Weeks 13 Dec 2006 - 8 Jan 2007
Refugee Council's comment on prospects for 2007
In an interview with Communitycare, Refugee Council acting chief executive Anna Reisenberger said “We will have to tackle many issues this year. First is the increasingly serious issue of destitution among asylum seekers – the focus of our new campaign Just.Fair. More and more are being made homeless, as the government uses destitution as a tool of policy to try to force people to return home. We remain very concerned about the regulation introduced by the government in 2004 to deny refused asylum seekers secondary health care. All those who have been made destitute are no longer entitled to hospital treatment, and some have become very ill as a result. Another serious issue is the detention of asylum seekers, particularly families with children. And finally there is the range of problems facing separated children, from being age-disputed to coping with what happens when they turn 18.”
Communitycare.co.uk: What happens next? How 2007 will pan out according to social care leaders
Refugee Council Just Fair campaign
Corruption inquiry at immigration service
2006 ended with a Home Office investigation into allegations that a representative of Uganda's ruling party secured a job in the immigration service and blocked the asylum applications of political opponents.
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: Corruption inquiry into asylum bias
The Guardian: Double life of a leading official
Proposals for independent inspectorate on asylum and immigration
Following a report from the Complaints Audit Committee, which criticised inefficient methods for the investigation of serious complaints against officials responsible for asylum and immigration cases, immigration minister Liam Byrne published proposals for an independent inspectorate for asylum and immigration to assess issues including the quality of decision-making, enforcement powers, access to information and the treatment of individuals. Anna Reisenberger, acting chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: “We welcome the fact that the Home Office is promising major changes in the way it handles complaints about the asylum system. But it would make more sense to ensure that the system worked better in the first place so that there were fewer complaints and fewer appeals.”
Refugee Council press release: Refugee Council statement about the Immigration and Nationality Directorate
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: New watchdog to monitor troubled immigration and asylum service
Communitycare.co.uk: Independent inspectorate for asylum and immigration proposed
Continued dawn raids in Scotland
The issue of dawn raids in Scotland was a major story over the Christmas and New Year period as outrage was expressed over the Home Office decision to continue their controversial early morning forced removals. Local communities mounted vigils outside tower blocks in Glasgow against dawn raids on asylum seeker families living there, Glasgow archbishop Mario Conti called for an end to the "unnecessary and distressing" practice and Scotland's largest teaching union joined the protests, saying that fellow pupils are distressed when children of asylum seekers disappear from school overnight.
How it was covered by the press:
The Evening Times: Dawn raids won't stop over Xmas
The Scotsman: Grandmothers who tend their flock of asylum seekers against dawn raids
Sunday Herald: While we’re looking forward to our presents tonight, 1400 families fear dawn raids and deportation. Happy Christmas from the Home Office
The Herald:Teaching union calls for end to asylum dawn raids
Daily Record: Teachers' leaders in raids warning
Educational Institute of Scotland: Dawn raids on asylum seekers must end
BBC News: Asylum seeker raids 'must stop'
Bishop of Ripon and Leeds brings up asylum in maiden speech
In his maiden speech to the House of Lords, the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds focused heavily on the issue of asylum. It was covered by the BBC in a piece that included a case study provided by the Refugee Council and filmed in its Leeds office. Later, in his New Year’s address he reiterated the need for justice for those made homeless in their home countries.
Watch the BBC video:
How it was covered by the press:
Leeds Today: 'Provide proper care for refugees'
Leeds Today: Bishop's plea to show strangers hospitality
Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle brings up asylum in Christmas message
In his Christmas message the Roman Catholic Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle asked the people of the North East to 'make room in your lives this Christmas for the weak, the vulnerable, the homeless and the asylum seeker.'
How it was covered by the press:
Sunderland Today: 'Make room in your lives this Christmas for the weak, the vulnerable, the homeless and the asylum seeker.'
Controversy over plans to x-ray young asylum-seekers
Medical specialists and children’s campaigners expressed concern at government plans to x-ray the teeth and wrist bones of young asylum seekers to try and assess their age, calling them unethical and ineffective. The plans would be part of measures to determine whether unaccompanied young asylum seekers without valid documents are under 18, and therefore entitled to higher levels of support and protection than adults.
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: X-ray plan for young asylum seekers
Medical Foundation for the Victims of Torture: Home Office Unaccompanied Child Reform Program
Controversy over cuts in English language lessons
The campaign against the government’s plans to withdraw free English language lessons for adult asylum seekers in 2007 continues with several reports on how the plans would undermine efforts to encourage integration and will leave young children acting as translators for their parents.
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: Free English lessons for adult asylum seekers to be axed
Briefing from Children’s Legal Centre: How will the Learning and Skills Council’s (LSC) plans to remove automatic eligibility for publicly funded Further Education (FE) provision from asylum seekers from August 2007 affect asylum seeking children and young adults?
Children’s Society briefing: ”Speechless”: A Briefing on the Removal of Young People and Families’ Entitlement to English Language Classes and Further Education
New powers to capture foreign national's biometrics
The Home Office announced that it would consider powers to compel foreign nationals in the UK to register their biometrics in 2007.
Home Office press release: New powers to capture foreign national's biometrics
Refugee Council response to consultation paper on Refugee Integration Services
Refugee Council submitted a response to the government’s consultation paper on Refugee Integration Services, drawn up after discussions with numerous other agencies and groups.
Download Refugee Council response to A New Model for National Integration Services in England: Consultation Paper
Conservatives support charter for victims of trafficking
Human rights groups welcomed support from the Conservative party for a European Convention to grant victims of human trafficking the temporary right to stay in the UK.
Amnesty International press release: Human trafficking: Amnesty International welcomes Conservative Party support for European Convention
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: Tories want UK to sign charter for victims of trafficking
Alliance to form over new bill of rights
It was announced that a new alliance, including the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties, Charter 88, Justice, Liberty and various other constitutional reform organisations is to be formed to campaign for a new bill of rights amid growing concerns that laws protecting personal liberty are out of date.
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: Rival parties unite to fight for a bill of rights
High court orders government to pay £16,000 for unlawful deportation
The government was ordered to pay damages to a family of asylum seekers who were unlawfully deported without a proper opportunity to seek legal advice to a country where they are in fear of their lives. The judge ordered the home secretary, John Reid, to take "all reasonable steps" to secure the family's return to the UK.
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: £16,000 for illegally ousted asylum seekers
London Press Awards
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone and Shami Chakrabharti, Director of Liberty, announced the winners of the ‘Reporting Asylum - The London Press Awards’ at a ceremony at City Hall. Bob Deffee, Campaigns and Public Affairs Manager for the Refugee Council, who was on the panel of judges said ”It’s nice to be focusing on how the media can do the right thing and present positive awareness of refugees, when we spend so much time battling myths propagated by factions in the national press through our “Don’t Believe the Type” campaign. The Mayor rightly made the point that regional media frequently is much better at showing a balanced and fair picture – and the real stories of individual asylum seekers shine through with honesty.”
Refugee Council press release: Reporting asylum – the London Press Awards
Mayor of London press release: Reporting asylum – the London Press Awards
How it was reported by the press:
Ham & High: Human rights champion backs Afshin’s asylum bid
Graduation from human rights advocacy course
Sixteen asylum seekers and refugees graduated from an intensive human rights advocacy course, an initiative of Education Action International. At a graduation ceremony hosted by Amnesty International, a film showed graduates describing their projects to defend human rights in areas such as healthcare, domestic violence, persecution, disability and freedom of expression.
