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the Resources Database  |
EIN believes the following resources will
be of use to people seeking information on immigration, asylum or
refugee issues, specifically in the UK and Europe. A 
symbol next to a link indicates information we believe is particularly
helpful or useful. There are a mix of items on the EIN site or links
to other sites. If you come across any broken or redundant links,
incorrect categorisation or have any suggestions for new ones please
email us.
You can search all of the public site resources using the advanced search engine. Selected resources are also available in other languages such as Arabic and Mandarin, as well as a number of European languages. |
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| About Asylum / Refugees | Asylum / Refugees (Europe) | Asylum / Refugees (UK) | Asylum / Refugees (Worldwide) | Campaigns | Human Rights | Immigration (Europe) | Immigration (UK) | Immigration (Worldwide) | Information for Advisors | Latest News | The EIN Bibliotech |
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About Asylum / Refugees |
| "Belonging: Voices of London's Refugees" (Museum of London Exhibition) |
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Opening Fri Oct 27th - Photographs, films and objects reflecting experiences of new refugees - and exhibition tours led by members of refugee communities offered in 15 languages. |
"Scots give warmer welcome to asylum seekers than the English" - IPPR Report |
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Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) 'focus group research' report on public attitudes to asylum-seekers in Scotland: "...in general Scots see asylum and immigration as relatively unthreatening. Many support the principle of asylum and believe that Scotland, and Great Britain, have a duty to offer sanctuary...[but]..younger Scots and those living in Glasgow - where the majority of asylum seekers in Scotland are housed - were the least tolerant." (Link to press release and summary report - 'Warm Welcome: Understanding attitudes to asylum seekers in Scotland’ by Miranda Lewis) |
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"The true legacy of torture - stories of three survivors" |
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Survivors stories on the new Medical Foundation/Torturecare website: "..torture claims the lives of thousands of people across the globe...Each torture survivor's experience is unique, yet each represents the true legacy of torture today." |
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ICAR Briefings |
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Information Centre on Asylum & Refugees in UK (ICAR) - Briefing Papers - incl 'The Somali Refugee Community in the UK' (No.6, July 2007) |
| Immigration, Asylum & Refugees: Guardian Special Report |
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Compilation of 'Guardian' features on Immigration issues |
| IND publishes 'Action Plan for Oakington' |
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Following the report & recommendations of the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, Stephen Shaw, into allegations of racism and mistreatment of detainees at Oakington Immigration Reception Centre (Link to the report and the 'Action Plan' on the IND website - Dec 2005) |
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NUJ WELCOMES NEW REFUGEE REPORTING GUIDELINES - on "Reporting Asylum and Refugee Issues" |
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...in partnership with the UN Refugee Agency and the Information Centre on Asylum and Refugees (ICAR) - entitled "Reporting Asylum and Refugee Issues" - offers journalists reporting on refugee issues practical assistance and guidance on terminology, usage of images and filming and on interviewing refugees and asylum seekers. Link to NUJ Press Release and elec copy download (18/04/08) or email gbrloea@unhcr.org for hard copies |
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The Independent Asylum Commission |
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Conducting an independent nationwide review of the UK asylum system on behalf of citizens in the UK - chaired by Sir John Waite, a former Judge of the High Court and until recently Chair ofUNICEF UK, and Ifath Nawaz, Chair of the Association of Muslim Lawyers. |
| UEL MA Refugee Studies: Fee waivers sponsored by Pauline Ortiz Memorial Fund |
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The Pauline Ortiz Memorial Fund is offering a number of fee waivers to qualified
asylum-seeker or refugee students on the Univerity
of East London MA course in Refugee Studies (Application deadline: 30th June
2005) |
|
Warnings of Iraq refugee crisis |
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BBC News on the displacement of Iraqis, within and beyond Iraq: "....it seems that the doors are closing one by one around the world on the face of Iraqis.....In addition to refugees, the UN estimates 1.7 million live within Iraq's borders as displaced people, a number that could reach 2.7m by the end of 2007" See also, just published- Jan 2007: IAS-HJT Research Report on Iraq: "Is Iraq in the grip of an "internal armed conflict" within the meaning of Article 15 of the Refugee Qualification Directive? |
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Asylum / Refugees (Europe) |
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"Call for review of up to 1,000 rejected asylum applications" |
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CAROL COULTER, Legal Affairs Editor, The Irish Times: The Irish Refugee Legal Service "has asked the Refugee Appeals Tribunal to review all cases decided by barrister Jim Nicholson...because of "perceived bias"...The settlement came after the Supreme Court ruled that the tribunal had to produce the statistics on his record to the High Court, where asylum seekers were claiming he had close to a 100 per cent rejection rate." |
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Dublin mechanism: obstacle to future European asylum system |
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EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON REFUGEES AND EXILES (ECRE) on the publication of their report on "Sharing Responsibility for Refugee Protection in Europe: Dublin Reconsidered"; (Link to 'Statewatch') "The Dublin system is inhumane, expensive, and does nothing to advance the harmonisation of EU asylum practices. Designed nearly twenty years ago, it is simply obsolete........" |
| Dutch Refugee Council |
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Dutch Refugee Council Works for refugees and asylum seekers in The Netherlands (in English). |
| EU Amended proposed Directive on minimum standards on procedure for granting and withdrawing refugee status |
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EU: "SAFE COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN": (Draft) "Minimum
common list of safe countries of origin" |
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EU asylum policy |
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Joint Refugee Council, Scottish Refugee Council and Welsh Refugee Council submission: House of Commons Home Affairs Committee inquiry on EU issues [Sept 2006] - the development of a common European asylum system (CEAS) and EU border control and migration management issues as they impact on asylum seekers and refugees. |
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EU PROCEDURES DIRECTIVE; Refugee Council Response |
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(Directive 2005/85/EC - the Asylum Procedures Directive - outlines the minimum standards for asylum procedures to be implemented, from 1 Dec 2007, in the national law of EU member states); "We recommend the UK implement higher standards in order to ensure applicants (including separated children) are provided with legal representation throughout the asylum procedure. We urge the UK to abandon detained fast track procedures as these render an individual’s ability to properly make an asylum claim almost impossible." |
| EU to launch 'Regional Protection Programmes' outside of EU |
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EU Justice Minister Frattini to launch two pilot 'RPPs' for refugees - in Africa and Eastern Europe - in July - EU funding to focus on "relief, rehabilitation and regional development in a bid to build capacity in countries which can host large numbers of Europe-bound refugees." (Interview on the EUpolitix website) |
| European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment |
