Human Rights & Equalities Policy Forum 2008

We have recently launched our Human Rights & Equalities Policy Forum whose main objective is to ensure that Southwark residents have a greater understanding and influence of Central, regional and local policies in relation to human rights and equalities.

The forum is currently in the process of recruiting 10 core members to represent a cross section of the communities within Southwark including the following areas Disability, LGBT, Youth, BME, Travellers, Refugees, health and Pensioners. If you or your community groups would like to be considered for membership of the Human Rights & Equalities Policy forum who will be working together to produce 4 policy position papers on behalf of Southwark in response to legislations which will affect us all.

Please contact Vivienne Lamaro Assistant CEO This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Tel: 0207 708 4864 If you are interested in becoming a member of the policy forum or wish to recommend a community group to us. We will also be consulting with groups on which areas of policy the forum should focus on for the next 12 months, any ideas on key issues to focus on should also be forwarded to Vivienne Lamaro.
Racial Incident Forum 2008

We recently at our AGM held on 14th November 2007 launched the Racial Incident Baseline report on Race hate crime in the borough. We hope to conduct a similar but wider consultation process during January – March 2008. We are looking for members who wish to join the Racial Incident Forum’s stakeholder’s panel to ensure appropriate representation form the communities in Southwark.

The main aim of the Racial Incident Forum is to act as a monitoring body for hate crime specifically race hate crime within Southwark. The forum is made up of key stakeholders dealing with victims, witnesses and the perpetrators of such crime in order to collectively respond and develop best practice models which encourage community cohesion and understanding and reduces all forms of race hate crime.

If your group or organisation would like to take part in the consultations regarding Race Hate crime in Southwark Please contact Vivienne Lamaro Assistant CEO This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Telephone: 020 7708 4864. Copies of the report from last year including the questionnaires for this year’s consultation are available on our website www.shrreb.org.uk

Immigration work at SHRREB

Our mission is to provide the best possible independent and confidential advice, assistance and representation to persons subject to immigration control without prejudice or discrimination of any kind and in which the interests and welfare of the client are paramount. Our advice is free to those who are eligible.

SHRREB provides a full range of services from initial interview to assess ‘needs’ through to Judicial Review and representation in the Courts, helping clients from a wide range of communities from all over the world.

We provide advice, support and representation including but not limited to:
• Human Rights representations
• Marriage applications
• Domestic Violence concession representations
• Entry clearance appeals i.e., marriage refusals, visitors visa, student visa
• Over-stayers
• Student extensions of stay
• Asylum claims and appeals
• 10 and 14 year long residence applications
• Immigration Detainees
• Bail applications
• Fresh Claims
• Switching Status
• Appeal Hearings