How it was covered by the press:
Institute of Race Relations: Human rights advocacy graduates speak out
New guidance on dispersals of HIV positive asylum seekers
The National AIDS Trust published guidance for healthcare and voluntary sector professionals who work with HIV positive asylum seekers put at risk through dispersal.
National AIDS trust press release: Guidance on dispersing HIV positive asylum seekers
Download The dispersal process for asylum seekers living with HIV
How it was covered by the press:
Communitycare.co.uk: HIV positive asylum seekers at risk from dispersal scheme
UNISON publishes booklet on asylum myths
Scotland’s public service union, UNISON, published a booklet addressing myths and inaccuracies about immigration and asylum, targeted at public service workers.
UNISON-Scotland press release: Booklet adds to anti-racist arguments for public service staff
Women's Asylum News
Asylum Aid published the November/December edition of Women’s Asylum News
Download report
New report - Migrant Voices, Migrant Rights:
A report on whether migrant community organisations can change the immigration debate in Britain today.
Download report
Guardian feature on Harmondsworth demonstrations
Two weeks after the violent demonstrations at Harmondsworth detention centre, the Guardian published a special feature with interviews from the detainees involved.
Guardian feature: What really happened at Harmondsworth
Verdict of suicide due to asylum refusal
A coroner ruled that the imminent deportation of Janvier Makiadi, a refused Congolese asylum seeker found hanged in September was a ‘prime factor’ in his death.
How it was covered by the press:
The Rochdale Observer: Asylum rejection led to suicide
First arrivals in Norfolk under Gateway Protection Programme
Fifteen Congolese families were given a civic welcome to Norfolk, arriving as part of the Home Office’s Gateway Protection Programme for those considered by UNHCR to be in extremely dangerous conditions.
How it was covered by the press:
EDP 24: Embarking on a new life
Award-winning asylum seeker in last appeal against deportation
A Pakistani asylum-seeker invited to meet Tony Blair in recognition of her services to the voluntary sector said that she would use the opportunity to plead her case against deportation.
How it was covered by the press:
The Independent: Asylum-seeker feted by the Blairs in final plea to avoid deportation
Manchester Evening News: ‘I’ve met the Queen but I still fear deportation
BBC drama looks at homelessness
A prime-time BBC drama based in a B&B temporarily housing the homeless included the stories of a Nigerian couple seeking asylum in the UK.
Link: Born Equal
Refugees' stories on stage
Cardiff-based education company Acting Out began work on a new project aimed at bringing refugees’ stories to the stage.
How it was covered by the press:
icwales.co.uk: Refugees on stage
Sherman Theatre
Israel offers safe haven for sisters from Kyrgystan
The Home Office was put under pressure to halt the deportation of two sisters from Kyrgystan who are students in Birmingham after the Israeli government promised a safe haven for them.
How it was covered by the press:
Icbirmingham: Israel offers safe haven for student sisters
Somalis in UK react to conflict at home
As the situation in Somalia worsened, the BBC reported on the anxiety experienced by thousands of Somalis living in the UK.
BBC News: 'I feel devastated': Somalis in Britain react to the conflict in their homeland
Weeks 29 Nov – 12 Dec
Damning report issued on Harmondsworth immigration removal centre
The fortnight began with a report by Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers on Harmondsworth immigration removal centre, raising serious concerns about its regime, the attitude and behaviour of staff, incidents of bullying and problems of access.
A great deal of press interest followed the report. Anna Reisenberger, acting Chief Executive of the Refugee Council said "It is worrying to say the least that 60% of clients feel unsafe in Harmondsworth and frankly horrifying that nearly half feel they are victimised by the staff. Asylum seekers are not criminals; they are people who are vulnerable and scared. Their treatment should reflect that. We should question whether there is any need to lock up people who’ve committed no crime and who cause no harm to the wider community."
Download:Report on an unannounced inspection of Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre 17–21 July 2006 by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
Council press release: Refugee Council response to 'damning' report on Harmondsworth
Home office press release: Harmondsworth immigration removal centre - serious concerns
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: Immigration removal centre like a high security prison, says inspector
The Independent: Inspector lambasts migrants’ detention centre
BBC News: Concerns for asylum centre deepen
Communitycare.co.uk: Chief inspector: regime at immigration removal centre is ‘poorest’ ever
Barnet and Potters Bar Times: Doctor tells of abuse at centre
Indymedia: The truth behind deportation statistics
Demonstrations at Harmondsworth
On the night of the report’s publication, major disturbances took place at Harmondsworth. Fires were lit in all four wings, setting off the sprinkler system and requests for help were spelled out in the courtyard with bedsheets. The protest resulted in extensive damage to the centre and all but 50 of the 482 detainees were evacuated to other detention centres, requiring the release of 150 “low risk” detainees from other centres to make room for them.
Campaigners staged a protest outside the centre, calling for a public enquiry. Harmondsworth will be closed for several months for repairs and Kalyx, the private company that runs the centre, is to pay the government a penalty of more than £5 million for a series of performance failures.
For the political consequences of the events at Harmondsworth, see our Political Review
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: Disturbances hit immigration centre
The Times: Detainees riot at 'worst' immigration centre
BBC News: Detainees 'shouted and sworn at'
Community Care: Immigration detainees released from centres to make way for Harmondsworth detainees
BBC News: Demonstrations at riot-hit centre
The Guardian: Centres of barbarism
The Times: Immigration centre wrecked in riot will cost millions to repair
The Guardian: Riot squad fights to regain control of immigration detention centre
Indymedia: Todays demo at Harmondsworth Detention Centre
The Observer: Asylum riot firm hit by £5 million penalty
Charities call for access to medicines for HIV-positive asylum-seekers
On World Aids Day Crusaid issued a report that called for action to enable HIV-positive asylum seekers to escape poverty. Refugee Council joined a number of charities accusing ministers of condemning refused HIV-positive asylum seekers to death by deporting them to countries where they cannot get access to treatment. The International Development Select Committee also released a report criticising these policies and the lack of progress made on the issue since they raised it a year ago.
Refugee Council press release: Charities call for help for asylum seekers who are HIV positive
National Aids Trust press release: Poverty an increasing problem for those living with HIV
Download Poverty and HIV: Findings from the Crusaid Hardship Fund
How it was covered by the press:
The Independent: Britain accused of sending HIV refugees to die
Communitycare.co.uk: Immigration legislation putting children living with HIV at risk
Communitycare.co.uk: MPs blast government policy on asylum seekers with HIV
New Chair of the Refugee Council's Board of Trustees announced
Refugee Council announced the appointment of Douglas Board as the new Chair of its Board of Trustees. Anna Reisenberger, acting Chief Executive at the Refugee Council said "We are delighted that Douglas is joining us in this most important of positions. He brings to the role of Chair a wealth of experience and expertise from the worlds of government, business and the charity sector. He also has a strong personal commitment to refugee issues."
Refugee Council press release: New Chair of the Refugee Council's Board of Trustees announced
New Refugee Council leaflet on domestic violence
Refugee Council published a new leaflet in twenty languages for refugees and asylum seekers on domestic violence, explaining what is considered to be domestic violence and how to get help.
Download the leaflet from the Refugee Council multilingual website
Download the leaflet from the advisers section of the general Refuge Council website
Study on rape finds two thirds of cases dismissed
A new study commissioned by the Black Women's Rape Action Project and Women Against Rape found that female asylum seekers who claim to have been raped in their own countries are unlikely to be believed in British courts. The report found that two thirds of rape claims were dismissed as fabrications by the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT).
"In our experience, most judges are dismissing women and destroying their credibility," said Cristel Amiss, of the Black Women's Rape Action Project. "All the evidence confirms our fears that women and girls are being used as a soft target to bring down the asylum figures." Towards the end of the fortnight, Asylum Aid published a report on whether the individual complaints mechanism of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women might benefit women asylum seekers in the UK.
