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Who are we ?

Forum réfugiés is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) created in 1982 in Lyon (France) which is specialised in the reception of asylum seekers and refugees and in the promotion of a fair and humane asylum policy. Its members are both individuals and organizations (e.g.: Caritas; Cimade…) which decided to entrust it with a specific role in that field. Forum réfugiés is today acknowledged as a recognized spokesperson by many public authorities (Ministries, European Commission, Council of Europe, Prefecture, UNHCR, local authorities…) and other associations and individuals.

In 2005, the staff consists of around 100 persons. Its activities range from legal advice to management of several reception centres.

Forum réfugiés provides legal advice and administrative assistance to thousands of asylum seekers who do not benefit from a housing in a reception centre and enables them to have a postal address which is necessary for the asylum procedure. The prefecture has entrusted Forum réfugiés with the coordination and organisation of a commission made up of several partners which meets every week to decide upon priority entries in the reception system of asylum seekers.

Furthermore Forum réfugiés is involved in litigation and research projects in order to promote the right of asylum. Forum réfugiés is a member agency of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) and thus intends to play an active role in the development of a humane and liberal asylum policy in Europe.

As well as carrying out its central role of looking after asylum seekers, Forum réfugiés is increasing its efforts to protect the rights of asylum seekers wherever the need exists.

• Through its administrative and legal support systems, Forum réfugiés maintains a watching brief, follow up and counselling with regard to the laws and rules affecting asylum and refugees. In this work Forum réfugiés collaborates with other bodies in the context of the CFDA (French co-ordination for asylum rights) and ANAFE (society for assisting foreigners at the frontier). Forum réfugiés aims also to build up public support to welcome of asylum seekers and refugees.
  
• Asylum is an international challenge, and Forum réfugiés therefore works across Europe and supports international missions.
  
• At this moment of crisis in France, Forum réfugiés uses its public relations to highlight the plight of refugees and asylum seekers.
  
• Amongst Forum réfugiés’s tools to make the public aware of the problem are :

  • A quarterly journal with two pages in English
  • Speakers at meetings
  • An annual report including a section on Europe (translated into English and available free on the website)
  • The asylum seeker’s guide

By taking part in research work, by joining research networks, by carrying out contentious actions with the courts, by offering training sessions for professionals, Forum réfugiés devotes its competence, its experience and its expertise to the defense of the right to asylum.