Latest news with #asylumSeekers
BBC News
an hour ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Hull asylum seeker: 'I have years of work in me'
As part of Refugee Week, people in Hull, the scene of rioting and anti-immigration protests 10 months ago, have been learning more about two asylum seekers who have fled Sierra a sunny car park, Francis waves hello to us on his phone screen. Having spent seven months in Hull waiting to hear if he would be granted refugee status, he is now in Scotland preparing an appeal with a lawyer after his claim was are on a group call so Francis can speak to Daniel Roche, a director at Roche Civil Engineering in Hull, who wants to understand his story and what refugees can offer businesses in this country."Every refugee was an asylum seeker once", Francis adds. "When you make an application for refugee status, you are an asylum seeker. If you get that granted, you become a refugee."And can you work when you're a refugee?" asks Daniel. "Yes, if I get refugee status, I can work," replies says to have people like Francis on his team would solve a big headache in the industry. According to industry website Civil Edge, 225,000 new workers will be needed by 2027."All we talk about is a shortage of skilled labour," Daniel explains. As the pair continue to chat, they discover they have plenty in common. They each have two children, but one difference is that Francis is thousands of miles from his girls after he fled West Africa in fear of his life."Back home, I was involved in politics and worked on the elections in 2018. There was some election malpractice and because of saying what I saw, my life was at risk."Daniel adds: "It's not fair, is it? Because of the hand you were dealt, where you were born, things out of [Francis's] control, he's ended up in the UK, with qualifications that are useable here and he can't work."After the call, I join trustee Shirley Hart at Welcome House - a community base and support centre for asylum seekers in part of Refugee Week, representatives from the Refugee Council are there to offer advice and people are getting help to fill in forms, one of which is for Hull college, where they can apply for an English course if they have been here for six aroma of spiced food comes from the kitchen, where volunteers cook a hot meal whenever the centre is is useful to those who live in shared accommodation, who, according to the government, get £49.17 per week each to cover food, travel and clothes. Those in full board hotels get £8.86 per Welcome House, we meet Sillah, who says he fled Sierra Leone in fear of his arriving in Europe he has been diagnosed with hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver. He was living at a hotel in the city until he collapsed in March and had to spend three months in the meantime, his application for refugee status was refused and his hotel place was withdrawn, along with his allowance. His condition is controlled now with medication but doctors are unable to release him until he has somewhere to go."I don't want to take up a hospital bed," he says. "But I have nowhere to go. I can't go back [to Sierra Leone]."My life is in danger and without this medicine, I will collapse again." Home Office applications He is talking to Helen, a former Hull primary teacher, who wanted to hear about Sillah's hopes for the future."I'm 30 this year. I have many years of work in me and I want to work in care," he to charity Skills for Care, there are about 131,000 vacant posts in the caring industry."When we're getting to know people, we always ask what they do," Shirley adds."In one day, we had a vet, a doctor, an ophthalmologist and a civil engineer. I see educated, young men who want to work but can't work because asylum seekers can't work."And because of the backlog at the home office... that's why they're in hotels for months and years."At the end of March 2025, there were 79,000 cases awaiting an initial decision, relating to 110,000 people, but the figures suggest the Home Office is making its way through the number is 9% fewer than the end of March 2024. The number of cases awaiting an initial decision is 41% lower than the peak at the end of June 2023 (134,000 cases).Helen sighs."How lucky are we?" she says."Sillah's is just one story. There's a hotel full of people with stories; there's a room full of people here with stories."It is our duty to treat other human beings as human beings, not just numbers, cases and problems." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
French plans to stop small boats will lead to more deaths, says charity
Plans by French police to enter the sea to stop small boats carrying UK-bound asylum seekers willcause more deaths and will be challenged in the European courts, a French charity has said. Arthur Dos Santos, the coordinator of the refugee charity Utopia 56, said there would be an increase in the number of people who would take 'desperate' measures to reach the UK. The official, based in Calais, said the charity was examining the possibility of a legal challenge in the European courts to stop the tactics. Government sources have told the Guardian that French police would be authorised to tackle boats within 300 metres of the shore and in nearby waterways. The strategy aims to be ready in time for the Franco-British summit, which begins on 8 July. This coincides with the state visit to London of Emmanuel Macron, the French president. Over the past few days, French police have waded into the sea to stop asylum seekers from boarding boats, increasing speculation that police are already using the tactic. In one incident this week at Gravelines beach near Dunkirk, officers were shown waist deep in water, using CS gas, riot shields and batons, as they attempted to force a boat to return to the beach. Dos Santos said the French plan to harden its tactics against asylum-seekers and smugglers would result in more deaths. 'When police enter the sea, it will cause more deaths, more people will drown as they try to get away before being caught and forced back to the beach. There will be more violence, as some people fight back, and the people attempting to reach England will find other ways to try to get to the UK. This will not stop them, but it will make the crossings much more dangerous,' he said. The scheme is intended to give the French authorities the power to halt dinghies that 'taxi' up to beaches from nearby waterways. Until now, guidelines prevent French police from intervening offshore unless it is to rescue passengers in distress. In practice, the policy means officers can stop boats leaving the beach by puncturing them, but are restricted once they are in the water. Dos Santos said the tactic would face legal challenges in the European courts, with lawyers examining human rights laws and the UN convention on the law of the sea. 'This policy will be taken to the European courts. We will look very closely at this, as will other organisations,' he said. A British charity that operates in France told the Guardian two weeks ago it planed to explore possible legal challenges to stop the tactic. Steve Smith, the chief executive of Care4Calais, said: 'When the last Tory government tried to do pushbacks in the Channel, Care4Calais initiated a legal challenge and won. Any attempt to introduce interceptions in French waters must face the same level of resistance.'