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This organisation sees that states who have ratified comply with the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment |
| European Research Centre on Migration and Ethnic Relations |
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(ERCOMER) (Utrecht University, The Netherlands) |
| European Roma Rights Centre |
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NGO defending the human rights of Roma. Advocates for the diverse Romani community and acts as a legal resource for Romani rights. Applicant party in the featured key case. |
| Evidence by Commissioner Franco Frattini, Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security on Justice and Home Affairs Matters |
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Lords EU Committee report of evidence from EU minister relating to (joint)EU strategy on asylum, migration, illegal immigration & 'external border management';"...we should explore how Europe can make the difference.." (1st Report 13/06/05) |
| Informationsverbund Asyl (Information network on Asylum) |
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This is a mostly German language information network on asylum which focuses on the current German court practice |
| Irish Refugee Council |
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The work of the IRC on a national level includes policy, research, legal, networking and information components while the Ennis sub-office deals with the broad range of issues affecting the local refugee community. |
| Local Government Association - Kosovo Refugee Programme |
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Facts and figures on Kosovan refugees and returnees. |
| Norwegian Association for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) |
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Non-governmental organisation working towards safeguarding human rights and the right to seek asylum |
| Norwegian Association for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) - English |
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NOAS - Information for Asylum Seekers in English. |
| Norwegian Refugee Council |
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The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a private foundation. NRC has specialized in international activities for refugees and displaced persons. Its efforts provide assistance and contribute towards the protection of displaced people. |
| Portuguese Refugee Council |
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(Conselho Português para os Refugiados). Most information in Portuguese, |
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Refoulement of Iraqi citizens fleeing to Greece – Common statement by 16 NGOs |
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"We wish to express our profound concern regarding the policy of the Ministry of Public Order towards Iraqi citizens entering into our country...lately there have been arrests and returns to Turkey..[who]..provide no guarantees for the protection of the rights of Iraqi citizens. Moreover, as has been noted by UNHCR’s latest press release, Turkey often deports them to Iraq......" (Statement by NGOs in Greece incl Amnesty, the Greek Council for Refugees and the Hellenic League for Human rights, on 'Statewatch,Aug 2007) |
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Asylum / Refugees (UK) |
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"Asylum seeker NHS ban 'unlawful'" |
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(BBC News - 11/04/08) Regulations banning failed asylum seekers from receiving free NHS treatment have been declared unlawful in the High Court (Mitting J) in a test case ruling on a failed asylum seeker from Palestine, unable to return to the West Bank owing to travel restrictions and problems over documentation. Adam Hundt, of Pierce Glynn, said the rules were leading to "grotesque human suffering". ...."My client is effectively stuck in the UK, even though he is doing all that he can to return home." (Elec. transcript of judgment not yet available) |
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"Asylum system 'shameful for UK'" (Independent Asylum Commission Report - 'Fit for Purpose Yet?') |
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"The system denies fair play to asylum seekers not out of malice but because of a lack of resources." Sir John Waite, co-chairman of the commission and a former Appeal Court judge, said this particular issue was a "blemish" on the UK's reputation. (BBC News) "'Inhumane
and oppressive': the final verdict on Britain's asylum policy"
(Emily Dugan in The Independent, 27/03/08) Link to the full report: "FIT FOR PURPOSE YET?" - The Independent Asylum Commission’s Interim Findings - In association with the 'CITIZEN Organising Foundation': "The Commission has found that the UK asylum system is improved and improving, but is not yet fit for purpose. The system still denies sanctuary to some who genuinely need it and ought to be entitled to it; is not firm enough in returning those whose claims are refused; and is marred by inhumanity in its treatment of the vulnerable." Further publications due in May, June and July, incl recommendations. |
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"Child asylum seekers are cast as liars or economic migrants in leaked government document" |
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"A Lapse of Humanity" - Melanie McFadyean, writing in the Guardian, on the social care of unaccompanied children.....Following the launch of 'Seeking Asylum Alone" - UK report co-authored by Jacqueline Bhabha of Harvard Law School and Nadine Finch , Garden Court Chambers. (Link to the full report from the 'gclaw' website) |
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"Deportations to the Democratic Republic of Congo halted" |
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"...Justice Collins ..[has]...ruled that it was unreasonable to remove Congolese asylum seekers back to the Congo until the new evidence had been assessed and a decision reached." (Link to refugee Council Press Release, 24 Aug 07) |
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"How we welcome children to the UK" |
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Refugee Council - Campaigns and Public Affairs Team - on the investigation by the Children’s Commissioner, Sir Al Aynsley-Green, into the the treatment of children who seek asylum in the UK on their own.; "........Let’s hope that the Home Office ......will make immediate improvements to the screening experience and will consider how the process as a whole could be changed to meet children’s needs and keep them safe." Link to the full report - "CLAIMING ASYLUM AT A SCREENING UNIT AS AN UNACCOMPANIED CHILD' (on Statewatch) |
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"Iraq - return and section 4 support" |
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Refugee Council updated briefing, Nov 2005 , on Section 4 - 'Hard Case' support - re enforced returnees to Iraq |
| "NO MOVE TO NO WIN, NO FEE IN ASYLUM & IMMIGRATION CASES:.... APPELLANTS MUST NOT BE DENIED JUSTICE" |
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Constitutional Affairs Committee press release upon publication of Legal Aid report |
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"Plight of Refugees left to rot in Yorkshire" |
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In the 'Yorkshire Post' by Mike Waites - reporting on the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust inquiry, chaired by Kate Adie, which warns that "there is an 'invisible' population of as many as half a million failed asylum seekers in Britain.....Destitution is shaming, both for the individual and for the society that tolerates it." Refugee
Council response to Joseph Rowntree inquiry into asylum seeker destitution |
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"REFUSAL FACTORY: Women's experiences of the Detained Fast Track asylum process at Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre" |
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Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID) Report, Sept 2007, By Sarah Cutler - With a foreword by Helen Bamber OBE - Analysis and recommendations on 'Detained Fast Track' (DFT); "....Detained fast tracking of asylum claims should end.Women asylum seekers should not be detained while their claims are decided...." |
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"Seeking Asylum is not a Crime:Detention of people who have sought asylum" |