Black Women’s Rape Action Project press release: Launch of Misjudging Rape
Download Immigration Appellate Authority's Asylum Gender Guidelines
Download Asylum Aid’s A last resort
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: ‘Everything in my life has crumbled’
Communitycare.co.uk: Raped but refused asylum
The Telegraph: Why is Tony Blair sending this gang-rape victim back to her attackers?
Changes to legal aid to go ahead
The Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer announced plans to continue the government’s controversial package of reforms to the legal aid system, which will include a move from hourly rates to fixed fees, lawyers bidding for contracts and open competition on pricing. Solicitors reacted by threatened strike action. Refugee Council has warned in the past that asylum seekers’ access to good legal advice will be curtailed under these proposals.
The Law Society's defending legal aid campaign
What Price Justice? - Defending legal aid
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: Falconer defies strike threat in legal aid shakeup
The Independent: Are we spending too much on legal aid, and do the right people benefit?
ESOL training cuts
Local refugee groups are continuing to campaign about the ESOL (English as a Second Language) cuts. On 18 October, the Learning and Skills Council announced that it will no longer fund basic ESOL (English as a Second Language) classes for asylum seekers and others. In Nottingham, the local Refugee Network organised a protest on 08 December against the ESOL cuts. As well as getting coverage in the local media, representatives of the Nottingham Refugee Network met with members of the local Learning Skills Council to express their concerns about the cuts.
Government not required to provide warm clothing
A judge ruled that the British government is not required to provide warm clothing to refused asylum seekers whilst they appeal their cases. Provision is limited to accommodation and vouchers for food and toiletries.
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: Refugees in UK not owed clothes
Support for Pakistani family
MP Gordon Prentice continued the fight to allow a Pakistani family to remain in the UK by speaking on their behalf in the House of Commons. The family, which has received widespread support from the local community, say that they face persecution if they return on grounds of their Christianity.
How it was covered by the press:
Burnley Citizen: MP speaks up for asylum family
Home Office officials visit potential immigration centre site in Norfolk
Home office officials held preliminary meetings with local officials in Norfolk to discuss plans to turn part of a former RAF base into an immigration detention centre.
How it was covered by the press:
EDP 24: Home Office officials visit jail site
EDP 24: Coltishall ayslum plans under scrutiny
Further controversy over dawn raids in Scotland
The latest in a series of dawn raids in Scotland led to a woman being charged with obstructing the course of justice by refusing to let officials into her home to search for a family from Uganda whom they were trying to deport. Two subsequent raids led to demonstrations outside a Home Office immigration centre in Glasgow.
How it was covered by the press:
The Scotsman: Woman charged over asylum family
Paih News: Yoker tenant shelters neighbour from dawn raid
BBC News: Asylum dawn raids prompts protest
Paih News: Protests at Brand Street
Ic.Scotland.co.uk: Anger over asylum seeker dawn raids
Inquest delivers suicide verdict
An inquest concluded that Sergey Baranyuk, a Ukrainian asylum seeker found hanged in a bathroom at Harmondsworth immigration detention centre in July 2004, committed suicide.
Institute of Race Relations: Sergey Baranyuk forgotten at Harmondsworth
Download Institute of Race Relations report: Driven to desperate measures
New review of evidence on successful approaches to integration
The Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS) at Oxford University made publicly available their review of successful approaches to the integration of refugees, commissioned for the Home Office in 2004.
Download Refugees and other new migrants
Destitute asylum seeker’s Advent blog
As part of its Living Ghosts campaign against destitution, Church Action on Poverty launched an Advent blog, written by Norbert, a destitute asylum seeker living in Wales. Government policy has left him homeless and penniless. He is unable to return home but not allowed to work.
Read Norbert’s blog
Find out about Refugee Council’s campaign against destitution
Amnesty International campaigners sleep rough to highlight destitution
Members of Amnesty International in Leeds slept rough on the streets to highlight conditions facing destitute asylum seekers in the city.
How it was covered by the press:
Campaigners sleep rough in city
Asylum Support Appeals Project provides free support for destitute asylum seekers
The Asylum Support Appeals Project sent a legal team to support destitute asylum seekers this week as part of its Destitution Awareness Week, which aims to highlight the plight of destitute asylum seekers.
How it was covered by the press:
Communitycare.co.uk: Charity organises free legal advice for asylum seekers
Times feature on destitution and British Red Cross
The Times ran a feature on support given to destitute asylum seekers by the British Red Cross, this year’s Time Christmas charity.
How it was covered in the press:
The Times: Small Mercies
UNHCR publishes report on NGO consultations
UNHCR published a report on its 2006 consultation with 166 national and international NGOs, UN and international organisations from 72 countries.
Download report on the Annual Consultations with non-governmental organisations
Research on compulsory dispersal
New research was published by Middlesex University on the social exclusion of asylum seekers during compulsory dispersal.
Download: the compulsory dispersal of asylum seekers and processes of social exclusion in England
Weeks 15 - 28 November
Refugees into Teaching conference
As lead partner in a project aimed at encouraging more refugees into teaching, Refugee Council attended a conference hosted by the Employability Forum. A report launched at the conference warned that schools and colleges are failing to make use of the skills of the 1,500 refugee teachers in the UK and called for better identification, skills assessment and clearer guidelines about opportunities in the education system. James Lee, a policy advisor at Refugee Council, said "Refugee teachers arrive here with qualifications, experience and a strong desire to integrate and contribute to our society. The wider experience they bring can add positive value to the education workforce and provide a bridge between refugee children, their parents and communities and the education sector.”
Find out more about the Refugees into Teaching project
Download the report: Opening Doors for Refugees Working in Education
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: Schools urged to take advantage of refugee teacher skills
BBC News: Refugee teachers 'lost in system'
Refugees into Business conference
A conference on supporting and developing refugee enterprise examined the work of the Refugee Council-led ‘Refugees into Business’ project, which provides a range of online information and support guides to help both refugees themselves and mainstream business advisers. Anna Reisenberger, acting Chief Executive of the Refugee Council said: “Too many refugees are unemployed or under-employed. Many had thriving businesses in their home countries, which they were forced to abandon when they fled. This project provides valuable resources to help refugees start up their own businesses here in the UK, which we hope will go some way to addressing the current employment issues facing refugees and help them to successfully rebuild their lives here.”
Refugee Council press release: Conference welcomes new project to get refugees into business
Guardian feature on the working lives of refugees: False starts and fresh beginnings
New Refugee Council briefing on Dublin II regulation
Refugee Council published a briefing on the impact of the Dublin II European regulation on unaccompanied children in the UK, which explains how the regulation works in practice and discusses how it could be implemented differently and more effectively.
Download Unaccompanied children and the Dublin II regulation
New Refugee Council briefing on scrutiny of fresh claims
Refugee Council published a briefing examining a Court of Appeal judgement that found that the Secretary of State had given insufficient consideration to fresh evidence provided as new claims by previously rejected asylum applicants and ordered that the cases be reconsidered.
Download Court of Appeal case on the scrutiny of fresh asylum claims (WM (DRC) v SSHD)
Concerns over new proposals on separated asylum-seeking children
Concerns were expressed over forthcoming government proposals on the treatment of separated asylum-seeking children, which were criticised as being grounded in the assumption that the majority of such children are economic migrants. Judith Dennis, Refugee Council’s policy adviser for unaccompanied children said "The speed and the adversarial manner in which asylum decisions are conducted implies that if someone doesn't say everything at the first interview, they must be lying.”
