Asylum / refugees / immigration (UK)
Independent: Government’s ‘inhuman’ approach to immigration will not work and will cost more, says former Home Office minister
The government’s “inhuman” approach to immigration will only cause further problems and end up costing the taxpayer more money, a former Home Office minister has said.
Caroline Nokes, who left her role as immigration minister in July 2019, laid out a damning indictment of her former department’s direction of travel, describing it as “profoundly depressing” and at times “hideously wrong”.
Guardian: From Yemen to the UK: Noor's story
Anushka Asthana talks to Noor*, 29, who escaped from Yemen when her life was threatened because of her work as a human rights campaigner focusing on girls’ rights to education and the right for children not to be forced into marriage. Noor was forced into marriage at the age of 14, but later managed to divorce her husband.
BBC: Brook House Immigration Removal Centre closes due to staff Covid cases
An immigration removal centre has been temporarily closed after a number of staff tested positive for coronavirus. The Home Office said Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) near Gatwick Airport has been shut for 10 days "to stop the spread of the virus". All current detainees have been transferred to a centre in Colnbrook, Berkshire.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-55601449
Asylum / refugees / immigration (international)
AlJazeera: Dozens of stranded Syrian refugees rescued off Albanian coast
Dozens of Syrian refugees have been brought back to land by Albanian authorities after being stranded for hours in rough waters in the Adriatic Sea as they attempted to reach Italy.
Metro: The Windrush scandal has ruined my life and I’ve spent all of my savings fighting it
When I was attending my UK citizenship ceremony in January 2019, I felt humiliated. Not because I was up on stage or in front of lots of other people, but because I’ve lived in the UK for 60 years and I should never have had to go through this pointless formality. I was born in St Lucia but moved to Barbados when I was three and then came to the UK at the age of seven in February 1961.
Charity sector
NACCOM: “This week’s events in America should stand as a reminder to all those who hold political office that their words have the power” – NACCOM’s National Director reflects on an unprecedented week in US politics
“The No Accommodation Network (NACCOM) is deeply troubled by the events that took place on Wednesday 6th January in the United States Capitol. We feel compelled to speak up in defence of non-violent, democratic approaches to achieving social justice.
In the UK we have seen how the same dangerous, divisive rhetoric by political leaders has incited hatred towards people seeking asylum in the UK and people advocating for their rights. Hate-fuelled demonstrations blocking ports, extremists invading people’s accommodation to harass and intimidate them, physical attacks on legal representatives. There is no place in public debate for violence, resentment, entitlement, and intimidation.
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