http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/index/ en Copyright 2010 2010-07-29T16:11:36+00:00 http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/breakthrough_for_homosexual_asylum_seekers/ http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/breakthrough_for_homosexual_asylum_seekers/#When:16:11:36Z A recent Supreme Court means gay and lesbian asylum seekers will no longer be expected to return and hide their sexuality. Two homosexual men from Cameroon and Iraq whose asylum claims were previously rejected have now been granted asylum in the UK. Homosexual asylum claims In Sudan, being homosexual is not only illegal, but also punishable by death. Sudan is not alone; homosexuality is still classified as illegal in 79 other countries. In these countries, women and men can suffer lengthy imprisonments and flogging for their sexuality. In 1999 the UK recognised asylum claims based on sexual orientation and gender identity but still most homosexual asylum seekers are refused asylum and sent back to their home countries. Between 2005 and 2009, the Home Office refused 98% of all gay or lesbian asylum claims (Stonewall, 2010). Often asylum seekers are denied refugee status on the basis that they could avoid persecution and abuse if they were ‘discrete’ and hid their sexual orientation. This disregarded individual freedom of expression and ignored the fact that often many asylum seekers had fled their homes after being recognised as homosexual and subsequently persecuted. The Breakthrough On 7th July 2010, the UK Supreme Court accepted the appeals of two homosexual men who had fled from Cameroon and Iraq due to persecution. This ruling reversed the initial asylum decisions that the two men could return to their respective countries and hide their sexuality. This was despite the case of the man from Cameroon who had been beaten by a mob after he was seen kissing a male partner. It was the appeals of these men that have changed the policy on gay and lesbian asylum cases. “From today, asylum decisions will be considered under the new rules and the judgement gives an immediate legal basis for us to reframe our guidance for assessing claims based on sexuality, taking into account relevant country guidance and the merits of each individual case”. Home Secretary Theresa May, 7th July, 2010 The UK Supreme Court ruled that the ‘discretion test’ did not recognise the human rights of homosexuals and that it breached the UN Convention on Refugees. We are delighted both for the two men who have been granted asylum and for other gay and lesbian asylum seekers, who should now be given a fairer chance in the future. This decision was a result of the dedicated and determined campaigning by groups such as the UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG) Many asylum seekers are not as fortunate and how you can help Many asylum seekers continue to be wrongly refused and are often returned to their home country. In 2009 alone, 19,005 asylum seekers and their dependents were forcibly removed from the UK (BID). We must continue to highlight these issues to ensure that these great achievements are upheld in new cases. Campaigning has proven successful for improving the legal treatment of homosexual asylum seekers in the UK. Undoubtedly through campaigning and awareness-raising we can ensure that every individual claiming asylum, whether fleeing from persecution in a war-torn country or because of their sexual orientation receives a fair and thorough chance at asylum. Refugee News 2010-07-29T16:11:36+00:00 http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/two_exciting_internship_opportunities_at_star_national/ http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/two_exciting_internship_opportunities_at_star_national/#When:16:49:59Z STAR is looking for two enthusiastic individuals who are committed to improving the lives of refugees in the UK. Find out more about our exciting and rewarding internships starting this September. Do you want to gain some valuable experience with a small charitable organisation? Would you like to be involved in the ‘Equal Access’ national campaign helping refugees and asylum seekers get access to higher education? 0r would you like the chance to be instrumental in organising the only student conference about refugees in the UK? “We are a very small staff team and the support interns provide to us Is invaluable” (Emily Crowley, Volunteering Project Coordinator) Campaigns Internship The Campaigns intern will coordinate STAR’s national campaigning, in particular the ‘Equal Access’ campaign to improve access to higher education for refugees and asylum seekers. This role is diverse and the intern will undertake numerous activities in both an organisational capacity and research and development of materials and ideas. “I got more out if it than I thought I would. I’ve not just been an office helper but have been given quite a lot of responsibility and it’s a really interesting role. I’ve