International Detention Coalition
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The International Detention Coalition (IDC) is a network of more than 200 non-governmental organizations, faith- based groups, academics and individuals that provide legal, social, medical and other services, carry out research and reporting, and undertake advocacy and policy work on behalf of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. These groups and individuals from more than 50 countries, have come together to form the IDC to share information and promote good practices relating to the use of detention by governments. This includes advocating for greater respect for the human rights of detainees, preventing and limiting the use of, seeking alternatives to, and using the least restrictive forms of, immigration detention.
The IDC Secretariat is based in Melbourne, Australia, with regional consultants based internationally.
Mission
The IDC aims to promote greater protection of and respect for the human rights of those held in detention and to raise awareness of detention policies and practices. It also aims to promote the use of international and regional human rights standards and principles as they relate to the detention of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. The Coalition reaches these objectives through networking, advocacy, raising public awareness and researching and reporting on issues worldwide relating to the detention of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. [1]
Background
The International Detention Coalition (IDC) is an incorporated not-for-profit organization, which began in September 2003,[2] when several NGO representatives attending the UNHCR NGO Consultations in Geneva met to explore the formation of an international civil society coalition on detention. The IDC was formed and was voluntarily run until 2008 when they employed Grant Mitchell as Director. In March 2009, the IDC became incorporated and established a Secretariat based in Australia.
Achievements
The IDC’s achievements include undertaking research and policy work and engaging more than 40 governments on alternatives to detention in national, regional and international meetings at the UN level in Geneva.
Work and impact
IDC's work has directly impacted on detention policy in a number of countries and the number of children in places of detention, including in the Americas, Asia and Europe. In Belgium and Japan in particular children were released from detention into community arrangements following successful IDC advocacy and policy work with government.
The IDC has been involved in training governments in Asia, Americas and Africa on human rights in immigration detention and alternatives to detention, and currently sits on the US government’s detention reform working group of the Department of Homeland Security, the only non-US group participating. The IDC’s work has been influential in impacting on the US government’s move to use immigration detention only as a last resort.
The IDC also works on building the capacity of NGOs in more than 50 countries, including on alternatives to the detention of children. Many IDC members are under-resourced, have limited capacity and expertise in immigration detention. IDC work has included supporting and building the capacity of members through training, advocacy strategy meetings, regional network development and project development.