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: A lapse of humanity
The Observer: Home Office to clamp down on teenage asylum seekers
Communitycare.org.uk: Warning over worse fostering support for asylum-seeking children
Queen’s speech includes new Asylum and Immigration Bill
There was extensive coverage of the Queen’s Speech, in which she outlined a new Asylum and Immigration Bill. See our Political Review for more details.
How it was covered by the press:
The Independent: Queen's Speech: What was said, and what was left out
BBC News: Reid outlines immigration plans
New asylum figures published
The Home Office published its latest quarterly asylum statistics, covering July to September 2006. See our Political Review for more details.
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: Failed asylum seekers' expulsions down 25%
The Times: Home Office failing to meet pledge on asylum-seekers
BBC News: Failed asylum removals decrease
Politics.co.uk: Govt misses asylum deportation target
Emma Thompson talks about ‘adopted’ refugee son
Refugee Council Patron Emma Thompson talked to the Telegraph about the achievements of her unofficially adopted son, a refugee from Rwanda who she met at a Refugee Council party in London.
How it was covered by the press:
The Telegraph: He’s family. He calls me Mum
UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group appointed observer to the Advisory Panel on Country Information
The UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group was appointed observer to the Advisory Panel on Country Information (APCI), giving it the opportunity to provide information on the human rights abuses of sexual minorities into country reports used by the APCI to make recommendations to the Home Secretary.
How it was covered by the press:
Pinknews.co.uk: Home Office listening to lesbians & gays
Inquest delivers suicide verdict
An inquest concluded that Taufik Al-Karazeh, a Syrian asylum seeker facing voluntary deportation who was found hanged in his flat on the day that he was supposed to leave it, committed suicide.
How it was covered by the press:
Rochdale Observer: Asylum seeker’s suicide tragedy
Plans for new immigration detention centre in Norfolk
The revelation that an RAF base in Norfolk is being considered as a potential immigration detention and removal centre provoked controversy amongst local residents.
How it was covered by the press:
BBC News: Immigrant centre plan at RAF base
BBC News: Immigration centre plan discussed
EDP 24: Anger grows over asylum jail plan
EDP 24: Detention centre opponents urged to speak out
EDP 24: Asylum centre ready by summer
Teenage asylum seekers stabbed
Two teenage asylum seekers were stabbed while trying to help an Afghan boy who was being beaten up by a gang of youths in a suspected racial attack outside a school in Scotland. Two teenage boys were subsequently arrested.
The Scotsman: Two teenage asylum seekers stabbed trying to help boy
IC Scotland.co.uk: Stabbing victim 'will leave school'
BBC News: Two boys arrested over stabbings
New collection of testimonies from detainees
Barbed Wire Britain, the network to end refugee and migrant detention, published its second collection of testimonies from detainees in UK and Australian detention centres.
Barbed Wire Britain website
Order a copy of Voices from Detention II from Barbed Wire Britain Network
How it was covered by the press:
Institute of Race Relations: Voices from detention
Report evaluating European Refugee Fund and Challenge Fund
The Home Office published a study evaluating the services of the European Refugee Fund and Challenge Fund, presenting refugees’ experiences of these projects and their impact on users’ lives.
Download Evaluating ERF and Challenge Fund Services report
Report of conference on refugee integration
The National Refugee Integration Forum published a report of a two-day conference held in June that aimed to address some of the key issues around refugee integration.
Download 2006 UK National Integration Conference: Belonging
New information on access to funding
The Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Consortium for Asylum Seekers and Refugees published the December edition of its funding bulletin for refugee and asylum related projects.
Download the bulletin
Refugee All Stars to start second US tour
The Independent published a feature on the Refugee All Stars, a Sierra Leonean band formed in the 1990s in a refugee camp in southern Guinea and now which is about to start a second US tour and features in an award-winning documentary film.
Independent feature: Refugee All Stars: We are still undefeated
Refugee rights
A number of stories from around the country touched upon issues concerning refugee rights.
Leeds Today: Young refugees with stories to tell
icLanarkshire.co.uk: Out of Africa
icLanarkshire.co.uk: Is Monklands ready to house dozens of African refugees?
Tameside Advertiser: Refugees moved from Hartshead
Swindon Advertiser: This will leave us on the streets
This is Essex: Council digs deep to pay for refugees
icLiverpool.co.uk: Ordeal over for family in deportation battle
Bolton News: New appeal brings hope for Sukulas
Your local guardian.co.uk: Immigration fraudster jailed
The Huddersfield Daily Examiner: 7,500 asylum seekers in state housing
This is Local London: Paying for asylum
Weeks 31 October - 14 November
Refugee Council launches Just.Fair campaign
The highlight of the fortnight was the launch of Refugee Council’s Just.Fair campaign on destitution and access to healthcare for refugees and asylum seekers.
Refugee Council’s stance on destitution was echoed the following week with the launch of two reports from Amnesty and Refugee Action which said that the government’s policy of using destitution to drive refused asylum-seekers out of the country is forcing thousands into abject poverty.
Refugee Council's Just.Fair campaign
Refugee Council press release: Health system is failing asylum seekers, says Refugee Council
Refugee Council press release: Pensioner denied eye operation joins "growing list of most vulnerable denied help"
Refugee Council press release: New reports on destitution highlight “government inhumane policy”
Letter to the Guardian from 10 agencies: Asylum seekers have a right to secure lives
Refugee Council report: First do no harm: denying healthcare to people whose asylum claims have failed
Conference details, speakers and agenda: Safe from harm? Health and social care for vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers
Amnesty report: Down and Out in London
Refugee Action report: The Destitution Trap
How it was covered by the press:
Politics.co.uk: Refugee Council: Govt policy is inhumane
The Guardian: Failed asylum seekers forced to sleep rough, says report
The Scotsman: Failed asylum seekers forced into poverty says charities
Ekklesia.co.uk: Church support for report condemning government policy on asylum
The Guardian (letters): Don't leave asylum seekers destitute
Court of Appeal decision on new evidence
A judgement by the Court of Appeal clarified the legal position on what should count as a fresh application for asylum. If a refused asylum seeker presents new evidence to the Home Office that would lead to a reasonable prospect of succeeding in an appeal before an immigration judge, the Home Office must "record a fresh claim for asylum". This means that the applicant can receive welfare support while the claim is being dealt with, and also may appeal to an immigration judge if the Home Secretary goes on to refuse the fresh claim after fully considering it.
Press release from Hammersmith & Fulham Community Law Centre:
Victory in Court of Appeal gives fresh hope to asylum applicants with new evidence.
Refugee Council briefing on passport offences
Refugee Council published a briefing on the recent ruling that asylum seekers convicted of arriving in the UK without a valid passport establishing their identity and nationality can appeal against their sentence.
Download Possible right of appeal for convictions for failure to produce documents under Section 2 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 2004
ECRE launches Refugee Voices website
The European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) launched Refugee Voices, a new section of its website telling the stories of refugees and asylum seekers in 12 European countries, including the UK
Refugee Voices
New report on separated children
A new report was launched on the treatment of separated children seeking asylum within the UK, part of a larger study on Australia and the US on whether asylum processes assist or hinder children’s pursuit of protection and comply with regional and international human rights standards.
Garden Court Chambers press release: ‘Seeking Asylum Alone report launch’
Download report: Seeking Asylum Alone
Seven-year old girl deported to Kenya
Campaigners and refugee support groups expressed outrage at the Home Office forcibly returning a seven year old girl to Kenya.
