AYS News Digest 29/11/23: International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
Finland closes its borders with Russia for two weeks / Care4Calais — Freezing weather and Coats4Calais Campaign / UK Home Office civil servants unable to say how many asylum-seeking children remained missing / ‘We Dare To Dream’ documentary / and more…
FEATURE
International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
The day of 29/11/23 marks a day of solidarity with Palestine. Since 1977, the observance of this day is a crucial reminder to UN member states to fight to ensure the rights and protections of Palestinians. This year, protests took place around the world to show support and solidarity.
Since 7 October 2023, Israel has ruined Gaza’s healthcare system — 26 out of the 35 hospitals are now no longer operational. Over 60% of all housing has been destroyed. More than 15,000 Palestinians have been killed, including over 6000 children.
GENERAL
‘We Dare to Dream’ — Documentary following athletes on the Refugee Team in the run up to the Tokyo Games
FINLAND
Finland closes its borders with Russia for two weeks
This decision is a response to the rise in numbers of asylum seekers crossing the border and follows the introduction of more Frontex border guards in the area.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg accused Russia of using asylum seekers and migration to put pressure on Finland. The Finnish newspaper Iltalehti reported that Russian embassies have started issuing visas to people from the Horn of Africa to enter Russia. With the support of Moscow’s security services, individuals have then moved onwards to the border with Finland.
However, there has been criticism of this decision.
FRANCE
Care4Calais — Freezing weather and Coats4Calais campaign
Today in freezing conditions, our volunteers gave out 440 new winter jackets to refugees in Calais, and I never seen anyone happier and more relieved to see a coat. It’s so cold in northern France right now, and living outside without a coat is not just unbearable, it’s dangerous: we seriously worry that if temperatures fall lower, it could be life-threatening. That’s how important the warm coats we give out are.
We heard one awful story from Bashir, a Syrian refugee. He had found some mobile showers provided by the French state, and left his old coat outside, trusting the other refugees not to take it. They didn’t — but while Bashir was showering the police came and took all the clothes from outside the shower unit, leaving him with no real protection against the cold. “Without this new coat today, I would be so cold and wet again,’ he said.
To find more information or a drop off point, go to https://buff.ly/3utKEf0
UK
Home Office faces questions regarding the rise in homelessness among refugees
The UK has seen an exponential increase in homelessness among refugees as they are not given the time nor the support and advice to secure their own accommodation following a positive decision on their asylum case.
Home Office civil servants unable to say how many asylum-seeking children are still missing
Following reports on missing asylum-seeking children in January 2023, there has been growing pressure on the Home Office and local councils to improve the support and protection provided to unaccompanied minors in the UK. Nevertheless, Home Office staff were unable to provide updated information on how many children had been found in a recent enquiry.
In addition, they also stated that they do not know the whereabouts of roughly 17,000 asylum seekers who have had their claims rejected.
PROTEST — Against the exploitation and abuse of disabled asylum seekers
Find regular updates and special reports on our Medium page.
If you wish to contribute, either by writing a report or a story, or by joining the AYS Info team, please let us know!
We strive to echo correct news from the ground through collaboration and fairness. Every effort has been made to credit organisations and individuals with regard to the supply of information, video, and photo material (in cases where the source wanted to be accredited). Please notify us regarding corrections.
If there’s anything you want to share or comment, contact us through Facebook, Twitter or write to: areyousyrious@gmail.com
