Survivors of war and campaigners join to discuss issues of war and refugee provision
THE SCOTTISH REFUGEE COUNCIL (SRC) are among Scottish and UK based charities who will condemn the process of closure of the Calais refugee camp and call for more action from the UK Government tonight (4 October).
The calls will come after the announcement by French president Francois Hollande that the refugee camp euphemistically known as “the Jungle” will be dismantled by the end of the year.
As part of the Edinburgh World Justice Festival (EWJF), which is taking place until 19 October, campaigners, researchers and Scottish based Syrian refugees will demand assurances that unaccompanied children are supported by governments and that authorities look closer at the way refugees are intergrated into recipient nations.
“The EP&JC is calling for France to ensure shelter for the Calais children before moving to shut down the camp and for the UK to admit Calais children entitled to asylum under the Dubs Amendment.” Brian Larkin
Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre Coordinator (EPJC) Brian Larkin, who will chair the event titled ‘Welcoming Refugees and Children: From Syria and Turkey to Calais’ at Edinburgh University from 7pm, said: “Following the French announcement that it will shut down the Calais refugee camp the EP&JC is calling for France to ensure shelter for the Calais children before moving to shut down the camp and for the UK to admit Calais children entitled to asylum because they have family here and to fulfil its pledge, under the Dubs Amendment to the Immigration Bill, to admit unaccompanied children from Europe.”
“The Peace and Justice Centre promotes human rights and conflict resolution. We condemn the Assad regime and Russian bombing and killings of civilians in Aleppo as well as the US and UK bombing there and US supply of weapons to rebels, and call on all parties to cease hostilities and seek a just resolution to the conflict that prioritizes the humanitarian needs of the people of Syria.”
Syrian refugee Amer Scott Masri and Amadu Khan from Seirra Leone will join a panel of six campaigners, academics and refugees at the event tonight.
According to the french ministry of the interior about 7,000 people are in the Calais camp alongside 900 unaccompanied minors.
Scottish Refugee Council, International Medical Corps, East Lothian Aid for Refugees and Citizens UK will also be in attendence to overview the Scottish, UK and European wide reactions to the refugee crisis and what more needs to be done.
The event is part of a programm of events across the Scottish capital as part of the EWJF, exploring migration, refugee rights and other global issues
According to the latest figures released by the french ministry of the interior about 7,000 people are in the Calais camp alongside 900 unaccompanied minors.
Alongside the mayor of Calais, the French president has publically demanded that the UK does more to help with the camp, which has become a humanitarian crisis and diplomatic embarrasment for both governments.
Picture courtesy Edinburgh World Justice Festival
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