How it was covered by the press:
Indymedia: Outrage as Home Office deport 7yr old despite knowing her mother was in the UK
New study on the effect of the media on perceptions of asylum seekers
A report published by the Economic and Social Research Council showed how perceptions of asylum seekers are adversely affected by negative coverage in the media. The study also said that the reverse was not true, with positive newspaper articles not improving people's views toward asylum seekers.
Download Effects of the media priming asylum-seeker stereotypes on thoughts and behaviour
Refugee Council campaign: Don’t Believe the Type
How it was covered by the press:
Viewlondon.co.uk: Media 'harming asylum seeker perception'
Debate continues over proposed cuts in legal aid
There was continued controversy over the proposed cuts in legal aid announced in mid-October, the Department for Constitutional Affairs receiving over 2,500 responses to its consultation paper.The Law Society wrote to the Lord Chancellor setting out a formula to make the reforms work.
Law Society: Defending legal aid
Refugee Council’s response to 'Legal Aid: a sustainable future' - a consultation paper from the Department of Constitutional Affairs and the Legal Services Commission
How it was covered by the press:
Law Gazette: Knockout punch?
BBC: Solicitors 'deserting' legal aid
Support for Pakistani family
There was widespread coverage of a Pakistani family facing deportation who said that they would be killed if they returned to their country. The Karim family received support from hundreds of people in their Lancashire community and their MP.
How it was covered by the press:
Lancashire Telegraph: ‘You will send us to our deaths’
Burnley Citizen: Family takes to the streets in asylum bid
BBC: Asylum family missing from home
Scottish church delegation meets with Minister for Immigration
Following the recent controversy over removals, deportations and ‘dawn raids', representatives of Scotland's main churches met with Minister for Immigration Liam Byrne to press for a review of current policy on asylum and immigration.
How it was covered by the press:
Christian Today: Scottish church delegation meets with Minister for Immigration
Inquest delivers suicide verdict
An inquest concluded that Abiy Fessfha Abebe, an Ethiopian asylum seeker who was found hanged at an accommodation centre in July was likely to have ‘died by his own hand’. His claim had been dealt with and rejected in just 14 days under the New Asylum Model (NAM) fast-track system. Refugee Council had previously expressed concern that NAM does not allow enough time for people to seek legal advice and adequately prepare their claim.
Refugee Council briefing: Overview and implications of the Government's new asylum model (August 2006)
How it was covered by the press:
IRR: Abiy Fessfha Abebe: 'I can't go back. I rather die'
Increase in council funding for asylum seekers
Local councils in London were given an additional £11.6milion from the Home Office in order to continue providing services to asylum seekers. Many councils had experienced a shortfall in 2005-6.
How it was covered by the press:
BBC: Funding boost for asylum seekers
Communitycare.co.uk: London councils get more money to meet costs of asylum
New website for African refugees
A new website was launched by the Peterborough African Refugee Community Organisation (PARCA) to provide information to African refugee families in the city.
PARCA website
How it was covered by the press:
Peterborough Now: Website launched to reach more African refugees
Refugee rights
A number of stories from around the country touched upon issues concerning refugee rights.
The Burnley Citizen: Family takes to the streets in asylum bid
BBC News: Asylum seekers have visited schools in Leeds to tell their stories to youngsters
Portsmouth Today: Refugees can't stay - and can't go home
IC Coventry.co.uk: Ilengela faces deportation tomorrow
IC Coventry.co.uk: Asylum seeker wins £300 a week payout
The Glasgow Herald: Council set to house Congo war refugees
Weeks 18 - 30 October
The fortnight started with some good news as a woman who was a former child refugee winning 'Woman of the year' award for her work with disadvantaged youngsters and another woman who is a doctor in Solihull, won an award for dedicating her life to fighting for better conditions for refugees.
How it was covered by the press:
BBC: Angel of Peckham's gift of giving
IC Solihull: Caring doc is Woman of the Year
Kurdish teenager’s fight for justice inspire radio play
A new play was broadcast on Radio 4 on 27 October, inspired by the experiences of a Kurdish asylum seeker who, while still a teenager, became her family’s spokeswoman, challenging the Scottish legal system over deportation threats and appealing to the House Of Lords. The family’s incarceration in a detention centre became the focus of a widespread campaign but the family was deported to Germany, where they have been granted indefinite leave to remain.
How it was covered by the press:
The Times: A family scarred by Dungavel
See Refugee Council’s campaign again detaining children: No Place for a Child
Lord Chief Justice rules in favour of asylum seekers convicted of passport offences
Asylum seekers who have been convicted of arriving in the UK without a valid passport establishing their identity and nationality can appeal against their sentence following a ruling by the Lord Chief Justice.
See:
Medical foundation: Lord Chief Justice Rules In Favour of Asylum Seekers Convicted of Passport Offences
ILPA: Ruling could lead to the overturning of convictions of 100’s of asylum seekers (Word doc)
Asylum granted to woman in fear of circumcision
A woman who feared she would be subjected to female circumcision if she was returned to Sierra Leone had her asylum appeal upheld by the law lords yesterday. This overturns a previous court of appeal judgement. It was a unanimous judgement by the Lords.
Read: judgment on the case
How it was covered by the press:
Guardian: Lords grant asylum to woman in fear of circumcision
BBC: Asylum for circumcision-fear teen
See also: IRR: Two landmark asylum judgements
ESOL training cuts
On Oct 18th the Learning and Skills Council announced that it will no longer fund basic ESOL (English as a Second Language) classes for asylum seekers and others. The announcement said that “From 2007/08 ESOL learning will no longer attract automatic fee remission. To bring FE funding in line with other Government departments, asylum seekers will no longer be automatically eligible for publicly funded FE provision from 2007/08 (except those granted refugee status, humanitarian protection or discretionary leave by the Government).”
Our press release: Refugee Council response to ESOL funding cuts
Learning and skills council: Press release
Report of the NIACE-led Committee of Inquiry on ESOL: More than a language Guardian: Too expensive in any language
University and College Union: Charging fees for English courses will not help integration
Jane Ward, the Niace north-west regional development officer and professional advisor to the Esol committee of inquiry, also wrote an opnion piece for the Guardian.
Guardian: Building barriers
Belonging: Voices of London's Refugees
An exhibition, Belonging: Voices of London's Refugees, opened this week at the Museum of London, which explores the experiences of recent refugees in the capital. The exhibition runs from October 27- February 25. Tours led by members of refugee communities will be offered in 15 languages.
Details: Museum of London
How it was covered by the press:
Guardian: Refugees exhibit their capital gains
Reuters: Refugees tell poignant tales of life in Britain
Asylum issues in Scotland
In Scotland there has been much discussion over removals, deportations and the so-called ‘dawn raids, as the Scottish Parliament and Home Office discuss “how we carry out our operational activity, including engagement with ‘lead professionals’ in cases involving children.” The Scottish Parliament could soon be given devolved powers to deal with asylum seekers under new proposals aimed at reforming the immigration system.
The Scotsman: Scotland set to get more control over asylum seekers Guardian: Teachers and GPs to intervene over deportations
Home Office press release: Home Office Minister Visits Scotland
The Herald: 1000 failed asylum families face being deported
Scotsman: Teams given new powers to cut dawn raids
Scotsman: Anger at dawn raids forces rethink on asylum
Evening Times: Glasgow to deal with new asylum bids
BBC: Minister confirms asylum reform
Consultation - A new model for national refugee integration services in England
The Home Office is holding a consultation “to develop the content and contractual arrangements for a standard set of services for the integration of refugees in England.” All responses to the consultation are to given by 18 December 2006.