loved it!” (Caroline, previous STAR intern) You will coordinate STAR’s national campaigning, in particular the ‘Equal Access’ campaign to improve access to higher education for refugees and asylum seekers. To apply download and complete the application form below. Closing date for applications: 12pm Wednesday 18th August 2010 You should be able to commit 3 days per week for at least 3 months from September 2010. This position is unpaid but travel and lunch expenses will be provided. Download Campaigns Intern Role Description: Campaigns Role Description Download Application Form: Application Form Events and Training Internship The Events and Training Intern will support the STAR National Office team in coordinating STAR’s 2010 National Conference (20th-21st November) and organising quality training opportunities for the STAR network.The National Conference is our biggest event of the year where students come together from all over the country to find out about refugees and share ideas and experiences. This role will involve numerous responsibilities to do with STAR’s annual conference including organising, accommodation and managing logistics and volunteers at the national conference. “Organising the conference was a really good experience and helped me to learn a lot. It has provided me with skills I can use in the future and made me sure I want to do events management. Thank you very much for the opportunity!” (Abeke, previous STAR intern) You will support the STAR National Office team in coordinating STAR’s 2010 National Conference (20th-21st November) and organising quality training opportunities for the STAR network. To apply download and complete the application form below. Closing date for applications: Tuesday 7th September 2010 You should be able to commit 3 days per week for at least 3 months from September 2010. This position is unpaid but travel and lunch expenses will be provided. Download Events and Training Intern Role Description: Events & Training Role Descption Download Application Form: Application Form 2010-07-22T16:49:59+00:00 http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/university_scholarship_for_refugee_student/ http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/university_scholarship_for_refugee_student/#When:14:31:24Z APPLY NOW for a full 4-year undergraduate scholarship at HULT International Business School for refugee students. Deadline: Sunday 18th JulyUndergraduate Scholarship HULT International Business School have a FULL scholarship for a refugee to study on a 4-year undergraduate programme in London. Applicants must be: a refugee originating from a war-torn country already in the UK (to start in our UG program in September 2010) English Proficiency (we can arrange for an English proficiency test to be carried out free of charge for the suitable candidate(s)) Learn more more about undergraduate programmes at HULT To Apply Contact Jennifer Gracie is you are interested to receive an application form: [email]jennifer.gracie@hult.edu[/email] or call 0207 341 8544 Apply by Sunday 18th July to be considered to start on a course this September. Refugee News 2010-06-28T14:31:24+00:00 http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/student_leaders_prepare_to_take_action_for_refugees/ http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/student_leaders_prepare_to_take_action_for_refugees/#When:14:15:44Z STAR students from around the UK gathered for a training weekend on 12-13th June. Check out the photos and download the handouts from workshops, campaign actions and speakers!Saturday Two top speakers kicked off the weekend with an insightful overview of refugee law and reflections on the current state of affairs with the new coalition government. Maurice Wren (Director, Asylum Aid) and Alison Harvey (General Secretary, Immigration Law Practitioner’s Association) offered STAR members their expertise, providing the context for the weekend and STAR’s work as a whole. Download Alison Harvey’s handout: ‘Refugees in the UK: the role of the STAR Network’ Workshops on STAR’s key activities There were three workshops in the afternoon: 1. ‘Changing Attitudes about Refugees’ with Zrinka Bralo (Executive Director, Migrant and Refugee Communities Forum). Zrinka spoke of her experience in journalism and migrant rights campaigning and the possibilities for reaching a wider audience with the truth about refugees and their treatment in the UK. Download Handout: Zrinka’s Helpful Links for Changing Attitudes 2. ‘Supporting Refugees through Volunteering’ with Emily Crowley (Volunteering Project Coordinator, STAR National). Emily described how STAR volunteers fit into the a wider movement supporting refugees and what students can do to build a successful partnership with local organisations. Download copy of Emily’s presentation: Supporting Refugees through Volunteering See Emily’s Sunday workshop below for a full guide. 