* Now streaming on Netflix – March 2024 * When do so-called ‘legitimate concerns’ over the location and accommodation of asylum seekers and refugees, spill over into what can be described as racist attitudes or behaviours? That is one of the themes in the new Ken Loach film, The Old Oak, which is set in […]
Asylum and Refugees
Asylum detention in the UK
The UK has 12 immigration detention centres. Figures suggest that roughly half of those who claim asylum will be detained at some point during, or at the end of, the asylum process. During 2012, 13,161 asylum seekers entered detention and 13,361 left detention [Refugee Council, April 2013].
A significant percentage of asylum detainees are bereaved, tortured, traumatised – even suicidal. Legal Aid for asylum has been severely curtailed and so many detainees now get perfunctory legal representation, with neither time nor resources to prepare evidence or expert reports for the courts.
Churches’ Refugee Network
The Churches’ Refugee Network (CRN) aims to provide a collective and ecumenical voice on issues of asylum and immigration.
Resources
Here you’ll find a range of resources that we hope will be helpful in your work. We’d also like to hear from you about your work, your concerns and your achievements.
Conference
Each year the CRN also hosts a conference looking at current issues relating to refugees and asylum. Details of future conferences will be posted here.
A prayer for Racial Justice Sunday
Migrant God, unbound and free from borders, your presence spans the universe. In all our travel and travail, you are the constant companion of all, in you is our eternal rest and refuge. In Jesus who had nowhere to lay his head, you reveal yourself taking sanctuary among us. We behold you still in the […]
Speak up for Sanctuary handbook and training
City of Sanctuary UK has introduced a new programme “designed to support people who may have little or no previous campaigning experience to recognise their power in making change, to speak up for refugee rights and to supercharge efforts to build welcoming and compassionate communities”. The programme consists of a 1.5 hour webinar and a […]
Making our voices heard: churches, migration and the General Election
Churches’ Refugee Network (CRN) – 24 January 2024, 2-4pm. Join us for this CRN meeting which will focus on the upcoming UK General Election, and explore what churches and parachurch groups can do regarding the conversations around immigration, asylum and refugee matters. This CRN meeting will also welcome those individuals and groups who were part […]
Beyond our borders: European perspectives on UK’s asylum and migration context
Online Seminar: Monday 18th December 2023, 6pm to 7:30pm. This event will bring together leaders involved in welcoming and supporting refugees and asylum seekers across Europe, with an expert panel bringing a range of perspectives about the specific UK context and exploring how we can harness safe and legal routes to ensure that people can […]
Update from the Churches’ Refugee Network
Keep up-to-date with the latest developments and activities related to immigration, asylum and refugees, in a British and Irish context, with the latest bulletin from the Churches’ Refugee Network’s (CRN) Advisory Group. This issue includes details of: How to respond at the next UK General Election. Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary Film review: The Old Oak. […]
Hospitality and Sanctuary for All: The Hook Lecture 2023
Responding to refugees with Revd Dr Inderjit Bhogal. How can we respond to the call to welcome refugees to Leeds and build a city of sanctuary for all? The annual Hook Lecture returned this year, on 24 October 2023, with Revd Dr Inderjit Bhogal, former President of the British Methodist Conference, and Founder of […]
CCME vacancy: Executive Secretary
Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) is seeking to fill one full time staff position by 1st January 2024. The Executive Secretary will have responsibility for: Advocacy vis-à-vis European institutions on asylum, migration, integration and anti-discrimination on behalf of CCME and its members – in particular in the area of safe passages to Europe. […]
Churches’ Refugee Network Annual Meeting – 25 Oct 23
Join us via Zoom for this Churches’ Refugee Network (CRN) Annual Meeting to hear about the work of the CRN with the churches in Britain and Ireland on refugee and asylum-related matters. This will be an opportunity to hear from the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath, CRN’s Chair, who will talk […]
Hospitality and Sanctuary for All course
What does it mean to offer hospitality and sanctuary to the stranger? Never has this been a more pertinent topic as a growing number of people are displaced around the world due to war, persecution, natural disasters and climate change. Inderjit Bhogal writes: “My understanding of hospitality is expanded by sanctuary, a deeply spiritual concept […]