Press Release
Published on May 19, 2011
HRF invites you to join us for an informal breakfast briefing and discussion that will feature a new report from the International Detention Coalition (IDC) entitled: “There are alternatives: A handbook on preventing unnecessary immigration detention.” The report details alternatives to detention models used in countries across the globe, and is intended to serve as a resource for national governments—including the United States—to decrease unnecessary reliance on immigration detention. Report finds that reliable alternatives to detention models are less costly than detention and have high compliance rates. The IDC’s director, Grant Mitchell, will join us at Human Rights for discussion and provide an overview of the report’s findings and recommendations, and give an update on global discussions concerning alternatives to detention for migrants and asylum seekers. Several experts will offer brief comments to kick off the discussion. WHAT: Launch event for the new report issued by the International Detention Coalition on alternatives to detention. WHEN: 8:45 a.m., Friday, May 20 Discussion starts at 9:00 a.m. sharp WHERE: HRF Office at 333 Seventh Avenue (between 28th and 29th streets), 13th floor, New York, NY 10001 WHO: Discussion commentators include: Lindsay Jenkins, Assistant Protection Officer at UNHCR and Leslie Velez, Director of Access to Justice at Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, and a representative from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has also been invited. The discussion will be moderated by Eleanor Acer, Refugee Protection Director at Human Rights First and a member of the IDC’s International Advisory Committee. RSVP: RPP_NYEvents@humanrightsfirst.org The International Detention Coalition’s members include more than 200 non-governmental organizations, faith-based groups, academics, practitionmailto:RPP_NYEvents@humanrightsfirst.orgers and individuals working in 50 countries globally. Coalition members research, advocate and provide direct services to and on behalf of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. The IDC advocates for greater respect for the human rights of immigration detainees. Human Rights First is a leading human rights advocacy organization based in New York City and Washington, D.C. Since 1978, we have worked in the United States and abroad to create a secure and humane world—advancing justice, human dignity, and respect for the rule of law. All of our activities are supported by private contributions. We accept no government funds.