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(June 2005 pp 95) The full Amnesty report on UK asylum-seeker detention practices and ('justice denied faster') fast track procedures. Includes recommendations and highlights the European Council 'Twenty guidelines on forced return' (May 2005) - with which UK reserves right to partial non-compliance. |
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"Take more Iraqi refugees, UN tells Britain" |
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By Ian Black, in The Guardian, in advance of UNHCR conference on the plight of Iraqi refugees: "UNHCR estimates that 40,000-50,000 people are fleeing Iraq every month, adding to an estimated two million refugees, most in Syria and Jordan....Britain approves just 12% of Iraqi asylum claims, compared with a 91% approval rate in Sweden, which has suspended forcible refugee returns" (April 2007) |
| 'IND statement of policy: Judicial review challenges following notification of removal directions' |
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Policy change with effect from 12th March: IND will give at least 72 hours notice of removal, incl. two full working days; para 18 of the Practice Direction supplementing Part 54 of the Civil Procedure Rules applies. |
| Advice for Lesbian and Gays seeking Asylum |
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Stonewall Immigration Group - information on applying for asylum with specific reference to sexual orientation issues. |
| Asylum Aid |
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Asylum Aid is a charity which provides free legal advice and representation to refugees and asylum-seekers seeking safety in the UK from persecution. |
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ASYLUM MONOLOGUES - in 12 UK cities on June 21 |
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'Ice and Fire' theatre and 'Actors for Refugees' staging free performances for Refugee Week - Brentford, Liverpool, Leicester, Manchester, Leeds, Halifax, Exeter, Sheffield, Norwich, Swansea, Nottingham and Glasgow on June 21st - and Guildford, June 20th; "Asylum Monologues is an account of the UK's asylum system, told first hand by the people who have experienced it." |
| Asylum Rights |
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A project of Asylum Support - contains news stories and key documents. |
| Asylum Support Adjudicators |
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The purpose of this site is to provide users with information about the service the Asylum Support Adjudicators provide and the legislative framework they work within. |
| Asylum Support Information |
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Information website for asylum-seekers and advisers especially on matters of NASS and wider issues of support and advice. |
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Asylum Support Inter Agency Partnership (IAP): 'One Stop Services Map' |
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...showing location of 'one-stop' services for asylum seekers,on the Refugee Council website |
| Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID) |
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BID provides a free dedicated bail service for those detained under UK immigration legislation |
| BBC News - Destination UK |
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The asylum seeker debate with links concerning the latest news on asylum in the UK. |
| BLINK |
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Black Information Link |
| Centre for Research in Ethnic Relations (CRER) |
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(University of Warwick, UK) - academic body in the UK for the research and teaching of racism, migration and ethnic relations. |
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CITIZENS SPEAK |
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Open consultation & regional events, on asylum, launched by the 'Independent Asylum Commission' - 'giving ordinary people a say on sanctuary in the UK' "How should we treat people who come to the UK and claim sanctuary
from persecution?" Responses invited. See CITIZENS
SPEAK |
| Commission for Racial Equality |
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UK non-governmental body set up under the Race Relations Act 1976 to tackle racial discrimination and promote racial equality. |
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COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION AND WOMEN: Researching gender and persecution in the context of asylum and human rights claims." (Asylum Aid/RWRP) |
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New RWRP
guidance on women’s gender related asylum claims - aimed at legal representatives,
COI researchers, Information professionals and volunteers involved with supporting
women asylum seekers. (Free download - from the new
Asylumaid website, Nov 2007)
|
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EU ACCESSION AND ASYLUM: THE 'ICAR SIGNPOSTS' (The Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees in the UK) |
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Information and links on the ICAR website on issues arising from EU enlargement, commencing May 1st, including issues of asylum seeker support. Asylumsupport.org.uk Link to the 'Asylum Support Adjudicators' website for information on support appeals, the process and the decisions. |
| Evelyn Oldfield Unit |
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The Unit was established in 1994, by a consortium of funding bodies and agencies, to develop specialist support for refugee organisations to enable them to adequately tackle the pressing needs of the communities they serve. |
| Guardian Unlimited Special Report: Refugees in Britain |
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A special report with the latest news on asylum/refugee issues and many useful links |
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Home Office Report on unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and trafficking |
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Home Office responses to questions under the Freedom of Information Act (Jan 2007) eg What measures are in place to prevent (a) trafficking or (b) retrafficking of failed asylum claim unaccompanied minors into the UK. |
| IAA Frequently Asked Questions |
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This section of the Immigration Appellate Authority website is to assist Appellants and Sponsors |
| IAA Guide to the Appeals System |
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Basic information about how to lodge an appeal and the appeal procedure. In pdf format. |
| IAA Statistics |
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This gives figures for appeals to adjudicators and to the Immigration Appeal Tribunal |
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ICAR (Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees in the UK) |
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Newly relaunched website (June 2003) to disseminate academically credible information about refugees and asylum seekers in the UK, to raise the level of public debate and understanding of the issues. |
| Immigration News |
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Now Asylum Support News |
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IND Announces "New Asylum Model - Swifter Decisions, Faster Removals" |
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"...From April this year, new teams of case owners will be established in Solihull and Leeds to process existing and new asylum claims....taking responsibility for each claim from beginning to end...right through to integration or removal. The case owner is the direct point of contact for the claimant, their legal representative and the courts..." |
| IND: Asylum Policy |
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Notices and Instructions from the IND Asylum Policy Unit |
| Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants |
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JCWI is an independent national voluntary organisation, campaigning for justice and combating racism in immigration and asylum law and policy. |
| Law Centres Federation (UK) |
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The Law Centres Federation encourages the development of publicly funded legal services for those most disadvantaged in society and promotes the Law Centre model as the best means of achieving this |
| LEGAL AID: Asylum Appeals |
