Event in Leicester, 17th Oct

Leicester, City of Sanctuary
invites you to hear the Reverend Dr Nicholas Sagovsky
Canon of Westminster Abbey, and Sir Peter Soulsby MP for Leicester South, speak about the findings of the recent
Independent Asylum Commission reports:
Saving Sanctuary, Safe Return and Deserving Dignity,

on Friday 17th October 2008, from 10.30am - 1pm
at the Secular Hall, 75 Humberstone Gate, Leicester LE1 1WB

Taken from the Independent Asylum Commission website: www.independentasylumcommission.org.uk.
The UK has a proud record of providing sanctuary to those fleeing persecution. From the Huguenots fleeing France to the Jews fleeing pogroms in Russia, Britain has been a safe haven
to the present day.

After the Second World War, shamed by the fact that Jews fleeing Germany had been denied protection and sent back to the Nazis, the victor nations established a system by which those facing persecution would be able to seek protection in safe countries. This was the basis of our modern asylum system – the 1951 Convention on Refugees.

Since that time, the 1951 Convention has saved millions of lives. It grants refugee status if a person, "… owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country…"
Article 1, The 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees

The Commission believes that the UK has a duty to provide sanctuary. We believe that most British people agree with our international obligations under the 1951 Convention and would want to offer protection to those who need it.

But the principle of providing protection to refugees is under threat. Far-right groups whip up fears about asylum seekers. Elements of the media and public opinion seem hostile to asylum seekers themselves. Politicians raise questions about the suitability of the 1951 Convention and the concept of asylum itself. “Asylum” has become a political football and “asylum seeker” a term of abuse.

The concept of asylum needs to be rescued. Flaws in the system need to be addressed. Citizens need to have confidence that the asylum system treats those seeking sanctuary fairly and humanely, but that it is also robust in dealing with those whose claims have failed.

The Independent Asylum Commission aims to take a fresh and impartial look at the system and make credible recommendations for reform that will ensure that we continue our proud history of sanctuary while restoring public confidence in the system.

Refreshments will be available from 10.30am ready for an 11am start.

To reserve your place, or to be added to our circulation list,
contact Gill on: leicester@cityofsanctuary.com or 07716 073403.

Display space is available for groups and organisations working with asylum seekers and / or refugees.

City of Sanctuary is a movement to build a culture of hospitality for asylum seekers and refugees
www.cityofsanctuary.com