UNHCR/NGO PARinAC Workshop
Ashgabad, Turkmenistan
6-8 March 2000

The purpose of the meeting was to bring together representatives from NGOs in Central Asia to examine opportunities to link up the PARinAC framework in the CIS region to the CIS Conference consultations. As the CIS process comes to an end this year in its present form, it was suggested that the added opportunities offered by PARinAC should carry the positive partnership arrangements between UNHCR and NGOs forward. The Workshop was the first to be organised in the PARinAC framework in the CIS region.

At the joint invitation of UNHCR and ICVA, and with the administrative and logistical support of the UNHCR Office in Ashgabad, representatives from 26 NGOs from the five republics of Central Asia, (Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) attended the meeting. UNHCR staff from all offices in the region were also in attendance. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and Counterpart Consortium (CC), all contributed to the successful running of the Workshop. The participation of the CIS Conference NGO Coordinator, Ms Kirsti Floor, was instrumental for the linking between the CIS and the PARinAC processes.

The first day of the Workshop focused on “The role of Civil Society in Refugee Protection and Assistance”. With the valuable participation of CC and NRC, the participants were invited to identify weaknesses, constraints and opportunities for development of an active civil society, capacity building of NGOs, identification of needs and priorities and ways forward in strengthening of national and local NGOs. Problems of definition, strong needs for the establishment of a legal framework for NGOs, support for training in all refugee-related activities, creation of NGO networks, value of information-sharing, needs for sustainable funding and improvement in coordination mechanisms were all underscored. The relationship to, cooperation with and independence from government structures were thoroughly discussed.

DRC and UNHCR introduced the refugee protection aspects of the NGO-UNHCR partnership, by stressing the necessity for;

• dialogue between governments, UNHCR and NGOs;
• legislation and harmonisation aspects in the region;
• protection of the rights of returnees;
• the need to create a larger base of public support for refugee protection through NGO involvement;
• capacity building should be a tool to achieve protection measures;
• stressing that protection of refugees is basically the responsibility of governments;
• monitoring and early warning;

On the important protection issues, how NGOs see themselves in this process and on input needed from UNHCR, the discussions drifted slightly with NGOs recounting their own country experiences as to what was being done. However, the participants reached a general consensus that;

• protection issues should be understood by all NGOs working for and with refugees;
• lobbying is an important tool for transforming a difficult situation into a more favourable one for the protection of refugees and joint activities and network support should be invoked to work with the government in the context of absence of legislation;
• where there is an absence of legislation or the country is not a signatory to the Convention of 1951, the Convention on the Rights of the Child could be invoked;
• if security worsens, refugee protection also worsens and the capacity of the NGOs becomes limited;
• the poor economic condition of the population in general also limits NGO capacity to work for the refugees;

UNHCR and ICVA opened day two of the Workshop by explaining in detail the structures, framework and opportunities of PARinAC. A comprehensive history and analysis of the CIS process of NGO development and links to PARinAC were presented. Ms Floor stressed the need to look beyond the present CIS process and take the opportunity to join the PARinAC structures in order to link the Central Asian NGOs to a global network, including participation in the Standing Committee and the Executive Committee meetings.

After further discussion in country working groups, the participants agreed that the PARinAC framework and structures would be valuable mechanisms for maintaining a high level of UNHCR-NGO cooperation and partnership in the region. There was a general consensus that the existing topical Working Groups within the CIS framework should continue and that alternative funding should be identified through the lead agencies.

There was consensus on the need for national NGO focal points that would be elected on the basis of the broadest possible NGO participation. Where they exist, NGOs may wish to review the election procedure of the national focal point upon return to their countries. UNHCR field offices will facilitate this process.

The need for a regional focal point was discussed. It was mentioned that the responsibilities, requirements and accountability of the regional focal point need to be clarified. It was stressed that the regional focal point acts as a two-way information channel i.e. collects information from the national focal points and provides feedback to them. It was proposed that the upcoming session of the Steering Committee of the CIS Conference would provide a suitable opportunity for discussing a possible election of a regional focal point.

The NGO Coordination Unit at UNHCR Headquarters, will explore possibilities to give some financial support for the establishment of a regional network, in particular to cover some communication costs. It should be kept in mind, however, that PARinAC activities should basically be carried out in connection with existing programmes and planned events both countrywide and on a regional level.

On the last day of the workshop, regional issues were discussed and the following prevail on a regional level:

• the need to obtain a full understanding of the needs of refugees and to continuously monitor their situation;
• the need for the effective implementation of a national legal framework for refugees in accordance with international law, also for NGOs and where not evident, the creation of such a framework;
• the need for a comprehensive approach towards refugee related operations, including prevention, peace-building and human rights monitoring;
• the need to raise public awareness on refugees and on the work of NGOs, through the publication of promotional materials and the mass media;
• the need to develop and enhance transparent mechanisms for coordination between the government and NGOs, UNHCR and NGOs and among NGOs;
• the need to undertake training activities for NGOs including in the areas of refugee protection and emergency preparedness;
• the need for regional networking and regular communications among NGOs involved in refugee activities in Central Asia;
• the need to increase international attention on Central Asia and to promote the work of national NGOs with international donors;

This report was presented to the participants of the workshop before closure. Their comments have been included and accommodated.

Ashgabad
8 March 2000