"Our proper attitude to refugees can only be developed when we imagine for ourselves what it would be like to run from state terror, torture, rape, the destruction of our homes and families to a place that welcomed us and tried to heal our wounds. It's a place we might all need one day. Let us be people who can provide it."
– Emma Thompson

Our actions so far

‘Don’t Believe the Type' was launched at Glastonbury in June 05 and has toured at various UK events and festivals throughout the summer.

During the autumn, the campaign also went to the party conferences and student fresher fairs across the country.

The campaign has been an immediate success reflected in the thousands of new campaigners who have signed up to get involved.

Campaigners actions

All our new campaigners are sent regular updates allowing them to get involved both nationally and locally.

The most recent examples of our new campaigning policy in action have received a tremendous amount of support - helping to make a real difference for many thousands of asylum seekers. Events during the autumn have focussed on support for asylum seekers whose claims have been rejected, and who are in danger of being returned to dangerous areas.

The 2006 campaign "Locked into poverty, locked out of work" will take on the government about the poverty needlessly faced by asylum seekers.

Iraq

The Government has made many efforts through the year to send asylum seeekers back to Iraq; after public campaigns supported by the Refugee Council, and a series of legal challenges, they stopped enforced removals for some months, but have now started again.

They have now written to 5000 Iraqis who come from the north of the country and withdrawn their support unless they return, despite the continuing difficulties there. Our campaigners have been writing to MPs and supporting local groups who have taken up the cases of individuals caught in poverty.

Zimbabwe

In August and October 2005, we supported a number of protests against the forced removals of Zimbabwean failed asylum seekers. Many of you joined us on the 24 hour vigil outside the High Court in August and the protest outside the Zimbabwean Embassy in London in October.

Under pressure from the High Court judge in August and in response to pubic campaigning, the government halted deportations pending full tribunal hearings in October.

The tribunal ruled that it is unsafe for the government to deport asylum seekers to Zimbabwe - and the government has halted deportations for the time being; but 9000 people remain without any support, unable to go home and unable to look after themselves here by working. We are calling on the government now to recognise their needs and give them support.