Our campaign networks
Asylum Aid helps to coordinate the following networks for campaigners and legal practitioners in the refugee and human rights sectors:
Country of Origin Information Practitioners Forum
We are also on the Steering Group of the Independent Asylum Commission
The Refugee Legal Group
The Refugee Legal Group, coordinated by Asylum Aid, enables legal practitioners and advisers in the asylum sector to share information and expertise on asylum case law, policy and practice.
Over 500 legal practitioners, barristers and advisers working in private practices and the not-for-profit sector are current members. Belonging to the group allows members to access an on-line information exchange forum. In addition, members are invited to attend the group's meetings, which are held in central London every other month.
Membership fees are £20 per annum for organisations and self-employed practitioners. Members of the judiciary or Home Office employees are not eligible to join. How to join.
Asylum Rights Campaign
The Asylum Rights Campaign (ARC), co-chaired by Asylum Aid's Director, is a consortium of organisations committed to upholding the right to seek and enjoy asylum in the UK. ARC members share information about developments and research in the field and co-ordinate their lobbying and campaigning responses.
Occasionally members decide to act together as ARC and make statements, write press releases and letters to government ministers or departments. ARC also has specialist sub-groups on key concerns including detention and European asylum policy.
Membership of ARC is open to all organisations committed to the rights of people seeking asylum and refugees. ARC members meet in London on the first Friday of every month.
Country of Origin Information (COI) Practitioners Forum
Asylum Aid is founder of the COI Practitioners Forum. The forum provides an opportunity for COI practitioners to discuss best practice, research needs, facilitate peer support, provide briefings and updates on policy and sector developments, and participate in UK and European consultations.
The forum was initiated due to increased interest in the role of COI within the decision-making process, attempts by academics and practitioners to theorise its production and usage, and in the light of European plans for practical cooperation on the sharing of COI and the development of common guidelines. For more information and membership enquiries contact info@asylumaid.org.uk, marked for the attention of the RWRP Coordinator.
Independent Asylum Commission
In 2006 Asylum Aid and the Asylum Rights Campaign, together with the Citizens Organising Foundation and others, worked to establish an independent commission of enquiry into the UK asylum system. The Independent Asylum Commission was formally launched in October 2006, and our Director has been an external advisor to its Steering Group.
The Commission has been collecting evidence from individuals and organisations through written and oral evidence and research. It has published a report of its interim findings, and over the next few months it will be producing a series of recommendations for reforms to the asylum system. You can read the reports and keep up to date with the work of the Commission by visiting its website.