Migration Matters

Mapping Statelessness in the UK

The 1954 Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons deﬁnes a stateless person as “a person who is not considered as a national by any State under the operation of its law”. UNHCR estimates that there are up to 12 million stateless people in the world, but defining exact numbers is hugely problematic. A new joint report by UNHCR and Asylum Aid seeks, Mapping Statelessness, seeks to shed light on the complex and hidden issue of statelessness. It is the first research of its kind to ascertain the extent of…

The 1954 Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons deﬁnes a stateless person as “a person who is not considered as a national by any State under the operation of…

Chinese migrant workers’ exploitation

A new report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation draws on the real life experiences of 32 Chinese migrant workers in the UK, mostly working in Chinese catering and hospitality businesses. Many of these workers enter the UK irregularly or by claiming asylum, and end up being trapped in exploitation where they work extremely long hours in poor conditions for salaries well below the minimum wage. “I can't do other types of work [here], only the cooking work because I don’t know English and I don’t have the legal status. (Man, 45,…

A new report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation draws on the real life experiences of 32 Chinese migrant workers in the UK, mostly working in Chinese catering and hospitality businesses. Many…

MV exhibition at Poverty Conference

''The exhibition was a powerful statement..'' ''A really engaging backdrop to the day...'' ''Thank you for sharing this powerful Talking Pictures exhibition..'' November 9th was finally the D-day for the Migrant Voice 'Talking Pictures' exhibition. As part of European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN) England's 2011 anti poverty conference which took place at the European Commission in London, Migrant Voice presented 65 pictures and captions telling stories about migration. For this project Migrant Voice have brought together individuals with an experience of migration – either coming to the UK from abroad,…

''The exhibition was a powerful statement..'' ''A really engaging backdrop to the day...'' ''Thank you for sharing this powerful Talking Pictures exhibition..'' November 9th was finally the D-day for the…

Migrants campaigning for change

During the last year, 18 refugees and asylum seekers from community organisations have come together to develop their campaigning skills and implement a project in their own community. The Refugee Empowerment Project, which has just been completed, was run by the Refugee Council. After a six-weeks training with campaigning specialists, each participant had to define the goals of his/her campaign and was matched with a mentor who has worked closely with them throughout the project. The campaigns address issues from gang violence to the consequences of FGM, from awareness…

During the last year, 18 refugees and asylum seekers from community organisations have come together to develop their campaigning skills and implement a project in their own community. The…

Detention, expensive & inefficient

Immigration policy gives the government too many powers over the lives of migrants. The most extreme of these powers is the power to detain, in detention centres that often resemble high security prisons. Detention hangs over every migrant without a British passport: leave to remain can be revoked, and migrants who have lived legally for decades in the UK can be detained for deportation. And they can be detained indefinitely. The UK, alone among EU countries, not only has no maximum time limit on detention, but routinely uses…

Immigration policy gives the government too many powers over the lives of migrants. The most extreme of these powers is the power to detain, in detention centres that…

Photos speak of migration history

For more than a century, photographs have played an important role for many migrants and their families. From the black and white photos of European emigrants marking their departure for America early in the 20th century, to today's digital photos sent back to family and friends from migrants' new homes, photos have been used to mark the journeys, and present a record of a new life. This summer, Migrant Voice has been running the 'Talking Pictures' project, bringing together migrants and Britons with an experience of migration, to explore their…

For more than a century, photographs have played an important role for many migrants and their families. From the black and white photos of European emigrants marking their departure for…

Movie puts spotlight on missing Iraqis

Road movie puts the spotlight on missing Iraqis OneWorld By Daniel Nelson Son of Babylon is more than just a film about a 12-year-old Iraqi and his grandmother looking for his father and her son: it’s the inspiration for an organisation, Iraq’s Missing Campaign (IMC), set up with prize money from the film. Since 2003, hundreds of thousands of bodies have been discovered in more than 300 mass graves in Iraq. The Ministry of Human Rights estimates that up to 1.5 million people remain missing and unidentified -…

Road movie puts the spotlight on missing Iraqis OneWorld By Daniel Nelson Son of Babylon is more than just a film about a 12-year-old Iraqi and his grandmother looking…

Claiming asylum for rape not valid in UK

Claiming asylum for rape is not valid in the UK, despite claims of a “place of safety for genuine refugees” On the 11th May 2011, the Council of Europe Convention to Combat Violence Against Women opened, and received signatures from 13 states, three more than the minimum required for it to be successful. It is the first legally binding tool in the entire world that creates a legal frame to protect victims against violence, to put an end to the perpetrators and also has references to migrant women. The…

Claiming asylum for rape is not valid in the UK, despite claims of a “place of safety for genuine refugees” On the 11th May 2011, the Council of Europe…

Take part in the Settlement Consultation

On June 9th the UK Government launched a public consultation concerning the changes in the policy that covers the settlement of migrants in the country. It is another step in the reforms to the immigration system that aim to reduce the number of net-migration drastically. The consultation is called 'Employment related settlement, Tier 5 and overseas domestic workers' and it focuses on different measures that the Government believes will boost the outflow of non EU-nationals. All these measures limit the opportunities to apply for permanent settlement in the UK…

On June 9th the UK Government launched a public consultation concerning the changes in the policy that covers the settlement of migrants in the country. It is another step in…

Impressions of the UK

Photo: Jose Souto Impressions of the UK Isabelle, from France PhD Student/Chemistry researcher, 29, in the UK since December 2009. “The freedom of self-expression - everyone has the right to be different. Nobody judges you!” Alvaro, from Spain Rock concert promoter, 50, in the UK since 2005. “London is like heaven for music and live concerts. Almost every day I can attend thousands of concerts.” Photo: Beth Crosland Nora, from Hungary Accountant, 23, in the UK since December 2009. “London is such a cosmopolitan and multicultural city. There are lots…

Photo: Jose Souto Impressions of the UK Isabelle, from France PhD Student/Chemistry researcher, 29, in the UK since December 2009. “The freedom of self-expression - everyone has the right to…

Migration Matters