The Asian rejection?: International refugee law in Asia

Australian Journal of Politics and History

Volumn 52, Issue 4, 2006, Pages 562-575

  Davies, Sara E ^a  

^a QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY   (Australia)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EID: 33845459575     PISSN: 00049522     EISSN: 14678497     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8497.2006.00433a.x     Document Type: Review

References (124)

1. The UNHCR's definition of "populations of concern" includes Convention refugees, those who meet the Office's mandate, or granted a humanitarian status (usually after the request of the UN Secretary-General or UN General Assembly). UNHCR. Refugees and Others of Concern to UNHCR, 2000 Statistical Overview (Geneva, 2002), p. 1.
2. UNHCR, Refugees and Others of Concern.
3. UNHCR, Trends in Refugee Status Determination I January - 30 September 2004. Asylum Applications, Refugee Status Determination and Pending Cases in 73 Mostly Developing Countries (Geneva, December 2004).
4. M. Alexander, "Refugee Status Determination Conducted by UNHCR", International Journal of Refugee Law, Vol. 11, 2 (1999), pp. 251-289.
5. Estimates from the UNHCR figure of 8,820,700 (populations of concern) and the 900,000 (people in refugee-like situations) provided by the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCR), USCR, World Refugee Survey; UNHCR, Refugees and Others of Concern.
6. UNHCR, The State of the World's Refugees (Oxford, 2000), p. 310.
7. For more details see S.E. Davies, "Rethinking the Refugee in Asia", in Anthony Burke and Matt McDonald, eds, Critical Security Studies in Asia (Manchester, forthcoming).
8. th session (New Delhi, 24 June 2001), p. 5 〈http://www.aalco. org/Final%20Text%20of%20Bangkok%20Prinicpl〉.
9. A. Acharya, The Quest for Identity: International Relations of Southeast Asia (Oxford, 2000);
10. Withit Muntarbhorn, The Status of Refugees in Asia (Oxford, 1992).
11. A. Suhrke, "The 'High Politics' of Populations Movements: Migration, State and Civil Society in Southeast Asia" in M. Weiner, ed., International Migration and Security (Boulder, 1993), p. 180.
12. C. Abrar, "Legal Protection of Refugees in South Asia", Forced Migration Review, 10 (April 2001), p. 21.
13. Muntarbhorn, The Status of Refugees in Asia;
14. Suhrke, "The 'High Politics' of Population Movements".
15. Suhrke, "The 'High Politics' of Population Movements".
16. See Thomas Franck and Nigel Rodley, "After Bangladesh: The Law of Humanitarian Intervention by Force", American Journal of International Law, Vol. 67, 2 (1973), pp. 275-305.
17. Muntarbhorn, The Status of Refugees, p. 115.
18. A. Langlois, The Politics of Justice and Human Rights: Southeast Asia and Universalist Theory (Cambridge, 2001).
19. M. Barr, Cultural Politics and Asian Values: The Tepid War (London, 2002). I owe this point to an anonymous reviewer.
20. P. Wickramasekara, "Asian Labour Migration: Issues and Challenges in an Era of Globalization", International Migration Papers (Geneva, 2002);
21. K. Jacobsen, "The Forgotten Solution: Local Integration for Refugees in Developing Countries", UNHCR New Issues in Research, Working Paper No.45 (Geneva, 2001);
22. A.H. Richmond, "International Migration and Global Change", in O.J. Hui, Chan Kwok Bun and Chew Soon Beng, eds, Crossing Borders: Transmigration in the Asia-Pacific (Singapore, 1995).
23. st Century: Essays in Honour of Reginald Appleyard (Cheltenham, 2001);
24. A. Suhrke and Aristide R Zolberg, "Issues in Contemporary Refugee Policies", in Ann Berstein and Myron Weiner, eds, Migration and Refugee Policies: An Overview (London, 1999).
25. Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Philippines to Deputy High Commissioner, 2 July 1956; Folio 578, 671.1 GEN - 1951 Convention 1949-1969 General;
26. Series 1, Fonds United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Archives, Geneva, 11;
27. Permanent Delegate of Japan to the International Organisations to the Deputy High Commissioner, 3 August 1956; Folio 579, 671.1 GEN;
28. Series 1, Fonds UNHCR 11;
29. Mr E Schlatter to UN Vientiane, Laos, 28 January 1967; Folio 1692, 671.1 GEN;
30. Series 1, Fonds UNHCR 11;
31. W.K. McCoy to UNHCR, Geneva, "Malaysia - Attitude to Convention", 15 March 1969, Folio 1829, 671.1 GEN;
32. Series 1, Fonds UNHCR 11;
33. W.K. McCoy to UNHCR, Geneva, "Singapore - Attitude to Convention", 24 March 1969; Folio 1831, 671.1 GEN;
34. Series 1, Fonds UNHCR 11.
35. J.O. Oucho, "Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons: Africa's Liability for the Next Millenium", in D. Joly, ed., Global Changes in Asylum Regimes: Closing Doors (Hampshire, 2002), p. 154.
36. Wickramasekara, "Asian Labour Migration", p. 3;
37. Jacobsen, "The Forgotten Solution";
38. see also G. Battistella and Maruja M. B. Asis, "Southeast Asia and the Specter of Unauthorized Migration", in G. Battistella and Maruja M.B. Asis, eds, Unauthorized Migration in Southeast Asia (Quezon City, 2003).
39. Suhrke, "The 'High Politics' of Population Movements";
40. M. Weiner, "Rejected Peoples and Unwanted Migrants in South Asia", in M. Weiner, ed., International Migration and Security (Boulder, 1995);
41. A.A. Afolayan, "Issues and Challenges of Emigration Dynamics in Developing Countries", International Migration, Vol. 39, 4 (2001), p. 17.
42. A number of non-signatory Asian states: India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines and Thailand (for example) have accepted small numbers of refugee populations as permanent settlers. However, refugee status was not granted to these people according to the 1951 Convention. See Davies, "Seeking Security for Refugees".
43. I would like to thank a panel of presenters (whose anonymity I will protect according to Chatham House Rules) at the New Zealand Asian Studies Conference, Auckland University, 22-24 November 2003, where ethnic practices in Malaysia and Singapore were candidly discussed.
44. Jacobsen, "The Forgotten Solution".
45. Jacobsen, "The Forgotten Solution" Ibid.
46. Afolayan, "Issues and Challenges of Emigration Dynamics in Developing Countries";
47. Jacobsen, "The Forgotten Solution".
48. Jacobsen, "The Forgotten Solution";
49. Wickramasekara, "Asian Labour Migration".
50. Abrar, "Legal Protection of Refugees in South Asia";
51. B.S. Chimni, "The Geopolitics of Refugee Studies: A View from the South", Journal of Refugee Studies, Vol. 11, 4 (1998), pp. 350-374;
52. A. Suhrke, "Who Is A Refugee? The Definition of Beneficiaries Revisited", in Hui et al., Crossing Borders: Transmigration in the Asia-Pacific.
53. The terminology of "resist" and push from "above" comes from B. Rajagopal, International Law From Below: Development, Social Movements and Third World Resistance (Cambridge, 2003).
54. UN, Official Records of the Third Committee, Fifth Session, Vol.2, New York, 1950, p. 454.
55. UNHCR, 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, (Geneva, 1951), p. 16.
56. During the 1950s the General Assembly only once granted legal protection - to those fleeing the 1956 Hungarian refugee crisis - deemed to have arisen due to events prior to 1 January 1951.
57. L. Holborn, Refugees: A Problem of Our Time. The Work of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 1951-1972, Volume 1 (New Jersey, 1975), pp. 93-94.
58. Loescher discusses the problems with the Statute concerning those not recognised as "statutory refugees". G. Loescher, The UNHCR and World Politics: A Perilous Path (Oxford, 2001), pp. 81-95.
59. UN, Report of the Economic and Social Council, Volume 5, 1948-1949, p. 56.
60. th Meeting of the Third Committee, Fourth Session, Vol.2, 4 November 1949, p. 135.
61. J.G. Stoessinger, The Refugee and the World Community (Minneapolis, 1956), chaps 7-9.
62. th Meeting of the Third Committee, Fourth Session, Vol.2, 4 November 1949, p. 145.