3. ‘Campaigning Together for Refugees’ with Jonathan Ellis, Refugee Council (Director of Policy and Development). Jonathan explained the basics of campaigning and how to plan for success, discussing with students how they can contribute to real change. One, two, three Simple Acts… STAR members got into 3 groups to take part in Refugee Week ‘Simple Acts’ campaign: Take a picture of you and your pro-refugee banner See the beautiful banner students made in the picture below! Define the word refuge You can watch the short film made about the meaning of ‘refuge’… Learn to say a few things in a new language In the picture below students teach each other key phrases in some new languages. Film screening: Moving to Mars We saw a snippet of the documentary about two Burmese families and their journey from a refugee camp in Thailand to the streets of Sheffield. Watch Moving to Mars online at 4oD Sunday STAR spent the early morning looking at how the different parts of the network work together. We celebrated the achievements of this year and looked forward to more success next year. Downloads: STAR network calendar 2010-11 Affiliation Agreement 2010 Map of STARs 2010 Workshops on running a STAR group 1. ‘Fab Freshers: Getting and Keeping Members’, with James Fisher (STAR National), got students thinking about what makes their society special and how to organise and student-magnet stall for freshers. Download STAR’s ‘Guide to Running your STAR group’ for advice: Running a STAR Group 2. ‘Perfect Projects: Running your Volunteering’, with Emily Crowley (STAR National), looked at the 3 key stages of planning, delivering and evaluating projects as well as a happy volunteering team. Download STAR’s guidance on volunteering for advice: Volunteering – Committee training 2010 3. ‘Excellent Events and Fundraising’, with Emma Williams and Kevin Dunbar (STAR National), involved practising planning for a successful event. Download STAR’s ‘Guide to Organising Events’ for advice: Organising an Event Equal Access campaign Ahmed Shazad was our guest for the afternoon, speaking of his experience of going to university while awaiting his asylum decision and the work he previously did with Brighter Future’s, a self-advocacy group for young asylum seekers. We then turned to STAR’s Equal Access campaign to improve access to higher education for asylum seekers and refugees. Some STAR groups have already made excellent progress and we’re set to make a big impact next year! Equal Access 2010: a review Go to our Equal Access page to download the STAR Campaign Pack ‘Speed-date’ planning Students planned, moved on, fed back, planned a bit more, commented, moved on… and organically put together solid plans for great events next year! Ready to go! We can now all rest over the summer before getting back to university to promote, volunteer and campaign to make a difference to refugees in this country… exactly what we’ve just prepared for. National STAR News 2010-06-24T14:15:44+00:00 http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/watch_refugee_films_online_for_refugee_week/ http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/watch_refugee_films_online_for_refugee_week/#When:09:58:59Z Come to a film festival – without having to leave the house! Watch http://www.brightwide.com from 10 June until 24 June Brightwide’s online Refugee Week film festival will be bringing the best in thought-provoking and head-stretching cinema into our front rooms. Make some popcorn. Fire up the computer. And take your pick of award-winning drama and documentary including La Forteresse, In This World, Welcome and No One Knows About Persian Cats. Find out more Watch a movie about refugees Take part in the Simple Acts campaign for Refugee Week (14-20th June) and ‘Watch a movie about refugees’. Watch brightwide.com from 10 June until 24 June http://www.brightwide.com/home Mr Colin Firth, who campaigns for refugee rights, said: “Our online festival will bring the experience of exile, and the situations that compel people to become refugees, to life. Refugee Week is all about celebrating the contribution of refugees to the UK, but it is also about nurturing a better understanding of the issues that face people in exile. Brightwide is proud to play its part in mobilising support for this important cause.” Simple Acts Refugee News 2010-06-09T09:58:59+00:00 http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/refugee_and_migrant_justice/ http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/refugee_and_migrant_justice/#When:16:31:45Z STAR is concerned that thousands of asylum seekers will not be able to access legal advice if the legal charity Refugee and Migrant Justice (RMJ) closes down.What’s Happening? Refugee and Migrant Justice (RMJ) is facing possible closure because of bureaucratic rules that result in the Government not paying promptly for asylum and immigration legal work. No charity can be expected to wait many months, even years for payment. RMJ is not asking for extra money, just for the Legal Services Commission to pay the