Category: News

Equality and Human Rights Commission: Immigration – UK Government assessment

Progress assessment: Regression

There has been a sustained or severe regression in the enjoyment of human rights, or a significant reduction in human rights standards or protections in law or policy

The UK Government’s ‘hostile environment’ policies marked a significant reduction in human rights protections in the UK, and inflicted lasting damage on those affected by them, receiving widespread criticism. Recent changes to reduce the use of immigration detention are welcome, but the UK Government continues to detain a significant number of people and there is still no limit on how long someone can be detained. The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted concerns about conditions in immigration removal centres, prompting important new measures, although it is not yet clear whether these will be retained as restrictions ease.

• A total of 24,443 people were detained for immigration purposes in 2019, a similar number to the previous year – before this there had been a downward trend since 2015. Only 37% of those detained were returned to their country of origin or another foreign country, suggesting detention is not consistently used only where there is a realistic prospect of removal.
• Read more: https://humanrightstracker.com/en/progress-assessment/immigration-uk-government-assessment/

21 April 2021: European Network on Statelessness: Situation assessment of statelessness, health, and COVID-19 in Europe

Prof van Hout and Charlotte Bigland from LJMU, the authors of this report, will be leading SNN International Public Health Working Group.  Prof Van Hout says:

“There is a divide between the State obligation to assure the rights of all to healthcare, including the non-discrimination provisions where no one can be excluded in the COVID-19 health response; and the real world situation for the stateless who experience significant social and structural barriers to access of healthcare, not least exacerbated by institutional fear around data sharing with immigration. This is likely to impact most now given the imperatives to scale up and include all in COVID-19 vaccination roll out. NGOs will be crucial in supporting the practicalities around logistics in vaccinations and support of those who are marginalized and hidden.”

How is it that so many people are destitute in 2021?

9 April 2021: This is our recording of Aisha, an undocumented Mum in March 2021 at 30 mins into the video, and her speech is written below the video https://statusnow4all.org/status-now-summit-one-year-on/

Money does not necessarily bring happiness, but it does give you a roof over your head, a toilet, and a cup of tea, which our friend Elizabeth who came from Rwanda always says are the basics. We add our campaign for settled status, healthcare, food and the same income as everyone else to that list.

Forbes World’s Billionaires List: The Richest in 2021: It’s been a year like no other, and we aren’t talking about the pandemic. There were rapid-fire public offerings, surging cryptocurrencies and skyrocketing stock prices. The number of billionaires on Forbes’ 35th annual list of the world’s wealthiest exploded to an unprecedented 2,755–660 more than a year ago.

Read more here: https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/

8 April 2021: Guardian: Coroner rules seriousness of Mulubrhane Medhane Kfleyosus’s illness went unrecognised

A teenage refugee killed himself after the serious nature of his mental illness was not recognised, a coroner has concluded.

Mulubrhane Medhane Kfleyosus, 19, was the fourth from his friendship group of Eritrean refugees to take his own life within a 16-month period after arriving in the UK.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/apr/07/teenage-refugee-killed-himself-uk-mental-health-care-failings

BBC: Eòrpa Series 28: Episode 15

Angela Maclean reports on the effect of the pandemic on refugees and asylum seekers in Glasgow. During the first lockdown many were moved into hotel accommodation for their safety and welfare but concerns emerged about the effect of this on their mental health. A year on many remain in hotels and further concerns have been raised about conditions in a new mother and baby unit in the city. The renewable energy industry has grown in Scotland over the years. But how can the Highlands and Islands harness the natural resources at their disposal to ensure they are part of the burgeoning industry? Eòrpa visits Orkney, a world-leader in tidal power; Nigg Yard, which is working between sectors; and Lewis, where community projects have proven to be effective.