Source description last updated: 28 October 2020

In brief: International Refugee Rights Initiative (IRRI) is a non-profit organisation founded in 2004 and registered in the United States, United Kingdom and Uganda, working for the rights of those affected by conflict-related displacement.

Coverage on ecoi.net:

Reports and papers.

Covered quarterly on ecoi.net, for countries of priorities A-C.

Mission/Mandate/Objectives:

“IRRI works to address causes of conflict-related displacement; to ensure that the rights of those forced to leave their homes are respected; and to promote appropriate and sustainable solutions to their displacement. [...]

IRRI recognises that just as the causes of displacement are multiple, so are the consequences. Therefore, IRRI does not set out to have a ’one size fits all‘ approach, but instead takes a context-specific model that is both comprehensive and cognisant of the commonalities in the way that issues of displacement are treated at governmental and multilateral levels. Taking this comprehensive approach and recognising the inter-connectivity of these issues, allows IRRI to formulate more nuanced and effective strategies of response.

While the challenges of civil conflict and the abuse of power by state and non-state actors are highly complex, we believe that there are opportunities to pre-empt these crises, or at a minimum mitigate their impact. Through an integrated framework of regional research, international advocacy and the amplification of local voices, our expertise in protecting human rights in situations of ongoing conflict and displacement in rights protection, mass atrocity and conflict prevention, peace-building and reconciliation enables IRRI to be uniquely effective and have a tangible impact on those whose lives and livelihoods are severely threatened.

IRRI is also unique as we provide non-profit management and fiscal sponsorship to incubate new ideas and organisations. Depending on the need, we provide back office infrastructure, financial management, non- profit management, compliance and governance all supported by experienced staff. We support over 10 projects with fiscal sponsorship, many of whom would not exist without this service. We provide them with a 501(c) (3) status which enables them to access US based tax deductible donations.” (IRRI website: Who We Are, undated)

Funding:

Donations. No further information found.

“The International Refugee Rights Initiative is a registered PLC in England and Wales, Company No. 8232075, and is recognised as a tax exempt not for profit under section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code in the United States.” (IRRI website: Donate, undated)

Scope of reporting:

Geographic focus: Regions where conflict-related displacement occurs.

Thematic focus: Conflict-related displacement and refugee rights.

Methodology:

Derived from IRRI publications, the organisation’s reports are primarily based on research conducted on-site.

A report on the return situation in the Great Lakes region was drafted “[…] based on field research carried out in the first half of 2019. [The] findings were discussed and further enriched during stakeholder meetings involving national and local authorities, humanitarian agencies, civil society actors and representatives of local communities.” (IRRI, Conflict Research Group, Actiona pour la Promotion Rurale, Groupe d'Etudes sur les Conflits et la Sécurité Humaine: Returning to Stability? Refugee returns in the Great Lakes region, October 2019, p. 4)

For a report on conflicts in the vicinity of refugee settlements in Uganda, “[…] IRRI conducted research in Arua, Lamwo and Adjumani districts [between December 2018 and May 2019].

Interviews and focus group discussions were carried out using an interview map based on preliminary IRRI research and existing literature. When required, research assistants (members of the refugee or host community) provided translation. Interviews with refugees and host community members were complemented by interviews with 45 key informants, including OPM [Office of the Prime Minister] officials, police officers and NGO workers. In May 2019, IRRI presented its preliminary findings to NGO staff, refugee and host community leaders, civil society, government officials and UNHCR during workshops in Palabek, Arua and Adjumani, and their feedback has been incorporated into this report. On 23 July 2019, IRRI shared a letter with the OPM with a summary of its findings and queries for additional information. Despite regular follow-up, IRRI received no response to this letter. Prior to commencing the research, IRRI informed OPM of its research intentions, and sought and obtained permission to access the refugee settlements.” (IRRI: Understanding Conflict Dynamics around refugee settlements in northern Uganda, August 2019, p. 14)

Recent research on return dynamics and reintegration in Burundi “[…] took place in the provinces of Bujumbura, Cibitoke and Muyinga between 14 January and 20 April 2020, the start date of campaigns for presidential, legislative and municipal elections in Burundi. […] The research focused on IDP and returnees following the 2015 crisis in Burundi, not those who were there before.” (IRRI website: Summary of the research on the dynamics of refugee and IDP returns and reintegration in Burundi, 30 September 2020)

For this project, IRRI employed “[a] predominantly qualitative research methodology based on interviews with 97 respondents, 56% men and 44% women.” (IRRI website: Summary of the research on the dynamics of refugee and IDP returns and reintegration in Burundi, 30 September 2020)

Language(s) of publications:

English.

Further reading / links:

Annual Report 2017, April 2018
http://refugee-rights.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IRRI-Annual-Report-2017.pdf

All links accessed 28 October 2020.