For more information see:
Home Office consultation paper: A New Model for National Refugee Integration Services in England (available in PDF format)
Briefing on detained fast track
Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID) have produced an information sheet on ‘Detained fast tracking of asylum claims’
See: BID briefing (word doc)
Groundbreaking project for women asylum seekers wins prestigious award
The Refugee Women’s Resource Project at Asylum Aid has been awarded the 2006 Emma Humphreys Memorial Prize Group Award, in recognition of its groundbreaking work supporting women seeking protection in the UK from violence and persecution abroad. The annual awards are made to women and groups who have done exceptional work to combat violence against women and children, and have raised awareness of this issue through writing, campaigning or activism.
See also: Refugee Women’s Resource Project
Weeks 4 - 17 October
Yarl’s Wood failing to provide adequate healthcare, report finds
A report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons released at the beginning of the fortnight strongly criticised the inadequate provision of healthcare at the Yarl’s Wood detention centre and raised concerns about the medical impact that detention might have on detainees. Anna Reisenberger, Refugee Council’s acting Chief Executive said “We have serious misgivings about the failure of detention centres to meet the healthcare needs of detainees. We are particularly concerned about the levels of self-harm, as evidenced by several recent inquests into deaths in detention.” Subsequent to the report’s publication, a number of claims were made regarding physical assault on detained immigrants by staff at privately-run detention centres.
Download the report: Inquiry into the quality of healthcare at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre
Refugee Council press release: Yarl's Wood is failing in the provision of healthcare, report finds
How it was covered by the press:
Financial Times: Healthcare at asylum centre attacked
The Guardian: Officials wrong to lock up torture victims, report says
BBC News: Detained immigrants ‘are abused’
Proposed cuts in legal aid threaten right to fair hearing
The Refugee Council warned that asylum seekers’ access to good legal advice would be curtailed under government proposals on legal aid. Responding to a Guardian feature, acting Chief Executive Anna Reisenberger said that “The proposals mean significant reductions in the time legal representatives will be able to spend with clients, which will make it even less likely that an asylum-seeker will get a fair hearing.” Following objections from the Law Society, the Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer said that he recognised that the proposals required “a very substantial rethink”.
Download Refugee Council’s response to 'Legal Aid: a sustainable future' - a consultation paper from the Department of Constitutional Affairs and theLegal Services Commission
Read Anna Reisenberger's letter to the Guardian: Cuts threaten fair hearing
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: It is worth fighting to save the least loved branch of the welfare state
Communitycare.co.uk: Proposals may cut access to legal aid
Congolese refugee murdered in Hackney
There was widespread coverage of the murder of Steven Nyembo-Ya-Muteba, a Congolese refugee living in Hackney, who was stabbed to death after he asked a group of youths to be quiet.
How it was covered by the press:
The Independent: Escape from war to a senseless death in Britain
The Telegraph: I want daddy back, says victim's girl
Crisis in English language provision, says report
In the wake of Chancellor Gordon Brown’s comments at the Labour party conference that immigrants should learn English language skills, a new report from the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (Niace) said that the system was underfunded and overstretched, and failing to match the needs of learners. Anna Reisenberger, Refugee Council’s acting Chief Executive, said that the state of language provision “seems to contradict the government’s integration agenda” and that providing English language classes is “an essential part of helping people to settle here, find work and rebuild their lives.”
NIACE press release: English language provision gives ‘serious cause for concern’
Download the Final report of the NIACE Committee of Inquiry on English for Speakers of other Languages
Find out about Refugee Council’s English language training for refugees
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: Lost in translation
BBC News: Language courses 'overwhelmed'
Controversy over dawn raids in Glasgow
A spate of early-morning raids and detentions of families in Glasgow ignited protests and political debate. First Minister Jack McConnell voiced concerns to Home Secretary John Reid, particularly with regard to the impact on the children of families involved and the breakdown of a protocol agreed between the governments north and south of the border. Scottish ministers were put under pressure to explain why the agreement had not been adhered to.
How it was covered by the press:
BBC News: Concerns voiced over dawn raids
Daily Record: Raid on failed asylum seeker sparks riot
The Scotsman: Tears, anger, threatened suicide - another dawn raid
The Herald: McConnell in talks on dawn raids
The Herald: Refugees unite to fight back against removals
Refugee Council event at Tory conference
Photographs of the Refugee Council fringe event at the Conservative party conference were featured on the BBC News website, with the caption “I attended a meeting with the shadow immigration minister and the Refugee Council. It was nice to see people who genuinely care about the most vulnerable in society.”
See the images on the BBC News website
500 march against migration controls
Over 500 people marched in London on 7th October as part of the third Transnational Day of Action Against Migration Controls to "defend the rights of migrants and freedom of movement" and to "protest against deportation and border controls."
See photographs of the march on Indymedia
See an overview of action on the day on Indymedia
Updated UNHCR positions
UNHCR published three new positions:
International protection needs of asylum-seekers from Cote d’Ivoire
An update to UNHCR’s January 2004 position on the international protection needs of asylum-seekers from Cote d’Ivoire.
Download Update on International Protection Needs of Asylum-Seekers From Côte d'Ivoire
Operational guidelines for refugee camps
Operational guidelines on ensuring the safety of refugee camps and settlements and maintaining their civilian and humanitarian character.
Download Operational Guidelines on Maintaining the Civilian and Humanitarian Character of Asylum
Implementing the ten-point plan of action in southern Europe
An overview of the main activities of UNHCR and partner responses regarding the implementation of UNHCR's Ten Point Plan for Addressing Mixed Migratory Movements on the European side of the Mediterranean Sea.
See UNHCR's webpage relating to refugee protection and international migration
Download Implementing the Ten-Point Plan of Action in Southern Europe: Activities Undertaken by UNHCR to Address Mixed Migration in the Context of the Mediterranean/Atlantic Arrivals
UNHCR urges highest asylum standards as EU directive takes effect
As EU standards for granting refugee status took effect, UNHCR urged member states to "live up to their legal and moral obligation to protect refugees and asylum seekers by maintaining the highest possible asylum standards."
UNHCR press release: UNHCR urges highest asylum standards as EU directive takes effect
Download ECRE Information Note on the Council Directive 2005/85/EC of 1 December 2005 on minimum standards on procedures in Member States for granting and withdrawing refugee status
UNHCR warns of increase in refugees from Iraq
UNHCR expressed concern over the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Iraq, saying that thousands of Iraqis are fleeing the country every day in a “steady, silent exodus” and that thousands more are internally displaced.
UNHCR press release: UNHCR worried about effect of dire security situation on Iraq’s displaced
How it was covered by the press:
BBC News:Iraqis 'fleeing rising violence'
Judge criticises detention procedures
An immigration judge called for an urgent review of detention procedures after expressing his “revulsion” at the way that a Chilean refugee facing deportation was treated by the Home Office.
How it was covered by the press:
The Independent: Clarke under pressure for treatment of Chilean refugee
The Herald: Refugee’s treatment ‘revolts’ judge
New information on access to funding
The Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Consortium for Asylum Seekers and Refugees published the October edition of its funding bulletin for refugee and asylum related projects.
Download the bulletin
Green Paper on children in care
The government began consultations on a Green Paper setting out a package of proposals on children in care, including special foster placements for asylum-seeking children.
See the DFES website for an e-consultation on Care Matters
How it was covered by the press:
www.communitycare.co.uk: Home Office has 'not considered plans for funding asylum seeking children over 18'
Refugee rights
A number of stories from around the country touched upon issues concerning refugee rights.
