- Advocacy and campaigning Initiatives
Lift the Ban
We’ve been working with expert by experience campaigners to develop ideas for a big campaign “moment” in the New Year, which will take our important call for the right to work to decision makers and the public, generating powerful, thought-provoking content that can be shared by many online.
A huge thank you to everyone who has taken part so far, sharing brilliant ideas and messages. From your comments and thoughts, two key themes have emerged for the campaign moment:
- Putting the government in our shoes
- Showing the government the huge, life-changing positives that would come from lifting the ban
We would love to hear from even more of our community as we think about what a final campaign moment/stunt could look like, before we pull together 2-3 final ideas for the coalition to choose from based on your input.
If you have any ideas for this campaign moment, please don’t hesitate to share them with me!
Communities Not Camps
This week the last residents of the Bibby Stockholm are leaving the barge, marking the end of people in need of protection being placed there and a win for campaigners. Congratulations to all those who campaigned for the barge’s closure as unsuitable accommodation- and in particular, a shout out to all those within the Portland community such as the fantastic Portland Global Friendship Group who have consistently provided practical and moral support to people placed on the barge, over the last sixteen months.
Closure of hotel leaves 100s asylum seekers needing homelessness assistance
Derby Telegraph reports on the closure of the Novotel Hotel in Long Eaton which has left over 100 asylum seekers needing homelessness assistance from Erewash Borough Council.
Government being urged not to spend £170m reopening two disused immigration removal detention centres
The Labour government is moving forward with Conservative-initiated plans to refurbish the Campsfield and Haslar detention centers in Oxfordshire and Hampshire, respectively. A watchdog’s warning that millions have already been “wasted” on a similar scheme. Click here to access the full report.
Fight The Anti Refugee Laws
Shortage of legal aid lawyers could undermine Starmer’s asylum policy commitments
Experts have warned that Keir Starmer’s promise to resolve the asylum backlog is at risk due to a critical shortage of legal aid solicitors needed to handle these cases. Click here for the full article. However, The Times (paywall) reports that the Government is set to announce a major increase in legal aid funding to help clear a large backlog of asylum appeals.
New High Court judgement on Home Office delays
The High Court found the Home Office’s process for handling ‘change of conditions’ applications, which allow destitute migrants to access public funds, to be unlawful due to excessive delays in processing. Click here for the legal press release.
Starmer won’t rule out offshoring
The Labour Government is looking at Italian-style migration deals with other nations to reduce the number of small boats. Sir Keir Starmer does not rule out the UK providing financial incentives to stop would-be asylum seekers making journeys according to reports in The Guardian.
TAKE ACTION
- Sign the Fight the anti-refugee laws pledge here
- Share this letter to the Prime Minister urging him to rule out offshoring, address the legal aid crisis, and build a compassionate refugee protection system
2. Government and Parliamentary updates
LGBTIQ+ ruling from the European Court
A landmark verdict leads to a huge win for LGBTIQ+ people seeking asylum across Europe, including the United Kingdom! This decision affirms the European Court of Human Rights’ commitment to protecting the rights and mental well-being of individuals facing persecution based on sexual orientation, setting a positive precedent for human rights and dignity that have been advocated for by many in our sector. For the Press Release from African Rainbow Family, click here.
HMIP report on Brook House Immigration Removal Centre
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons has released a report on an unannounced inspection of Brook House Immigration Removal Centre. The report found violence and self-harm had risen since the last inspection, almost half of those surveyed said they had mental health problems and 35% said they had felt suicidal whilst at the centre, yet health care provision was inadequate. Coverage here
Appeal deadline suspended due to omission of appeal rights in decision notice
The Court of Appeal ruled that if a decision notice fails to inform an applicant of their right to appeal, the time limit for lodging an appeal does not begin. Click here for access to the article.
Tragedy as eight adults and children drown off Greek coast
The bodies of at least eight people seeking safety, including six children, have been recovered after a boat sank off the Greek island of Samos, the coastguard has said. Full story here.