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No win, no fee? House of Commons Constitutional Affairs Committee report on proposed changes to Legal Aid (The full report on Parliament website) Link to The Community Legal Service (Asylum and Immigration Appeals) Regulations 2005 (wef 4th April 2005) |
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Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture |
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'Torturecare.org.uk': The Medical Foundation provides care and rehabilitation to survivors of torture and other forms of organised violence. Link to: free subscription to Medical Foundation Newsletter and to Publications (full copies of which are available for just £3) |
| National Asylum Support Service |
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From April 2000 support to asylum seekers became the responsibility of the National Asylum Support Service (NASS). The Home Office is now responsible for providing support and accommodation for asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute, whilst their claim is being considered. |
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NATIONAL REFUGEE INTEGRATION FORUM (NRIF) |
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New NRIF website for those working with refugee children launched by Home Office (Feb 2006): "Promoting integration through education" - bringing together "representatives from both the public and voluntary sectors to explore practical ways of improving refugee integration." |
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New Refugee Council 'E-shop' |
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Refugee Council publications - for purchase online - e.g. resources, incl bi-lingual books for primary schools & 'service providers' (July 2007) See also, free, multi-lingual leaflets for refugees and asylum seekers - in 20 languages - and also 'Advisers Section' for download under subject headings |
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New Women’s Project Launched for Destitute Asylum Seekers (ASAP) |
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ASAP ( Asylum Support Appeals Project) launch of Womens Project to protect and promote women’s legal rights to food and shelter and to influence asylum support policy on womens issues; See the May 08 Issue of the Asylum Aid/RWRP 'Womens Asylum News' To receive the RWRP News, email: womenasylumnews@asylumaid.org.uk |
| Nik Nikol's Asylum Support page |
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This page contains news and links for those interested in the Asylum Support issue. Nik Nikol is a barrister at 1 Pump Court. |
| Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner |
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The OISC is responsible for ensuring that all immigration advisers fulfill the requirements of good practice. They are committed to the elimination of unscrupulous advisers and the fair and thorough investigation of complaints. |
| Parliamentary Home Affairs Committee on Asylum Applications |
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Invitation for written submissions to the Home Affairs Committee on Asylum Applications |
| Positive Action in Housing |
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Scotland wide charity whose main aim is to assist minority ethnic and refugee communities to overcome homelessness, racial harassment and poor housing through a casework/advocacy service. |
| Presswise Trust |
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Advice, information, research and training on media ethics including the Refugees, Asylum Seekers and the Mass Media Project. |
| Refugee Action |
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Refugee Action is an independent national charity that enables refugees to build new lives in the UK. They provide practical advice and assistance for newly arrived asylum seekers and long-term commitment to their settlement through community development work. |
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REFUGEE COUNCIL |
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NEW Refugee Council website (Sept 2006), incl; How we help:
detailing the help and support for refugees and asylum seekers. Multilingual microsite:
client information leaflets in 20 languages Policy and research:
policy position papers, responses and briefings and an 'A to Z of policy issues'
Refugee Council response to proposed changes to the IND in the consultation review: "Fair, effective, transparent and trusted: Rebuilding confidence in our immigration system" [August 2006] Practice: practical
guides and information leaflets, incl a basic guide to asylum and details on
our information and teaching resources, and
more.... |
| Refugee Council Briefing on the Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 |
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A 9 part briefing on the impact of the NIA Act upon the asylum system in the UK (PDF format) |
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Refugee Council response to High Court ruling on removals to third countries |
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"....We have long been concerned for the safety of people removed from the UK on the basis that they have already passed through a country considered ‘safe’...The UK government currently considers the whole of the EU to be safe, and if someone claiming asylum is found to have travelled through another EU country they are removed to that country without having their claim considered." (Donna Covey,Refugee Council, July 2007 - see High Court judgment in Nasseri - in EIN Members) |
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Refugee Council response to the UK Border Agency Code of Practice for Keeping Children Safe from Harm |
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"...We do not believe that there should be a need for a separate Code under the UK Borders Act 2007; the UK Border Agency should be subject to the same requirement to have regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children as other similar organisations as required by Section 11 of the Children Act 2004..." (Refugee Council response to UKBA Consultation - April 2008) - urging also that the UK removes its reservation on UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). |
| Refugee Education Initiative |
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(Institute of Education, University of London, UK). Coordinates existing activities around refugee education and initiates new activities including training for teachers, courses, research, conferences and publications |
| Refugee Legal Centre |
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Providing legal advice and representation for those seeking protection under international and national Human Rights Asylum law. Services are provided free of charge to those who do not have the means to pay for legal representation. |
| Refugee Women's Resource Project ( Asylum Aid - RWRP) |
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A new project set up by Asylum Aid, a registered charity which provides free legal representation and advice to asylum seekers and refugees. It aims to enable women fleeing serious human rights violations to gain protection in the UK. |
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Refugee Women's Resource Project (RWRP):Womens Asylum News) |
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RWRP monthly bulletins, (link to index list for previous issues) containing news and information on issues affecting women asylum seekers and refugees. |
| Refugee Womens Legal Group |
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Central among its aims is the development of a gendered perspective on refugee law and policy. The aim of the website is to provide practitioners and others working with refugee women access to appropriate sources of information and support to assist in the presentation of individual cases. |
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RESEARCHING ASYLUM IN LONDON (RAL) |
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RAL is an independent database of research on refugee and asylum issues relevant to London - to make research more accessible to service providers and policy-makers working in the field - Pilot project for the ‘Centre for Research on London’ (CRL) in association with ICAR (The Information Centre About Asylum and Refugees at City University in London) |
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RWRP 'WOMENS ASYLUM NEWS' - Aug 2007 |
