QCEA: Moving With Dignity

Update: There will be a UK Launch presentation of this report, ‘Moving with Dignity’ at Quaker Friends House in the Library, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ 

On Wednesday 18th June 1730 – 1900

With a presentation by the author, Dr Majbritt Lyck-Bowen

Please register your attendance https://bit.ly/MovingWithDignity


April 2025: Quaker Council for European Affairs: Moving with Dignity: A POSITIVE PEACE APPROACH TO MIGRATION

Moving with Dignity: A Positive Peace Approach to Migration is a milestone publication by QCEA. It is grounded in a positive peace approach to migration. It recognises the close connection between violent conflict, peacebuilding, and international migration. Therefore, the handbook proposes a peaceful approach to migration that prioritises the happiness and well-being of all people. 

Explore the 10 key takeaways

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QARN Leaflets: Download them here

6 April 2025 – updated QARN leaflets:

  • Immigration Detention: April 2025
  • About QARN: April 2025
  • Countering Myths: April 2025

Also below:

  • What do Quakers hope for in UK policies (previously: after the 2024 General Election)?
  • Britain’s Hostile Environment – 2023
  • Excessive fees applications for Leave to Remain in the UK _ April 2020
  • Immigration Removals and Deportation _ May 2019
  • Language matters: challenging the language of asylum and migration_ 2018

You can download the leaflets from this page by clicking on the links below. Please feel free to share these, and print off your own copies.

We thank George Sfougaras for the use of his artwork

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QARN next meetings

QARN meetings: next planned meeting dates: 5 July 2025 – this will also be our AGM on Zoom and in person at Harrogate Quaker Meeting House 12a Queen Parade, Harrogate, HG1 5PP;

and 18 October; and 10 January 2026.

We usually meet quarterly using Zoom and all Quakers are welcome. We plan to start at 10.30am to manage the technical aspects of a Zoom meeting, falling quiet at around 10.45am, and beginning business at 11am; and we aim to end around 12.30pm. The meeting link will  be available to those who receive our emails, but for other people, please contact us via info@qarn.org.uk giving your name, and the Quaker Meeting to which you are attached. Thank you.

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I followed every rule as an asylum seeker – I was still detained

This is a cruel system. Read Agnes Tanoh’s account:

But I’m dedicated to trying to get people to have compassion for those in detention. I want everyone to understand that these people have left everything; that they’ve been forced to leave everything they’ve ever known – just like I was.

And I will always stand against putting asylum seekers in detention. Anywhere people are saying, ‘Stop detention!’: I will be there saying it right along with them.

17 June 2025: Metro: I followed every rule as an asylum seeker – I was still detained

Once again, I was woken at 4am in my room at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre.

I was put in the back of a van and driven for around six hours to an airport, where I was told I’d be deported.

It’s difficult to describe the stress of that journey – the terror of thinking I was about to be sent back to a country I’d fled; a country I loved, but where I’d surely be put in prison, or killed, if I was to return.

I had to wait around at the airport for hours. During which time, my fear grew. At the end of the day, around 10pm, the officials who’d taken me to the airport said: ‘OK, you’re not going today, after all’. And I was taken all the way back to Yarl’s Wood.

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I came with nothing

An asylum seeking from Rwanda, on receiving household goods:

“I came with nothing and no money and I am blessed for God has provided.”

This came from ‘Growing Hope – Daily Readings’ from an Iona Community book.


A friend also from Rwanda said:

‘So long as I have a toilet and a cup of tea I am blessed’

QARN: Model Letter/email to MPs re: British Citizenship

May 2025: QARN: Model Letter/email to MPs – Requesting an end to barring individuals who reached the UK through irregular means from ever being granted British citizenship

This is a suggested letter that people and/Meetings may like to send to their MP

Please adapt the message, as you feel led.

Dear ……………..MP,

I am writing to express grave concern regarding the recently updated guidelines that prevent individuals who arrived in the UK by irregular routes from ever being granted British citizenship. The Refugee Convention to which the UK is a signatory recognises that people seeking asylum may need to arrive through irregular routes, and this is especially the case when countries like our own do not provide safe and regular options for people who need protection.

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White paper re: Immigration system

May 2025: Restoring Control over the Immigration System

White Paper:  This is the White paper: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6821aec3f16c0654b19060ac/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-white-paper.pdf

PM’s speech: This is what the Government said about it:

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-remarks-at-immigration-white-paper-press-conference-12-may-2025


Responses from Migrant Voice, Right to Remain, BID below :

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Ten assaults a day on asylum seekers in Home Office care, figures reveal

21 April 2025: Guardian (thank you once more Diane Taylor) Ten assaults a day on asylum seekers in Home Office care, figures reveal

Exclusive: There were 380 safeguarding referrals of victims of hate crimes from January 2023 to August 2024

The Home Office is recording an average of 10 assaults a day on asylum seekers in its care, according to internal government data, amid harsh government rhetoric on those crossing the Channel.

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Refugee charities call for an end to ‘hostile politics’ in open letter to PM

QARN signed this letter:

16 May 2025: Together With Refugees: Response from the Labour Government: which you can download below:

7 April 2025: Together With Refugees: Refugee charities call for an end to ‘hostile politics’ in open letter to PM

Dear Prime Minister

You told us this week that immigration ‘is a basic question of fairness’. We agree. But the searing experiences of last summer, when hate-filled mobs tried to burn down hotels hosting asylum seekers, make it clear that the path to fairness is not to be found in those pitting local communities against refugees seeking safety from persecution and war. 

We know that 80% of British people want an asylum system that is fair, compassionate and well managed. In our daily work we see communities across the country going the extra mile to welcome refugees – opening their homes, volunteering, speaking up, and donating. Refugees enrich our country as our neighbours, friends and colleagues.  

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Micro Rainbow

5 April 2025: We were joined at our meeting today by our speaker Moud Goba from the amazing organisation Micro Rainbow, and some members of Quaker Rainbow.

Vision​: Micro Rainbow’s vision is to create a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) people are safe, free from discrimination, persecution and have equal opportunities in life, including in accessing employment, training, financial services and housing.

Mission: Micro Rainbow’s mission is to create opportunities for LGBTQI people to fulfil their potential in life and create innovative models for social change that are sustainable, scalable and replicable.

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