CIS Conference Process

A 1994 UN General Assembly resolution (49/173) called upon UNHCR and relevant states and organisations to develop a preparatory process that would identify issues of concern in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and a methodology to address them. This preparatory process led to the convening of a Regional Conference to Address the Problems of Refugees, Displaced Persons (DPs), Other Forms of Involuntary Displacement and Returnees in the Countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Relevant Neighbouring States (Resolution 50/151 (1996) requested the High Commissioner, in cooperation with states and intergovernmental organisations, to convene the conference in 1996.

Under the joint auspices of UNHCR, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Conference was held 30-31 May 1996. The objectives of the Conference were as follows: to provide a reliable forum for the countries of the region to discuss population displacement and refugee problems in a humanitarian and non-political way; to review the population movements taking place in the CIS countries, clarifying the categories of concern; and to elaborate a non-binding Programme of Action for the CIS countries. The Programme of Action was an ambitious five-year plan that aimed at addressing existing problems of displacement and preventing future population movements.

The result of the Programme of Action has been several measures, including institutional measures (such as the adoption of national legislation on refugee and migration issues), operational measures (such as the provision of emergency aid to refugees, IDPs, and host communities), and preventative measures (such as monitoring and early warning).

One of the most important aspects of the CIS Conference process is the contribution to the NGO sector. During the 1997 meeting of the Steering Committee, five NGO thematic working groups were created with an international NGO leading each. (see Working Groups for more information on the Working Group structure, as well as contact information).

During the 1999 Steering Committee meeting, a working group was created to look into the follow-up to the CISCONF process, as it was due to end in 2000. The recommendations of this working group were based on an assessment of the CISCONF process. The evaluation noted that the implementation of the Programme of Action has varied between different CIS states. The assessment noted that "It is clear that the process has directly and indirectly assisted CIS states towards the goal of establishing migration management and protection mechanisms to cope with migration challenges particular to the region. Moreover, the process has achieved a new level of understanding, dialogue and exchange between: CIS governments; CIS states and non-CIS states; CIS governments and NGOs; and international organisations working in the region. It is also evident that progress is still required in a number of areas."

The evaluation noted that several achievements were made in terms of the NGO sector during the process period (1996-2000), but that "significant obstacles still hinder NGOs' full contribution to addressing refugee and refugee-related issues, to granting humanitarian assistance, and to strengthening civil society as a whole."

At the last Steering Committee of the CISCONF in July 2000, it was decided that the process should continue with the Programme of Action continuing as the guide for the "Follow-Up to the 1996 Geneva Conference on the Problems of Refugees, Displaced Persons, Migration and Asylum Issues." The Follow-Up process takes as its model the NGO thematic working group structure by forming "thematic expert working groups." These working groups will allow for a more focused process and will bring together representatives from governments in the CIS region, NGO representatives, relevant experts, and interested parties throughout the CIS and abroad to develop strategies and address specific challenges. For more information on the thematic expert working groups formed under the Follow-Up process, see Working Groups below.

More information on, and analysis of, the CIS Conference can also be found in several articles that have appeared in ICVA's newsletter, Talk Back.

• Working Groups — Information on the NGO Working Groups within the CIS Conference Process, including contact information and a short explanation of the expert working groups that are being formed under the Follow-Up to the CISCONF.
  
• NGO Statements — Statements from NGOs given during the CIS Conference process.
  
• ICVA's Newsletter Talk Back — Articles in Talk Back related to the CIS Conference, including a special issue, that have focused on the CIS Conference process and on the work of the NGO Working Groups.
  
  • Special Issue of ICVA's newsletter Talk Back (Vol. 1 # 4, Aug. 1999): The CIS Conference — This special issue of ICVA's newsletter Talk Back, Volume 1, # 4, August 1999, looks at the work of NGOs in the former Soviet Union and how their efforts to help refugees and migrants are strengthening civil society in this important and widely under-reported region.
  • "CIS Conference Process to Continue," Talk Back (Volume 2, # 4, July 2000) — "On the follow-up plan, adopted by the Steering Group on 14 July 2000, which proposes four thematic Expert Working Groups."
  
  
• CIS Workshop Turkmenistan — Report on the UNHCR/NGO PARinAC Workshop, Ashgabad, Turkmenistan, 6-8 March 2000. The objective of this workshop was to examine the opportunities to link up the PARinAC framework in the CIS region to the CIS Conference consultations.