A Fairer Asylum Process

 A report by Shiellah Mushunje, ZHRO Member – Peterborough.
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nWe had a fruitful meeting concerning the real plight of Asylum Seekers. It was well attended.
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nKey issues discussed include: 

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• the right to work for asylum seekers
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  Shiellah from ZHRO

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• detention system

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• signing in and how individuals get picked up by immigration officers

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• high legal costs for those appealing denied cases

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• housing

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• mental health issues

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• families

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• vulnerable people

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• long term illnesses

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nWhat can be done

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• Lift the ban( on employment) which has already startedn

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• Petition to be started on grant amnesty to all undocumented migrants so they can be self sufficient.n

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• Campaign with councils to fund a programme with CAB to give free legal help to those asylum seekers , refugees and immigrants

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• Work with housing societies, to get supported housing for refugees.

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• Raise awareness through empowerment programme

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• Create sign in solidarity system which can support those signing in

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• Here in Cambridge we have one central point, the main police station.n

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• Mobilisation of people with influence.

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nWho Came to Listen

n The meeting was attended by City Councillors,
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nAcademics, Feminist groups, Cambridge Refugees Council, Migrants Organise, Global Justice Now, Right to Remain, Anti Racist activists, Quakers movement, Cambridge care, Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum, Church leaders.