The History of the Pledge
The Sanctuary Pledge is an initiative of CITIZENS UK - part of the CITIZENS for Sanctuary campaign to implement the recommendations of the Independent Asylum Commission.
The origins of CITIZENS for Sanctuary
CITIZENS for Sanctuary is a CITIZENS UK campaign to secure justice for people fleeing persecution and rebuild public support for sanctuary.
In 2006, South London CITIZENS asked twelve impartial Commissioners to conduct an independent, nationwide review of the UK’s asylum system. The Independent Asylum Commission spent two years gathering testimony from asylum seekers and the public, taking evidence from experts, and engaging in dialogue with the authorities. The Commission produced over 180 recommendations to safeguard people who seek sanctuary here, while restoring public confidence in the UK’s role as a place of sanctuary for those fleeing persecution.
CITIZENS for Sanctuary is the campaign to make those recommendations a reality and the Sanctuary Pledge is based on those recommendations.
For more details about the campaign please see: www.citizensforsanctuary.org.uk
The Sanctuary Pledge partnership
CITIZENS for Sanctuary is working in partnership with various faith groups to ensure that people who come to the UK in search of sanctuary are not used as a political football in the general election.
The partnership is planning to shape the general election campaign by promoting The Sanctuary Pledge to Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPCs) and relevant Ministers and Shadow Ministers. This is a technique that worked well in the National Assembly for Wales elections in 2007 and the Local Government elections in Wales in 2008, resulting in a much more positive election campaign and improved policy after the election (see www.keepawelcome.co.uk for more details).
The Sanctuary Pledge aims to reclaim the centre ground for sanctuary. By securing and opening positive political around the issue of sanctuary the Sanctuary Pledge can help secure the long term future of sanctuary in the UK.