money it owes. Refugee and Migrant Justice website Why does it matter? If RMJ is forced to close, more than 10,000 asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants will be left without legal assistance. That includes almost 900 children as well as victims of trafficking, torture and armed conflict. Lives will be put at risk and there are likely to be many more miscarriages of justice – which, sadly, are already common on asylum. Letter to Secretary of State Emma Williams, STAR’s Chief Executive, has written to the Secretary of State on behalf of all STAR members about the situation. Here is the text of the letter: Rt. Hon. Kenneth Clarke, QC, MP Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor Ministry of Justice 102 Petty France London SW1H 0AL 8 June 2010 Dear Secretary of State Refugee and Migrant Justice and Asylum Legal Aid I write regarding the imminent closure of Refugee and Migrant Justice due to the lack of payment for “work in progress” for their asylum legal work. I represent over 4,000 British university students and on their behalf ask that you support access to legal advice for asylum seekers whose cases are currently being dealt with by Refugee and Migrant Justice. We request that you protect the charity from closure by paying the legal aid funds owing. Refugee and Migrant Justice are not the only body facing this difficulty and I ask you therefore to look again at the legal aid payment system for asylum work. This is vital to ensure vulnerable people, many of whom are victims of torture and atrocity, can exercise their legal right to seek asylum in the UK. The payment problem has been raised with you for some time by many agencies including The Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association. One justification was that UK Border Agency would make initial decisions on asylum cases within six months, so the legal work would be done within this time and payments would be made within months of the work starting. The six month completion date has been cited as the solution to a number of difficulties in the asylum system. However, as you are aware, making fair decisions on asylum claims almost always takes longer than six months, so it is not a reasonable time frame on which to base your plans. The Legal Services Commission has not saved money by abolishing staged billing, it has simply delayed payment. Indeed, if Refugee and Migrant Justice are forced to close, then the Legal Services Commission will be obliged to pay up all the money immediately while losing the charity’s huge institutional expertise. This will doubtless cause further delay in the asylum system as cases are transferred to new advisors and cause further misery for already vulnerable people who have fled horror in their home countries. Yours Sincerely, Emma Williams Chief Executive STAR Refugee News 2010-06-08T16:31:45+00:00 http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/join_the_release_carnival_help_end_child_detention/ http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/join_the_release_carnival_help_end_child_detention/#When:14:23:07Z Child detention has not ended yet. Join the Release Carnival in London on 5th June with musicians, circus acts, dancers as well as ex-detainees to call for an immediate end to the detention of asylum seeking children.Sign up to the Facebook Event Release Carnival, 5th June On Saturday 5th June there will be a demonstration to protest the detention of asylum seeking children. STAR will be joining the Release Carnival organised by the SOAS Detainee Support Group with musicians, circus acts, choirs, dancers and clowns joining activists and ex-detainees with one goal: to unite the community against the abhorrent practice of detaining children for immigration purposes. The demonstration is in conjunction with Liberty, Bail for Immigration Detainees, The Children’s Society, Refugee and Migrant Justice, End Child Detention Now, Clare Sambrook, The Woodcraft Folk and Right to Refuge and Helen Bamber Foundation. There’ll be juggling, clowns and live music – everything from samba bands to church choirs and much more besides. The day will be fun, inclusive and educational and a positive way of challenging one of the most horrific aspects of the asylum system. We hope you can join us! Release Carnival website Download the invitation Release Carnival Invite When and where? Saturday 5th June. The Carnival will assemble at 12pm in Torrington Square (between Birkbeck and SOAS) for speakers. At 2pm the march will begin to Downing Street where a small procession will deliver a letter demanding a change in the policy of immigration detention. Finish no later than 4pm. Take Action! Email the Minister The new Government made a very welcome commitment last week that they would “end the detention of children for immigration purposes”. This was followed shortly afterwards by a statement from Damian Green, the new Immigration Minister, setting out their plans for “a comprehensive review” and