Christmas lists to Santa, New Year’s resolutions, dreams and aspirations for the next decade… The festive season seems to be a time of Hopin’ and Wishin’ and Prayin’ for change.
So in the seasonal spirit of sharing, we thought we’d whisper our New Year’s wishes to you and give you a wee glimpse of what’s on our Christmas list this year. (We’ve been really good this year, Santa. Honest, we have).
Posted by Esme Peach
Written by Karolina Maroszek.
Refugee Action is calling for a more gender-sensitive treatment of women asylum seekers.
Women claiming asylum in the UK have often left behind them persecution experience quite different from that of asylum-seeking men. They may have been raped, forced into marriage, experienced domestic violence or ‘honour’ crimes. In the more conservative societies women have no social status or protection and therefore internal flight is not an option. Yet, the UK asylum system treats their cases on a par with those of male asylum-seekers and has no gender-specific provisions, which would apply in asylum determination, securing welfare or accommodation, during detention or in pregnancy.
Posted by Sara Ayech
Sixty-one years ago today, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, guaranteeing everyone the essential freedoms which most of us take for granted.
It provided a guide for people all around the world to help them understand what their rights are and how they can defend them.
Its message – that all human beings have the right to dignity and equality – is as relevant today as it was in 1948.
Posted by Sandy Buchan