About Us

Who we are?

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, migrants, and asylum seekers. These groups and individuals, who are from more than 50 countries, have come together to form the International Detention Coalition to share information and promote good practices relating to the use of detention by governments.

Why the need for the IDC?

More and more governments around the world are using detention as a migration management tool.  They are also cooperating bilaterally or multilaterally in attempts to restrict migration flows, sharing information and at times personnel in these efforts.  NGOs and others working with detained persons and on migration related detention issues, therefore, should share resources and information in order to promote greater respect and protection for the human rights of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.  Detention policies and practices in one region affect other regions.  Therefore, there is a need to tackle the global picture and assess and address the regional and international impact of government policies and practices. Click here for more details on what is immigration detention

IDC Mission Statement

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 world-wide relating to the detention of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.

IDC Vision and Objectives

Following five Coalition meetings in Geneva and two global surveys, a range of detention concerns  have been identified by members. There are three core priorities

  • Ending and limiting detention, particularly for children
  • Developing and promoting alternatives to immigration detention
  • Improving rights, conditions and monitoring of detention facilities

In light of these priorities, the Coalition has focused its work on three core strategic areas:

  • Coalition Building
  • Advocacy and Campaign Building
  • Capacity Building

What is the history of the IDC

Since the late 1990s, there have been discussions among those working with detainees about the need for better regional and international networking. In September 2003, several NGO representatives attending the UNHCR NGO Consultations in Geneva met to explore the formation of an international coalition on detention. During the 2004/05 Consultations, the process of establishing the coalition continued, and it was formally launched in June 2006 and a Steering Committee appointed.

In September 2007, the Steering Committee agreed to pursue having the IDC hosted  by another organization to help  formalize it as an incorporated body. Expressions of interest were received from five members, with the Steering Committee  finally endorsing a partnership with Oxfam Australia. Grant Mitchell was appointed as interim Coordinator in May 2008.

A revised IDC governance structure was proposed to members at the June 2008 Annual Meeting.  A Governance Working Group  was developed  in October 2008. The Steering Committee approved this restructuring in November 2008, together with the IDC Budget and Strategic Plan. Funding from Oak Foundation was received in September 2008 and from Planet Wheeler Foundation in February 2009 for core operations relating to the campaign against the detention of children, and from the Myer Foundation in May 2009 for research into international alternatives to detention.

In March 2009, following legal advice and consultation, the IDC became an incorporated NGO. The Steering Committee appointed a five-member Governance and Finance Committee responsible for operational issues. The existing Steering Committee became the International Advisory Committee, responsible for overseeing strategic planning, and seven new positions were made available for IDC members on this Committee

The IDC Secretariat was formalised at this time, and Grant Mitchell was appointed as Director, responsible for implementing IDC operations and providing executive support. The Secretariat includes a two-day a week project worker (Katherine Wright) and five interns from three countries. The Secretariat is also supported by  eleven Regional Representatives from twelve sub-regions, who support and help develop the work of the IDC at the regional level in a voluntary capacity. In May 2009, Lawyers for Human Rights were approved as the new regional representatives for Southern Africa.

In May 2009, Oxfam Australia committed to continue its support of the IDC through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a further 12 months, including the provision of office space and administration and operational resources. Work is now being undertaken to have the IDC become a legally recognised international development organization. Click here to see a history of the IDC

Acknowledgments

The International Detention Coalition would like to thank our members and friends from around the world who have supported the IDC over the past year.  Particular thanks must be given to our regional  representatives, committee members, volunteers and interns. And Denise Cauchi from the Humanitarian Crisis Hub.

Many thanks to the Oak Foundation, Planet Wheeler  Foundation and the Myer Foundation for funding the IDC.  And to Mike and Claire Emmett from Redfish Bluefish Creative for graphic design and web development.

A special thanks to Oxfam Australia for their continued support.