Rwanda policy: Asylum charity welcomes Court of Appeal asylum decision

A court ruling that the UK government’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is unlawful has been welcomed by the charity that challenged the policy.

Rwanda had not provided sufficient safeguards to prove it is a “safe third country”, senior Court of Appeal judges ruled in a split decision.

See this BBC NEWS ARTICLE..

There is more information on campaigns (such as detention, support rates that mean poverty, and Lift the Ban on the right to work) on the website of our partners at Asylum Matters

The RWANDA policy is still being argued in the courts. There is a recent briefing here and another here

Care 4 Calais are leading a campaign on Safe Passage for Asylum Seekers

Other Current local concerns – please contact your councillors and MPs

Afghan Families still not properly housed: Nearly nine months after evacuation from Kabul airport and being granted refugee status several large families are still in unsuitable temporary hostel accommodation.

Asylum Seekers dumped in Leyland hotel large numbers of asylum seekers are now housed in a hotel, with no provision for social life, access to English classes or other service, limited access to transport and living on a pittance.

Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme People across Lancashire have responded magnificntly in offering hospitality and support to people fleeing the war. The LCC Refugee Resettlement Team are working beyond the call of duty to support the scheme. However, the programme is ill thought out with many bureucratic hurdles and incompetncies preventing people getting visas and permission to travel, and schools for children and benefits when they arrive. There are also concerns about the random matching of hosts and guests, and over safeguarding, while some placements are not working out well in tems of expectations and personal relationships. The programme has been in place for nearly a year and some guests are being asked to move on and finding it difficult to find appropriate housing or new hosts.

The Anti-Refugee Act – a national cause for shame

It is with great regret and sadness that we heard about the passing of the widely condemned Nationality and Borders Bill at the end of April. The implications of the Bill as it now becomes law, are draconian, expensive and acknowledged by many to be unworkable.

It allows the Home Secretary to now send men, women and children fleeing war and persecution to an unknown future in Rwanda- a country acknowledged by Amnesty International to have an unacceptable human rights record.

While the Bill is a sad and shameful reflection of this government’s approach to refugee protection it also undermines established international treaties and conventions. In short this new law by now criminalising those who arrive on our shores serves to add to the very real suffering and hardship of those seeking sanctuary.

PCOS will continue to stand in solidarity with those seeking sanctuary and campaign for a more compassionate approach asylum seekers and refugees.

Dawn Judd

Chair Preston City of Sanctuary

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There is more information on this and other current campaigns on the website of our partners at Asylum Matters

CURRENT CAMPAIGNING