicate with multiple governments and local forces.

• The role of refugees and NGOs in the process

Refugee empowerment: People with refugee status assist asylum seekers

Refugees all want to go home/Organizations in host countries can focus on allowing refugees to learn skills and rebuild their homes/Build skills

• Other extended discussions

Does the openness of immigration policy affect refugee policy: acquisition of nationality?

Conference host: Tang Nanfa

Discussion members: Huiyu, Qiongwen, Xiaoweng, Huiyu

• Social resources and current situation of resettlement countries

The amount of social resources affects the number of resettled refugees and the success of integration.

When unemployment is high in many countries, refugees will be considered a burden to society.

In turn, refugees can provide gaps in the host country, such as job gaps, etc.

• Can I be resettled after resettlement?

In 2010, Romania could provide 100 job offers to refugees, but it was difficult for the refugees to adapt. Resettlement was proposed, but once resettled, it was difficult to go elsewhere. Many refugees looked for other ways, leading to many legal problems.

• Resettling countries’ “preferences” for refugees

Japan and South Korea are inclined to accept Myanmar refugees. They are considering the integration of ethnic groups and whether resettlement can achieve equality and non-discrimination.

Religious issues: Sweden has diverse religions and has been resettled by Sweden. In contrast, Australia (a signatory to the Convention on Human Rights) has mentioned that it will only resettle Christians and has an agreement with Malaysia (a non-signatory) to exchange refugee communities. Discrimination occurs and is unconstitutional.

Isn't the resettlement of third countries what the EU is talking about with Turkey or Germany and other Central and Eastern European countries? In addition, when discussing resettlement, we cannot say that it is easier to resettle because they are Christians or Muslims (it is also possible that Christians want to become atheists, or even Muslims want to become Christians). This feels like exchanging people as carbon emissions.

Conference host: Xiao Qi

Participants in the discussion: HYL, Pinjie, Mingjuan, Yali, Enzhi

• Discussion topic

What are your thoughts/observations about the challenges of sheltering in place?

Do you know what places there are?

Different cultural contexts face the challenges of local resettlement?

• Thoughts of the host country’s government, society and local residents

In the case of Taiwan, the entry of migrant workers may affect local resources, suppress their chances of survival, and manipulate every election. However, migrant workers do not have the right to participate in politics. Responding to refugee issues may also face exclusionary issues.

There will be a process of mutual adjustment and dialogue among refugees due to their cultural background, economic and other differences. In fact, there are often cases of conflicts between Indonesian migrant workers in Taiwan due to cultural and religious backgrounds. It is usually caused by a lot of ignorance.

• refugee ideas

Issues of language and religious beliefs

Small cultural circle and large cultural circle

• Third parties (facilitators)

Participating organizations: school law school, local NGOs, law firms

Select 25 asylum seekers and learn how to integrate into the local area through courses (for example: Dutch policy and legal mechanisms, physical and mental health, writing and newspaper clipping skills and other soft power content)

Challenges: It is difficult to truly assist asylum seekers to integrate into local society. The challenges faced by everyone are different. Assistors may have different knowledge backgrounds and participation levels, and may need urgent resources.

• Other extended discussions

If there is no way for a country to officially accept refugees, can it provide a work visa to participate? For example: Taiwan may not be able to accept refugees in an official way, and the Ministry has already opened foreign migrant workers. However, if there is no formal method, directly applying for a work visa or a student visa will place too much burden on the refugee himself.

Muslims are a highly communal religious group. Even if you have this idea (local integration), it takes a lot of courage and determination to put it into practice.