63. th Meeting of the Third Committee, Fourth Session, Ibid., p. 147.
64. th Meeting of the Third Committee, Fourth Session, Ibid., p. 144.
65. th Meeting of the Third Committee, Fourth Session, Ibid., p. 147.
66. th Meeting of the Third Committee, Fourth Session, Ibid., p. 146.
67. th Meeting, 11 November 1949, p. 128.
68. st Meeting, 12 November 1949, p. 130.
69. Some do disagree with this view, however there is consensus that the 1951 Convention's emphasis is on individuals proving their fear of persecution, inter alia: Stoessinger, The Refugee and the World Community;
70. A. Zolberg, et al., Escape From Violence: Conflict and the Refugee Crisis in the Developing World (New York, 1989);
71. Hathaway, The Law of Refugee Status, pp. 10-11;
72. J. Hathaway, "Reconceiving Refugee Law as Human Rights Protection", Journal of Refugee Studies, Vol. 4, 2 (1991), pp. 113-131;
73. A. Fortin, "The Meaning of 'Protection' in the Refugee Definition", International Journal of Refugee Law, Vol. 12, 4 (2001), pp. 548-576;
74. A. Grahl-Madsen, The Land Beyond: Collected Essays on Refugee Law and Policy, edited by P. Macalister-Smith and Gundmundur Alfredsson (The Hague, 2001), pp. 84-91.
75. S. Sen, "The Refugee Convention and Practice in South Asia: A Marriage of Inconvenience?", in J. Van Selm, Khoti Kamanga, John Morrison, Aninia Nadig, Sanja Spoljar-Vrzina and Loes Van Willigen, eds, The Refugee Convention at Fifty: A View From Forced Migration Studies (Marland, 2003), p. 213.
76. Carolos Garcia, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines, to The Deputy High Commissioner, UNHCR, Letter, 2 July 1956; Folio 578, 16/1/3, Fonds 11, Series 1.
77. Keiichi Tatsuke, Minister Permanent Delegate of Japan to the International Organizations in Geneva, to Deputy High Commissioner, UNHCR, Letter, 3 August 1956; Folio 579, 16/1/3, Fonds 11, Series 1.
78. P.K. Banerjee, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, to Deputy High Commissioner, UNHCR, Letter, 11 August 1956; Folio 580, 16/1/3, Fonds 11, Series 1.
79. Report on Mr de Kemoularia's visit to Malaya, Excerpt from File 27/3/5 - WRY/MAL 19 September 1959; Folio 858, 16/1/3, Fonds 11, Series 1.
80. Mr W K McCoy to UNHCR Geneva, Memorandum: Malaysia - Attitude to Convention, 15 March 1969; Folio 1829, 16/1/3, Fonds 11, Series 1, 1.
81. E. Jahn to O. Goundian, Asian-African Committee, 6 February 1970; Folio 1879C, 16/1/3, Fonds 11, Series 1, 1.
82. th Meeting, 11 November 1949, p. 128.
83. rd meeting, 15 November 1949, pp. 143-143.
84. th November 1950, p. 356.
85. st Meeting, 12 November 1949, p. 131.
86. Loescher, The UNHCR and World Politics, pp. 109-110.
87. Loescher, The UNHCR and World Politics, Ibid., pp. 110, 119, 124-125.
88. UNHCR, Memorandum, Handed to Mr Goormaghtigh of the Carnegie Endowment on 24 September 1964; Fonds 11, Series 1, 16/1/3/AMEND, p. 3.
89. UNHCR, 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, p. 48.
90. With the exception of states that chose to uphold this limitation based upon their decision under the 1951 Convention.
91. High Commissioner Felix Schnyder to Mr Stavropoulos, Legal Counsel, Letter and draft Memorandum by the UNHCR on the Report of the Colloquium on Legal Aspects of Refugee Problems held in April 1965 in Bellagio, Italy, 6 August 1965; Folio 136, Series 1, Fonds 11, 16/1/3/AMEND, p. 7.
92. UN, Official Records of the Third Committee, Twentieth Session, Supplement No.11A, A/6011/Rev.1/Add.1, 1965.
93. UNHCR, Information on Resettlement, Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme, A/AC.96/INF.45, 4 October 1965.
