News and Events
June 2010
Research on Immigration Enforcement
During Refugee Week the Refugee Action Group launched Distant Voices, Shaken Lives; Human Stories of Immigration Detention from Northern Ireland. The report includes interviews with 8 people who sought asylum in N Ireland and can be accessed here.
January 2010
Study into Human Trafficking in Northern Ireland
The Human Rights Commission and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland have published a study on the nature and extent of human trafficking in Northern Ireland. The study can be accessed here.
December 2009
Inclusive Neighbourhood Project Launched
Corrymeela Community in partnership with the Northern Ireland Community of Refugees and Asylum Seekers has launched The Inclusive Neighbourhood Project. This initiative seeks to support integration between the host community and the refugee community in Northern Ireland. For more on the project, link to the relevant section on the Corrymeela website here.
November 2009
Kazadi Family given leave to remain.
Paul Kazadi of NICRAS, and Chair of the Refugee Action Group, along with his family has been granted indefinite leave to remain. For the family this is a welcome outcome to a long campaign. See www.kazadifamily.co.uk for details. We congratulate the family on this outcome and remember others who await interviews, results of their claims or live in fear of removal following an unsuccessful application.
Report launched on the Impact of the Economic Downturn on the Polish Community
A new report was launched at the 2009 NICEM AGM, entitled Za Chlebem: The Impact of the Economic Downturn on the Polish Community in Northern Ireland, it includes reflections from Polish migrant workers on their experience of life here. It was prepared by Dr Robbie McVeigh and Chris McAfee for NICEM and can be accessed here.
September 2009
New report finds serious human rights concerns for homeless non-UK nationals.
On 1st September the NI Human Rights Commission launched No Home From Home, an investigative report into homelessness and people who are excluded from accessing public funds. The report shows that restrictions in current immigration legislation often prevent access to even the most basic levels of support from government agencies. Personal accounts from homeless individuals reveal experiences of domestic violence, ill-health and racial intimidation. A number of recommendations are included the most pressing of these being that, regardless of nationality or immigration status, no one is allowed to fall into destitution. For further information on the report or to request a hard copy email information@nihrc.org, a PDF version is available here, the report and other related resources are available on the NI Human Rights Commission Website.
March 2009
NI Human Rights Commission calls for Abolition of Workers Registration Scheme
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has submitted evidence to the UK Border Agency calling for the abolition of the Worker Registration Scheme. Under this scheme migrants from A8 Accession states such as Poland and Slovenia who come to live and work in Northern Ireland must complete a continuous period of 12 months registered work. Those who do not meet the strict requirements of the scheme are denied access to essential services such as homelessness support and welfare benefits. The Commission has found that this is leading to severe hardship and suffering. Read the Press Release in full here.
Human Rights concern over land border checks
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has voiced concerns that Government plans to introduce checks on people crossing the land border may lead to racial discrimination. These plans are part of a package of reforms to the Common Travel Area (CTA) between the UK and Ireland which include ending the CTA as a passport free zone on air and sea routes. The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill which will introduce these reforms if passed through Parliament is due to be debated in the House of Lords today [4th March]. Read the Press Release in full here.
January 2009
New Report on Migration and Integration
The Equality Commission report, New Migration, Equality and Integration: Issues and Challenges for Northern Ireland, by Neil Jarman and Agnieszka Martynowicz highlights recent developments in immigation. The report is available here.
December 2008:
AICCMR launches Directory of Migrant-Led Churches
The All Ireland Churches Consultative Meeting on Racism (AICCMR)
has just launched a 56 page listing of migrant-led churches and
chaplaincies across the island of Ireland.
To receive a copy of this free publication please contact us, or view and download the pdf version here.
Church leaders, representatives of AICCMR and those who gathered information and compiled the directory celebrate its launch at Edgehill College.
November 2008:
Evangelical Alliance launches Don’t Be A Stranger campaign 
With migration a big issue in the media and politics, Evangelical Alliance’s Don’t be a Stranger campaign aims to highlight the Judeo-Christian injunction to help the stranger. The campaign is supported by a website where you will find migration stories, events and resources. http://www.eauk.org/nostrangers/
Newry and Mourne Council launch We asked for Workers but Human Beings Came
This cross border report looks at the economic impact of migrant workers in Newry and Mourne and Louth. The report can be accessed here .
October 2008: Visit of Inderjit Boghal
Leading Methodist, Inderjit Boghal visited Belfast on 16th October 2008 to encourage support for the Cities of Sanctuary movement. He told an open meeting, called by the Refugee Action Group, that the movement is not primarily a campaigning one but is about organisations getting together to support people seeking asylum by encouraging ‘good neighbourliness’, ‘hospitality’, ‘eradicating hatred’ and ‘making everyone safe’. For more about the movement see www.cityofsanctuary.org
EMBRACE Committee member and Information Officer, Margaret McNulty meets Inderjit Boghal during his recent visit to Belfast.
June 2008
Launch of Information Pack for Asylum Seekers Facing Detention
The Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuiness officiated at the launch of the Refugee Action Group Information Pack for Asylum Seekers facing Detention at Stormont on 17 June. The document contains advice on rights, preparation for sudden detention, and information to assist individuals and groups who are supporting detainees. It is available from groups such as the Law Centre, NICRAS and EMBRACE and can be downloaded here
Marking the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act
March 2007 marked the 200th anniversary of the passage of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act by the British Parliament. This Act made illegal the slave trade throughout the British Empire.During the year events were held to remember those who suffered from slavery, to consider the impact of slavery on our own community and the reaction to it, and also to be challenged to act on behalf of those who today are exploited as economic commodities.
For more on the Slave Trade and local response to slavery in the past see
Marking the 200th Anniversary of the Slave Trade Act [pdf] here
Also:
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI)
The Micah Challenge
St Patrick’s Day Prayer Walk from Saul to Downpatrick
Equality Commission NI
Please let us know if you are organising an event which may be of interest to visitors to this site.
Note that whilst EMBRACE welcomes the opportunity to promote other groups’ events on this page, reference in this section to any specific organisation or event does not consitute its endorsement by EMBRACE.
Event details are subject to change without notice on this site. Please contact those hosting the event for full details.
About
EMBRACE is a group of Christians working together to promote a positive response to people seeking asylum, refugees, migrant workers and minority ethnic people in Northern Ireland.
