‘Wales should be nation of sanctuary for refugees’
WALES should be the world’s first “nation of sanctuary” for refugees and asylum seekers, a National Assembly committee has declared.
The Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee heard that in 2016 one in every 113 humans was either a refugee, internally displaced, or seeking asylum – greater than the populations of the UK, France or Italy.
Last year, with an intensifying conflict in Syria and huge uncertainty across countries in the region, there were more displaced people in the world than at any other time in history.
“The constant news cycle of images and stories of people escaping war and persecution in Syria, Iraq and other countries brings home the tragedy of current world events and the stories people have told us during this inquiry have been both harrowing and distressing but ultimately inspiring,” said committee chair John Griffiths, the Labour AM for Newport East.
“As we heard, those who survive the conflict, boat crossings, people traffickers and countless miles of travelling to reach the UK, including unaccompanied children, are likely to have experienced severely traumatic events which leave lasting psychological scars.
“We were told that a phrase often used by refugees and asylum seekers is ‘I used to be someone’. It is critical that there is the right support available to them when they reach Wales so that they can participate fully in Welsh life and have fulfilling lives in their new communities.”
Mr Griffiths said that at the core of the report was a belief that Wales could be the world’s first nation of sanctuary, repairing some of the damage done to people through no fault of their own, and to help them be someone once again.
Even before the committee’s report was published its work has made an impact on the way services for refugees and asylum seekers are planned and delivered. Prompted by the committee’s inquiry the Welsh Government has expanded the role of its Operations Board beyond the Syrian refugees programme to cover all refugees and asylum seekers.
In addition Clearsprings Ready Homes Ltd, which is responsible for asylum accommodation in Wales, has engaged with the Welsh Refugee Coalition about the quality of housing and complaints procedures.
The committee wants to see further action and an updated and an improved strategic approach through reviewing the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Delivery Plan.
Members heard that unaccompanied asylum seeking children were one of the most vulnerable groups of children in Wales – often at greater risk of exploitation, abuse, genderbased violence and trafficking.
They want the Welsh Government to establish a guardianship service for them, to ensure there is capacity and capability across Wales to undertake age assessments, and to set minimum standards for mental health support.
To help refugees and asylum seekers integrate into local communities, the committee believes the role of community cohesion co-ordinators should be expanded. It also wants to see improvements in the provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages teaching.
There should also be more support for asylum seekers throughout the asylum process, in particular addressing their housing needs. The committee is calling for better monitoring and resolution of complaints about asylum accommodation, a revised asylum accommodation contract, and ensuring asylum seekers’ landlords are registered and inspected.
Support should also continue for both refugees and failed asylum seekers after the asylum process, through action to prevent destitution, help for refugees to find longterm accommodation, and better access to education and employment.
The committee also wants to see improvements to the advice available during the asylum process.