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June RJ Update
Refugee Week
This year, Refugee Week takes place from 18-24 June 2007 and we would like individuals and organisations to take part. To get involved contact Scottish Refugee Council on 0141 248 9799 or email Abbie Wallace at abbie.wallace@scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk
To find out more about the week go to www.refugeeweek.org.uk
Pastor Daly’s case
Recently I received the news that the asylum appeal of Pastor Daly and his family was turned down again. They intend to make a fresh application for asylum. Many of you will remember from previous appeals that their fist asylum application was made in 2002. This family would appreciate your support both in writing to support their application and in praying for them. If you could help and would like more information please contact me.
Reminder:
Open Weekend and National Ecumenical Service
Saturday 16 – Sunday 17 June David Livingstone Centre,
To mark the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in
Commemorating the victims of slavery, past and present and seeking to eliminate
the legacies of slavery, For more information go to http://www.scotlandandslavery.org.uk
1. Racist incidents in Scotland:
Racism shame of monkey chants
Dunoon is a rarity among rural Scottish communities. The presence of a US naval base at Holy Loch during the Cold War accounts for most of the black people living in the town. Scotland on Sunday
'I made racist jokes out of ignorance'
One of Scotland's most powerful businessmen has admitted he made racist remarks to Pakistani immigrants when he was growing up in Leith - acts which he still feels shame over today. Scotsman
2. Developments, Reports and Investigations
First Minister praises contribution by ethnic minority Scots
Speaking in Renfrew as guest of honour at the Pakistan Welfare Trust's 20th Annual Dinner, First Minister Alex Salmond said he would do all he could to encourage more ethnic minority Scots to seek representation in all parts of Scotland's national life. Scottish Executive News
'I'll help more ethnic minorities to make it into Holyrood'
First Minister Alex Salmond has pledged to encourage more ethnic-minority Scots to seek representation in Parliament. Scotsman
Tory bid to select pupils by race
Some schools would be able to select pupils by race in order to improve community relations under plans being considered by the Conservative Party. BBC
Report says racial strife more likely in villages than big towns
A government report released today by the Commission on Integration and Cohesion says that racial tensions are now more likely to overheat in rural towns and villages than in the previously riot-hit northern mill towns of Burnley or Oldham. Guardian
Test to reveal ‘inner racism’ in job applicants Telegraph
Revealed: UK schools dividing on race lines
A remarkable picture of how Britain is 'sleepwalking' towards US-style segregation of schools along racial lines is highlighted today by government figures that reveal many towns are developing schools that are overwhelmingly white, Asian or black. Observer
Civil liberties not at risk, says Brown
Gordon Brown has pledged that Britain's civil liberties will not be undermined by his proposals to extend detention without trial, amid warnings from political rivals that they would not sign up to further authoritarian anti-terrorism laws. Scotsman
The world and Scotland too: Tom Nairn at 75
Tom Nairn, born on 2 June 1932, is one of the world’s great thinkers about nationalism and globalisation. His radical, vigorous, and incisive work continues to ignite and provoke. openDemocracy contributors reflect on what makes a friend and colleague forever young. OpenDemocracy.net
New powers a licence for 'racial profiling'
Human rights groups have criticised proposals for new powers to detain, for up to nine hours, anyone travelling through UK airports, ports or train stations. Guardian
Rules to make migrants integrate
Ministers want to introduce a national British day to complete a "citizenship revolution" that would also toughen rules for migrants and try to instil community pride in all 18-year-olds. Guardian
Ministers proposing 'Britain Day' BBC
3. Asylum refugees:
Dawn raid in Glasgow this morning (12 June)
This morning at 7.00am the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Team and Strathclyde Police arrested a family at 10 Red Road Court in what was the first dawn raid in Glasgow since the Waku family were taken in March earlier this year. Indymedia
Food protest by asylum detainees
A large number of detainees at Dungavel immigration removal centre in South Lanarkshire have begun to refuse food in protest at their indefinite detention. BBC
Refugee Group Says Sweden Shows Way On Deportations
Scotland should adopt a Swedish scheme of deporting failed asylum seekers which places a greater emphasis on voluntary returns. Herald
Scottish Executive rules out amnesty
The Scottish Executive has ruled out an amnesty for failed asylum-seeking families in Scotland. Scotsman
Executive moves to protect asylum children
Scottish Ministers are preparing to flex their muscles with Westminster over asylum issues and are actively exploring what influence they can bring to bear on the controversial subject. The new approach was disclosed yesterday as another family was detained by immigration officers in a dawn raid - believed to be the second enforced removal from a home since the new administration was formed in May. Herald
Children and young people make DVD on Dungavel ‘horror’
Herald
Iraqi Christian Refugees in Legal Limbo
Guardian
Trafficking
Lured here by hope... then trapped in a life of misery
Police believe 6,000 foreign women have been trafficked into Scotland's growing sex trade - and more are arriving every week. Scotsman
Are Faroes a new gateway for illegal migrants to be trafficked into Scotland?
