Grace Cullen (Women’s Officer) is very pleased to announce that our CLP motion on refugees has been selected for the women’s conference under general heading women refugees.  There is a compositing meeting on Monday to decide final wording.

Motion proposed:

Conference notes:

1. the majority of women in UK detention centres are survivors of serious human rights abuses
2. the recent home office decision to send female asylum seekers to a remote detention centre in County Durham
3. that pregnant refugees are not being examined by doctors or midwives on arrival
4. that asylum seekers have no right to work, with a weekly allowance of £39.63 plus £3 for a pregnant woman, £3.50 for a child
5. That 27 refugees drowned in the English Channel, including seven women, one pregnant, plus three children

Conference believes that the Nationality and Borders Bill will worsen the situation, noting:

1. asylum seekers’ rights in the UK may be denied due to their method of arrival
2. two in three women previously accepted as refugees could now be turned away
3. The UNHCR believes the Nationality and Borders Bill would penalise most refugees seeking asylum in the UK and undermines the 1951 Refugee convention

Conference calls on the Labour, including its Women’s Committee, to campaign

1.  against the Nationality and Borders Bill and if necessary for Labour in Government to repeal it
2. to end poverty and destitution of refugee women through a right to work or allowances in line with Universal Credit
3. for free access to NHS healthcare on the basis of need
4. for gender issues to be considered strategically throughout the asylum process; for safeguarding measures for survivors of rape or sexual violence; and for adequate, easily available legal aid.