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Incl 'FGM in Sudan', the new Act on Forced Marriage, difficulties in disclosure of violence at Home Office interviews and international news on womens refugee issues:incl "Sri Lankan girl (Rizana Nafeek) faces possible beheading in Saudi Arabia" |
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RWRP Womens Asylum News: June 2005 issue |
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UK & International news and new publications on womens' asylum issues. |
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SANCTUARY CAFE PROJECT - SHEFFIELD 'CITY OF SANCTUARY' |
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Launch of refugee-run 'Sanctuary Café' at Victoria Hall Sheffield, offering international cuisine, internet access and social space; trial run, every lunchtime during Refugee Week (16th-20th June). Supported by the 'Co-operative', Esmee Fairburn Foundation, The Allen Lane Foundation and the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. Volunteer asssistance needed - short and long term; Contact email (Other 'City of Sanctuary' groups in Leicester and Norwich) |
| Scottish Asylum Seekers Consortium |
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Manages and monitors the commissioning and provision of accommodation and other services for asylum seekers in Scotland. |
| Scottish Refugee Council |
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New (Oct 2005) multi-lingual SRC website; advice, information and assistance to asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland & specialist services in housing & welfare, employment, education, family reunion, women's issues, community development, media & the arts |
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Swansea Art show in support of 'Asylum Justice' |
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(Link to 'icWales' website) "Building New Lives: Art for Asylum" exhibition at the Swansea Waterfront Museum - runs to auction date,Nov 25, in support of 'Asylum Justice' - the voluntary sector organisation providing free legal advice to asylum seekers in Wales. |
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The new Asylum Bill: Committee debates on amendments |
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The Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Bill in Parliamentary Standing Committee B with links to the latest version of the Bill and Amendments (last amended 27th Jan 2004) |
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THE REFUGEE WEEK BLOG - on the Refugee Council website |
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Blog pages on the Refugee Council website,for Refugee Week; your responses invited. What remains? Visual art and refugees by Margareta Kern "I organised an exhibition by the title of "Leave to Remain" whose main aim was to bring together work by contemporary visual artists who are also refugees and asylum seekers.The need to defend and celebrate multiculturalism; by Jon Cruddas, MP for Dagenham in East London and a candidate for the Deputy Leadership of the Labour Party; "... It was refugees who introduced fish and chips to the UK; a refugee who designed the Mini; it was even a refugee who set up Marks and Spencer......let’s promote Refugee Week as a valuable ‘space of encounters‘ and celebrate the refugees who were lucky enough to make it here." My story...; by Sehlile Mpofu " ...This is refugee week, let us put our differences aside and learn from each other...This week let us remember the victims of all types of torture and persecution and their helpers and how we can be of help.." "Amnesty for all." by Sibanda Noble; "...the swear words 'Amnesty for all'. Yes, I have said it!...One backlog we can identify is the so-called legacy cases (now known as ‘case resolutions).An amnesty for all failed asylum seekers and illegal immigrants that offers between two to five year temporary and renewable work permits...." Fame
Asylum - a good idea or not? by Richard DeDomenici; the creation of
a 'boy-band' of asylum-seekers...led to a barrage of responses..."saying
that either the programme made them cry, and re-evaluate their attitude to asylum
seekers, or that it was cruel and exploitative, and I should be shot...." |
| UK Asylum Law and Process |
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A Guide to UK Asylum Law, which Incorporates the Changes brought about by the new Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act, published by ICAR. |
| UK Refugee Week Events |
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Link to Refugee Council website |
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Unaccompanied Children - Refugee Council Briefing |
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"Determining the duty to look after unaccompanied children under the Children Act 1989 (use of section 17 or section 20)" [August 2007] |
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VARRP - Refugee Council Briefing |
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The Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP) is a government scheme for asylum seekers and some other people in the UK who decide to return permanently to their country of origin. Link to the updated Briefing (July 2007) |
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VULNERABLE WOMEN (REFUGEE COUNCIL PODCASTS) |
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"'Everyone felt like prisoners and yet they were innocent people... I was innocent. I never committed any crime." ; Yeukai, a young woman from Zimbabwe, locked up indefinitely with male ex-offenders and subjected to sexist taunts. Where?..... here in the UK. |
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Asylum / Refugees (Worldwide) |
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"Global refugee tally at 26-year low, but more internally displaced" (UNHCR) |
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"2005 Global Refugee Trends: Statistical overview of populations of refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons, stateless persons, and other persons of concern to UNHCR" (Press Release and link to full report - June 2006) |
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"Iraqi crisis fuels rise in asylum seekers in industrialized world" (UNHCR Statistical Report for 2007) |
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UNHCR, March 2008: "...Some 338,000 new applications for refugee status were submitted last year in 43 industrialized countries, a 10 percent rise compared to 2006, when 306,300 asylum claims were registered, the lowest number of asylum applications in 20 years..[but]..Iraqi asylum seekers in industrialized countries represented only 1 percent of the estimated 4.5 million Iraqis uprooted by the conflict."The main countries of destination,numerically, are the USA, Sweden, France, Canada and the UK. Link to the full UNHCR Report: Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries 2007 |
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"Keeping the Flame of Hope Alive" - UNHCR message marking World Refugee Day 2006 |
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"On World Refugee Day, we ask you to remember the millions of refugees under our care who are trying to pick up the pieces of once-peaceful lives. As different as they are from each other, one thing connects them all: hope for a better future and a chance to restore lasting peace to their lives." (Link to UNHCR for messages, statistics and events across the world) UK Refugee Week Events (19th-25th June 2006) |
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"Refugee protection and durable solutions in the context of international migration" (UNHCR) |
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(April 2008) Report on the High Commissioner's Dialogue on Protection Challenges, December 07: "....States should adopt broader, longer-term multilateral commitments to address the root causes of irregular migration. Additional efforts are called for, such as re-targeting aid to achieve sustainable development and the development of alternative legal migration channels...." |
| Asylumlaw.org |
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Helping win asylum cases worldwide |
| Canadian Council for Refugees |
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The Canadian Council for Refugees is a non-profit umbrella organization committed to the rights and protection of refugees in Canada and around the world and to the settlement of refugees and immigrants in Canada. |
| Centre for Immigration Studies in Washington D.C., The |
