1996 The Conference adopted the report Immigration and Asylum and commended it for study and action
1997 The Conference was invited to oppose the detention in prison of asylum seekers who are awaiting a decision on their application. In reply, reference was made to the 1996 Conference report on Immigration and Asylum, which described the appalling circumstances in which asylum seekers are being held. The Conference directed that representations be made to HM Government.
1998 Minutes of Conference p7 Detention of asylum seekers The Conference is alarmed at the continued detention of asylum seekers in prison conditions in this country. The Conference urges the Government to speedily resolve the issues surrounding detention and directs the Co- ordinating Secretaries to communicate our concerns to the Home Office
1999 2000 The Conference endorses vigorously the call of the President to welcome asylum seekers to the UK. It deplores both the negative tone of some of the media and populist proposals of certain politicians to detain all asylum seekers on arrival in the UK. It welcomes the increasing proportion of asylum seekers being given either refugee status or exceptional leave to remain.
It urges the government (a) to urgently reconsider the voucher system for support of asylum seekers on the grounds of both human dignity and cost; (b) to ensure adequate support for the dispersal programme, particularly in terms of accommodation and access to legal advice; © to phase out rapidly the detention of asylum seekers, and to cease forthwith detaining them in prisons; (d) to continue its humanitarian approach to not returning asylum seekers to situations of conflict or danger.
It urges all churches, wherever they are situated (a) to campaign actively to ensure that asylum seekers shall – to quote the President – be respected, embraced and made welcome at our national table; (b) to study and follow the Practical Guide to the Dispersal of Asylum Seekers published by the Churches Commission for Racial Justice.
It encourages the President to seek, with other church leaders, a meeting with the Home Secretary to discuss these matters.
2001 The Conference expressed the continuing concern of the Methodist Church over the lack of dignity and respect accorded to those seeking asylum in the UK. It believed their treatment did not reflect the Prime Minister’s often expressed belief that all are of equal worth. Therefore the Conference urged Her Majesty’s Government; (a) to take a more welcoming attitude to asylum seekers and to seek to educate the public to take a similar attitude; (b) to end detention for those who have committed no crime; © to simplify the asylum application form and extend the time for forms to be completed to 14 days ; (d) to provide a more sensitive and supportive system of dispersal; (e) to end the system of vouchers immediately and return to a cash benefit system; where asylum applications are refused, to develop a supportive system for voluntary return.
The Conference instructed the Connexional Team to forward this motion to the new Home Secretary at the earliest opportunity and, with our ecumenical partners, to seek an early meeting with him to press these views.
Memorial M47 Immigration guidelines and candidates for the ministry.
The Gordano Valley (7/14) Circuit Meeting: (Present: 44. Vote: Unan.) expresses its concern that the Church's Guidelines on immigration are more restrictive than they need to be under the UK immigration regulations, and effectively prevent any foreign national from candidating for ministry in the British Methodist Church.
Page 1 of 6 The Circuit believes that this weakens the ministry of the British Methodist Church and calls upon the Conference to urgently review the Guidelines with a view to allowing foreign nationals t& candidate for ministry in the British Methodist Church. Such a review should consider:
1 The views of Circuits who have been affected by the Guidelines. 2 The pain and damage caused to individuals who feel a call to ministry in the UK, but who are barred from candidating because they are foreign nationals. 3 The procedures that could be put into place, in strict accordance with the UK immigration regulations, to train foreign nationals up to the point of ordination and then stationing in Great Britain. 4 The likely level of additional funding required to resource the change.
