LINGUIST List 15.2044

Sun Jul 11 2004

FYI: Language and Origin in Refugee Cases

Editor for this issue: Anne Clarke <annelinguistlist.org>

Directory

1. Jeff Siegel, Language and Origin in Refugee Cases

Dear Colleagues,

An international group of 19 linguists has recently released a set of
guidelines on the use of language analysis in determining the national
origin of asylum seekers. The guidelines can be found in pdf form on
the home page of the International Association of Forensic Linguists:
http://www.iafl.org/

The issues raised in the document relate to widespread concerns that 
current practices in a number of countries are often quite 
problematic and can result in the failure to properly discharge 
responsibilities under the UN Refugees Convention.

Please feel free to forward the pdf file (or web address) to
government departments, immigration lawyers, refugee/asylum seeker
support groups and others.

If you have any questions, please contact me or Diana Eades
<eadeshawaii.edu>.

Best wishes,

Jeff Siegel

jsiegelune.edu.au