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With free email list for regular updates on immigration policy in the US and abroad. |
| Centre for Refugee Studies |
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York University, Canada - supports research and teaching on refugee and migration studies. |
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Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC/Norwegian Refugee Council) |
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News and Reports on the new website of the Norwegian Refugee Council IDMC - monitoring situations and advocating solutions to large scale internal displacement |
| Iranian Refugees' Alliance, Inc |
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Non-profit organisation in the US working on behalf of Iranian asylum seekers and refugees. The site has a very useful documentation centre which includes reports on human rights conditions in Iran and decisions on Iranian refugee claims worldwide |
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Multi-lingual resource links on the EIN |
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New EIN pages containing links, in many languages including Arabic, Russian, French, Mandarin, Turkish, Urdu, Spanish, German,Somali and others, to web resources,such as Human Rights Watch, the United Nations, the Refugee Council and the Home Office, in those languages. |
| One World |
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International news on Green Issues. Provides links to numerous organisations such as CAFOD, Christian Aid, New Internationalist, ODA, OXFAM, Save the Children and UNICEF-UK |
| Refugees Online |
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Training in website production and online journalism for refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. A project set up by UNHCR with European Union funding as part of the Refugee Integration Project |
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Statement by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. António Guterres, on the occasion of World Refugee Day, 20 June 2007 |
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"World Refugee Day is the occasion to call attention to the millions of refugees and other displaced around the world and to their urgent needs, from water and shelter to protection and tolerance. Please join us in this effort...." |
| Tamil Sangam |
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Association of Tamils of Eelam and Sri Lanka in the USA |
| University of Toronto Women's Human Rights Resources |
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Refugee and Immigration Law index at the Bora Laskin Law Library.Explores a wide range of subjects relevant to refugee and immigrant women. |
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US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants |
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Their new website: "...to address the needs and rights of persons in forced or voluntary migration worldwide by advancing fair and humane public policy, facilitating and providing direct professional services, and promoting the full participation of migrants in community life". |
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Campaigns |
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"Chagos islanders win right to return" |
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"Giving today's lead ruling, Lord Justice Sedley said the method used by the government to stop the islanders returning - making an order in council under the royal prerogative - was unlawful and an abuse of power by the government executive." (GuardianUnlimited, 23 May 2007) |
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"DONT TURN A BLIND EYE TO TORTURE" (Amnesty UK Downing St. Demo) |
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Mass demonstration at Downing St , Sunday 27 November 2005 -Assemble at 1pm - Demonstration from 1.30-2.30pm; "...The law is clear. States must never torture people and must never send people to countries where they might be tortured. Now is the time to tell the UK Government: Don’t turn a blind eye to torture" (Dress Code) "Please wear black" |
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"JUSTICE - ACCESS DENIED" - Campaign against LSC funding proposals |
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The ACESS TO JUSTICE ALLIANCE (AJA) "...government’s proposals threaten a real reduction in public access to justice...The campaign asks the government to step back and reconsider these proposals, especially the new funding system of fixed fees. " See also: "Law
Centres calls on Government for a new funding settlement"
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"NO PLACE FOR A CHILD" - in Immigration Detention Centres |
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Refugee Council campaign - and new report on alternatives (Aug 2006) See also the NCB (National Childrens Bureau) ARC website for the 'Asylum
Seeking and Refugee Children: Developing Good Practice Project' - for
practioners and managers working with separated or unaccompanied refugee children
and young people |
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"THE ASYLUM PROCESS IS FAILING TOO MANY WOMEN" |
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"Rape, honour crime, female circumcision - how can the system be so dismissive of such terrible persecution .....you only have to listen to the experiences of women in the system to know that something is going horribly wrong for women on the ground. You can also read a recent study by the Refugee Women's Resource Project, at Asylum Aid, which shows the policy is not being properly implemented, or talk to lawyers or doctors or campaigners who see the effects on many individual women and their children." (Natasha Walter in the 'Guardian Unlimited' - 23 May 2006) Links to: The 'Asylum Aid - RWRP Gender Guidance Campaign The RWRP Report - Exec Summary: ‘Lip service’ or implementation? The Home Office Gender Guidance and women’s asylum claims in the UK and link to the Full Report |
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10th August is...LORDS REFORM DAY - YOU TOO CAN BUY A VIRTUAL PEERAGE! |
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....and contribute to the 'ELECT THE LORDS' Campaign (Loans not acceptable). 'LORDS REFORM DAY' is 10th August, marking the anniversary of the Parliament Act 1911 - at which time it said; "it is intended to substitute for the House of Lords as it at present exists a Second Chamber constituted on a popular instead of hereditary basis, but such substitution cannot be immediately brought into operation." (10/08/1911) |
| Campaign to Close Campsfield |
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Campaigns on behalf of refugees for an end to the detention of asylum seekers |
| Charter88 |
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The Campaign for a modern and fair Democracy in Britain. |
| Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers |
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Campaigning for scrapping the Immigration Act, re-opening Sangatte, an end to deportation etc. It also seeks actual help for individuals and groups. |
| European Crosspoint Anti-Racism |
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Links to organisations worldwide working in the field of human rights, anti-racism, refugees, anti-fascism etc. (Magenta Foundation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) |
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EXILED JOURNALISTS NETWORK (EJN) |
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The EJN promotes press freedom around the world and assists both asylum seeking and refugee journalists who have fled to the UK. Link to news and articles on the new EJN website. |
| HUMAN RIGHTS DAY Campaign: 'Anti Slavery' Petition to stop human trafficking |
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"Wish you were here? You wont when you click here" E-petition for governmental action against human traffickers. |
| Jesuit Refugee Service |
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JRS/USA is the central U.S. coordinating office of JRS International. JRS operates programs for refugees in more than forty countries in Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe and Australia. |
| Media Trust, The |
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Any organisation wanting to take full advantage of the digital age will need professional skills, resources, information and contacts. These are what the Media Trust provide. |
| Migrants against HIV/Aids |
