Requests
Published: 1 Sep 2016
Request for information on refugees and asylum seekers in Romania
A Danish freelance journalist is currently researching the conditions for refugees in Romania. Topics of interest include refugees who have chosen to resettle or are quota refugees in the country, Dublin deportation cases, and labour exploitation of refugees. The journalist invites information from relevant networks on how to get in touch with people in the above situations, and can be reached via email.
American lawyer in Greece seeks help relieving refugees of burial costs
As an Afghan-American lawyer working with the Afghan-Greek population has discovered, the families of refugees who have died in Greece must pay all funeral and burial costs in order to transport bodies to a permanent Muslim burial space in northern Greece. The total cost is around 3,000 EUR, and without this exorbitant sum the body is never released or laid to rest. The lawyer has assisted the community in writing a formal letter to UNHCR to inform of the financial burden and ask for policy addressing this issue to be established. UNHCR has not yet issued a response. If anyone has any insight into helping this situation, please send an email.
Law firm in US seeks information on UK asylum records
The client of an immigration firm in Salt Lake City, Utah, claims to have applied for asylum in the UK, and now wishes to apply for asylum in the US. The legal clerk assisting this client would like to know which department, office, or agency can be contacted to access an individual’s asylum records. Please contact the clerk via email with relevant information.
Inquiry invites written evidence on experiences of newly arrived and newly recognised refugees in the UK
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Refugees has launched an inquiry into the experiences of new refugees in the UK. The inquiry will consider the experiences of refugees who have claimed asylum in the UK, as well as those of refugees who have arrived in the UK through other paths, such as resettlement. In particular, it will focus on the integration of new refugees, including success in finding employment, securing accommodation and, where appropriate, help with English language skills.
The inquiry panel invites written evidence from a broad range of stakeholders, including government representatives and civil servants, local authorities, charities, researchers, and voluntary organisations working with refugees and refugees themselves. Evidence from people who have direct personal experience of the support systems for newly arrived and newly recognised refugees in the UK is particularly welcome. The deadline for submitting written evidence is 1 October. Submissions should not be longer than 3,000 words, and previously published evidence may be submitted for this inquiry. Evidence may be published anonymously upon request. Evidence may be submitted via email. Electronic evidence should be submitted in Word (or equivalent) format. Alternatively, a hard copy of evidence may be sent to: Jonathan Featonby, Refugee Council, PO Box 68614, London, E15 9DQ. The panel will also hold oral evidence sessions during October and November 2016. If you would be willing to provide oral evidence, please indicate this in your written submission.
Please visit the website for more information. For questions or to add your name to the mailing list, contact Jonathan Featonby.