World Refugee Day 20 June

World Refugee Day is an international day held each year on 20 June to honour people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.

This year an event is being organised on 20 June in Parliament Square by Together with Refugees, a coalition of organisations that believe in taking a more compassionate approach to refugees. Last year PCS signed their letter to political party leaders, together with other public figures, trade unions, faith leaders and stars of sport, stage and screen, and those with experience of being a refugee.  The letter asked them to commit to a fair new plan for refugees that ensures protection, provides a proper strategy for welcoming and integrating refugees and forges stronger global cooperation.

The event in Parliament Square will take place on Thursday 20 June from 9:30-11:30am and will bring together refugee sector leaders, lived experience campaigners, celebrities and other allies to create Team Fair Begins Here to call on the next UK government to commit to a fair new plan for refugees, including scrapping the Rwanda scheme. PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote will be one of the speakers.

Fran said: “PCS is proud to join Team Fair Begins Here.

“PCS has campaigned against the inhumane Rwanda policy since its inception. It was our members who would have had to implement the scheme and it’s our members whose determination will help defeat it.

“We are pleased to stand with others in rejecting the current hostility against refugees, demonstrate solidarity with them and commit to take action to win a fair new plan for them.

“With a new government comes new hope – and we hope whoever is in No 10 next month, they will work with us and support our Safe Passage policy.”