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An independent newsletter which covers grassroots activist efforts by refugee, migrant and Black/Third World communities in Europe to end the HIV/Aids crisis. In French but translation available. |
| National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns (NCADC) |
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Campaigns against deportations and has statistics on people deported and detained under Immigration Act powers in the UK. This site also has a newsletter with up-to-date campaigning news. |
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National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns.....in process of winding up. |
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NCADC funding comes to an end and faces complete closure in May 2006 |
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Post-Legislative Scrutiny - Law Commission Consulation Paper |
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Over 10 000 pages of new legislation are introduced each year : Too much (bad?) law? Too little scrutiny of legislative effects?: Law Commission invites responses (by 28 April 06) to the consultation on the legislative process and post-legislation review |
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Report of the Advisory Group on Campaigning and the Voluntary Sector |
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Inspired by Ian Leggett of 'People & Planet', chaired by Helena Kennedy QC: "....our concern [is] that charities should be able to continue to develop the crucial role they play in campaigning and political dialogue, enriching our democracy and encouraging the development of community resilience and participation" (P.3 of the full report @ Bates Wells & Braithwaite Solicitors, Secretariat servicers for the group) |
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SLAVE BRITAIN: THE C21st TRADE IN HUMAN LIVES |
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Photography exhibition at St Paul's Cathedral, London - on human trafficking
to the UK - produced by Panos Pictures
in partnership with Amnesty International,
Anti-Slavery International,
Eaves and UNICEF
UK. The exhibition runs to 29 March 2007, 8.30am – 4pm: exhibition itself is free - entry charge of £9.50 to the Cathedral (concessions £8.50) Link to: 'slavebritain.org.uk' for a selection of photos. |
| Statewatch |
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Independent UK group working and researching on a broad range of civil liberties issues in the UK and Europe. |
| United for Intercultural Action Against Racism |
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Voluntary cooperation in the Netherlands of more than 437 organisations from 43 European countries working together for the rights of refugees and migrants in the biggest anti-racism network |
| ‘Female Genital Mutilation: Religious and Legal Perspectives’ |
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Report published 2007 by 'Womankind Worldwide' - following the 2006 Cairo Conference on FGM of the Egyptian Centre for Women’s Rights - aimed at international NGOs and community based organisations to assist local and international lobbying for the elimination of FGM. |
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Human Rights |
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"Anti-terrorist measures which do not respect human rights can only fail" |
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Statement from the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Terry Davies - coinciding with the Terrorism Bill before the UK Parliament:"..“Fighting terror with measures which neglect human rights can be compared to treating a chronic disease with painkillers......the new offences about the encouragement of terrorism are covered by the Council of Europe’s Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism which was agreed by all 46 members of the Council of Europe in May. The same approach has now been recommended by UN Security Council Resolution 1624...... What we should not do, is accept the false dilemma of choosing between freedom and security – at the risk of losing both.” |
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"Human Rights and Common Sense" |
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The 'Harry Street Lecture' @ Manchester University, by Lord Falconer, Secretary of State for the Department of Constitutional Affairs (Feb 2007) - launching the DCA campaign arguing for "Human rights: Common values, Common sense": "...to take that argument as far and wide as we can...This is a big agenda" (on a budget of 25000 pounds?) |
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"NEW IRR REPORT catalogues appalling treatment of Europe's 'foreign' children" |
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[Link to IRR press release] ".....The UK and the other countries of Europe are signatories to children's rights conventions and yet they are systematically robbing a whole group of children of their basic, human rights by classifying them not as children but as foreigners and asylum seekers." ..."analysing 150 cases from across Europe... The young people may be sick, traumatised, separated from family members, about to sit exams or still breast-fed, but they are all considered unwanted illegals first and vulnerable children second........" "They Are Children Too: a study of Europe's deportation policies" - by Liz Fekete, European Race Audit, Insitute of Race Relations (IRR) - issue nos. 58 and 59 of the IRR European Race Bulletin. 76 pages, ISBN 0 85001 0675: To order your copy @£10, see IRR ) |
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"Saudi 'torture' Britons lose case" - in House of Lords |
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Allowed appeal by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against a Court of Appeal decision allowing the British men to be able to sue for damages, for torture. Link to the BBC news item, and, here, to the full judgment in the House of Lords |
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"UK: A DANGEROUS POLICY ON TORTURE" |
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Human Rights Watch News (2 Nov 2006): " The government claims to oppose torture. Yet at the same it is actively trying to undermine the global ban against it." (Benjamin Ward / Associate Director of the Europe and Central Asia division).....announcing the HRW Briefing Paper: “Dangerous Ambivalence: UK Policy on Torture since 9/11” -"...“When it comes to torture, diplomatic assurances simply don’t work,” said Ward. “Putting them in a ‘memorandum of understanding’ and adding post-return monitoring does nothing to change that.” |
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"Women trapped in cycle of violence by UK law" |
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"....because of their vulnerable immigration status." (The 'no recourse to public funds' rule)....Other states such as Denmark, Austria, the United States and Canada all have a similar rule, but they have built in exceptions, amendments and appropriate long-term sustainable resourcing to ensure that women are not trapped in violence." Link to the full 'No Recourse Report' (Amnesty & Southall Black Sisters, March 2008) |
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'HUMAN RIGHTS ARE MAJORITY RIGHTS' |
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Speech by Lord Falconer of Thoroton, Secretary of State, DCA, giving the Lord Morris of Borth-y-Gest Memorial Lecture at Bangor University (March 2007); "...the Human Rights Act guarantees protection not just for minorities, but for everyone: ....human rights are mainstream, not marginal" Link to the DCA 'Guide
to the Human Rights Act - 3rd Edition' |
| AIRE Centre |
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'Advice on Individual Rights in Europe': Information and advice throughout Europe on international human rights law, including the rights of individuals under the provisions of European Community Law; |
| Amnesty International (AI) |
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Amnesty International is a worldwide campaigning movement that works to promote all the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international standards. |
| Amnesty Search Engine |
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Component of Amnesty Library |
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BIHR 'Brief' - Spring 2006 Newsletter of the British Institute of Human Rights |