his hopes to have “plans agreed within the next few months”. It soon became clear that the Government intended to continue detaining children while their review took place – on Monday a mother and her eight-month old baby were detained at Dungavel detention centre in Scotland. But then almost immediately, following pressure from the Scottish Government, the UK Border Agency announced that no families would be detained in Scotland. Instead, families would be transported to Yarl’s Wood detention centre in Bedfordshire… Read more about this story Support the campaigns OutCry! and End Child Detention Now and continue to lobby the Government, urging them to follow their commitment with immediate action to end the detention of children and families, and to do so in a way that puts children’s welfare at the heart of any new policy. It’s crucial that we all keep up the pressure. Please help by taking action… Email the Minister It only takes a minute to send Damian Green, the Immigration Minister, a quick email. He deserves congratulations for committing to end the immigration detention of children – something the previous Government did not do. But he also needs to know that he must act now. Join the Students Against Child Detention facebook group to keep up to date and take immediate actions. Refugee News 2010-05-20T14:23:07+00:00 http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/umbrella_parade/ http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/umbrella_parade/#When:10:47:08Z Come and celebrate the protection of refugees by skipping down London streets with a white umbrella! Join Amnesty, UNHCR, Red Cross, Refugee Council, Refugee Action… we need you STARs!Join Facebook Event Celebrate protection of refugees On 20th June hundreds of refugees, asylum seekers, and their supporters will march through London for the World Refugee Day Umbrella Parade, to celebrate the protection of refugees and the great contribution refugees have offered to our society. We will give you a huge white umbrella to carry as a symbol of care and shelter, representing our proud tradition of offering safety to those in need of international protection. Similar parades are also taking place in eight other cities in Europe so we will be marching in solidarity with thousands of others across the continent. Bring everyone! We hope that as many people as possible from across the UK will come along on the day to enjoy the march and celebrate with us on this exciting day. Everyone is welcome, so please bring friends, family and colleagues and help us celebrate our proud tradition of offering a place of safety to those who have suffered war, torture and persecution. Let’s demonstrate that refugees are welcome here! The parade is being organised by the Refugee Council, UNHCR, Amnesty International, the British Red Cross, STAR, and Refugee Action as part of Refugee Week 2010. See Refugee Week event Where and When? Sunday 20th June, at 1.30pm meet Horse Guards Avenue, London The parade will take us past the Houses of Parliament, across Westminster Bridge, and finish in the gardens outside the Imperial War Museum – just over a mile away. Please bring a picnic to enjoy at the end of the march if the sun is shining! Join up… Please let us know you are coming: Sign up to the Facebook event Any questions, contact STAR national National STAR News 2010-05-18T10:47:08+00:00 http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/star_committee_training_12-13th_june_london/ http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/star_committee_training_12-13th_june_london/#When:12:09:51Z STAR’s FREE summer training weekend for leading members is coming soon! If you’ll be helping to run projects and events in 2010-11 then join other STARs to learn about refugees and gain skills in running student groups, raising awareness, volunteering and campaigning. Booking ClosedWhat do you get? Learn about the needs of refugees Find out how to take action for STAR Meet other STARs from around the UK Get advice on running an effective student group Develop your campaigning, awareness-raising and volunteering skills Download Flyer Flyer Download Programme Training Programme Book your free place now Training Booking Form Join Facebook Event Committee Training on Facebook Workshops Speakers We’ve got fantastic top-level speakers in the refugee sector to come speak to you: Maurice Wren, Asylum Aid (Director) Jonathan Ellis, Refugee Council (Director of Policy) Zrinka Bralo, Refugee and Migrant Communities Forum, (Executive Director) Alison Harvey, Immigration Law Practitioner’s Association (General Secretary) Mekdes Alemayehu, Dost (Deputy Director) Info sessions Refugee movement and activism in the UK Key bits of asylym process and latest trends STAR network’s role in supporting refugees STAR national Equal Access campaign STAR network calendar of the year, including training and campaign actions Skills sessions Changing attitudes about refugees – online debating! Volunteering