Cynthia Orchard
@cynthiaorchard.bsky.social
Human rights are for everyone.
Personal account.
Personal account.
Pinned
“My father used to say, when someone has citizenship, it opens thousands of doors....”
In our latest guest blog, @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social presents a report which encourages OSCE-participating States to take action to prevent childhood statelessness.
Read more: buff.ly/qQHtprf
In our latest guest blog, @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social presents a report which encourages OSCE-participating States to take action to prevent childhood statelessness.
Read more: buff.ly/qQHtprf
I'm a 4th gen migrant, my parents had different nationalities & I couldn't acquire my mom's nationality at birth due to a law that discriminated against women. But luckily I was a US citizen at birth...
My latest blog article and a report calling for measures to prevent childhood statelessness.
My latest blog article and a report calling for measures to prevent childhood statelessness.
Reposted by Cynthia Orchard
👶| NEW BLOG: Migrant families are the missing piece in the UK’s child poverty strategy. Our new analysis sets out what must change to make it work for everyone. Read here ⬇️ www.ippr.org/articles/mak...
Making the Child Poverty Strategy work for migrant families | IPPR
At the time of writing, the UK government is preparing to launch a new national strategy to tackle child poverty. Weeks into being newly elected, prime min
www.ippr.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:20 PM
👶| NEW BLOG: Migrant families are the missing piece in the UK’s child poverty strategy. Our new analysis sets out what must change to make it work for everyone. Read here ⬇️ www.ippr.org/articles/mak...
Thank you @alfdubs.bsky.social - still a shining light of humanity.
Asylum changes seek to use children as a weapon, says Labour peer
Asylum changes seek to use children as a weapon, says Labour peer
Alf Dubs criticises Shabana Mahmood’s ‘shabby’ proposals which he says will only increase community tensions
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UK politics live – latest updates
The home secretary is seeking “to use children as a weapon” in her changes to the asylum system, a veteran Labour peer who came to Britain as a child refugee has warned.
Alf Dubs, who arrived in the UK aged six in 1939 fleeing the persecution of Jews in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, described Shabana Mahmood’s proposals as “a shabby thing”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Thank you @alfdubs.bsky.social - still a shining light of humanity.
Really glad to see my MP @stellacreasy.bsky.social speak up for refugees.
Labour / Govt leaders need to listen to voices of people who care about human rights and have expertise on refugee issues instead of lowering to far-right aims.
Labour / Govt leaders need to listen to voices of people who care about human rights and have expertise on refugee issues instead of lowering to far-right aims.
Plans to leave refugees in a state of perpetual uncertainty about where and if they can rebuild their lives are not just performative cruelty, they are counterproductive to integration and the economy. It doesn’t have to be like this - 1/2
November 18, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Really glad to see my MP @stellacreasy.bsky.social speak up for refugees.
Labour / Govt leaders need to listen to voices of people who care about human rights and have expertise on refugee issues instead of lowering to far-right aims.
Labour / Govt leaders need to listen to voices of people who care about human rights and have expertise on refugee issues instead of lowering to far-right aims.
The latest proposals by UK Govt on refugee issues are incredibly disappointing for anyone who cares about human rights.
Particularly unconscionable: the plan to make it difficult or impossible for most people recognised as refugees to be reunited with their close family members.
Particularly unconscionable: the plan to make it difficult or impossible for most people recognised as refugees to be reunited with their close family members.
Latest post from us: Home Secretary announces major asylum and other changes in new policy paper: “Restoring Order and Control” | Sonia Lenegan
Home Secretary announces major asylum and other changes in new policy paper: "Restoring Order and Control" - Free Movement
Following a plethora of media briefings and coverage over the past few days, the Home Secretary has officially published her policy paper on "Restoring Order
freemovement.org.uk
November 18, 2025 at 9:29 AM
The latest proposals by UK Govt on refugee issues are incredibly disappointing for anyone who cares about human rights.
Particularly unconscionable: the plan to make it difficult or impossible for most people recognised as refugees to be reunited with their close family members.
Particularly unconscionable: the plan to make it difficult or impossible for most people recognised as refugees to be reunited with their close family members.
Reposted by Cynthia Orchard
Coverage of the refugee proposals demonstrates why we have such a broken political system. Endless focus on left-wing anger and right-wing support. Basically nothing on whether the reforms will work. They will not, which is why we'll still be here having the same debate in three years.
November 18, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Coverage of the refugee proposals demonstrates why we have such a broken political system. Endless focus on left-wing anger and right-wing support. Basically nothing on whether the reforms will work. They will not, which is why we'll still be here having the same debate in three years.