People smugglers found to be using Faroe Islands as staging post to get immigrants into UK via ferry link to Shetland. Scotsman
Charities criticise Home Office plans for young asylum seekers
Charities working with refugees have criticised the Home Office for not treating unaccompanied asylum-seeking children the same as accompanied children. YPN Magazine
New Voices - the free newspaper for refugees in Scotland
The British Red Cross Refugee Unit in collaboration with the Metropolitan College is running a journalism course on Mondays 2pm-5pm for a period of 10 weeks. The course will take place at the refugee unit office in Sauchiehall Street. The aim of the course is to train volunteers who will contribute to New Voices newspaper. You do not require previous experience or training. Everyone is welcome whether you are a refugee or not.
For more information contact: Nathalie Ouriachi, 402 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JD, Tel: 0141 331 4170, Email: Nouriachi@redcross.org.uk
4. Immigration
Scottish teachers call for limits to migrant pupils
At its annual conference, the largest teaching union in Scotland, EIS, has voted for the union to negotiate an agreed national limit on the number of non-English speaking children in a class. Scotsman
Move to simplify immigration laws
A public consultation will run until 29 August on how to reform the 11 Acts and dozens of other regulations, some from 1971, which govern immigration. BBC
It doesn't make sense in any language
Ruth Kelly wants immigrants to the UK to learn English - so why do the government's current proposals seek to restrict access to free lessons? Guardian
Earn points to get citizenship
The government has issued new proposals that migrants will have to earn points in order to be granted British citizenship. Credit would be given for things such as voluntary work. BBC
SNP fears new law could mean curtains for foreign Fringe acts
Scotsman
Big Issue ban on ‘pushy’ foreign vendors
Herald
Romanian families muscle in on the magazine market
Herald
Rowntree report highlights impact of immigration on UK communities
Three reports by the Rowntree Foundation have suggested that the government should value migrants as more than merely an economic resource and act to ensure their integration into British society. 24Dash
5. Marking the Bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade
See www.scotlandandslavery.org.uk
6. Campaigns
Migrants Rights Network, Website launch July 1st
Get a preview of the new website now, just visit:
Migrants Rights Network, Working for the rights of all migrants, http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk
Sign-up now to the Network's Newsletter: Migrants E-news: http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk
7. Publications:
Report: Child trafficking in the UK
Children smuggled into UK for sex abuse and slavery
Most victims become prostitutes or servants
Violence used to control and 'break-in' youngsters
Guardian
Report: Migrants Voices, Migrants Rights
Download the report 28 page PDF
The End of Tolerance: racism in 21st century Britain
IRR
Forced Marriage Unit: Two- Year Strategy 2007-2009
Download PDF
Handbook on Integration II
Second edition of the Handbook on Integration for Policy Makers and Practitioners
The handbooks are prepared by MPG as an independent consultant to the European Commission. Download Handbook II EN (3950kb)
Multiculturalism:
The many faces of multiculturalism
Tariq Modood's revised multiculturalism acquiesces in rather than critiques the essentialising, religious mythology that surrounds the subject, says Sami Zubaida. OpenDemocracy.net
Multiculturalism and citizenship: responses to Tariq Modood
Tariq Modood’s new book and openDemocracy essay argues that a developed multiculturalism can incorporate the recent focus on Muslim experience and national identity to enrich democratic citizenship. openDemocracy writers engage with his approach. OpenDemocracy.net
Beyond formula: response to Tariq Modood
A mix of civility, locality, dialogue, faith among new “micropublics” can help make real Tariq Modood’s democratic multiculturalism, says Abdul-Rehman Malik. OpenDemocracy.net
Catalyst issue 9