This is Lancashire: Drop in number of asylum seekers
EDP24: Congo refugees may find sanctuary
Oldham Evening Chronicle: Take a refugee under your wing
BBC News Wales: Asylum family ‘racist city’ claim
Hastings Today: Six months’ reprieve for deportation fear father
Berkshire.co.uk: Asylum seekers sleeping rough
Weeks 19 September - 3 October
Inquest decides that asylum seeker killed himself so that son could stay in UK
At the beginning of the fortnight an inquest jury decided that Angolan asylum seeker Manuel Bravo killed himself after being detained so that his son would be able to stay in the UK.
Refugee Council press release: Asylum seeker kills himself for son, inquest decides
How it was covered by the press:
BBC: Hanged detainee aimed to save son
The Times: Asylum seeker ‘hanged himself to keep son in Britain’
The Independent: Asylum-seeker killed himself so son could stay
Leeds Today: Candle-lit vigil for asylum seeker
Catholic asylum seekers seek refuge in church
There was widespread coverage of the story of two refused asylum seekers who sought refuge in a Catholic church after receiving a deportation order, saying that they would face persecution if they returned to Pakistan because of their Catholicism.
How it was covered by the press:
BBC News: Asylum seekers shelter in church
The Scotsman: MP backs Catholic Asians seeking asylum
The Sunday Herald: Desperate asylum seekers go on the run to escape fast-track removals
Indymedia: "Voluntary removal notices": The new dawn raids?
Dawn raid provokes calls for changes in policy
The case of a dawn deportation raid on an Algerian family in Glasgow and the subsequent detention of a mother and two children in poor health provoked discussion in relation to a protocol agreed six months ago between the UK and Scottish governments over the removal of refused asylum seekers.
How it was covered by the press:
BBC News: Dawn raid fuels rule change plea
The Scotsman: Health fears for children held after asylum family raid
BBC News: Asylum protocol ignored – claim
The Herald: Deportation shame goes on
BBC News: Judge hands Benai family reprieve
Gateway Protection Programme in Channel 4 news feature
Channel 4 news featured a group of Congolese refugees who came to the UK six months ago as part of the government’s Gateway Protection Programme to resettle 500 refugees a year in the UK. Refugee Council worker Elvis Nduhukire, who works as part of the Gateway team in Hull is shown in the film giving advice.
Watch the programme on the Channel 4 website: Finding refuge in Britain
Mayor launches 'Reporting Asylum - the London Press Awards'
London mayor Ken Livingstone launched the second ‘Reporting Asylum – The London Press Awards’. Nancy Kelley, Head of Refugee Council’s International and UK Policy Section is on the judging panel for the awards, which recognise excellence in London’s newspapers for fair and balanced coverage of refugee and asylum seeker issues and will be judged in December.
More information and nomination forms for Reporting Asylum - the London Press Awards
Church calls for end to destitution as a “tool of public policy”
Church campaigners at the Labour Party Conference called on Immigration Minister Liam Byrne to end Home Office policies that make asylum seekers destitute. Church Action on Poverty's National Coordinator Niall Cooper told the minister that there was a new underclass of asylum seekers who are denied any state support whilst also prevented from working and that destitution “continues to be a tool of public policy.”
How it was covered by the press:
Ekklesia: Labour minister tackled over ‘new underclass’
Launch of scheme to fund refugee academics
The Council for Assisting Refugee Academics (Cara) launched the Pathfinder University Grants Scheme, aimed at helping universities assist refugee scholars to restart their academic careers. Ten grants will be awarded in 2006-7 and the deadline for applications from universities is October 2006.
For more information on applications, see the Cara website
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: Academic asylum: funds to get refugee academics back on track
Call for inquiry into suicide of destitute Azerbaijani asylum seeker
Scottish politicians called for an inquiry into the suicide of a refused Azerbaijani asylum seeker with paranoid schizophrenia who was left destitute and given no medical care for a year before she took her own life.
How it was covered by the press:
The Herald: Mentally ill asylum seeker left destitute leaps to her death
High Commissioner outlines challenges facing UNHCR and NGOs
High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres spoke to UNHCR’s non-governmental partners about the challenges faced by the refugee agency. He also stressed the need for a strong alliance between NGOs and UNHCR, outlining areas in which they could work together more closely.
UNHCR press release: Guterres outlines challenges facing UNHCR as annual board meeting starts
A number of new reports were published:
Scottish Refugee Council report on destitution
The Scottish Refugee Council published a survey of the experiences and circumstances of destitute asylum seekers and refugees. The majority of them had been refused asylum status and were at the end of the process. Over half of the people surveyed had not applied for Section 4 support, either because they were unwilling to sign up to the conditions or because they did not meet the criteria.
Download the report: They think we are nothing: a survey of destitute asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland
See Refugee Council’s campaign against destitution
Refugee Council 2005 UK country report for European Council on Refugee and Exiles
The European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) published its annual country reports for 2005, providing information on major policy and legal developments plus statistics on asylum applications in 27 states. The UK report was written by Refugee Council, with the assistance of the Refugee Legal Centre and the Scottish Refugee Council.
Download the report: UK country report for 2005 for European Council on Refugee and Exiles
Visit the ECRE website
Refugee Council submission on inquiry into the treatment of asylum seekers
Refugee Council published its submission to the Joint Committee on Human Rights’ inquiry into the treatment of asylum seekers, focusing on the human rights of children and young people seeking asylum in the UK and the experience of asylum seekers with healthcare needs.
Download the report: Refugee Council submission: Joint Committee on Human Rights’ inquiry into the treatment of asylum seekers
Refugee Council submission on inquiry on EU issues
Refugee Council, Scottish Refugee Council and Welsh Refugee Council made a joint submission to the House of Commons’ inquiry into current issues relating to justice and home affairs at the EU level, including the development of a common European asylum system and EU border control and migration management issues.
Download Joint Refugee Council, Scottish Refugee Council and Welsh Refugee Council submission: House of Commons Home Affairs Committee inquiry on EU issues
Overall asylum applications fall while Iraqi asylum claims rise by 50%, says UNHCR report
UNHCR’s latest statistical report found that the downward trend in asylum applications in most industrialised countries continues but that the number of Iraqi asylum seekers arriving in industrialised countries rose last year by 50%.
Download Asylum levels and trends in industrialized countries
Weeks 5 - 18 September
New Refugee Council website launched
Refugee Council launched its new website at the beginning of the fortnight. The updated site's new features include how we help, which gives details of the Refugee Council’s work, a multilingual microsite to help refugees and asylum seekers to access client information leaflets in their own languages; a policy and research section, which contains policy position papers, policy responses and briefings and a section on practice, which brings together all Refugee Council's practical guides and information leaflets.
There are also new getting involved and support our work sections for those with a more active interest in Refugee Council's work and a fortnightly political review
Forcible removal of Iraqis
The main news story this fortnight concerned the forcible removal of thirty-two Iraqis and concerns about their safety upon return. Prior to their deportation, Home Secretary John Reid had already stated that he would ignore any applications for judicial review and only those whose applications had been accepted by the courts would be removed from the flight. Although five injunctions were granted, following intervention by the Refugee Legal Centre, another five people were put on the flight.
Refugee Council news story: 32 Iraqis forcibly removed despite fears of persecution
Refugee Council press release: Forced removal of Iraqi Kurds expected to begin today
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: Home Office makes sure asylum flight to Iraq is full
The Independent: Deported refugees fearful of persecution on their return
The Times: Legal challenge blocks Iraqis' deportation
Institute for Race Relations (IRR): Iraqi Kurdish asylum seekers recount enforced removal
14,000 campaigners say no to the detention of children
The No Place for a Child campaign, run by Refugee Council, Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID) and Save the Children delivered 14,000 postcards to the Home Office calling for the immediate end to the detention of children.
