25 November 2019
Conference examines 'Silent Crisis' in the UK Immigration System
Law Society House in Belfast was the venue for the second Annual Immigration Conference which was held on Friday 22nd November 2019.
Over 50 members of the legal profession joined senior members of the judiciary, leading academics,prominent activists, community organisations and practitioners to explore the conference theme of "The Silent Crisis Human Rights in the United Kingdom Immigration System".
Organised by the Law Society of Northern Ireland Immigration Practioners’ Group, the conference provided an important platform to discuss overarching and specific immigration issues for applicants within the immigration system in the United Kingdom.
This years conference examined recent developments in the legal and policy frameworks, with regards to the rights afforded to, and restrictions imposed upon, people wishing to enter and live in the UK. Areas discussed included:
- Access to Justice; Syrian Voluntary Resettlement Programme;
- Protecting the Rights of asylum seekers, migrants and refugees;
- the future of Human Rights within refugee Law;
- Strategic Litigation to further rights of refugees.
The conference also examined the implications of government policies for asylum seekers.
Conference attendees also had the opportunity to participate in a unique ‘Small Worlds’ workshop presentation from Belfast Friendship Group who provided an insight into the real lives of refugees and migrants from around the world.
Those attending also heard from a range of high profile speakers including The
Honourable Mr Justice McCloskey and Professor Colin Harvey from Queen’s
University as well as contributions from colleagues working within the
immigration system.