About
The acronym HAT stands for Here and There. Here: (where they are now) they are asylum seekers, refugees and/or immigrants. There: (where they came from) they were doctors, journalists, nurses, poets, accountants, hoteliers etc.
Hatnews acts as a catalyst to give prominence to the voices and skills in the wilderness. It is a conduit of information and news for asylum seekers refugees including those granted any form of status or those whose cases have been rejected by the Home Office forcing them into destitution. Hatnews also serves people who may be going through the immigration system, or economic migrants here on work visas.
Hatnews has a 24 hour link withy the Home Office Press Office. This allows us a rapid response to our enquiries and gives out useful information, press releases and relevant statements that we go on to publish.
Aims
Some of the aims of Hatnews are:
- to challenge long-held stereotypes and myths about refugees and asylum seekers by disseminating balanced, fair and factual information
- to inform refugees and asylum seekers of their rights, responsibilities and major changes in the immigration system.
- to promote the development of refugee communities, enabling them to actively participate in wider society.
- to get asylum seekers out of wasteland of lost writing skills by providing real opportunities for members who are self-motivated and have a passion and zeal for writing and improving their skills and styles.
- to encourage refugee communities to attend training courses in Community Media run at the Learning and Information Library, Bishop Street.
- to report on current news and information about situations in countries where asylum seekers and refugees come from.
Signposting
The Hatnews website reproduces a detailed map with useful information that signposts refugees and asylum seekers to specialist agencies and organisations in Leicester. It shows where they can get help with housing, health, education, employment, safety, childcare and integration issues. These organisations include the British Red Cross, Welcome Project, Centre Project, Phoenix Housing, Catch 22, Refugee Action, Refugee Support, Immigration Advisory Service, City of Sanctuary, Leicester University, De Montfort University, Leicester College, South Leicestershire College, the NHS ASSIST Service, Leicester City Council and many more.
Definitions
The 1951 Refugee Convention guarantees the right to apply for asylum. It has served millions of lives. No country has ever withdrawn from it.
It is of paramount importance that we outline the following five terms:
Asylum Seeker
Someone who is fleeing persecution in their homeland, has arrived in another country, made themselves known to the authorities and exercised the legal right to apply for asylum.
Refugee
Someone whose asylum application has been successful and who is allowed to stay in another country having proved they would face persecution back home.
Failed Asylum Seeker
Someone whose asylum application has been turned down and is awaiting return to their country. If it is not safe for refused asylum seekers to return, they may have to stay for the time being.
Illegal Immigrant
Someone who has arrived in another country, intentionally not made themselves known to the authorities and has no legal basis for being there.
Economic Migrant
Someone who has moved to another country to work.
(Source:Refugee Council)