Reply The Memorials Committee recommends the following reply. Foreign nationals may candidate for presbyteral or diaconal ministry in the British Methodist Church, but may do so only if they have the right to reside and work in the United Kingdom. The UK immigration rules allow people who do not have that right to apply to study in the UK or to work in the UK Anyone entering the UK for study or training must undertake to leave when they complete their course. They cannot move from studying to working. If, having completed study or training here they wish to work in the UK, they must return to their own country and achieve there all due qualifications and appropriate professional experience before applying for a work permit in the UK
Probation counts as work for these purposes. Thus non-EU nationals who were given permission to study »the UK would have to leave the country before they could be stationed as a probationer, and would only be able to return to the UK to work as a Methodist minister or deacon if they had in the interim become ordained or gained substantial pastoral experience working as a minister or deacon in their home country. For this to happen they would have to be in good standing with their own church or conference and work under its discipline. The British Conference therefore does not accept and train for the ministry or the diaconate foreign nationals who do not have the right to reside and work in the UK, unless it has an arrangement with some other conference or church about them. Training of overseas nationals through the Scholarship Programme is always at the request of the overseas church to meet their needs rather than ours. Without such arrangements the Fund for World Mission has not been used to pay for individuals to train for the ministry or the diaconate either for the British Conference or for another conference or church.
The Conference sympathises with the intent of the Gordano Valley Circuit, but believes it is impossible to meet their desired outcome at the present time. The Conference notes that 'the pain and damage caused to individuals' is sometimes the result of suggestions being made informally which cannot be fulfilled because they are contrary to the law of the land.
The Conference also reminds the Circuit Meeting that in making representations to HM Government, the Methodist Church has consistently argued for the most generous terms of entry possible for non-EU nationals. This is done in the belief that a multi-cultural Britain is a strength and not a weakness in general and particularly in the Church. Thus the Conference celebrates the ministry of people from overseas who have come to us through the formal programme of the World Church in Britain Partnerships and through less formal relationships.
The Conference notes that over 300 million residents of EU countires, the vast majority of whom are white, can enter the UK to work at any time whereas, for example, citizens of Commonwealth countries cannot. It therefore regards the above outworking of British immigration laws as a further example of the racist basis of those laws. In the light of all the above the Conference expresses its unhappiness with a rigid system which appears to deny the possibility of a call to the Methodist ministry of a student already studying in this country who may, inter alia, see the need for an increasingly multicultural ministry. It is also unhappy with a system which calls into question the integrity of the Church’s procedures for testing such a call.
Page 2 of 6 The Conference therefore instructs the Connexional Team to consult with the Churches Main Committee and make further approaches to the Home Office to see how a less racist and more flexible system may be developed in relation to those experiencing a call to religious ministry.
NB Since this memorial changes in the Immigration Rules will allow suitable people to transfer to minister of religion status from a student of theology or other suitable status [not a visitor or an asylum seeker.
2002. The Conference notes that many Asylum Seekers and Refugees are coming to our churches in search of support. There is evidence from those coming to us that decisions taken by the Home Office, often seem arbitrary and procedures very slow. Communication with the Home Office is extremely difficult and financial support appears inefficient resulting in much delay and considerable hardship. This Conference declares its deepest concern about the treatment of Asylum Seekers and Refugees and urges its Government to revise the procedures so that justice prevails and sustainable support is given
2003 Notice of Motion 32 Treatment of Asylum Seekers and Refugees
The Conference notes that many Asylum Seekers and Refugees are coming to our churches in search of support. There is evidence from those coming to us that decisions taken by the Home Office, often seem arbitrary and procedures very slow. Communication with the Home Office is extremely difficult and financial support appears inefficient resulting in much delay and considerable hardship. This Conference declares its deepest concern about the treatment of Asylum Seekers and Refugees and urges its Government to revise its procedures so that justice prevails and sustainable support is given.
Proposed: The Revd Terence J Young Seconded: The Revd Geoffrey Peddie. Passed unanimously.
2004. M27 ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES The Darlington Synod (R) (Present: 156. Vote: 151 for, 0 against) expresses its concern about the situation faced by many people seeking asylum and by refugees in our country. Although both groups are subject to forms of hardship, it is those who are in the position of seeking asylum who are the most vulnerable. Whilst their claims are being processed, members of this group will often find themselves stripped of dignity and self-esteem and, in many cases, destitute as a result of Government policy.
We ask the Conference to affirm and endorse the work being done by local churches. Many offer support such as providing clothing, furniture, food and friendship as well as helping people to adjust to life in this country.
We also strongly urge the Conference to denounce the way asylum seekers and refugees are being portrayed in some areas of the media as, for example, scroungers, idlers, job takers, and on the look out for free health care. These images have been seized upon by extreme political parties in some of their election literature. One example of this is the portrayal of asylum seekers and refugees as perverts and child molesters.
