Developing an independent anti-racist model for asylum rights organizing in England

Abstract

Since the mid-1990s third-sector professionals and organizations have come under increasing pressure to help enforce restrictive and punitive policies towards refugees and asylum seekers. This paper presents one response, using an empirical case study to develop an Independent Anti-Racist Model for asylum rights organizing. This combines data from a three-year study comparing four organizations in a major city in England and reflections on the author's experience as a member of the case study organization, contextualized in the literature. The paper identifies a related set of features distinguishing this model from other types of organization and the conditions making it possible, and concludes that it offers wider lessons for work with groups in a conflictual relationship with the state.

Keywords:

• refugees
• community mobilizing
• community development
• social movements
• collectivism
• internationalism

Acknowledgements

Thanks are due the participants in the research that informs this paper, and to the Ethnic and Racial Studies referees and other colleagues who commented on earlier drafts. Responsibility for any shortcomings is mine.

Notes

1. Due to the stigmatization associated with the term ‘asylum seeker’, I use ‘refugee’ to encompass everyone who seeks refuge (as does Williams 2006), and where relevant I indicate whether I refer to refugees with or without ‘status’, in the sense of permission from the state to remain in Britain and enjoy the same formal rights as citizens.

2. For a more detailed discussion, see Vickers (2012).

3. Where I use the term ‘black’ in this paper I do so in its political sense (Penketh 2000, p. v).

4. Some solicitors also expressed this fear, but there was no evidence of any refugee's involvement in CAMP negatively affecting their asylum claim. Indeed, the proportion of members who secured status was well above the national average, although other factors might have contributed to this.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tom Vickers

TOM VICKERS is Senior Research Assistant in the Department of Social Sciences at Northumbria University.