UK will lift opt-out on UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
The UK government will remove its immigration opt-out from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The detail of how this may impact on children’s day to day lives will not be immediately apparent, as the Convention does not form part of domestic law. It is particularly significant in that it ends what is in effect a discriminatory approach to children’s rights.
Refugee Council news story
How it was reported in the media:
BBC News: UK to sign UN children convention
BBC News: UK to give up child rights opt-outs
The Herald: Detention of asylum seekers’ children set to end
The Independent: Minister’s U-turn on migrant children
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights criticises Britain’s asylum procedures
The Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, has warned that many of Britain’s asylum procedures risk breaching human rights, according to news sources.
The report, following from the Commissioner’s inspection of UK immigration centres and talks with NGOs and Immigration Minister Liam Byrne earlier this year, included many concerns about the way the UK treats asylum seekers, particularly about the impact of new fast-track processing procedures, detention, access to legal aid and forced returns on the basis of diplomatic assurances.
Mr Hammarberg recommended a time-limit to detention be introduced to domestic law and that alternative measures to detention needed to be found for children.
BBC News: Asylum rules ‘risk human rights’
24dash.com: Asylum controls risk breaching human rights
Right to work is raised again at Labour party conference
At a fringe meeting hosted by the Refugee Council, Jon Cruddas MP commented that the right to work was “one of the most important issues to be debated at the Conference".
Charing the meeting, which included testimonies from many asylum seekers who are unable to work, the MP said “I think many of us find it hard to believe that destitution is an act of public policy by the Labour government.”
Read our full party conference coverage on our Poliblog
How it was covered in the media:
Politics.co.uk: Thatcher was better on immigration revelation!
The Spectator: Jon Cruddas’ conference diary
Scottish Trade Union Congress will call for asylum seekers to be given right to work
The Scottish Trade Union Congress will call for the right to work to be given to asylum seekers at the 12th Annual Black Workers’ Conference in Perth.
Sunday Herald: ‘In my own country I had an important job with high powered contacts. When I came to Scotland I was told I had to stay unemployed’ – Why asylum seekers should be allowed to work
Alternatives to detention needed, says the Children’s Society
An article by Lisa Nandy of the Children’s Society in the New Statesman argued for a humane and effective alternative to detaining children and looked at the problems of the pilot project in Millbank Induction Centre in Kent.
The New Statesman: A fair deal for children
Four year old deported to Nigeria
A four-year-old girl who was born in the UK was deported to Nigeria along with her mother after spending 86 days in detention.
Sunday Mail: Four-year-old girl caged as refugee for 86 days, despite being Scottish
Personal struggle of refugee doctor
A personal account of how Sarkell Radha, an Iraqi doctor who is a trainee in orthopaedics, has worked for six years gaining refugee status and passing difficult English language exams and clinical exams to become a doctor in the UK was published in the British Medical Association newsletter.
Medical News Today: Against All Odds – A Personal Story From A Refugee Doctor, UK
New scheme to prepare young Afghan refugees for return
A new government-funded ‘college’ has been set up to prepare unaccompanied male Afghan teenage asylum seekers for deportation.
The Children’s Society is protesting to the UK Borders Agency about the project. A policy adviser commented: “Children should be treated as children, but the immigration status of those selected for this pilot is being put before their welfare.”
The Guardian: Outbound journey
Royal College of Psychiatrists report stress and mental ill health amongst young asylum seekers and refugees
A study in Glasgow by the Royal College of Psychiatrists showed young asylum seekers and refugees were suffering from considerable stress.
The researchers concluded that changes in UK immigration policy, alongside better support networks and greater social inclusion could help improve the wellbeing of young refugees.
Medical News Today: Young Asylum Seekers In Scotland Under Stress, Royal College Of Psychiatrists
Glasgow Girls campaign group feature in new educational resource on refugee children
The Shared Futures resource, combining a DVD and educational pack, aims to help teachers learn good practice when welcoming refugee children to their community. Issues such as learning English as a second language, racist bullying, parental involvement and making friends are covered.
The DVD features the Glasgow Girls group, which was set up by teenagers to campaign for the rights of asylum seekers and refugees after one of their fellow pupils, Agnesa Murselaj, was taken to a detention centre along with her family. Agnesa and her family have now received permanent leave to remain.
How it was reported in the media:
The Herald: ‘All I want to do is help people’
The Herald: Glasgow Girl wins right to stay in Scotland
Evening Times: Glasgow Girl says it’s so good to be staying
Wales Online: Teachers offered guidance on refugee support
24 Dash.com: New DVD helps integration of refugee children and young people
Protest camp against destitution set up outside Parliament
Two campaigners will camp outside the Houses of Parliament for two weeks in protest at government policies which are forcing asylum seekers into destitution.
The protest is in support of the Still Human Still Here campaign.
Visit the protesters’ website
How it was reported in the media:
Ekklesia.co.uk: Christians in parliament protest over treatment of asylum seekers
Children’s Commissioner for Wales condemns ‘shocking treatment’ of refugee children
Giving the case of one family’s recent removal in Swansea, Keith Towler, the Children's Commissioner for Wales, criticised the way some children were dealt with.
Wales Online: Shocking treatment of asylum seekers’ children
Shelter launch housing guide for refugees
The charity Shelter has published a guide for asylum seekers and refugees on access to accommodation and housing support. It can be ordered from the Shelter website.
Visit the Shelter website
And finally… Destitution is pants
A parent and a teacher from a London school will be wearing their pants on the outside of their clothes on a sponsored walk to raise money to buy destitute asylum seekers new underwear.
Islington Gazette: Walk for asylum seekers guaranteed to be pants
