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The Refugee Experience

The Refugee Experience. Diverse people joined together by common needs. Refugees Coming…. 1914-18 - Belgian refugees 1920s - Russians and Armenian refugees 1930s-1940s - Jewish refugees 1940s-1950s - Eastern Europeans 1960s- 1980s - Vietnam, Chile, Ugandan Asians, Eastern Europe

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The Refugee Experience

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  1. The Refugee Experience

  2. Diverse people joined together by common needs

  3. Refugees Coming… • 1914-18 - Belgian refugees • 1920s - Russians and Armenian refugees • 1930s-1940s - Jewish refugees • 1940s-1950s - Eastern Europeans • 1960s- 1980s - Vietnam, Chile, Ugandan Asians, Eastern Europe • 1990s - Kosovo, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Sierra Leone, Congo, Ethiopia, Rwanda • 2000 +- Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Eritrea, Zimbabwe, Middle East, China, Burma, Somalia, Congo…

  4. Definition of a refugee • Refugee: a person who is recognised by the government as having a fear of being persecuted in their country for reasons of… • Race • Religion • Nationality • Membership of a particular group • Political Opinion Different types of refugee status • Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)only after 5 years • Limited Leave to Remain/Enter(5 or 3 years) • Humanitarian Protection (HP)usually 3 years • Discretionary Leave (DL)if case will breech Article 8 of European Convention on Human Rights (right to respect for private and family life) or he/she has a serious medical condition • Unaccompanied Minor Discretionary Leave until age 18 • Case Resolution Refugees can apply for British Citizenship after 5 years

  5. Asylum seeker • Asylum Seeker:someone who is waiting for the government to decide if they are regarded as a refugee (*NB not all refugees have been AS – Programme refugees come on Gateway programme) • Limited rights in the UK • Section 4 – a failed asylum seeker who cannot be returned to their country of origin due to an exceptional circumstance such as serious illness, pregnancy or Home Office Policy on sending people back to a particular area

  6. Refugees and Asylum seekers are not to be confused with… • EU migrants • Economic migrants • Illegal Immigrants • Evacuees (disaster relief)

  7. Why people leave • Global trends • 75 million living outside country of birth 1965 • 105 million 1985 • 120 million 1990 • 200 million 2010 • UN figures Persecution Oppressive political regimes Civil war Ethnic cleansing Religious intolerance Restriction of basic human rights Women’s rights (threats of forced marriage/FGM/sex trade/domestic violence) Seeking safety

  8. WHERE DO MOST REFUGEES GO?

  9. Why the UK ? • Safe • Signed the 1951 UN international convention relating to the status of refugees • English language • Historical & colonial links • Family connections • Justice, respect human rights, democracy • Many don’t choose, they are brought here

  10. HOW DO PEOPLE COME HERE? • Resettled (programme) refugees from refugee camps coming in groups (750 per year to 4 UK cities) • Asylum route (coming to UK as individuals or families) • Approximately 20, 000 per year, dispersed all over UK • This figure includes ‘in country applicants’ • UK is 36 in world ranking for countries hosting refugees

  11. Asylum Process • The Asylum Process in the UK (NAM – 12 months for 1st decision) • Arrival in UK – port of entry • Statement of Evidence form (SEF) • Housing and Support Subs only/no support • (HO) asylum Interview • RefusedAccepted Refugee Status(3-5yrs) (28 days to leave NASS Support) • Appeal in Court Time Limited (1-3yrs) (ELR, HLR, ELE, DLR) • Refused • Tribunal Section 4 / case resolution (Judicial Review) (Refused - Destitute, Detained & Deported or voluntary return)

  12. Where are people coming from? • Syria: Civil War • Iran: Persecution of ethnic minorities and religious groups • Somalia: Civil war, ethnic persecution, no government • Iraq: Civil war • Congo: Civil war, Human rights violations • Pakistan: Religious oppression, violence and persecution, Taliban • Afghanistan: War, strong Taliban presence, human rights violations • Eritrea: War with Ethiopia, human rights violations • Ethiopia: War with Eritrea, human rights violations • Zimbabwe: Oppressive government and economy in ruins • Burma: Oppressive government, restriction of rights • China: Communist government, human rights violations

  13. Asylum Seekers • Not allowed to work (very few exceptions) • Limitations on courses at college/ESOL (6 months) • Limitations on movement (Home office monitoring) • £31 - £40 per week in support (or vouchers if on Section 4) • Poor quality housing/often shared/no choice • Reporting/signing • Free NHS healthcare (inc dental, optical) • Many report feeling in ‘limbo’ • Some asylum seekers have been waiting over 10 years

  14. Asylum Registration card (ARC)

  15. Destitution, Detention, Deportation • Asylum seekers whose claims have failed (numerous reasons, including legal technicality) • Some cannot be returned to ‘unsafe’ countries • 100s without any support or accommodation in Leeds • 100s in detention centres across country • Option of voluntary return • Fear of forced return • Many failed asylum seekers have no legal representation • New asylum model – these situations can develop quickly

  16. Issues to be aware of when someone has recently received refugee status • Very disruptive time, emotional rollercoaster • Time pressure(28 days to leave NASS and sort out benefits) • Needs include • Housing & relocating (Housing shortage, cramped accommodation) • Registering for benefits (Backdated income support & backdated child benefit) • Job hunting & pressures from the Jobcentre • Having to face the “real world” • Family re-union (increasingly difficult) • Changing situation – education/courses may have to be delayed

  17. Refugee status document

  18. Latest changes • COMPASS and new contracts • Legal aid cuts (and threatened with further axing) • Cuts to accessing funded ESOL courses • New dispersal centres • Voluntary sector cuts / ending of some refugee services • Private sector undercutting voluntary sector for contracts • Threat to free health care

  19. City of SanctuaryBuilding a culture of welcomePeople and communities from all walks of life, united by a desire to bring welcome to our culture THE PROMISE WE HAVE MADE We recognise the contribution of asylum-seekers, refugees and others seeking safety to our city/town, and we are committed to welcoming and including them in our activities.

  20. STREAMS OF SANCTUARY • Schools of Sanctuary • Welcome project • Sanctuary in Arts • Maternity Stream of sanctuary • Health Stream of Sanctuary • Faith stream of Sanctuary • University of Sanctuary • Sanctuary in sport, gardening, knitting…

  21. What can we do? • WELCOMING… saying ‘hello, I’m glad you’re here’ • BEFRIENDING… volunteering • MEET AND TRAVEL TOGETHER… accompanying people to Home Office and Court appointments • IA… Offering support at Initial Accommodation Centre • DROP INS … conversation classes, volunteering • AWARENESS RAISING … at your school, college, place of work, family and community gatherings • CAMPAIGNING… tell others; write to your MP • FUNDRAISING… for refugee charities • SHARING… your skills, your knowledge, your language • DONATING… food, toiletries etc to destitution charities • MENTORING… refugees with your professional background (doctor, teacher etc) • VOLUNTEERING… find out about the local charities from City of Sanctuary • INCLUDING… refugees in your club, team or group • TEACHING… English at home, refugee children’s homework club, etc • WHAT ELSE ???... There is room for YOU to bring YOUR skills and be creative • To find out more, look at www.cityofsanctuary.org

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