South Africa’s flawed asylum system

(IRIN) – South Africa attracts the largest number of asylum seekers in the world, but grants refugee status to very few of them, ranking only thirty-sixth in the world for the size of its refugee population, which the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) puts at about 58,000.

This report online: http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportID=97944

Culture of disbelief works against asylum seekers

(IRIN) – Most asylum seekers arrive in host countries with no evidence to prove they have fled persecution. This means the success of their applications for refugee status depends largely on whether their stories are believed. But the credibility of asylum seekers is increasingly being called into question, particularly in countries that receive large numbers of asylum claims.

This report online: http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportID=97906

Will parliament speak up for asylum seekers?

While we await the outcome of the parliamentary review on asylum, an apology for the past treatment of asylum seekers would be welcome.

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Source: Guardian

Teather takes on asylum seeker support cuts

Cuts to support for asylum seekers should be scrutinised by parliament, former Liberal Democrat minister has urged MPs.

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Source: politics.co.uk

New report reveals scale of UK asylum decisions overturned on appeal

The number of decisions overturned on appeal is testament to on-going problems with the asylum decision-making process, Amnesty International and the Still Human Still Here coalition said today as they published a new report.

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Source: AIUK

Europe’s forced returnees claim abuse

(IRIN) – Cases of excessive force being used to remove rejected asylum seekers have been documented in a number of European countries. But with the financial crisis eroding sympathy and tolerance for asylum seekers, there has been little public or political support for measures that would provide more humane approaches to removing those reluctant to accept an asylum rejection.

This report online: http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportID=97815

Refused asylum seekers driven into destitution

Local authorities have criticised the government for forcing refused asylum seekers into destitution, making life ‘increasingly uncomfortable’ following the rejection of their asylum claims.

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Source: BBC News

UK’s forced returnees claim abuse

(IRIN) – Earlier this month, Jackie Nanyonjo, a failed asylum seeker, died in Uganda, allegedly as a result of injuries received in January during her forced removal from the United Kingdom (UK).

This report online: http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportID=97745

Double standards on International Women’s Day

Source:IRR

Rights for women extend only as far as the immigration and asylum system allows.

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Glasgow Girls impress

Written by Harmit Athwal

A new musical based on the story of the Glasgow Girls, who fought for the rights of asylum seeking children, is a masterpiece.

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Source: Institute of Race Relations

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