New Scots refugee integration strategy 2018-2022: summary

Introduction

This booklet is a short summary of the New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy 2018 - 2022.

The full strategy document is available online at www.gov.scot/newscotsstrategy

"Scots have really opened their hearts to refugees. That warm welcome is greatly appreciated and, with global displacement at record levels, it's more important than ever.

This second New Scots strategy is an extremely valuable initiative, and UNHCR commends the fact that refugees and asylum seekers are active in shaping its concept and delivery.

We very much endorse Scotland's vision of refugee integration as a two-way process, bringing positive change in refugees and host communities, and helping to build a more compassionate and diverse society."

Gonzalo Vargas Llosa,
UNHCR's Representative to the UK

"New Scots recognises that refugees and asylum seekers face challenges which can limit their inclusion in our society, but it also recognises that refugees bring strength, knowledge and skills. They are assets to our communities and, as they rebuild their lives here, they help to make Scotland stronger, more compassionate and more successful as a nation."

Angela Constance MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities

"I am delighted that this new strategy has been even more ambitious, both in the reach of the engagement process and in the core outcomes set. With on-going commitment from communities, practitioners and policy makers, it offers the way forward to an increasingly diverse, thriving and cohesive Scotland."

Dr Alison Strang, Chair of New Scots Core Group, Queen Margaret University

"I am pleased that COSLA has been able to work with a wide range of partners to develop a second strategy which builds on the work done to date.

Local authorities across Scotland are committed to supporting refugees and asylum seekers to build a new life."

Councillor Kelly Parry, Spokesperson for COSLA Community and Wellbeing Board

"Scottish Refugee Council is strongly committed to implementation of New Scots and to share our expertise of the last three decades with communities, as they provide a warm welcome and a new life to those who are seeking our protection."

Sabir Zazai, Chief Executive, Scottish Refugee Council

According to international law, a refugee is a person who:

Owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.

Article 1(A) 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.

An asylum seeker is a person who has applied to be recognised as a refugee.

There are also distinct forms of complementary and humanitarian protection which provide rights and entitlement similar to refugee status.

Under current constitutional arrangements, asylum matters are reserved to the UK Government and handled by the Home Office. This includes operation of the asylum system, provision of asylum accommodation and support, and the management and decisions related to UK resettlement programmes.

Many of the services which are essential to support refugees and asylum seekers to integrate into our communities, including healthcare and education, are devolved to the Scottish Government.