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JRS United Kingdom -
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Political Developments
2007 was another year of
policy change and hardening of attitudes towards
asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. More
legislation passed through Parliament: The UK
Borders Act, which comes into force in 2008. This
contains even tougher border controls, the idea of
e-borders and tougher penalties for illegal working.
In addition new policies include:
· the further reduction of public funding for legal
advice, which has already resulted in several good
immigration solicitors refusing to take any more
immigration or asylum cases and in some cases only
taking them on a private basis. The new public
funding contracts come into force in 2008.
· the announcement that there will be further
restrictions to health care for some migrants
(mainly those who do not have a legal status in the
UK, including those working illegally and those with
no prospect of removal from the UK after a failed
asylum claim). |
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JRS Activities
Detention
During 2007, 10 volunteers made weekly visits to detention
centres, coordinated by a detention outreach worker. The
volunteers visited detainees and liaised with solicitors,
health care professionals, etc. as required. The detention
outreach worker provided training, support, visited
detainees and was also responsible for advocacy work on this
issue. One member of the team is seconded as a Catholic
chaplain at Colnbrook and Harmondsworth detention centres.
In this way, JRS UK was able to give support to especially
vulnerable detainees by following up with health
professionals and legal advisors. JRS UK has access to
between 40 and 60 detainees per week.
Social Assistance
Increasing numbers of asylum seekers who have received final
refusals in their claims also visit JRS in office premises
in central London for support and help. 150 people a week
regularly visit the office in order to access transport
grants; for help with applications for emergency relief
grants to other small charities; to receive hygiene packs;
to get help finding a solicitor; to receive JRS hardship
support (max of £200 per person) for daily living needs; and
to get clothing when available. Another 50-60 individuals
are in less regular contact, visiting once a month, or every
couple of weeks, to access these services. Several people
report daily or twice weekly, some fitted with electronic
tags.
Many people in the UK receive £35 a week voucher support if
they have been able to reopen their asylum claim, if they
are seriously unwell or if they have agreed to leave the
country. Some people have been receiving vouchers for two
years or more. JRS UK initiated an exchange scheme to allow
for greater choice, and for individuals and families to
purchase cheaper food from street markets. The supermarket
voucher exchange scheme has gained popularity – leading to
increased interest in JRS’ work from secular groups and some
media coverage on a local level. £7,700 of vouchers are now
exchanged every month.
During 2007 there were 3,110 visits to the JRS office by
asylum seekers and refugees. They came from the following
countries: Afghanistan, Ahwaz (Iran), Algeria, Angola,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Cabinda, Cameroon,
Central African Republic, Chechnya, China, Congo-
Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea,
Ethiopia, Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia,
Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia,
Sudan, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Advocacy
The JRS
UK staff and volunteers continue to give talks and lead
workshops for church and secular groups in order to raise
awareness about the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers
in the UK. Requests to provide speakers have increased
steadily over the past year.
JRS works very well in coalitions, undertaking lobbying work
and campaigning work on destitution and detention issues.
They are active members of the Monitoring Group of Lunar
House (looking at the facilities and treatment of
individuals who attend Lunar House in Croydon, where
interviews, applications for asylum, and visa extensions are
made). From this group has arisen a voluntary welcoming team
for asylum seekers at Lunar House. The volunteers make tea
and coffee, help people settle while waiting for their
interviews and generally help to improve the atmosphere in
the Asylum screening unit. It is hoped that similar
voluntary groups will be set up in some of the reporting
centres in London. JRS UK has also helped set up the
Independent Asylum Commission - a people’s inquiry into the
asylum process in the UK. The Commissioners include human
rights experts, members of the House of Lords, a theologian
and a refugee. Over the course of 2007, public hearings were
held across the UK and written evidence was requested. The
findings will be published in 2008.
Volunteer
programme
Apart
from the team of volunteer visitors there is a small team of
volunteers who help out with administration tasks, reception
and welcoming duties, producing publications, and event
organisation in the office.
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Contact Details
Ms Louise Zanré,
Country Director
6 Melior Street, London SE1 3QP
Tel: +44 -20-7357 0974 - Fax: +44-20-7378 1985
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uk(a)jrs.net
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