New Home Office Domestic Violence Guidance
The Home Office has published new guidance: Minimum standards for responding to domestic abuse disclosures from asylum seekers This document sits alongside the policy Domestic abuse: responding to reports of domestic abuse from asylum seekers and replaces its Annex A. The new ‘Minimum standards’ outline the role and responsibilities of the Home Office and its subcontractors and what actions should be taken when there is a disclosure of domestic abuse in the asylum system. There is a checklist of actions for accommodation providers, Migrant Help and the Safeguarding Hub as well as a list of key contacts. ASAP and British Red Cross will be running an hour webinar on the domestic abuse guidance at 10am on 5/12/24. You can sign up here
3. Reports and research
Barriers to safe housing for migrant women
One of the biggest challenges faced by black and minoritised migrant women supported by Hibiscus is the difficulty in securing safe and appropriate housing that accommodates both their needs and those of their children. Read the full report here.
The UK asylum system failings on women fleeing sexual abuse
The UK asylum system is exacerbating trauma for women and girls who have escaped rape and sexual violence, while also exposing them to further risks of harm, according to Rape Crisis England and Wales (RCEW) and Imkaan. Read the full report Not Safe Here here and coverage here.
HQN report on the future of asylum accommodation
Housing Quality Network have produced a new research briefing on the future of asylum accommodation. Find it here.
GMIAU briefing: the impact of Rwanda detentions on communities in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit have produced this briefing on the ongoing impact of the Rwanda detentions on residents and local services in Greater Manchester, and highlighting community responses
4. Resources, events, jobs and training
‘We All Came Here from Somewhere’ Baltic Exhibition
There’s a brilliant exhibition created by refugees to show the reality of negotiating the UK asylum system. The exhibition is a collaboration between North Tyneside campaign group Walking With, supported by Asylum Matters. The Exhibition showcases artwork, objects and stories at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art at Gateshead Quayside from November 23 to February 9, 2025. Click here to read more about it.
Event on Migration, Decolonisation and Abolition
If you are in/or near Bristol this coming Wednesday 27th November, join the Migrants’ Rights Network event for Abolition and Decolonisation organising day! For more info on the event and to book your free ticket, click here.
Planning Effective Co-production Strategies Workshop
Join the final Co-production workshop of 2024: “How Do We Plan Co-production?” This session will guide you through effective planning strategies for co-production, using practical examples and insights from successful case studies. Click here for details of the workshop scheduled for 4th December 2024.
English Language Fairs in London
Attend the English Language Fairs being run by English for Action in London. These are opportunities for the local migrant community to find ESOL classes/other education opportunities in Lambeth on 17th December 2024, Hackney and Tower Hamlets on 14th January 2025, and Southwark on 23rd January 2025.
Exploring home ownership from migrant and minoritised perspectives
The Centre for Progressive Change (CPC) are looking for people who are migrants and/or working in the migration sector to take part in a listening exercise for their campaign around migrant home ownership, with a particular focus on the huge disadvantages faced by migrant communities and people of colour when hoping- or trying to buy a home. Click here to sign up for a small group discussion meeting. More info about CPC and the campaign.
Jobs:
- Manchester Refugee Support Network are looking for a social media, digital fundraising and administration manager, deadline 29 November.
- ASAP is recruiting for a Women’s Legal Advisor, deadline 1 December.
- The Boaz Trust in Manchester are looking for a Head of Accommodation , deadline 9 December. Details here.
- The Comfrey Project, in Gateshead, is recruiting for a Refugee Voices Coordinator, deadline 4 December. Applicants must have lived experience of seeking asylum in the UK.
- Refugee Week, in London, is recruiting for a Consultant, deadline 9th December.
- The Refugee Council in London is currently recruiting for an Internal Communications Manager, deadline is 10th December.
- West London Welcome is looking for a Trustee with Finance Experience. Deadline is 31st December 2024.
- SHARe Knowsley, in Merseyside, is recruiting for a Chief Executive Officer. Deadline is 23rd December 2024.
- Refugee Legal Support in London, is recruiting for an Executive Director. Deadline is 6th January 2025.
5. What we’re reading, watching and listening to
- File on Four – The Asylum Business, this in-depth report covers the use of hotels in the asylum system, after the attacks and riots at many of them across the country in the summer.
- UNHCR Journal Article – No Escape: On the frontlines of climate change, conflict and forced displacement.
- The Conversation – ‘Another rushed migration bill would give the government sweeping powers to deport potentially thousands of people’.
Read Nila’s story on picking up the International Children’s Peace Prize previously won by education campaigner Malala Yousafzai and climate activist Greta Thunberg. She shares the plight of Afghan women and girls. Click here for access to the full BBC article
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