 |
|
|
UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |
The expert meeting on the development of the asylum system in the CIS countries, on the treatment of asylum seekers was held in Moscow on 20-23 November. The meeting was a follow-up to the Conference on Problems of Refugees, Displaced Persons, Migration and Asylum, which was held in Geneva in 1996.
The meeting was attended by representatives of governmental and non-governmental organisations, and embassies from all CIS countries, as well as representatives of donor countries, international organisations. During a three-day discussion the participants shared information on the developments in their countries related to the legal and factual situation of refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR. Access to asylum procedures was discussed in detail.
|
In many countries refugees and asylum-seekers are the objects
of considerable mistrust and hostility. They are very often stigmatised in the
public
mind as people trying to break the law. That’s why it is very important to fight
against a rising tide of xenophobia and intolerance. UNHCR carries out several
projects in Moscow and in various regions of Russia aimed at developing more
tolerant attitude of local population towards refugees and persons who found
themselves in refugee like situation.
UNHCR has been supporting the International Film Festival on Human Rights "Stalker" for the last four years. A special programme on problems of refugees and migrants was organised within festival. In addition to the Moscow public, citizens of several regions of Russia had a chance to watch the films of the festival on refugees, to meet the filmmakers of those films and discuss this acute issue with the local authorities. This opportunity was jointly provided by Guild of Russian Filmmakers and UNHCR. In 2001 St. Petersburg and Perm hosted the festival. This December UNHCR participated in the 7th International Film Festival on Human Rights. A one day programme "Cinema on Protection Refugees’ Rights" was dedicated to the 50th Anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to Refugees.
|
In
November UNHCR announced the results of the contest "Together"s for
the best publication on refugees/migrants’ issues in regional newspapers. Over
200 journalists took part in the contest. Winners of the contest from 15 regions
of Russia received awards at the Moscow National Press Club.
|
UNHCR supported the round table "Stop Racism in Russia", which was convened in mid-November by the Russian human rights non-governmental organisations such as Civic Assistance, Memorial. Representatives of law enforcement bodies, Office of the Commissioner on Human Rights in Russia, the Moscow government, judges and public figures attended the round table. One of the proposals – to recommend the TV Center company to release on the regular basis a programme aimed at developing tolerance, at combating xenophobia and racism – was supported by all the participants.
|
UNHCR jointly with the newspaper "The First September" is implementing a project "A Lesson of Tolerance". The newspaper is circulated in 200,000 copies and reaches schoolteachers in various, the most remote regions of the Russian Federation. A set of lessons plans, which include a tolerance component and could be used by teachers, was developed and distributed as an attachment to the above-mentioned newspaper. The results of the best lessons on tolerance among schoolteachers will be summed up in January next year. Analysis of the best lessons conducted in various regions in Russia will be published in "The First September" newspaper.
|
 |
United Nations Population Fund |
The Old Arbat street is usually crowded. Nevertheless, people hurrying into one of its old mansions every morning is not a typical scene for a street with such a lively, bohemian night life. The "4 Sides" Press Club warmly welcomes journalists from many major newspapers, magazines, and information agencies who gather together for their regular media breakfasts.
Of course, the soft armchairs, dim lighting, coffee and sandwiches make an elegant frame for press conferences of well known scientists, writers, doctors and other experts. However, meetings frequently turn into lively discussions, joint talks and debates. It is not only the successful format which is conducive to this, but the significance of the themes under discussion as well: reproductive health, demographic characteristics of the population, gender aspects of social and cultural life, and ecology.
It all started a year ago.
The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) conducted a content analysis of the central and regional press in order to assess the information coverage of the themes within UNFPA interests and support to the Russian Federation. The results were not optimistic. The socially important subjects worth of public attention were occasionally covered in the pages of newspapers and magazines. Voluntary interpretation of the data, a preference scandalous facts over objective information and the distortion of expert opinion were the most typical characteristics of the majority of publications.
The development of a public opinion, however, occurs primarily through proper coverage of the issues in the press. The issues of migration, sexual education for youth, quality of life, high morbidity and mortality, and the low birth rate are perceived by the public in a contradictory manner. The mass media are in the best position to give the public the opportunity to be aware of these complex problems – the most acute in today’s Russia – and support objective expert’s opinion, battle with inaccurate views on the issues, and reach out those in need in order to eliminate the information gap.
In
this context, UNFPA, working in close cooperation with the "4 Sides" Press Club,
developed the project Russia's Demographic Mirror. Its main objectives were
to raise the awareness of journalists of the demographic issues and to set up
communication channel between media and experts’ community.
As a result of the journalists' meeting with experts approximately once every other month, the central press features a few stories of substance and objectivity. Telephone calls from journalists requesting the recommendations for experts for their next article have become common in the UNFPA office.
The meeting held at the beginning of November raised a special interest among journalists. Elena Meshcherkina, one of the best-known Russian sociologists, and Maksim Kostenko, Director of the Barnaul Crisis Center for Men, discussed the topic of men's socio-psychological status in contemporary Russia. Research data by the Moscow scientist were confirmed by practical work in far-off Barnaul: the "Masculinity Crisis" experienced by men in other countries reached Russian men as well, perhaps more intensely thus tragically at times. As it turns out, it is a serious and widespread problem. But Barnaul crisis centre remains the only centre for men in Russia.
The next day, Izvestiya featured a story of the Barnaul center, and UNFPA office got yet another call from Moskovsky Komsomolets which got interested in the status of men in Moscow.
