Migration news roundup 2 October 2023

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou shares from his life story and career, including how his family left Greece suddenly for Australia when he was a child. (Source: BBC)

Local stories this week include:

Over 100,000 people - the majority of the population of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, an ethnic Armenian enclave, - have fled to Armenia, following military intervention by Azerbaijan. The UN has sent a team to assess the situation. (Source: BBC)

An anti-migrant organisation in South Africa has repositioned itself as a political party. The vigilante group Operation Dudula seeks deportation of migrants. (Source: the Guardian)

Within the EU, migrant business owners in Cyprus called for peace after their properties were vandalised during a violent anti-migrant protest. At the UN General Assembly the Greek prime minister laid out his government’s migration policy following increases in people arriving by boat over the summer, and reiterated the importance of working with non-EU neighbouring countries. Germany launched more patrols along the Poland and Czechia borders to stop unauthorised crossings. (Sources: InfoMigrants, AP News)

In a widely reported speech in the US, Home Secretary Suella Braverman claimed some people are being granted refugee protection due to fearing discrimination related to their gender or sexual orientation, rather than being at risk of persecution. A UNHCR representative was one of many speaking out after these comments, stating the UN Refugee Convention does not require reform. Braverman also made negative remarks about multiculturalism. (Source: BBC)

The All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) on Migration and on Poverty issued a call for written evidence for an inquiry considering the impact of migration, refugee and asylum policy on poverty, closing on 25 October. (Source: APPG on Migration)

Some university representatives from the UK have struggled to get their visas for Nigeria to encourage international student applications, which could affect recruitment this autumn. Nigeria is one of five priority countries named in the UK’s international education strategy. (Source: The Pie News)

In his review of former Prime Minister Theresa May’s book, The Abuse of Power, legal blogger Colin Yeo argues May does not understand why the Windrush scandal happened. (Source: Free Movement)

Modern slavery news includes:

Research has found there's been a low uptake of Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Orders (STPO) and Risk Orders (STRO) that can be imposed on people who have, or are at risk of, committing a modern slavery offence. (Source: University of Nottingham)
A new report recommends strengthening statutory guidance on licensing, as it has potential to address modern slavery. (Source: Shiva Foundation)
A new study explores the ‘non-punishment principle’ in the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings in relation to the UK conviction of two Vietnamese children for drug offences in 2009, despite being modern slavery victims. The Modern Slavery Act now provides a statutory defence in such cases. The report also looks at this issue in light of more recent immigration legislation. (Source: Council of Europe)

The Yorkshire Integration Festival in Sheffield celebrated migrants, refugees and all our communities in Yorkshire and Humber. Thousands of visitors from across Sheffield and the rest of Yorkshire and Humber enjoyed performances, stalls, exhibitions and food that showcased the diverse range of cultures and customs we find in this region. (Source: Migration Yorkshire)

As Black History Month in the UK begins:

This interview with Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, the creator of UK Black History Month, looks back at the conversation that started it, the event’s reception and development in Britain, and his personal experiences of growing up in Ghana. (Source: the Guardian)
A report found less than half of black Britons feel proud to be British. The study by the Black British Voices Project (BBVP) analysed the impact of racial discrimination on identity, education and the justice system and describes a ‘chronic level of racial disparities.’ (Source: the Guardian, BBVP)

The Mail on Sunday was forced to issue a correction to a statement it published by the Home Secretary that had made claims about British-Pakistani men’s involvement in child grooming gangs. The press regulator (Ipso) ruled this was ‘significantly misleading’ as Home Office research had found offenders most commonly to be white. (Source: the Guardian)

A new ten year plan for improving the mental health of the nation includes ending hostile environment policies, tackling racism and discrimination and introducing a national strategy on refugee integration. The plan is supported by 30 partner organisations. (Source: Centre for Mental Health)

Last updated:

2nd October 2023