TRES\003\11\2015: THEMATIC RECOMMENDATION ON ASYLUM SEEKERS, REFUGEES, MIGRANTS AND IDPS
TRES\003\11\2015: THEMATIC RECOMMENDATION ON ASYLUM SEEKERS, REFUGEES, MIGRANTS AND IDPS
We, the participants of the Forum on the Participation of NGOs in the 57thOrdinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the 31st African Human Rights Book fair held in Banjul, The Gambia from 31st October–2nd November 2015;
We note with dismay that that this year migration has become a global issue as it affects countries of the north, yet most migration takes place between countries of the South and issues of migration within our continent are not visible.
In this regard we further note with concern that in spite of the Common African Position on Migration and Development and the Migration Policy Framework for Africa, issues pertaining to Asylum Seekers, Refugees, Migrants and IDPs are not prioritised by AU institutions, state parties or indeed by civil society. This is in spite of the on-going deaths of thousands of African migrants forced to undertake perilous journeys to seek safety from persecution, conflict and poverty.
The NGOs Forum recommends to the African Commission to:
- develop reporting guidelines on immigration detention for state parties and promote alternatives to immigration detention, particularly to ensure that no child in our continent is detained due to their immigration status.
- mainstream asylum seekers, refugees, migrants and IDPs into all areas of work such as the situation of reprisals – states should be held to recognise asylum seekers fleeing reprisals and provide protection.
- consider the synergies between International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law as pertaining to asylum seekers, refugees, IDPs and migrants.
To AU State Parties:
- sign and ratify the AU Kampala Convention on IDPs.
- sign and ratify the UN Statelessness Convention.
- develop birth registration systems that are easily accessible to all, including IDPs, to avoid further cases of statelessness occurring.
- ensure that counter terrorism measures do not discriminate against asylum seekers, refugees, migrants or IDPs through profiling or prejudice.
Done in Banjul, The Gambia – 2nd November 2015
