Archive for June, 2013

Don´t let CEAR disappear – please sign the petition on Change.org

CEAR

Since 1979 Comision Española de Ayuda al Refugiado (CEAR) has been tirelessly defending the rights of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers and supporting them in their plight.

Today CEAR is on the brink of closure. Financial crisis resulted in sweeping cuts for social programs, growing indebtedness and failure on the part of the Spanish state administrations to pay out what they owe to public interest NGOs.

Yet today, more than ever, society needs CEAR to continue its work on behalf of the most vulnerable.

Don´t let CEAR disappear – please take just one minute to sign the petition on Change.org.

Salvemos la Hospitalidad · Respuesta Parlamentaria

hospitality

Respuesta parlamentaria emitida el 18 de junio de 2013 sobre la inclusión de la solidaridad en el Código Penal, dentro del borrador de la reforma de dicho documento que está elaborando el Gobierno.

Take 1 minute to support a family forced to flee.

For years, many countries and regions have been holding their own Refugee Days and even Weeks. One of the most widespread is Africa Refugee Day, which is celebrated on 20 June in several countries. This year the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, continues its award-winning “1″ campaign with its first ever personal fundraising site, which asks us to Take 1 minute to support a family forced to flee.

Note: The UN General Assembly, on 4 December 2000, adopted resolution 55/76 where it noted that 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and that the Organization of African Unity (OAU) had agreed to have International Refugee Day coincide with Africa Refugee Day on 20 June. The General Assembly therefore decided that 20 June would be celebrated as World Refugee Day.

Original link: http://www.un.org/en/events/refugeeday/

#15 in photos

Universidad de Almeria

Given many public services in Spain – including education, healthcare, as well as some recreation and leisure activities – are provided or supported by the state, by placing campaign promotional materials and posters in and around public institutions Pro Igual tried to target as many users – and providers – of public services as possible.

Here are some of the pictures taken in various municipalities of Almeria as part of #15J campaign. On the left: a notice board at the University of Almeria.

Immediately below: public hospital in El Toyo (province of Almeria).

Toyo

Ayuntamiento Lometico polideportivo Publicidad

Close CIEs Now! #15JCIErre

15Jnew

 

 

 

 

If you are reading this, then you can no longer say you did not know! Centros de Internamiento de Extranjeros (CIEs) are prisons in all but a name. People who are thrown there have committed no crime, they simply lack papers. As many as 25% of the detained may be eligible for asylum, but are not aware of their rights. Most detainees are summarily deported within 60 days without any possibility of appeal. People in CIEs have no access to a lawyer or even a phone call; some have been snatched in the street without as much as informing their closed ones as to where they are. Many detainees experience racist abuse and various violations of their basic human rights. Some mothers have been separated from their children; there are even pregnant women among detainees. People with chronic health conditions receive no medical attention. Inhumanity abounds…

Spanish civil society has decided that enough is enough. Today, June 15th is a day of awareness-raising and advocacy for closure of this shameful phenomenon, CIEs. Read about amazing initiatives taking place across Spain and help us spread the message!

Fundamental rights of migrants in an irregular situation in the European Union

New FRA Comparative report

Securing the fundamental rights of migrants in an irregular situation – those who do not fulfil conditions for entry, stay or residence in an EU Member State – remains a challenge. Such migrants are at high risk of exploitation in the labour market, often filling market gaps by working at dangerous, dirty or degrading jobs. Their housing situation can be precarious. Their right to healthcare is unevenly protected; their children’s right to education remains unclear. While EU Member States have a right to control immigration, non-compliance with migration regulations cannot deprive migrants in an irregular situation of certain basic rights to which they are entitled as human beings. This FRA report examines the legal and practical challenges facing EM Member States as they strive to guarantee such migrants’ fundamental rights and proposes ways to incorporate those rights into the policies, laws and administrative practices that affect migrants in irregular situations.

Link: http://bit.ly/1axwaFs

CIDDHH Pro Igual es Asociación sin ánimo de lucro registrada en el Ministerio del Interior con el nº 595496.