Events

Larne detention centre opens

Venue:
Date:
Details:

Read the News section about the opening of a detention centre in Larne

Refugee Awareness Training

Venue: NICRAS - 136 University Street
Date: Mon 18th Oct 5-7.30pm
Details:

What is the difference between asylum seekers, refugees and migrants?

What does the 1951 Refugee Convention say about asylum?

How does a person claim asylum in Northern Ireland?

What benefits do asylum seekers get?

What is it like to be an asylum seeker in Northern Ireland?

How are asylum seekers received by Northern Ireland host communities?

This up-coming Refugee Awareness training provided by Corrymeela/NICRAS will answer all these questions – and much more besides! It is a practical training session and will be a fascinating introduction to refugees issues. It is specifically designed for people who have limited knowledge of the asylum system.

The training is held at NICRAS, 136 University Street on Monday 18th October 5 – 7.30pm. A pizza dinner will be provided!

The training is free although please notify Liz if you plan to intend: Elizabeth.griffith@lawcentreni.org

All are welcome!

RITON training

Venue: Law Centre (NI)
Date: Tues 12th Oct 5pm
Details:

‘Refugees in Time of Need’ (RITON) is a new project initiated by RAG and NICRAS. We need volunteers to provide practical assistance and moral support to people within the asylum system. Could you:

· Accompany asylum applicants to Tribunal hearings?

· Accompany asylum applicants to police ‘reporting’ events and raise the alarm if the individual is detained?

· Undertake research for ongoing asylum cases?

No experience needed: You do not need any legal skills to be a volunteer. Language skills and access to transport could be useful but certainly not essential! You do need to be a compassionate and calm person who can volunteer a couple of hours each month.

An opportunity: Gain an insight to the asylum system and experience of working with refugee charities. Know that you are providing invaluable support to individuals caught up in difficult circumstances.

Introduction and training at Law Centre (NI), 124 Donegall Street on Tuesday 12^th October at 5pm – 6.30pm. All volunteers must complete the training

Email Liz to confirm your attendance or ask any questions: Elizabeth.griffith@lawcentreni.org

RAG launches report

Venue: See NEWS section!
Date:
Details:

Stop Racist Attacks Rally

Venue: City Hall
Date: 20 June 2009 at 2 PM
Details:

Here is a message from the organisers of the rally:

We are absolutely appalled at the recent racist attacks against the Romanian members of our community. If those who are a victim of the attacks leave then it will be a victory for the racists. If they stay, then collectively we will have to make every effort possible to try to ensure that these attacks stop. This must be done anyway so that nobody else suffers the misery and fear that these individuals and families have had to endure.

A lot of the media interest has been focused on how the world views us and whether we should all feel ashamed. It is not true that the entire community should feel a sense of shame because of the attacks. That is the message that the racists want to promote - that somehow everybody feels the same. It lets these thugs off the hook to say we are all to blame. We are not all to blame. Only those who help promote racist ideas and those who carry out these hate filled attacks are to blame. The majority of people in Northern Ireland do neither of these things. We need to feel fury not shame. We need to mobilise that fury into action. Part of that mobilising is organising public demonstrations of our opposition.

We are calling on people to join us at City Hall at 2pm on Saturday 20th June for a rally in support of the Romanian nationals who live here as part of our community and to send out a message to the racists - you are the real minority in Northern Ireland.

1 of 2