Churches have welcomed show of unity from the four political parties in Wales to pledge to improve the lives of refugees and asylum seekers.
All four party leaders have launched a manifesto for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Wales ahead of the Assembly elections in May. Called “We’ll keep a welcome’, the manifesto includes five key pledges that will improve the lives of refugees and asylum seekers, whoever eventually succeeds at the elections.
The five pledges are:
1 Welcoming people seeking safety from persecution by ensuring that candidates won’t campaign negatively on refugee and asylum issues.
2 Empowering refugees to rebuild their lives by ensuring that young refugees and asylum seekers have equal access to further education, and that funding for English classes continues.
3 Providing fair and equal access to services by providing access to healthcare for asylum seekers, whatever the status of their claim.
4 Protecting children and young people by developing a specialist advocacy service to look after their needs.
5 Developing a strong evidence base to better inform service provision in Wales and help communities work together.
Niall Cooper, Church Action on Poverty said: “The people of Wales have a proud history of giving refuge to people fleeing persecution and poverty. Migrants who have arrived as refugees have been amongst those who have made the most impact on society and the economy. Our sense [of] social justice means we provide a safety net for all on these islands, no matter who they are. We look forward to all the candidates and parties supporting the Manifesto in the Election Campaign and the elected candidates, in office.”
Rev Aled Eirug, Chief Executive of Cytûn – Churches Together in Wales and Chair of the Welsh Refugee Council said: “I am so grateful that the party leaders in Wales have been able to set aside party politics to come together and make a real difference to people’s lives.
“All the organisations who work with refugees and asylum seekers in Wales are pleased that the politicians have shown a determination to do something about the conditions faced by vulnerable people when they come to Wales – people who make such a positive contribution to our communities.”
The next stage in the campaign will see all candidates in the Assembly Elections being asked to commit their support and carry a pledge card. More information, and a list of candidates supporting the campaign can be found at www.keepawelcome.co.uk
Inspire
Partners
The following organisations have worked together to prepare the Manifesto:
Amnesty International
Asylum Justice
Cardiff Asylum Seeker Support Group
Children in Wales
Church Action on Poverty
Commission for Race Equality
Cytûn – Churches Together in Wales
Displaced People in Action
Newport and District Refugee Support Group
Oxfam
Refugee Voice Wales
Save the Children
Swansea Bay Asylum Seeker Support Group
Welsh Refugee Council
Source
March 16, 2007
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