25 August 2000

Dear Sir,

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is happy to be a partner organization of the Foundation « Remembrance, Responsibility and Future », and to cooperate with you for the success of this important humanitarian undertaking. I am looking forward to meeting you at the upcoming Kuratorium meeting. I would like to give you a brief introduction to IOM, and to share with you the principles that will guide us in implementing the forced labour compensation programme.

After half a century of worldwide operational experience, IOM has become the leading international organization working with migrants and governments to provide humane responses to migration challenges.

Established in 1951 as an inter-governmental humanitarian organization to resettle European displaced persons, refugees and other migrants, IOM has now grown to encompass a variety of migration management activities throughout the world.

With offices and operations on every continent, IOM helps governments and civil society through

• rapid humanitarian responses to sudden migration and refugee flows,
• post-emergency return and reintegration programmes,
• assistance to migrants on their way to new homes and lives,
• facilitation of labour migration,
• assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants,
• recruitment of highly qualified migrants for return to their countries of origin,
• aid to migrants in distress,
• training and capacity-building of officials,
• measures to counter trafficking in persons,
• migration medical and public health programmes,
• mass information and education on migration,
• research related to migration management, and
• other services for migrants.

While not formally part of the UN system, IOM maintains close working relations with UN bodies and operational agencies. IOM has as partners a wide range of international and non-governmental organizations.

In implementing the forced labour compensation programme for the non-Jewish, rest of the world claimants, IOM is committed to providing a fair, transparent and efficient service to its clients. The Organization also intends to be the voice and advocate for this group, which, by definition, is the least established and most scattered.

• Fairness means first and foremost that victims should be treated equally, regardless of their place of residence and of the partner organization that takes care of them. This has clear implications when we discuss the claim forms and categories, information dissemination, staff and office costs required to achieve fair treatment. Depending on the size and composition of the rest of the world non-Jewish group, it might also have consequences for the total amount of compensation money needed.
• Transparency means ensuring that all claimants and partners know what we are doing and how we are doing it, so that they can see that the process is fair. IOM plans to set up, as soon as possible, a Steering Group of most involved associations. Provided it is an operational body, and costs can be kept to a bare minimum, I think a Steering Group can be of great help as it will bring additional expertise and knowledge, broadened ownership and support, as well as the backing we will undoubtedly need in this process.
• Efficiency begins with the dissemination of and ongoing access to correct and full information for potential claimants, and implies maximum use by IOM of its network of field offices. IOM appeals to all German institutions involved in information dissemination to consult systematically with IOM before issuing or updating the information on IOM that they send out, so as to avoid unnecessary complications for victims, and costs to partner organizations. IOM invites partner organizations who have not yet done so to communicate and update their contact information.

At our first Kuratorium meeting I will be happy to clarify and discuss these and any other matters in more detail.

I look forward to a successful and productive discussion.

Yours sincerely,

 

Brunson McKinley
Director General