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JRS United Kingdom -
www.jrsuk.net
 

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).

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.

 

 


Contact Details

Ms Louise Zanré, Country Director
6 Melior Street, London SE1 3QP
Tel: +44 -20-7357 0974 - Fax: +44-20-7378 1985
 



 

uk(a)jrs.net

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Jesuit Refugee Service Europe - Rue du Progrès (Vooruitgangstraat) 333/2 - B-1030 Bruxelles - Belgium
Tel: + 32 2 250 32 20 - Fax: + 32 2 250 32 29 - Email: europe(a)jrs.net