Last week was Refugee Week and together with other members of Green Left I spent some days trying to help the SOAS cleaners, many of whom have already been removed to Latin America. Yesterday I learned that Peter Tatchell won the London Citizen of Sanctuary Award 2009. Peter works tirelessly for those at the margins of society and said some months ago at a fundraising event that he answers several hundred appeals for help every day. As Peter says below, it is important that the vital work of organisations such as No Borders and the Refugee Council is acknowledged, especially now in these times of increasing racism and xenophobia with the Labour government giving in to the BNP's agenda on migration and refugees and ministers such as Phil Woolas spouting editorials from the Daily Mail.
Happening to come across an issue of the same rag, I saw two articles only a page apart last week. The first was on how travellers and Roma were receiving priveliged treatment in GP sugeries and from the NHS - the second was on the latterday pogrom of Romanian Roma in Belfast. Surely no connection? It is vital that such peddling of hate and prejudice continues to be challenged. And the work of these organisations is vital.
To mark Refugee Week 2009, Peter Tatchell was one of three public figures honoured with the London Citizen of Sanctuary Award 2009, in recognition of his work campaigning on behalf of refugees.
The other winners were Labour MP Neil Gerrard and actress Juliet Stevenson.
All three were honoured at a ceremony at the New Players Theatre in London on Sunday night, 21 June 2009, which included a performance of the Asylum Monologues by the troupe, Actors for Human Rights.
London City of Sanctuary is part of a growing network of British cities and towns dedicated to promoting a culture of hospitality and welcome to people seeking sanctuary from persecution, including persecution on the grounds of their politics, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity.
See its website here:
http://www.cityofsanctuary.org/london
Accepting his award, Peter Tatchell said:
“I accept this award with honour, gratitude and humility. I am just a small part of a vast network of individuals and organisations who support refugees fleeing persecution. Many of these refugees have suffered arrest, imprisonment, torture, rape and attempts to kill them.
“Cumulatively and collectively, we are helping transform their lives for the better. This is hugely rewarding emotionally – for the refugees, and for all of us involved in helping ensure they have a place of sanctuary here in London.
“I would like to pay tribute to the magnificent work of organisations such as the Refugee Council, Refugee Action, Medical Justice, Bail Circle, Bail for Immigration Detainees, No Borders, National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns, UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group, Lesbian and Gay Asylum Team and many others.
“Together, over the years, these organisations have made a huge positive difference to the lives of tens of thousands of refugees,”
said Mr Tatchell.
The other winners were Labour MP Neil Gerrard and actress Juliet Stevenson.
All three were honoured at a ceremony at the New Players Theatre in London on Sunday night, 21 June 2009, which included a performance of the Asylum Monologues by the troupe, Actors for Human Rights.
London City of Sanctuary is part of a growing network of British cities and towns dedicated to promoting a culture of hospitality and welcome to people seeking sanctuary from persecution, including persecution on the grounds of their politics, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity.
See its website here:
http://www.cityofsanctuary.org/london
Accepting his award, Peter Tatchell said:
“I accept this award with honour, gratitude and humility. I am just a small part of a vast network of individuals and organisations who support refugees fleeing persecution. Many of these refugees have suffered arrest, imprisonment, torture, rape and attempts to kill them.
“Cumulatively and collectively, we are helping transform their lives for the better. This is hugely rewarding emotionally – for the refugees, and for all of us involved in helping ensure they have a place of sanctuary here in London.
“I would like to pay tribute to the magnificent work of organisations such as the Refugee Council, Refugee Action, Medical Justice, Bail Circle, Bail for Immigration Detainees, No Borders, National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns, UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group, Lesbian and Gay Asylum Team and many others.
“Together, over the years, these organisations have made a huge positive difference to the lives of tens of thousands of refugees,”
said Mr Tatchell.
No comments:
Post a Comment