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C R Abrar Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit

NTS Challenges and Policy Responses in South Asia Inaugural Meeting of NTS-Asia, Singapore 7-9 January 2007. C R Abrar Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit. Outcome of the NTS Phase completed. RMMRU project specific 8 collaborative studies completed

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C R Abrar Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit

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  1. NTS Challenges and Policy Responses in South Asia Inaugural Meeting of NTS-Asia, Singapore 7-9 January 2007 C R Abrar Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit

  2. Outcome of the NTS Phase completed • RMMRU project specific • 8 collaborative studies completed • 2 volumes to be published by mid 2007 • 1 dissemination workshop held this year • Studies, all field based, will hopefully inform policy • Rapport built with the media and also with segments of civil society institutions in the host countries • Network of South Asian scholars on migration

  3. Outcome of the NTS Phase completed • Broader Achievements • Engagement of scholars with the project with broader theoretical debates on security of the state and those of citizens and aliens • Enhanced appreciation that states are still captured by domestic interests even when faced with trans-national concerns • Development of an pan-Asian ‘epistemic community’ to anticipate, analyse and provide policy response mechanisms • NTS-Asia: insitutionalising the process of inter-regional networking

  4. Remits of the Past Projects • Broad based social issues encompassing pluralism, diversity, ethnicity and gender • Specific cross border issues: terrorism, migration, environment • Community level disputes: natural resources

  5. Challenges and Policy Responses: Internal to a State • Sources of Insecurity of Citizens: • Poverty and lack of employment • Political Violence • Extrajudicial Killings • Poor governance and the absence of rule of law • Corruption • Inadequate health care facilities • Environmental Insecurity: riverbank erosion, displacement due to climate change and SLR • Exclusion of minority communities from national decision making process Big Question: Do the above issues merit inclusion in the NTS discourse?

  6. Challenges and Policy Responses: Regional and Cross Border • Movement of Labour through Irregular Channel • Migration is increasingly being securitized in post 9/11 situation • Securitization of migration has impacted adversely on human security of all migrants • There is a propensity for labour to move to fill vacuum that exists in a market and restrictions to migrate through formal channels to a large extent contribute to movement through irregular route Specific proposal: • Research and policy advocacy at receiving end in East Asia and the Gulf states • Build networks of academics and civil society institutions of sending and host states.

  7. Challenges and Policy Responses: Regional and Cross Border • Diseases and pandemics • Rise in incidence of HIV/AIDS • Reemergence of drug resistant TB, pneumonia and also of malaria and dengue • Rudimentary health care services in Bangladesh and South Asia in general. • The issue has not drawn attention of any security expert as yet Specific Proposal: • A better understanding of these issues by involving stakeholders and serious engagement in policy advocacy

  8. Challenges and Policy Responses: Regional and Cross Border • Smuggling and Informal Trade • Contributes to economic insecurity of a state • Undermines incipient local industrialization efforts • Diminishes employment opportunities of people affecting their livelihood options Specific Proposal: • Regional study on extent, magnitude and impact of smuggling and informal trade on states and peoples

  9. Challenges and Policy Responses: Regional and Cross Border • Use of Religion in Politics • South Asian problem • Damages the secular fabric of society that is a pre-condition for democracy, peace and progress • Catering to right wing agenda that adversely affects education system, gender relations and indigenous cultural values and practices Specific Proposal: • Collaborative study on the use of religion in politics and erosion of secular politics in South Asia

  10. Challenges and Policy Responses: Regional and Cross Border • Exclusion of ethnic minorities and growth of militancy • Unwillingness of nation states to address the grievances of the national minorities • Domination of the majority and the failure to build a pluralist society with equal opportunities to diverse groups • Source of inter-state tension as onus is often shifted on neighbours Specific Proposal: • Develop a group of scholars and activists to examine policies of exclusion of minorities pursued by states and how that has contributed to rise of militancy

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