New UK Border Agency code for keeping children safe from harm
The UK Border Agency has introduced a new code of practice for safeguarding the welfare of children in the immigration system.
The Refugee Council’s Unaccompanied Children’s Policy Adviser, Judith Dennis welcomed the new code but said that the Refugee Council still had concerns for the welfare of age-disputed children, children in detention and children who are removed to ‘safe’ third countries.
Refugee Council news story: Government introduces new code of practice for children in the immigration system
Community Care: UK Border Agency code aims to keep children safe
Children and Young People Now: New guidelines prioritise welfare of young asylum seekers
Inside Housing: New code requires providers to protect child asylum seekers
MPs support Zimbabwean human rights activist under threat of deportation
Luka Phiri, former aide to the vice-president of the Movement for Democratic Change, is currently being detained prior to removal.
Although the UK government has halted removals to Zimbabwe, two immigration judges have agreed Phiri’s deportation as he entered the country on a Malawian passport. Malawian officials have told the press they will hand him over to Zimbabwe.
He was due to be deported on Wednesday 14 Jan but the move was blocked following intervention by his MP Stephen Timms and the All Party Chair on Zimbabwe, Kate Hoey.
The Observer: MPs fight to stop deportation of activist
Immigration minister calls for a revision of the Geneva Convention
Phil Woolas MP has called for a review of the 1951 Convention, saying "The Geneva convention was intended to protect individual people from persecution. A significant number of people who claim asylum are doing so for broadly economic reasons. So I think it is right we look at the framework, as indeed other European countries are doing."
Responding to the minister’s comments in a further article, Helen Bamber from the Helen Bamber Foundation said she found it “difficult to comprehend how Woolas can reconcile his commitment to protect those in fear of their lives with his proposal to undermine the cornerstone of humanitarian protection that is embodied in the conventions.”
The Guardian: Immigration minister calls for changes in ‘outdated’ Geneva Convention
The Guardian: Comment: From Belsen to Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean refugees in Downing Street protest
A demonstration asking the PM to let Zimbabwean refugees work took place outside Downing Street.
Addressing the demonstration Kate Hoey MP said: “Zimbabweans in this country are in a state of limbo. They should be allowed to work… so they can go back with skills in their bags once Mugabe has gone.”
Reuters: Zimbabwe asylum-seekers demand right to work in UK
BBC News: I want to work
Metro: Zimbabwe refugees want right to work (print edition only)
Ekklesia: Zimbabwean refugees to descend on Downing Street
“Many of them are very intelligent people who are just wasting their talent and skills”
The frustation felt by many people seeking asylum who are unable to work was highlighted in a BBC News interview with Refugee Council parliamentary intern and Zimbabwean refugee Chipo Chaya.
The interview was part of the BBC News website’s series on unemployment and raised many of the issues addressed in the Refugee Council’s Let Them Work campaign.
BBC News: ‘I’d love to work, but I’m not allowed’
The Refugee Council Let Them Work campaign
Two immigration service staff linked to BNP
One man working in a detention centre has resigned after his name appeared on a membership list of the BNP and another man has been suspended while alleged links to the same organisation are investigated by his employer. Both men work for private contractors employed by the Home Office.
Labour MP Diane Abbott commented: “If it is true that staff employed to work with asylum seekers and immigrants are members of the BNP it is yet another sign that the Home Office are allowing for the mistreatment of immigrants in this country.”
The Independent: Revealed: BNP links to immigration service staff
Claims of exploitation of asylum seekers at clothing factory
A BBC investigation revealed that workers at a factory producing clothes for the clothing chain Primark work up to 12 hours a day for below the minimum wage. Some of the workers said they were asylum seekers who had to work illegally.
Primark is investigating the claims.
BBC News: Primark ‘is probing law breaches’
BBC News: Primark linked to UK sweatshops
Refugees left adrift in Indian Ocean
Thai authorities have been accused of casting Burmese and Bangladesh refugees adrift onto boats with little or no food or water.
BBC News: Thais ‘leave boat people to die’
The Independent: Thai military ‘forces Burma refugees to face death at sea’
Football brings refugees and local children together
A pilot scheme of football tournaments is helping to build friendships between local and refugee children in Glasgow.
Evening Times: Pitching in to help refugees