in local partnerships Campaigning and lobbying MPs Getting more members at Freshers Fair Setting up and running volunteering projects Organising events and fundraising Action sessions Do a Simple Act with STAR! STAR Speed-planning… Time & Place Date: 12 – 13th June 2010 Time: 11:30am Saturday – 4pm Sunday Where: University of London Union, London WC1E 7HY Cost: Free! Meals: 2 lunches, 1 dinner and 1 breakfast! STAR national can provide free accommodation and subsidise travel for up to 3 members per group. You must book before Tuesday 1st June to reserve accommodation. Travel expenses can be reimbursed for up to 3 members. You must bring your receipts and bank details to be reimbursed. The cost of travel is subsidised based on the distance from London (see below). We will provide full travel bursaries for students who are in the asylum process. Contact STAR national to discuss. See STAR’s ‘Travel Subsidies’ List to find out how much you can claim back. STAR Travel Subsidies Book your place Please download and complete the booking form below and send to the email address on the form. If you need accommodation please fill in the relevant section. Booking Form Training Booking Form There are at least 3 training places reserved for every STAR group, just ask us if more of you want to come to check space. Please make sure all new members and your friends know about this and have the opportunity to attend! Contact James on 020 7729 8880 ext.205 if you have any questions. National STAR News 2010-05-04T12:09:51+00:00 http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/star_members_make_their_views_clear/ http://www.star-network.org.uk/index.php/news/star_members_make_their_views_clear/#When:14:47:50Z On Tuesday 27th April young people’s desire for change was made clear as senior politicians went after the all-important youth vote at a special hustings organised by a coalition of 15 student and humanitarian organisations. Hilary Benn (Labour), Simon Hughes (Lib Dem), James Brokenshire (Conservative) and Darren Johnson (Green) answered questions on the five themes of Trust in Politics, Corporate responsibility and the Environment, Human Rights, Global Health and International Conflict. Audience members showed their responses in real time by holding up pink cards to support what a panel member was saying, and black cards to object. Video The debate opened with a question on political reform, tapping into massive audience dissatisfaction at the current political system, and ranged from climate change and nuclear disarmament to civil liberties and treatment of asylum seekers. Simon Hughes and Darren Johnson both made clear that their parties would end the detention of asylum seeking children immediately. James Brokenshire explained his Party’s plans for right of recall, to which the audience responded positively. Benn pointed to the reforms which had been made under Labour, such as the removal of most of the hereditary peers from the Lords. Hughes and Johnson won audience approval with their support for proportional representation. There were heated exchanges between panel and audience members over Iraq. Benn defended his Party’s decision to go to War, prompting a show of black cards, and there was massive audience support for Hughes and Johnson whose parties condemned the decision. International aid was another topic on which the audience felt strongly, with audience members condemning the much larger UK expenditure on arms under the Labour Government. Benn responded that International Aid expenditure had tripled under the Labour Government after falling under the Conservatives. Power2010’s George Gabriel, an organiser for the event, said: Less than half of people aged 18-24 bothered to vote at the last election – but last night’s event was part of a growing movement turning the tide. Last week saw a surge in voter registration among young people – and with the polls so close, every vote counts like never before. First-time voters really do have the chance to change the political landscape this time. New Voters, New Politics didn’t just confirm young people’s anger about the Iraq War and the unfairness of our electoral system. It showed how acutely aware this generation is of the threat posed by climate change – and that tackling it is crucial to global health and averting international conflict. These first-time voters are coming of age at a time like no other, with a political system that is tragically out of date – and they really could bring about a new politics. The event was coordinated by POWER2010 in partnership with Aegis Students, Amnesty International, Campaign Against Arms Trade, the Charities Parliament, the Fairtrade Foundation, Faithworks, the Network of Christian Peace Organisations, the Howard League for Penal Reform, MEDSIN, People and Planet, Student Stop AIDS Campaign, Students Supporting Street Kids, Student Action for Refugees, Student Hubs and War on Want. National STAR News 2010-05-03T14:47:50+00:00