Meeting of the Parliament 17 June 2014
The result of the division is: For 94, Against 5, Abstentions 13.
Motion agreed to,
That the Parliament welcomes the celebration of Refugee Week Scotland 2014 from 16 to 22 June, co-ordinated by the Scottish Refugee Council; notes that the events highlight the vibrancy and dynamism of Scotland’s many cultures; understands that refugees, many of whom have been victims of violence and ill-treatment, are seeking a place of safety to rebuild their lives; believes that asylum seekers and refugees should be integrated into Scotland’s communities from day one, as set out in New Scots: Integrating Refugees in Scotland’s Communities, developed in partnership by the Scottish Government, COSLA and the Scottish Refugee Council; recognises the excellent work of local authorities and third sector organisations in supporting asylum seekers and refugees; believes that more must be done to ensure that the asylum system treats people in the most humane, fairest and holistic way possible, consistent with the aspirations of the New Scots report and respecting human rights, and believes that, for many asylum seekers, the current system exacerbates the traumas that they have already suffered.