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Incl "What can human rights do to protect the rights of refugees?" by Will Somerville (Editor of the 'Newcomers Handbook') and a focus on the support work of the 'Evelyn Oldfield Unit' with RCOs (Refugee Community Organisations) |
| British Institute for Human Rights |
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A Human Rights organisation affiliated with Kings College London. |
| Council of Europe Treaty Office |
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This includes the full text of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Protocols |
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CRIMINAL JUSTICE & IMMIGRATION BILL; The LIBERTY Briefing |
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LIBERTY’s Committee Stage Briefing on the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill in the House of Commons; "...Liberty has a number of concerns about the proposed new immigration status (SIS) in Clauses 115 to 122 of the Bill.........As SIS can be applied to anyone who is convicted of relatively minor offences, or even someone who has never been convicted it is important that any conditions imposed be appropriate and not excessive. This is particularly relevant as SIS can be imposed on family members including children..." |
| Croatian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights |
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Works to protect and promote human rights in Croatia and the rights of Croatian citizens, and to organise education in Human Rights. |
| Derechos |
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Derechos Human Rights is the 'first internet based human rights organization'. Its purpose is 'to work for the promotion and respect of human rights all over the world, for the right to privacy and against impunity for human rights violators'. |
| DIANA - International Human Rights Database |
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On-line Human Rights Archive - now hosted by the law school of Yale University. |
| ECtHR (Strasbourg) |
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Search Engine for ECtHR decisions. |
| EU Resolution on ECtHR Turkey judgments |
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EU Committee of Ministers assess the implementation by Turkey of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights concerning the action of security forces (08/06/05) on the 'legislationonline' website (OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Poland) |
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Government Response to Joint Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights |
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(Feb 2006) Committee's 10th Report of 2005-06, on counter-terrorism, human rights and releated matters incl. the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill: Terrorism & Asylum (Clause 52)Deprivation of British Citizenship (Clause 53), Deprivation of Right of Abode (Clause 54) and (Clause 7) on Out of Country Appeals in national security cases: "The new test for deprivation of citizenship in new clause 53 contains insufficient guarantees against arbitrariness in its exercise......."(p.16) |
| HJT Research |
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The website of HJT Research, incorporating rolling Human Rights News pages from 'Moreover'. HJT produce the ICCID Country Informtion database accessible, by subscription, via the EIN Members site. |
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Human Rights Act to remain unchanged? |
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David Fickling on the 'Guardian Unlimited'. Reid
launches 'get tough' justice package (Guardian): ".... the government
would continue to fight ...[the]..Chahal case ruling which prevented them deporting
foreign terror suspects". "Liberty welcomes Home Secretary Reid’s promise to fight misrepresentation of Human Rights Act" (liberty-human-rights.org.uk) 'myth-busting'
the Human Rights Act (link to the Liberty site) |
| Human Rights Information - US State Department |
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Site of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor |
| Human Rights Library - University of Minnesota |
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The library contains legal source documents, training and education material and links to other sites. |
| Human Rights Watch |
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US Based independent organisation dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world. They investigate and publish abuses anywhere in the world. |
| Human Rights Watch Campaign: Forcible Displacement: A Global Crisis |
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A campaign to improve and indeed protect the system of refugee protection |
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HUMAN TRAFFICKING: Parliamentary Joint Human Rights Committee (JHRC) |
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(HL Paper 179,HC 1056); "We reiterate our recommendation that the protection of victims should be incorporated into the legislative framework, particularly in relation to immigration law. We seek the Government’s confirmation that this will be done as part of the process of ratifying the Council of Europe Convention" (Oct 2007) |
| Interights |
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International Centre for the legal protection of Human Rights - this site includes a developing database of Commonwealth Human Rights Case Law |
| Internatinal Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims |
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Based in Denmark - independent, international health professional organisation that promotes and supports the rehabilitation of torture victims and works for the prevention of torture worldwide - & works closely with other health organisations, including the World Medical Association (WMA), the World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT), the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), the International Council of Nurses (ICN), and Physicians for Human Rights (PHR). |
| International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) |
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News pages of the Red Cross. |
| International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies IFRC) |
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News of disasters and appeals for aid and relief. |
| International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights |
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The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights is a self-governing group of non-governmental, not-for-profit organizations that act to protect human rights throughout Europe, North America, and the Central Asian republics formed from the territories of the former Soviet Union. |
| International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights - 2005 Annual Report published |
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IHF 2007 Annual Reports on human rights violations in the OSCE Region (Europe - including UK- Central Asia and North America) |
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IRCSM Report on 'Sexual Minorities in Uzbekistan' |
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Mission Report by the International Research Centre on Social Minorities (Dec 2005) - accessible on the EIN public site (For queries/comments on the report & suggestions for future references to Uzbekistan, please email: EIN Ed) |
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Justice |
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(The UK law reform/human rights organisation) See eg: 'Changing The Rules: the judiciary, human rights and the constitution' (Discussion Paper on the UK Constitution) & (New, 3rd Nov 2005): "ASYLUM SUPPORT: A practitioners’ guide to the EU Reception Directive" by Anneliese Baldaccini - specialist on Lords EU Committee (166pp, £17: email orders) |
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NORTHERN IRELAND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION "CRITICISES GOVERNMENT ATTACK ON HUMAN RIGHTS CULTURE" |
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"....the Commission has helped to increase awareness and understanding of the universality of human rights standards across and between communities and applicable to everyone. This is particularly important in a society coming out of conflict. At a time when your government is currently supporting the establishment of a Commission on Equality and Human Rights for Britain an |