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Asylum in the UK and the hostile environment.- The fight for a more human and dignified system��Melinda Mo-Martinez: Advocacy and System Change Coordinator�melinda.momartinez@sheffield.cityofsanctuary.org���

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Background

  • Refugee Convention 1951.
  • The hostile environment: Deterrent measures.
  • Racial injustice at the heart of the hostility.-Two ways:

  - Structures, policies and narratives that define the refugee protection system.

  - Language used by politicians and the media.

    - Everyday experiences of racist abuse or discrimination.

  • Triple trauma and forced vulnerability. 
  • Increased hatred and division within our communities.

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The Earned Settlement- impact on people's lives

  • The current asylum system.
  • Temporary leave. Uncertainty. 
  • Impact on mental health. 
  • Voluntary role.- Forced role.
  • Asylum accommodation.- Big accommodation sites. 
  • Impact on homelessness. 
  • The impossibility of rebuilding their lives. 

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Welcoming as an act of resistance

WE HAVE A VISION:

  • A country that is safe and welcoming for people seeking sanctuary.
  •     A country where our diversity is our strength.
  •  A country where we celebrate this with courage.

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Advocacy:

Escalate complex cases with the Home Office, Sheffield City Council, Migrant Help.

Case studies: systemic issues.- lack of legal aid, lack of mental health support, homeless cases, victims of human trafficking, and very vulnerable service users.

Creating reports about Human Rights Violations committed against people seeking sanctuary in the UK.

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Campaigning work

  • Working with organisations, faith leaders and grassroots communities.
  • Empowering people with lived experience for their voices to be heard.
  • Five current campaigns: Lift the Ban, Free Bus Passes, the Sheffield Legal Advice Solidarity Project, Asylum Housing and Access to healthcare. 
  • Together, we are stronger. – SOLIDARITY.

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Far-right Attacks on people seeking sanctuary

  • Systemic racism.- Empowering fascists.
  • False information.- Media and Politicians.
  • Solidarity, Social Cohesion and education.- A process of healing.

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Sheffield, a city of sanctuary,

Where hope rises gentle, like air.

What is a smile, if not a light we carry,

A healing touch in the weight we bear.

As marches rise and shadows grow longer,

Sorrow knocks loudly, but we stay strong.

A smile is healing, a force ever stronger,

A bridge in the noise, where we all belong.

So in this city, with each step that we take,

We smile for healing, for every heartbreak.

In every dark moment, we still choose to be kind,

A smile is the strength that we always will find.

             Safiya Saeed (community leader )

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