[www.asylumpolicy.info] - 'stranded Iraqis, humiliation, criminalised and demoralised, shackled, settlers, sense of injustice'

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Contents

- UK

- World

- Miscellaneous

- Archive

- Volunteer opportunities

- A 6-point plan for getting messages into the media

:: UK ::

This won't do, Mr Blunkett

"However, this clause must be challenged because it is not only ill-informed and potentially counterproductive, but also defeats the ends of natural justice. helping them integrate and contribute to our society. He seems to have a strange way of showing it. Scotland wants and needs to welcome new settlers but they should stay here because they choose to, not because they are shackled to a flat by a narrow-minded regulation that can only inspire a sense of injustice.

10/6

You've been volunteered

"the image of stranded Iraqis - for most of the group affected are, apparently, Iraqi - "cleaning up graffiti and litter" on British streets. Quite apart from the fact that this further criminalises and demoralises a group criminalised and demoralised enough already. But the seeming capriciousness of the measure, against people we must assume to be innocent - and, of course, the generally accepted meaning of the term, as an alternative to jail - imply something closer to humiliation in the community.

10/6

Work regime for asylum seekers in legal limbo

9/6

Radio: Pick of the day

"Perhaps he can find a little peace by travelling back to Rwanda and meeting the girl he saved? Discover how it works out in It's My Story:

For the Love of a Daughter (8.00pm, Radio 4).

Villagers fight to keep immigrant centre

10/6

Briefing on legal aid provisions in Clause 14 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants etc) Bill - House of Lords

Joint briefing by Liberty, British Institute of Human Rights, Immigration Law Practitioners Association, Justice and Legal Action Group

PDF file

7/6

ILPA briefing on the Government amendments to clause 14

"Even 10 days is a tight timetable because applicants frequently need a second opinion at this stage and new lawyers – often including counsel instructed for the first time - need time to review an entire case from scratch.

June

NASS is conducting a comprehensive review of Policy Bulletins. Numbers 9, 10, 15, 26, 27, 44, 45, 46, 48, 49, 54, 57, 58, 60 and 62 have recently been withdrawn as they are procedural (rather than policy) documents, are outdated, or the information they contain is provided elsewhere.

:: World :

Sudan: Crisis - every refugee child under five faces death unless UN acts

Sudan: Plight of Darfuris who sought safety in Egypt

Sudanese children dying of hunger

Sudan Urged to Step Up Peace Efforts

Sudan: UK calls for action in Sudan

Sudan: time running out

New Violence In Ivory Coast

In Ivory Coast: Helicopter gunships attack as 20 die in ground clashes

Pakistani troops 'kill militants'

Libya Is Tied to Plot on a Saudi

Germany: Bomb injures 17 in Cologne's Turkish quarter

Iraq: Kurdish leaders fear for future rights as Kirkuk troubles fester

Ireland: Refugee application backlog to be cleared in 2005

DR Congo: Regional leaders call for more UN troops for DRC

Congo peace back on track as renegade troops flee

DR Congo: Singing in streets of Bukavu as Congolese rebels' depart

Afghanistan: G-8 countries should help ensure security

Afghanistan: Child kidnapping on the rise

Colombia: Assistance for Ex-combatant Minors in Colombia

Kosovo/Serbia: UN mission spotlights Kosovo’s gender gap in employment and education

Canada: New racism claims against Refugee Board

Australia: Deadline up but children still not free

Australia: City bells to toll for detained children

Russia: Extremism, Xenophobia Rising

Malta: Amnesty International writes to Maltese Minister over Eritrean’s ordeal

Turkey: Released prisoners of conscience should face no further trial

Rwanda: Government slams door on political life and civil society

El Salvador: Child Labor on Sugar Plantations

and

Child Domestics: The World's Invisible Workers

US: NYC Cop to Be Charged in Fatal Shooting

Iraq: Bush Policies Led to Abuse

:: Miscellaneous ::

White House claims executive privilege on torture

Bush Administration Lawyers Greenlight Torture

White supremacist aids BNP

Benevolent conspiracy between aid agencies and media benefits everyone

IOM News - June 2004 (includes a migration policy section)

UNAIDS/IOM Statement on HIV/AIDS-related Travel Restrictions

PDF file

Britain: Reject Immunity for U.S. Troops

Blunkett in ID card row with privacy watchdog

Internal Displacement Update: UN Commits to "Revitalizing" the Collaborative Approach

:: Archive ::

If you have any problems accessing any of the above resources you may wish to download or view our online .html and word .rtf versions via:

http://www.asylumpolicy.info/archive.htm

Copy of this email online:

and word:

:: Volunteer opportunities ::

Volunteer opportunities with Asylum Aid

:: A 6-point plan for getting messages into the media ::

Refugees Asylum-seekers & the Media (RAM) Project - promoting best practice in media coverage of refugee and asylum issues -

A 6-point plan for getting messages into the media

1. Give praise where it is due

Print and broadcast journalists are rarely praised for doing their job well. If you like what they are doing – let them know with a letter, email or phone call. You will make a friend and perhaps become a useful contact.

2. Demand accurrate information

If the print or broadcast media publish wild allegations or don’t give sources for facts and figures, ask them to justify the material – and give them contacts where they can get more authoritative information. There are lots of websites and contacts on our leaflet Reporting Asylum and Refugee Issues. Send for a copy ram@presswise.org.uk or access the information by clicking on the Refugee section on our website www.presswise.org.uk

3. Refer editors to the Press Complaints Commission guidance

On 23 Oct 2003 the PCC issued guidance to editors about the coverage of refugee and asylum issues [See http://www.pcc.org.uk/reports/edit_detail.asp?id=20 ] Our research shows the guidance is routinely breached – but the PCC tell us no-one is complaining….

4. Complain about inaccurate or unfair coverage

We can give advice about formulating your complaint – so contact us on 0117 941 5889.

5. Promote humanatarian arguments

Facts, figures and sensational headlines are no substitute for stories that explain the human tragedies that drive people into exile, or the successes of those who start new lives here. Write letters and articles that generate positive messages. Challenge the racists and xenophobes – remind them that we should all be proud that so many people believe this country is a safe place where freedom of speech and freedom from persecution are assured. Moral arguments are as powerful as reminders that Britain has signed up to legal obligations.

6. Join the RAM newtwork and get use-of-media training

Why not set up a network of local people willing to take part in this type of campaigning activity. Join the RAM Network by emailing ram@presswise.org.uk We provide advice, a free monthly Bulletin for local distribution, and training. We can supply a 15-minute video ‘On the Receiving End: exiled journalists speak out’ (£12.50). And our Exiled Journalists Network can assist refugee community organisations with their media relations.

Reference: Universal Declaration on Human Rights:

Source: Migrant and Refugee Communities Forum

Thanks

frank.corrigan@asylumpolicy.info