May 2017

As the General Election approaches, and political parties lay out their plans for the next parliamentary term, we at Ely Refugee Resettlement Campaign believe it is imperative that refugees continue to be helped and protected.

Ely Refugee Resettlement Campaign calls for all political parties to pledge, at a minimum, to maintain the current Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS), which promised to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees in the UK, between 2015 and 2020.  These arrangements and dates were originally set to coincide with the planned parliamentary term of five years, and we believe that is it critical that the plans are not changed, and that the UK continues to offer humanitarian assistance to those in need. 

Furthermore, we call for parties to consider increasing the number of Syrian refugees to be given sanctuary in the UK.  As the situation in Syria remains gravely unstable and dangerous, with no apparent resolution in sight, more and more Syrian people are being displaced, and will continue to need our help. 

We also believe it is imperative that all political parties reconsider the decision not to assist unaccompanied refugee children in Europe, and to implement the ‘Dubs amendment’, in order to give sanctuary to this most vulnerable group.

Regardless of the outcome of the General Election, Ely Refugee Resettlement Campaign will continue to work to support refugee rights, and the resettlement of Syrian refugees to the East Cambridgeshire area.

(You can download a copy of this statement from our resources page. There is a also a document with questions that you can ask you prospective parliamentary candidate about their position in regards to helping refugees.)