We consider that it makes sound economic sense to allow asylum seekers to become economically active by letting them work and thus achieve a dignity not yet afforded them.
We ask the Conference to express the concern of the Church to the Government, encouraging them to form policies that will give asylum seekers basic human rights.
We also ask the Conference to facilitate involvement by local churches in the support of and in campaigning on behalf of asylum seekers and refugees, by sharing with others examples of best practice from around the Connexion.
Page 3 of 6 Reply The Conference commends the many examples of local churches and Circuits working with and advocating for asylum seekers and refugees. The Conference recognises the necessity for a full and fair determination system after which those without a claim to asylum must return home. The Conference notes that the experience of those working alongside asylum seekers shows that the current system is far from ‘full and fair’. The issues raised cut across the work of many members of the Public Life and Social Justice team who work in an ecumenical context. The Team has consistently responded to proposals to change legislation, emphasising the need to treat people with fairness and respect and expressing concern over the welfare of children, the availability of legal advice and the stigmatising of those seeking asylum. These principles are in line with the approach outlined in the Memorial. The Conference makes it clear that the human rights of asylum seekers should be the first priority of statutory bodies when considering issues of asylum and requires the Connexional Team to emphasise this view in discussion with decision-makers in Government. A forum for this work is provided by the Refugee and Asylum Working Group. The Conference supports the work of the Refugee and Asylum Working Group, enabling it to develop opportunities for churches to share best practice, disseminate information and provide a conduit for campaigning. The Conference encourages the group to explore with ecumenical partners opportunities to bring together work in this area and to share good practice more widely. The Methodist Church received a fair amount of media coverage of its response to the proposals introduced in the Queen’s Speech 2003 where attention was drawn to the detailed response made by the Connexional Team to the Government's proposals for asylum reform. The Conference supports in principle changes to legislation to enable asylum seekers to work, enabling people to use their skills and to become economically active. Refugee Week in Lent offers congregations an opportunity to explore these issues in the context of Methodist worship. The Conference instructs the Connexional Team to continue to make representations to Government when policy on immigration and asylum raises cause for concern.
M28 ASYLUM SEEKERS The York and Hull Synod (R) (Present: 169. Vote: unanimous): 1 Requests Her Majesty’s Government to abandon all policies of destitution relating to asylum seekers at any stage of the process and asks the Government to restore a basic benefits system for them
2 Requests that Her Majesty’s Government takes steps to ensure that good quality legal advice is available to all asylum seekers from the beginning of the process until a final decision is made or they are removed.
3 Requests Her Majesty’s Government to take steps to ensure that the initial consideration of asylum claims is of a much higher quality than is currently the situation. It should begin by widely consulting with practitioners to devise a process that is reasonably quick but fundamentally just.
Minutes of Conference 2004 p6 The Conference celebrates the work of those churches which welcome and support Asylum seekers and Refugees. It was pleased to hear that some are becoming followers of Jesus Christ
Page 4 of 6 However, it was concerned by the instances of lack of awareness demonstrated by adjudicators and others about the implications of being a Methodist on an asylum seeker.
The Conference therefore called on the Connexional Team to raise these concerns with the appropriate Government Departments and request that “religious awareness” be included in the training of all those involved in the asylum process.
M45 MIGRANT WORKERS (AC)
The East Anglia Synod (R) (Present: 179. Vote: 178 for, 0 against) is concerned at the scale and scope of the injustice and oppression faced by migrant workers under the control of unscrupulous gangmasters in this country. The Synod requests that the Connexional Team highlights these activities and, working with the Government, makes every effort to bring justice to migrant workers. The Synod also urges that a legally enforced registration of gangmasters is a necessity to ensure the future well being of such workers.
Reply to memorial M45 The Conference is concerned by the difficulties experienced and the dangers faced by migrant workers suffering under unscrupulous gangmasters. The Conference appreciates the work of Methodists in several parts of the Connexion, including East Anglia, who are aware of these issues and are drawing attention to the problem as well as offering support directly to migrant workers.
