Opposition to Racism - Briefing August 2024

On 8 August 2024, the Assembly will debate the Opposition to Racism motion. The Law Centre urges MLAs to support the motion. In this short briefing paper, we highlight some key recommendations relating to refugee integration. Read the briefing here.

We ask MLAs to speak in favour of the motion and to request that:

1. The Refugee Integration Strategy is finalised and published without further delay;
2. The establishment of a Refugee Leaders Forum is prioritised;
3. The valuable learning from the Ukraine Assistance Centre is harnessed and this model built on and expanded to benefit all asylum seekers and refugees;
4. The skills employability survey is likewise expanded to include all refugees and that employability programmes are developed for all;
5. NI Direct information is expanded to include information for all refugees;
6. The Minority Ethnic Development Fund is reviewed to ensure it is sufficiently resourced and accessible and funding ringfenced.