94. UNHCR, "Visit of Dr Urrutia to Legal Division", 13 April 1966, Folio 1602, 16/1/3/GEN, Series 1, Fonds UNHCR 11, 2.
95. UNHCR, Report on Resettlement, Submitted by the High Commissioner, Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme, A/AC.96/275, 1965, p. 18.
96. See Zolberg, et.al., Escape From Violence.
97. Hathaway, The Law of Refugee Status, pp. 12-13.
98. Correspondence, James Read, Deputy High Commissioner to Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Federation of Malaya, 4 November 1959; Folio 852, 16/1/3/GEN, 2
99. Correspondence, James Read, 1959; 2. Ibid.
100. Report on Mr de Kemoularia's visit to Malaya 12/9/59, File 27/3/5 - WRY/MAL; 13 November 1959, p. 1.
101. W.K. McCoy to UNHCR Geneva, Malaysia- Attitude to Convention, Memorandum, 15 March 1969; MAC/SEA/MAL, Folio 1829, 16/1/3/GEN, p. 1.
102. W.K. McCoy to UNHCR Geneva, Singapore - Attitude to Convention, Memorandum, 24 March 1969; MAC/SEA, Folio 1831, 16/1/3/GEN, p. 1;
103. W.K. McCoy to UNHCR Geneva, Attitude to the Convention etc. in Indonesia, Memorandum, 6 May 1969; MAC/IND, Folio 1839A, 16/1/3/GEN, p. 2.
104. Attitude to the Convention etc. in Indonesia, 1969, p. 2. Ibid.
105. Attitude to the Convention etc. in Indonesia, 1969, p. 2. Ibid.
106. Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi to Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, Correspondence, 11 August 1956; Folio 580, 16/1/13/GEN.
107. Note for File, Meeting with Mr Dhar, the Indian Representative to the Executive Committee on 22 October 1969, 24 October 1969; 6/1/India, 16/1/3GEN;
108. E. Jahn to O. Goundian, Asian-African Committee, 6 February 1970; Folio 1879C, 16/1/3, Fonds 11, Series 1, p. 1.
109. Correspondence, Mollie Rule, WCC to James Read, UNHCR, 16 February 1953; 671.1 1952-1953.
110. Correspondence, 1953. Ibid.
111. A Dhar to UNHCR Headquarters, Ratification by the Philippines of the Convention and Protocol, 30 March 1976; HCR/ML/48, Folio 5, 671.1 PHI, 1.
112. Ratification by the Philippines of the Convention and Protocol, 1976, 1. Ibid.
113. Otto Grobius, Asia Regional Section to UNHCR Branch Office for the Philippines, Philippines and the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol, 23 April 1976; HCR/ML/48, Folio 8,671.1 PHI, 2.
114. See Zolberg et al., Escape From Violence, p. 435.
115. UN in Vientiane, Laos to Mr Schlatter, UNHCR, Geneva, Correspondence, 28 January 1967; Folio 1692, 16/1/3/GEN.
116. Note on Accession by Pakistan to the International Refugee Instruments, 21 January 1981; Folio 221; 671.1 GEN.
117. th Meeting, Twenty-First Session, 6 December 1966.
118. Darryl Han, UNHCR Representative for Southeast Asia, Bangkok, Promotion of International Protection in Southeast and East Asia, 28 June 1974; 671.1 GEN, pp. 2-3.
119. th Meeting Held on 7 October 1987, Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme, Thirty-Eighth Session, A/AC.96/SR.417, 12 October 1987, p. 14.
120. st Meeting Held on 10 October 1985, Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme, Thirty-Sixth Session, A/AC.96/SR.391, p. 4.
121. See S.E. Davies, "Saving Refugees or Saving Borders? Southeast Asian States and the Indochinese Refugee Crisis", Global Change, Peace and Security, Vol. 18, 1 (2006).
122. M.J. Gibney, The Ethics and Politics of Asylum (Cambridge, 2004);
123. Joly, Global Changes in Asylum Regimes.
124. M. Freeman, "Human Rights: Asia and the West", in J.T.H. Hang, ed., Human Rights and International Relations in the Asia-Pacific Region (London, 1995), p. 17.