Legal News

Wolverhampton organisations have attended an event to promote a national movement seeking to build a network of towns and cities offering hospitality to people seeking sanctuary in the UK.

Attendees at the event heard the story of asylum seeker and chair of Wolverhampton City of Sanctuary, Alvine Noumey, who talked about how she fled persecution in Cameroon and finally found sanctuary in Wolverhampton.

“People did not believe my story – but sometimes we need to believe and accept what someone says about what happened to them,” said Ms Nourney.

Secretary of Wolverhampton City of Sanctuary, John Catley, told attendees:

“A City of Sanctuary is a place which is committed to welcoming and including people who are seeking sanctuary.

“We want to secure a public commitment to making Wolverhampton a place of safety by bringing local groups, individuals and together to make our city open and fair for all.

“We also want to celebrate the contribution that asylum seekers and refugees can make to their local communities and to wider society and culture – and challenge any hostility and discrimination they may face.”

Leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council, Councillor Roger Lawrence, added:

“Wolverhampton has a long history of welcoming people from all over the globe to our city – and as council we are proud to support moves to create a City of Sanctuary.

“There are already many organisations and individuals working hard for refugees and asylum seekers who come to our city – but by formally working to establish a City of Sanctuary, we are able to bring this support together and ensure that Wolverhampton continues to be a place that welcome people in times of need.”

The event also featured a keynote speech from Methodist minister Rev Inderjit Bhogal OBE, who founded the City of Sanctuary movement in Sheffield a decade ago – and who lived in Wolverhampton in the early 1980s.

“Sanctuary is not just about having a roof over your head,” he said.

“What people really need is friendship – we all want a sense of friendship and belonging.

“There are 80 towns and cities of Sanctuary in Britain and Ireland – and the movement is spreading around the world.”

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