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
French police ‘will never stop us', say Channel migrants
Channel migrants have vowed that they will 'never give up' on trying to reach Britain despite a looming French crackdown on illegal crossings. French ministers are set to change maritime rules to allow border police, gendarmes and coastguard vessels to stop boats from leaving waters within 300 metres of their coastline. The new strategy will see 'taxi boats' packed with migrants intercepted in shallow waters off Channel beaches. It will probably mean that migrants trying to clamber aboard are pushed back onto dry land by officers armed with shields and batons. However, migrants told The Telegraph that they would 'never give up' trying to reach the UK on small boats. Young men, teenagers and families with small children said they would try to find a way through to Britain, whatever new methods were adopted by the French. Waiting at a makeshift migrant camp on the edge of Loon-Plage, near the port of Dunkirk, was Jamal, a 24-year-old Sudanese man. He had made the two-month journey from North Africa to northern France by any method he could, including boat and horseback. 'If the police stop us in the water when we try to reach the boats, then we will go back to the beach the next day or the next week,' he said. 'We'll never give up.' Ali, a 27-year-old nursing assistant from Afghanistan, had a similar message for the French and British governments. 'Me and my friends are seeking asylum. As Azeris, we cannot express our ethnic identity in Afghanistan since the Taliban took over. It is terrible,' he said. 'That is why I hope the British will give us asylum. That's why we travelled here from Afghanistan. 'I agree people shouldn't be able to cross illegally – only refugees who really need asylum should be protected.' Ali and Jamal, along with their fellow migrants at the Grand-Synthe camp, have faced a heavier than normal police presence on the beach at nearby Gravelines. The beach, which is more than 1,000 yards long, has been a favourite pick-up point for people-smugglers operating 'taxi boats' over the past week. But early morning, patrols of the sands and surrounding dunes by French riot police ensured that no migrant boats left Gravelines on Friday. From before dawn, foot patrols with powerful torches swept the dunes for migrants who might be hidden. As the sun rose, officers patrolled the surrounding paths and roads leading to the beach through holiday homes and children's playgrounds. Detritus left behind by migrants who had recently managed to board boats could be seen piled high on the edge of the beach – trainers, bags, clothes and some identity documents. There was even a crutch left behind by one migrant who was seen earlier in the week using his remaining crutch to clamber into a boat with the help of fellow passengers. There are signs at Gravelines and elsewhere that French police are taking a more interventionist approach in the migrant crisis, in response to criticism by the British Government. In the past week, migrants emerging from the dunes have been sprayed with tear gas. All vehicles approaching Gravelines beach were searched by early morning police patrols on Thursday, with officers checking for any signs of hidden migrants or inflatable boats. Police are also using drones and light aircraft to spot boats along a 75-mile stretch of coastline. At one stage, a patrol van could be seen parked next to a memorial honouring the sacrifice of French and British marines who took part in repeated attempts to reconnoitre German coastal defences in the run up to D-Day – an echo of previous Anglo-French co-operation. But migrant aid charities have warned that the French and British governments will have 'blood on their hands' if police adopt new tactics of intercepting migrants in the waters off the coast. In the past seven days, 2,066 people have crossed the Channel using 33 small boats, with traffickers taking advantage of good weather to make the crossing. Last Friday alone, 919 made the crossing using 14 boats. That was followed by 489 on Tuesday and 244 on Wednesday. On Thursday morning, six French coastguard vessels took part in the rescue of a small group of migrants whose overladen dinghy had run into difficulties mid-way across the Channel. The dinghy had set off unnoticed from a beach close to the port of Calais. The people on board were handed over to the British authorities after being plucked from their boat. A Home Office spokesman said: 'We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security. 'The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay, and we will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice.'