The Conference recognises growing support to combat the activities of illegal gangmasters via a statutory scheme under which all gangmasters would be registered, and would be required to meet certain standards. The Conference supports such initiatives and encourages the Connexional Team to respond positively to efforts to enact these principles through legislation. The Conference requires the relevant members of the Connexional Team to continue to highlight the issues that are shared with them by those churches and Circuits who have direct experience of working with migrant workers and to respond in the context of this experience to any proposals to bring in a registration scheme.
NB Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 received the Royal Assent 8th July 2004. http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts2004/20040011.htm
2005 M24 Treatment of Asylum Seekers The Doncaster (25/14) Circuit Meeting (Present 88. Vote: unanimous)
Background provided by the Doncaster Circuit Meeting This Memorial arises out of the recent traumatic experiences of an asylum seeker family who are members of one of our Circuit churches. The family are going through the due process of asylum application. At 6.45am one morning ten people, apparently acting on Home Office instructions, broke into the family’s home. They ignored the protestations of the family that the youngest child was ill, and that an asylum appeal was ongoing. The family were made hurriedly to pack some belongings. Their treatment by the ten people (seven men and three women) was apparently without care or compassion (one person poked fun at the Christian faith of the mother when she packed her Bible with her belongings). They were not allowed to visit the toilet or have any breakfast. They were loaded into two separate vehicles and taken to the Yarls Wood Detention Centre. The family were informed that they would be deported the following day. On arrival at Yarls Wood, a doctor confirmed that the youngest child had chicken pox, and the family were therefore refused entry. The family were taken to a nearby railway station, given travel vouchers, and told to make their way, with their belongings and a sick child, back to Doncaster. They were given no food. The family arrived back in Doncaster tired, disoriented and traumatised, more than twelve hours after this horrifying ordeal had begun. Members of their local church and Circuit were appalled,
Page 5 of 6 sickened and disgusted by this inhumane treatment of law-abiding citizens by people acting on behalf of a department of Her Majesty's Government.
Memorial In view of this incident, together with anecdotal evidence that this is by no means an isolated incident, the Doncaster Circuit urges the Conference to ensure that urgent representations at a connexional level are made to HM Government at the highest level. In particular, we urge the Conference to ensure that an assurance is sought from HM Government that in future, in all actions taken by any official acting on behalf of Government departments in dealing with refugees and asylum seekers, there should be an overriding duty to act with respect and consideration, to treat all people with care and dignity, and to do everything possible to safeguard their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Reply The Conference notes the support given in the Doncaster Circuit to this particular family. It also recognises that many other churches are having to offer sustained support to asylum seekers and refugees in a hostile climate of public opinion. The action of Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) staff of the Home Office and their contractors on this occasion is a long way short of being respectful and considerate to a family under great stress.
Representations have been made to IND by the Methodist Church about the circumstances of this particular incident and the policy instruction that governs this procedure. The Conference shares the concern of the Doncaster Circuit Meeting that in every part of the asylum process there is an overriding duty to act with respect and consideration and to treat people with care and dignity, and will continue to make such representations to Government. This Memorial is accepted.
Notices of Motion: 1. Asylum Seekers The Conference expresses deep concern at the manner and ways in which many asylum seekers and refugees are treated whilst going through the application process. The pastoral experience of many ministers and churches suggests that a different approach to the problems, cultural needs and often bitter experience of many asylum seekers is an urgent necessity. The Conference therefore urges the Government to initiate a fundamental review of the approach to these matters which aims to restore dignity and compassion to the process.
13. Asylum Seekers (2) In light of Notice of Motion 1 passed by the Ministerial Session Minutes of Conference 2005 p11 The Conference Directed the Connexional Team to seek a meeting of appropriate people with the Home Secretary to seek a return to dignity and compassion to the process. Committed the Methodist Church to continued work with Ecumenical partners and other agencies working on these issues Welcomed the offer from Conference members from the Yorkshire Districts to produce a collection of human stories from around the Connexion illustrating injustices in the implementation of the asylum application system Invited all Methodists to engage with their members of Parliament on the issues arising in the new Asylum Bill Welcomed the production of appropriate guidance for church representatives who are supporting witnesses at Asylum hearings.
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