International Refugee Day 2016 – a joint statement from Scotland’s faith communities
20 June is International Refugee Day. As representatives of faith traditions and organisations assisting faith communities in the struggle against poverty we share an imperative to offer compassion and justice to those who are afraid and oppressed. We are saddened that there are those who would tear down bridges in place of strengthening human relationships... Read More
Fundraising Event in Support of Syria
Augustine United Church and St John’s Episcopal Church are hosting a live-performance of Mark’s Gospel in aid of the Syrian refugee crisis. Come along and be inspired by Phil Ruge-Jones and his incredible story-telling skills. Date Monday, 20 June 2016 Time 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Venue Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh Tickets available... Read More
Working Together in Faith – Day Conference
Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees Information and advocacy conference – part of the Refugee Festival Scotland 2016 Date Tuesday, 21 June 2016 Time 10.30-15:30 (Registration from 10:00) Venue St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, Edinburgh Lunch A light sandwich lunch will be provided Registration: HERE (required) Leaders, activists and members of Scottish faith communities are invited to... Read More
Addressing the needs of unaccompanied asylum seeking children and child refugees in Scotland
This week the Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre published a paper addressing the needs of unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) and child refugees in Scotland. The report sets out the context of the current refugee crisis, particularly as it relates to unaccompanied minors, and looks at the structures in place in Scotland to provide support... Read More
Hope for Refugee Children
In a week where the UK Government has been persuaded to do more to help unaccompanied refugee children in Europe, the World Communion of Reformed Churches has been reflecting on UNICEF’s analysis that 1 in 3 Syrian children have grown up knowing only crisis as the Syrian conflict has reached its 5 year point. Their... Read More
The Effect of the EU-Turkey Deal on Refugees in Greece – WCC reports
The EU-Turkey deal has been the centre of many discussions in the last four weeks. “Europe’s leading human rights body (the Council of Europe) has issued a stinging indictment of the EU’s refugee deal with Turkey, which it said at worst exceeds the limits of what is permissible under international law”, says Jennifer Rankin, The Guardian,... Read More
A weekend away for Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Over a weekend in early March 2016 a group of 27 refugees and asylum seekers, currently living in Bradford, spent the weekend living with host families in and around Skipton in rural North Yorkshire. There they found an extremely warm welcome. The initiative was jointly organised through the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust’s outreach project ‘People... Read More
Stand Up To Racism Scotland Seek Support
A group from Stand Up To Racism Scotland will be visiting Thessaloniki, Greece in May to provide medical and financial assistance to refugees. They will primarily be working with children who have been orphaned and displaced during the ‘refugee crisis’. Stand Up To Racism Scotland want to provide the NGOs with donations while in Greece,... Read More
Right to Remain Launches New Resources
Right to Remain have launched a brand new and unique guide to the UK’s Asylum and Immigration System. The toolkit gives an overview of the legal system and procedures, with detailed information on rights and options at key stages. It also includes actions someone seeking the right to remain can take in support of their claim,... Read More
Faith groups and credit union launch donation appeal
The Church of Scotland Presbytery of Gordon, Aberdeen Mosque and Islamic Centre (AMIC) and the North East Scotland Credit Union (NESCU) have joined together to launch a donation appeal for the families who have arrived in Aberdeenshire during the last few weeks from UNCHR refugee camps near Syria.