Mail & Guardian
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Don't call asylum seekers and refugees makwerekwere; make them feel at home
Asylum seekers and refugees leave their home countries because life has become intolerable. They seek safety and understanding. World Refugee Day is observed annually on 20 June to honour the courage and strength of people who have been forced to escape their home country by conflict or persecution. According to the In South Africa, refugees and asylum seekers, like many around the world, seek safety and an opportunity to rebuild their lives after escaping violence, conflict and persecution from their countries of origin. But many continue to face ongoing difficulties, including xenophobia and limited opportunities to earn an income. These difficulties are often worsened by delays or obstacles in With more than First, we should have discussions with refugees and asylum seekers . It is essential to better understand their experiences of living in the country and the types of support they need to rebuild their lives effectively. In my experience, many are willing to speak openly and share their stories when given a safe space to do so. Second, we should make refugees and asylum seekers feel welcome. They are often called 'makwerekwere', a derogatory term used by some to inform foreign nationals from African countries that they are outsiders who are not welcome. Instead of looking at refugees and asylum seekers as outsiders, we need to focus on how we can make South Africa a place of safety and dignity, where they can rebuild their lives and feel at home. One way to achieve this is by running community-based programmes in areas where refugees and asylum seekers live. These programmes can raise awareness about who refugees are, why they are in communities and how local residents can partner with them to build stronger and more inclusive communities. Such platforms also allow refugees and asylum seekers to tell their stories. This will help locals to understand the context of their journeys and the reasons they have sought refuge in South Africa. Being given a voice also empowers refugees and asylum seekers to participate in community life and build mutual understanding. Many refugees are skilled professionals (lawyers, healthcare professionals, teachers, and more) who bring valuable experience and expertise that can benefit South African society. Embracing their contributions is a step toward building more inclusive and safe communities for all. Third, we should teach children to respect and accept refugees and asylum seekers . Through my work with refugee and asylum-seeking children in mental health services and research, one recurring problem they face is bullying often because of their skin tone or accent. It is important to teach local children respect, empathy, and inclusion. School-based programmes and initiatives can encourage South African learners to see refugees and asylum seekers as equals, and not to mock, isolate,or bully them for being different. In 2020, Fourth, we should support organisations that provide services to refugees and asylum seekers . In recent years, organisations worldwide offering essential services to them have had severe funding cuts, further reducing already limited services to this marginalised population. For example, in South Africa, the Adonis Musati Project, which was founded in 2007 and offered skills training, youth programmes and psychosocial support, had to close because of a lack of funding. Organisations such as the Trauma Centre and Last, we should prioritise multi-stakeholder intervention. It is also important for civil society, and government departments (such as health, education and the police) to collaborate in finding solutions to address the problems refugees and asylum seekers face. Ensuring access to basic needs like education and healthcare, as well as support services such as local language programmes and income-generating opportunities, is critical to promoting the effective settlement and integration of refugees and asylum seekers in South Africa. Standing in solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers in South Africa requires us all to play our part. The country is known around the world for its philosophy of ubuntu, which means 'am because we are'. For the nation to fully reflect its spirit of ubuntu and show humanity towards others, all who live in the country must extend compassion, understanding and support to refugees and asylum seekers as they work to rebuild their lives and heal from traumatic experiences. Yeukai Chideya is a researcher at the Institute for Life Course Health Research at Stellenbosch University.
Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
As international actors step back, it is time for Malaysia to lead on refugee protection — Melati Nungsari, Kirstine Rahma Varming, Shre Maha Manohar
KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 — It is time for us to discuss the changing landscape surrounding refugee rights and protection worldwide and Malaysia's potential to be a leading nation in this landscape. Earlier this year, the UN Refugee Agency proclaimed that severe funding cuts at the agency are putting refugees at increased risk for harm and danger. The United States, previously a beacon of hope for refugees worldwide, has suspended its Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) under President Donald Trump's second reign, which began in January of this year. This programme – the largest refugee resettlement programme in the world – was the main funnel through which refugees in Malaysia could gain permanent resettlement. This leaves us with the question: so what now? Malaysia's informality has been a blessing to the approximately 190,000 refugees and asylum-seekers in the country. Though they are incorrectly and unfairly lumped with 'illegal migrants', and though their rights are limited, refugees do have mobility across geographical areas in the country and are not confined to refugee camps, and they can access paid opportunities in the grey economy. The fact is that all working refugees in Malaysia contribute to the Malaysian economy as hidden (and typically exploited) labour. These are the important facets of refugee life here that are good, but there are negative sides to the coin: fear and danger of arrests, no access to affordable healthcare or education, and the constant feeling of impermanence and lack of legal status – belonging neither here nor there. This impermanence, however, is vanishing into a state of 'fixedness'. Despite being a non-signatory of the 1951 Refugee Convention, Malaysia has allowed refugees in on humanitarian grounds. Although Malaysia's stance has always been that we are an intermediate host country, this is no longer accurate. The reality is that for the past 20 years, only 7.1 per cent of refugees registered with the UN Refugee Agency in Malaysia were resettled abroad. Out of those resettled in 2024, UN data show that 76.3 per cent went to the United States. With this door now closed, resettlement out of Malaysia is increasingly unrealistic as a 'durable solution'. The presence and permanency of refugee communities can no longer be ignored without severe consequences – not only for individual refugees, but also for the coherence and continued prosperity of Malaysian society. Keeping a growing population estranged and increasingly hopeless on the fringes of society is unjust and unsustainable, and there is much to gain from improving long-term inclusion opportunities. President Trump's severe funding cuts for international bodies, including the UN Refugee Agency, present another challenge to the status quo for Malaysia and its refugee community. These cuts have led to significant downsizing and underfunding of existing programmes, including efforts to support the Malaysian government in formulating and implementing a comprehensive policy framework for refugee reception and support. So how can Malaysia move forward? The humanitarian sector has been roiled by funding reductions from major donors, led by the US under President Donald Trump, and other Western countries as they prioritise defence spending prompted by growing fears of Russia and China. — Reuters pic In this piece, we will suggest three steps that Malaysia can implement within existing laws and policies. We want to emphasise that the discussion on whether or not to ratify international conventions should not stand in the way of practically providing a dignified life for those under our care. Based on extensive research among refugee communities in Malaysia, we suggest the following three steps to improve the quality of life for the refugees who are already here and have nowhere else to go: First, increase the inclusion of refugees and other undocumented populations in lawful employment. Legislation is already available in the IMM13 Visit Pass and work permit system and the National Security Council (NSC) Directive No. 23 – all that is needed is coherent implementation. This will increase living standards for a significant part of the Malaysian population, reduce exploitation, and broaden the state's tax base. In 2019, an IDEAS study estimated that, if granted the right to work, refugees could contribute around RM3 billion to Malaysia's annual GDP by 2024. Additionally, including refugees in the formal workforce will help reduce labour shortages in sectors like agriculture, construction, and caregiving. Second, invest in access to education and healthcare for refugees and their children. This is an important step for Malaysia to take to ensure adherence to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), both signed by Malaysia in 1995. Additionally, it will ensure that the next generation of refugees will grow up able and willing to contribute to Malaysian society. Programmes already exist in Malaysia for the most underprivileged children to go to school; these can be extended to include refugee children. Third, expand partnerships with community-based organisations (CBOs), NGOs, and international organisations to meet refugees' needs for support. This includes efforts to secure increased international funding for CBOs and NGOs that work with refugee support and rights in Malaysia. As American funding for UNHCR and other international bodies is reduced, the gaps in provision of support will have to be filled. Recent research shows that refugee and host CBOs are already carrying significant responsibilities for registration and support, and that this type of support will likely be the most sustainable and effective way to move forward. CBOs already have the know-how and the connections to make this happen – they just need the right political and financial support to continue their important work. Finally, the government must be ready to take up a more important role in refugee status determination and management. In the absence or reduced capacity of a coordinating international body such as the UN Refugee Agency, we need to step up to do more. This is not a problem that will fix itself, and these individuals are not only numbers – they are real people whose lives are in our care. Furthermore, it is in the Malaysian ethos to care; and we have done exactly that recently with our magnificent national societal response to the ongoing slaughter of the Palestinian people and how every part of the nation – from individuals to NGOs to government officials at the highest level – have condemned the genocide and have worked hard to funnel aid and help to Gaza. We have it in us to do more, to extend the same solidarity and compassion to those seeking asylum here. The reality is that global resettlement and funding systems are clearly broken, and in the current world order, no one is going to step in and fix them. This means that refugees and host communities in Malaysia all need to adjust to the fact that refugees are no longer a temporary presence. Lofty ideas of a full policy framework or ratification of international conventions should not hold Malaysia back from taking the reins on refugee protection. Small, pragmatic steps can be taken to promote longer-term protection and integration opportunities. This will improve lives and provide hope for the future – for refugees and host communities alike. Everyone stands to benefit: both refugees and Malaysian society at large. * Prof Melati Nungsari, Dr Kirstine Rahma Varming, and Shre Maha Manohar are researchers based in Kuala Lumpur who work on topics related to refugee studies and forced displacement. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
