QCEA HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAMME

Our Projects


 

The projects of the QCEA Human Rights Programme cover a range of different themes, but the overall goal is the same: more respect for the rights, dignity and safety of refugees coming to Europe. You can find an overview of our current work, as well as links to our publications, below.

Are you interested in supporting one or more of these projects with a donation? Click here to find out how.

If you’d like to receive paper copies of any of our publications please contact dovile.bogusyte@qcea.org.

Child immigration detention

Across Europe, hundreds of children are held in detention simply because of their migration status. QCEA’s research has demonstrated that many governments and European agencies are unaware of the scale of the problem. Our recent report into this worrying trend collates some of the most up-to-date statistics available as well as real-world examples of other solutions, with the aim of raising awareness of alternatives among policymakers.

 

Anti-migrant discourse

Some of the most virulent and violent hate speech against migrants and refugees can be found in the online comments section of some of Europe’s largest newspaper websites. The European Court of Human Rights has already ruled that hosting hateful comments constitutes a violation of European law on the part of proprietors – yet the problem remains massive. Our research project sheds a light on this issue, and our #ChooseRespect campaign has brought more positive messages about migration to over one million Twitter users.

 

Safe and legal ways for migrants and refugees to find safety

It remains incredibly difficult for migrants and refugees to reach a sanctuary without infringing laws or putting themselves and their families at risk. This project aims to encourage the creation of a community sponsorship programme in a pilot country, coupled with the issuing of limited territorial visas, to promote an alternative route to safety and support.

 

Helping the Helpers

Voluneeers in refugee camps face many challenges, not the least is the possibility of secondary or vicarious trauma. Untreated, this can lead to depression, isolation, addiction, suicide. This project is designed to help them not only deal with their own trauma, but also to avoid re-traumatization and possibly learn to help others deal with theirs. Click here for details.

 

Other projects include:

  • – “quiet diplomacy” work to build support for policies which stop returning refugees to unsafe countries
  • – research into private security violence against migrants and refugees
  • – efforts to raise awareness of the European Convention on Human Rights (see our pamphlet here)