Wales Green Party leader: "We don't build walls, we build relationships"
Wales Green Party passes motion in support of refugees and asylum seekers.
The motion passed by the Wales Green Party at their conference this weekend (12-13 Nov) states that local authorities in Wales should conduct a review of potential housing for refugees with a view to increasing the number of people that can be resettled. It also states that all local authorities should be given a legal obligation to home refugees, provide them with support and welcome them into communities.
Speaking in support of the motion, Wales Green Party leader Alice Hooker-Stroud stated:
"Refugees need what we all need – food, a home, love and respect. We know that many people in Wales deserve better, but we also know that we can't turn our backs on those who are fleeing poverty and conflict. We must show that we are committed to providing safety and support for refugees. We need to show that we in Wales don't build walls, we build relationships. We build communities."
Commenting after the motion was passed, she added:
"I can't begin to imagine what it's like to have to leave your home, your friends and your family. We are lucky enough to have wonderful communities in Wales – communities with a history of welcoming people who seek refuge and helping those in need. It's great to have a statement that that shows the Wales Green Party believes in continuing that wonderful openheartedness."
Commenting on the outcome of the conference motion, which was voted through by Wales Green Party members, Deputy leader, Hannah Pudner, stated:
"At the last count, there were 23,000 empty houses in Wales. In the first half of this year, fewer than 4,000 people in Wales required housing. Although it's not a simple task, the main message is clear: there are lots of houses that could be put to use in Wales. The refugee crisis in Europe cannot be ignored, and we can do much more. This policy motion is a statement of how strongly the Wales Green Party is committed to helping those in need. "
The Home Office in the UK has committed to resettling 20,000 displaced Syrians living in refugee camps in the UK by 2020. Oxfam stated that for Wales to meet its fair share, each council only needed to welcome fewer than 10 families each. [1]
Britain's contribution to solving the crisis has been much smaller than other countries: 75 times smaller than Germany's effort, and one-third of France's commitment. Sweden processed 163,000 asylum applications last year, despite having a population seven times smaller than Britain's. [2] [END]
Notes
[1] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-36444884
[2] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/syrian-refugee-crisis-refugees-british-government-20000-4000-progress-how-many-migrants-immigration-a7219971.html "Britain's contribution has been modest compared to other countries. Germany's federal office for migrants said last week it expects to take in 300,000 refugees in 2016. This equates to 75 times as many as the UK each year. France has pledged to accept 30,000 refugees over the next two years, so 15,000 a year – three times the rate of the UK. Sweden took 163,000 applications for asylum in the last year, most of them refugees who travelled to Europe on their own accord. This is despite Sweden having a population almost seven times smaller than Britain's."
[3] 23,000 empty homes in Wales http://gov.wales/topics/housing-and-regeneration/housing-supply/empty-homes/houses-into-homes/?lang=en
[4] Data on the number of households applying to local authorities for housing assistance under the Housing Wales Act 2014 and the number of homeless households in temporary accommodation. http://gov.wales/statistics-and-research/homelessness/?lang=en
[5] The motions passed at the Wales Green Party conference this weekend in relation to providing safety and support for refugees and asylum seekers were:
1. A review of potential housing and facilities available for refugees shall be made by each local authority, including social and private housing.
2. Local authorities should be given a legal responsibility to house refugees, provide support services for those in need, and ensure they are welcomed into our communities.
3. Wales should increase the number of refugees we can home to reflect the reviews conducted by local authorities