Media Monitor
Nelson home for Bhutanese refugees
Nelson is to further increase its ethnic diversity with the arrival next month of four families from the small South Asian nation of Bhutan. They are part of an allotment of 27 refugees arriving in the region as part of the annual quota.
Refugee problem
Asylum seekers arriving by boat are always a hot issue in Australia.
Ever since the boat people flooded out of Vietnam more than 25 years ago, Australia has fretted about the possibility of waves of refugees coming into the country. In recent years, the threat has largely come from Indonesia, where people-smugglers flourish, exploiting those fleeing turmoil in places like Afghanistan and Pakistan. At the beginning of the 1990s, the handling of those who tried to reach Australia on a boat called the Tampa, and the uproar that developed over it, almost certainly swung an election for John Howard. (The Press)
Refugee Council News Review
Children’s Commissioner report attacks detention of children
The Children’s Commissioner for England, Sir Al Aynsley-Green, has called for an end to detention of children in a report based on evidence gathered at Yarl’s Wood detention centre. In his foreword to the report, he states:
“The UK should not be detaining any child who has had an unsuccessful asylum claim. Not only is there is no reason to continue the administrative detention of children, we present evidence in this report to demonstrate that it may be harmful to their health and wellbeing.” The report also calls for better conditions and improved healthcare.
U.S. allies losing asylum bids over definition of 'terrorist'
WASHINGTON — Forced to flee his homeland because he supported America's ideals, Tsegu Bahta thought he'd be embraced by the country he emulated and respected.
Boats a last resort - let them stay
The government and most of the mainstream media want Australia to believe we are facing a “surge” of asylum seekers, threatening Australian borders as they arrive in dangerous and non-seaworthy boats.
Out of Africa (+ recipes)
Once in a while we should all be lucky enough that an experience comes along which inspires us to think differently. Meeting last week with a family from Eritrea, a small country next to Ethiopia, who moved to New Zealand nine years ago did just that and had me spending many a moment gazing out the window considering the reasons we eat.
A world of flavours
Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity", - Voltaire.
The queue for the lavosh stand at Womad is half-an-hour long, but that's not stopping people joining it. The word has got out that this deep-fried Hungarian bread is to "die-for" and an "experience not to be missed".
Togs planned for Muslim women
A group of refugee women have produced designs for Islamic bathing costumes to help Muslim women in New Zealand learn to swim.
African drums send cultural message
Thousands of people will be swayed by the beat of African drumming group Zoh Zoh this weekend.
The eight-piece band will be playing at the Auckland International Cultural Festival along with a Caribbean steel band and more than 45 other acts.
City's new resident settles in
New Zealand's most recognisable and controversial refugee, Ahmed Zaoui, has chosen Palmerston North as his new home. Palmerston North is "99 per cent like my city" Medea, he said, a place the Algerian refugee and his family haven't seen since 1992. Full Story here
US urged to fix Iraqi refugee 'mess' it created
As the Iraq war entered its seventh year, Ahlam, Dalal and Saad could be considered among the luckier Irqais; they're alive and have made it to the Untied States as refugees.
Refugee families are reunited
Jonas Nzamba hasn't seen his kids for more than a decade. He fled Congo 12 years ago and spent eight years not knowing whether his wife and children were alive or dead. Full Story: Manawatu Evening Standard
Resettement Efforts by Australia, New Zealand
The top United Nations refugee offical has paid tribute to both Australia and New Zealand for the reception and services they provide to those forced to escape their own countries. Full Story
New families enjoy the benefits of technology
13 Auckland families from refugee backgrounds graduated from the national Computers in Homes Rorohiko I roto nga Kainga, programme in a ceremony held at Wesley Community Centre in Mt Roskill. Full Story
Rwandan Rebel Attacks Lead to More Displacement
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said it continues to be extremely worried about the rising violence against civilians in the eastern Congolese province of North Kivu, where attacks by Rwandan Hutu rebels have sparked new displacement. Full story here
Managing the Downturn Together - Impact on Communities - Turia
You don't have to be a meteorologist to realise that the forecasts are for grey skies ahead with frequent showers and occassional storms. Full speech from Hon Tariana Turia, Minister of the Community and Voluntary Sector here
Officer puts refugees on road to a new life
As a top judge in his homeland, Auguste Mouene was chauffeured everywhere. Now he is navigating Manawatu streets on his own. Full story here
Indigenous Colombians flee violence in remote homelands
Humanitarian teams have reached some 200 indigenous people who have arrived in remote villages in south-west Colombia after fleeing violence on their collective territory. Full Story here
UNHCR chief praises Australia's refugee resettlement services
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres paid tribute on Wednesday to Australia for the welcome and services it provides in communities around the nation. Full Story here
194 more Myanmar boat people rescued off Indonesia
Indonesia navy rescues the refugees, believed to be minority Muslims from Myanmar. Rights activists say ethnic Rohingya have been set adrift by the Thai military as they attempted to find sanctuary. Full story here
Diversity V Assimilation and the EU Experience
Nobody can stop human migration - that is a fact. Those who struggle to establish a monoculture or a separatist state pursue an elusive goal often of dubious moral considerations. Full story here
Books help refugees
The integration of refugees into New Zealand is being made easier through children's books. North Shore resident Claire Balfour is seeking donations to build up the Auckland Refugee Centre's stockpile of children's picture books that help refugees learn to communicate in English. Full Story here
Iraqi refugees follow provincial elections back home
(UNHCR) Iraqi refugees in nearby countries such as Egypt, Jordan and Syria were on Monday awaiting the outcome of provincial elections in their homeland over the weekend with mixed feelings.
About 50 per cent of the electorate turned out in 14 of the country's 18 provinces for Saturday's largely peaceful vote, the first since 2005. More than 14,000 candidates were competing for 440 seats - the official results are expected in a few days' time. Full story here
Media Monitor May 2008
Cyclone Nargis Myanmar
A number of articles and interviews about the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar...for further articles
UNHCR - Refugees Magazine Issue 148 - Refugee or Migrant?
Refugee or Migrant?
In the case of the man on the cover of this magazine, at the moment when the picture was taken, the question was irrelevant. Whoever he is, he deserved to be saved. Refugees Magazine