Refugee Council press release: 14,000 campaigners say NO to the detention of children
No Place for a Child campaign website
Demonstration against Zimbabwe deportations
Refugee Council supported a demonstration in Leeds calling for an end to the detention and deportation of unsuccessful Zimbabwean asylum seekers, in response to the recent legal ruling that ended the halt on returning asylum seekers to Zimbabwe that had been in place since October 2005.
Refugee Council press release: Refugee Council backs Zimbabwe demonstration in Leeds
New website for writing by survivors of torture and asylum seekers
A new website was launched, featuring the writing of torture survivors who have taken part in the Write to Life project, a writing therapy group organised by the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture. The site was set up to give torture survivors a voice and create an antidote to negative coverage of asylum seekers in the media.
The Write to Life project
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: Taking control of the ghosts
Sudanese refugee becomes one of world’s highest paid sportsmen
A former refugee from Sudan became one of the highest paid sportsmen in the world when he signed a £41.6 million deal with the Chicago Bulls basketball team.
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: The tall guy
New research on refugee rights and responsibilities
ICAR, the information centre about asylum and refugees in the UK, launched a new research project that will look at how the particular experiences and legal status of refugees affects their own understanding and perception of their rights and responsibilities in the UK.
ICAR website
Congolese asylum seeker hangs himself
A Congolese asylum seeker was found hanged after his application for asylum was denied and NASS support stopped. Supporters are now raising funds to return his body to the Democratic Republic of Congo and have drawn attention to the impact of Home Office decisions on asylum seekers.
How it was covered by the press:
Smartgroups.com: Asylum seeker hanged himself
Campaign to support Congolese family
The West Midlands Anti-Deportation Campaigns (WMADC) launched a petition to support a Congolese family that was held in Yarl’s Wood detention centre for two months and almost deported three times, then released suddenly without being told why. Although the family is still required to report to an immigration centre on a weekly basis, NASS financial support and accommodation has been withdrawn and they are currently living in emergency accommodation provided by the Refugee Council.
How it was reported by the press:
Indymedia: Bikounga family must stay
Oh My News International: Children Damaged by a Life in Detention
HIV-positive South Africans seek asylum in Canada
Over 130 HIV-positive women from South Africa sought asylum in Canada after attending an UN Aids conference in Toronto. The women say that they cannot get adequate treatment in their home country and face stigma and discrimination because of their government’s reluctance to tackle the issue.
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: HIV-positive South Africans seek asylum in Canada
Refugee rights
A number of stories from around the country touched upon issues concerning refugee rights.
The Swindon Advertiser: Child refugee numbers soar
Peterborough Today: Leonie's proud to help people
This is Derbyshire: Ex-asylum seeker honoured
Ham & High: Asylum seeker sat on Heathrow runway to stay in the country
Ham & High: Afshin petition wins Home Office promise
Weeks 21 August - 4 September
Issues concerning migrants dominated the news this fortnight, following calls from senior ministers to restrict the rights of Bulgarians and Romanians to work in the UK when their countries join the EU next year, and the publication of Home Office figures showing that the government severely underestimated the number of Eastern Europeans likely to come to the UK following the EU accession of eight ex-Soviet states in 2004 (around 600,000 people rather than the expected 15,000).
Although asylum-seekers and refugees were not the specific focus for debate, the story led to a wider-ranging discussion on immigration and the economic role of immigrants in the UK. Both The Guardian and The Independent published special reports on the issue. Figures published by the Office for National Statistics at the end of last week, showing that the UK’s population is over 60 million for the first time added further fuel to the debate.
The Independent special report: Immigrant nation
The Guardian special report: Immigration, asylum and refugees
Home Office figures
How it was covered by the press:
The Times: New EU workers face job curbs
BBC: 'Nearly 600,000' new EU migrants
2005 children in detention figures
Another statistic in the Home Office figures was that at least 80 asylum seeking children were detained for up to two months in 2005. Thirty of them were aged under five.
Read Home Office Asylum Statistics 2005
Visit the No Place for a Child campaign website
How it was covered by the press:
Communitycare.co.uk: 80 asylum-seeking children detained for up to two months in 2005
Rise in unaccompanied asylum seeking children
The recently published asylum statistics from the Home Office also showed a large rise in the number of unaccompanied children arriving from Afghanistan and Iran, many of whose cases are disputed by the Home Office. Judith Dennis, policy adviser for unaccompanied children at the Refugee Council said that recognising the harm that disbelief can cause is vital if trust is to be rebuilt. “These children are required to say what’s happened to them right from the start. When they are not believed, they feel betrayed. A traumatised child is unlikely to open up and tell their story straight away. That is extremely well established in social care. But it has not been translated into the asylum process. It is something that we need to see happen.”
Read Home Office Asylum Statistics 2005
How it was covered by the press:
Communitycare.co.uk: Unaccompanied asylum seeking children from Afghanistan and Iran
RLC to appeal against Zimbabwe ruling
The Refugee Legal Centre filed papers with the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal, seeking permission to appeal against its recent ruling to allow government to resume deporting Zimbabwean asylum seekers whose asylum claim has been turned down. A petition was then presented by a number of rejected Zimbabwean asylum seekers to the Conservative Party Chairman, Francis Maude, seeking support.
How it was covered by the press:
Zimbabwejournalists.com: Legal Council seeks court permission to appeal asylum ruling
Zimbabwejournalists.com: Failed asylum seekers ask Tories for help
Profile of asylum seeker
The Guardian ran a follow-up feature on Mary, a Ugandan refugee and her young daughter, seeking asylum after experiencing horrific torture. Their final appeals, based on fresh evidence about human rights atrocities have been refused. The feature questioned the Home Office’s assertion that no evidence had been produced to prove that Mary and her daughter did not face imminent risk if they were returned to Uganda and condemned the current lack of confidence in expert witnesses and confusion over the difference between immigrants and asylum seekers.
Read the feature: The end of all hope
Algerian terror suspect deported
Human rights organisations condemned a special ruling by immigration judges that a terror suspect could be sent back to Algeria despite fears that he risks torture or ill-treatment. The ruling could mean that a further 15 Algerian terror suspects may also be deported.
How it was covered by the press:
The Guardian: Row as judges back Blair in key terror case
The Independent: Jurors attack deportation of cleared 'ricin plot' suspect
NHS controversy
A number of lawyers, doctors and NHS trusts said that the system to ensure that illegal immigrants do not receive free NHS care is unworkable, partly because it is so complex.
How it was reported by the press:
BBC: NHS 'in illegal immigrants mess'
Daily Mail: Continue funding failed asylum seekers, trust told
A-level and GCSE results
A number of success stories on academic achievements by refugees and asylum seekers featured in the press, including one about a student from the Democratic Republic of Congo who received three A grade A-levels but faces the threat of deportation.
How it was covered by the press:
The Independent: Christian Bola, 18: Star pupil still faces deportation to Congo
The Enfield Independent: Star student facing deportation
The Hillingdon Times: Asylum seeker who fled for her life celebrates GCSE achievement
Chartered Institute of Housing urges government to end policies leading to destitution
In a submission to the Joint Committee on Human Rights into the treatment of asylum seekers, the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) highlighted the need to end policies that lead to withdrawal of accommodation and financial support for asylum seekers and ultimately to destitution. It expressed concern that a growing number of asylum seekers are forced to leave accommodation, are rejected for financial support and are unable to access legal advice, thus becoming destitute.
Read CIH press release: CIH urges government to end policies that can make asylum seekers destitute
See the CIH 2005 Good practice guide to housing and support services for asylum seekers and Refugees
