Monthly actions

➡️ SOLIDARITY WITH UKRAINE 💙💛

Things we can do to help:

📋 Sign the petition by Freedom from Torture. And if you’ve already signed, please share it (again). 📣

📋Sign this petition on the Parliament website.

✍️ Use Amnesty’s tool to contact the Prime Minister.

📢 A special website has been set up for those fleeing Ukraine and their families, offering free immigration advice. Please spread the word!

🧤🧦 Support humanitarian efforts via the Oxford Polish Association which is assisting relief efforts on the Polish border: donate here.

📖 🏠 The government’s ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme opened for applications on 18th March. Asylum Welcome has a very useful guide for those thinking of taking part. NGOs continue to highlight shameful gaps in government support: leading to differential treatment for those without visas, some new arrivals becoming homeless as placements fall through, and seasonal workers being excluded altogether.

Meanwhile, local charity Sanctuary Hosting is continuing to host asylum seekers and refugees fleeing from conflicts throughout the world as well as providing temporary accommodation for those suffering from homelessness and destitution as a result of their immigration status. They welcome applications from anyone in the Thames Valley with a spare room to offer (support is provided) and from those who would like to volunteer to support a hosting placement.

➡️ ANTI-REFUGEE BILL (LATEST)

As you will know, the Nationality and Borders Bill returned to the House of Commons on Tuesday 22nd March, where MPs voted on the House of Lords’ amendments to the Bill.

It’s not over yet. The Bill will go back to the House of Lords to be considered again, then returned again to the Commons, in a process known as ‘ping pong’.

Things will can still do:

📢 Watch and share the Refugee Council’s powerful video (via twitter).

📨 Use the Refugee Council’s email tool to contact your MP (particularly important if you have a Conservative MP).

📧 The amendment to remove Clause 11 from the Bill was rejected by MPs by 318 votes to 220. Clause 11 creates a two tier asylum system, so that arriving without permission to seek asylum becomes a criminal offence. See how your MP voted on this crucial clause here and let them know how you feel (useful advice on City of Sanctuary’s website here).

📱If you have emailed your MP already, try a follow up phone call.

🧡 📝 Check out Asylum Welcome’s ‘One Last Push’ campaign. Sign their petition to Oxfordshire MPs against Clause 11.

🪧 Order free campaign materials from JCWI. Show your support with their posters and stickers.

➡️ BREAKING DOWN BORDERS: ON THE FRONT LINE OF FORTRESS EUROPE

The South Yorkshire Migration and Asylum Action Group (SYMAAG) is hosting a free hybrid event on Tuesday 12th April at 6:30pm exploring how border policing and changing border policy has impacted those on the move in Europe.

🎫 For those interested in attending via Zoom, there are more details available through Eventbrite and you can register for your tickets here.

➡️ SUPPORT THE AFGHAN CLIMATE ACTIVISTS

Since the Taliban took over in Afghanistan last summer, at least eight civil society activists and human rights defenders have been assassinated, with many more forced into hiding, or fleeing the country. 

📖 Read more about the threat to Afghan climate campaigners here.

There is currently no safe route for these activists to seek protection in the UK.

✍️ Add your name to JCWI’s open letter, asking the Minister responsible for the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme to expand the criteria.

➡️ JUSTICE FOR MARIAM

Our friends at Migrants Organise are raising awareness and support for Mariam Ibrahim Yusuf, a celebrated campaigner who has been trapped in the immigration system for over a decade.

Over the last 14 years, Mariam has faced appalling hardships including homelessness and separation from her children.

💷 Please support the crowdfunder if you can.

➡️ HASSOCKFIELD / DERWENTSIDE LATEST (SUPPORT THE LEGAL CHALLENGE)

The charity Women for Refugee Women is mounting an unprecedented legal challenge against the government. This challenge relates to Derwentside (formerly Hassockfield) detention centre, where women are locked up without provision for in-person legal advice.

Read more about the legal challenge here.

💷 If you can, please support the crowdfunder. So far, an impressive £14,172 has been raised from 633 pledges with a stretch target of £20,000.

📋 Continue to share Agnes Tanoh’s petition. 📣