Emergency motion 1
EMERGENCY MOTION 1: MIGRATION
Congress deplores the enforced imprisonment of refugees and asylum seekers and welcomes the high court decision on 7 September that it is fundamentally wrong to detain asylum seekers who have committed no crime.
Congress believes that the Australian Government’s recent actions in relation to the refugees, such as on the Tampa, highlights the growing concern that varying interpretation of the Geneva Convention 1951 has led to refugees being refused humanitarian protection.
Congress believes that the European Union should give a lead for a modern worldwide migration policy based on burden sharing, and further welcomes current European Commission proposals aimed at providing that all applicants in European countries - whether claiming refugee status under the 1951 Convention or another form of protection - be granted the same rights and reception conditions.
Congress welcomes the UNHCR consultations, which should recognise the scale of human movement in the 21st century.
Congress deplores strict border controls at ports and airports, that have forced refugees to make desperate and dangerous attempts to enter Britain to claim asylum, while restrictive immigration controls bar them from entering legally.
Congress notes the key skill shortages in Britain and calls for the involvement of trade unions in an informed debate on the issues, and in particular for their involvement in sector panels.
Conference calls for
i) Urgent implementation of EU instruments
ii) The abolition of the voucher scheme
iii) End detention of asylum seekers
iv) Reform of the dispersal system
Mover: Transport and General Workers’ Union
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