Reposted by Cynthia Orchard
Reading through the asylum policy document, the post-refugee status process is going to be a dream for anyone who enjoys needlessly complex & bureaucratic processes. First, the Home Office will review whether people still need protection every 2.5 years. That's tens of thousands of people each year.
November 18, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Reading through the asylum policy document, the post-refugee status process is going to be a dream for anyone who enjoys needlessly complex & bureaucratic processes. First, the Home Office will review whether people still need protection every 2.5 years. That's tens of thousands of people each year.
Forcing refugees to wait 20 years to acquire permanent residency won't solve problems.
It will make the lives of people recognised as refugees more difficult though, and will create more work for Govt and asylum lawyers.
It also doesn't align with Article 34 of the Refugee Convention.
It will make the lives of people recognised as refugees more difficult though, and will create more work for Govt and asylum lawyers.
It also doesn't align with Article 34 of the Refugee Convention.
November 16, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Forcing refugees to wait 20 years to acquire permanent residency won't solve problems.
It will make the lives of people recognised as refugees more difficult though, and will create more work for Govt and asylum lawyers.
It also doesn't align with Article 34 of the Refugee Convention.
It will make the lives of people recognised as refugees more difficult though, and will create more work for Govt and asylum lawyers.
It also doesn't align with Article 34 of the Refugee Convention.
Reposted by Cynthia Orchard
Private companies operating care services in just three regions of England made £250m profits in 3 years,
£87.7m of profits went to care providers owned by private equity controlled from tax havens.
Profits mean money buys less. Higher taxes for less service.
Say NO to privatisation.
£87.7m of profits went to care providers owned by private equity controlled from tax havens.
Profits mean money buys less. Higher taxes for less service.
Say NO to privatisation.
Private care providers in three English regions make £250m in three years
More than third of profits analysed went to firms owned by private equity or based in tax havens, research finds
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Private companies operating care services in just three regions of England made £250m profits in 3 years,
£87.7m of profits went to care providers owned by private equity controlled from tax havens.
Profits mean money buys less. Higher taxes for less service.
Say NO to privatisation.
£87.7m of profits went to care providers owned by private equity controlled from tax havens.
Profits mean money buys less. Higher taxes for less service.
Say NO to privatisation.
Reposted by Cynthia Orchard
Join us on 10 December 2025 from 1pm-2pm (UK time) for our live Human Rights Day webinar to learn more about our MA in Refugee Protection and Forced Migration Studies.
www.london.ac.uk/news-events/...
#Refugees #Displacement #RefugeeProtection #ForcedMigration #PostgraduateStudy #HumanRightsDay
www.london.ac.uk/news-events/...
#Refugees #Displacement #RefugeeProtection #ForcedMigration #PostgraduateStudy #HumanRightsDay
November 7, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Join us on 10 December 2025 from 1pm-2pm (UK time) for our live Human Rights Day webinar to learn more about our MA in Refugee Protection and Forced Migration Studies.
www.london.ac.uk/news-events/...
#Refugees #Displacement #RefugeeProtection #ForcedMigration #PostgraduateStudy #HumanRightsDay
www.london.ac.uk/news-events/...
#Refugees #Displacement #RefugeeProtection #ForcedMigration #PostgraduateStudy #HumanRightsDay
Reposted by Cynthia Orchard
The first day of our joint conference - Statelessness & Innovation: Building Power through Collective Action - with Statefree in Berlin is underway! Today, it’s all about the power of community.
#Statelessness #Europe #HumanRights
#Statelessness #Europe #HumanRights
November 5, 2025 at 11:48 AM
The first day of our joint conference - Statelessness & Innovation: Building Power through Collective Action - with Statefree in Berlin is underway! Today, it’s all about the power of community.
#Statelessness #Europe #HumanRights
#Statelessness #Europe #HumanRights
Lovely story about a refugee woman rebuilding her life and helping others in the UK. ❤️
Entrepreneurial refugee says 'thank you UK' for giving family sanctuary - BBC News share.google/YhiIcB8ZzfnR...
Entrepreneurial refugee says 'thank you UK' for giving family sanctuary - BBC News share.google/YhiIcB8ZzfnR...
Entrepreneurial refugee says 'thank you UK' for giving family sanctuary
Since settling in North Yorkshire, Nahid Hamidi has set up a pop-up restaurant and helps other refugees.
share.google
November 4, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Lovely story about a refugee woman rebuilding her life and helping others in the UK. ❤️
Entrepreneurial refugee says 'thank you UK' for giving family sanctuary - BBC News share.google/YhiIcB8ZzfnR...
Entrepreneurial refugee says 'thank you UK' for giving family sanctuary - BBC News share.google/YhiIcB8ZzfnR...
Reposted by Cynthia Orchard
Migration makes for political deflection and migrants an easy scapegoat, but most "concerns" around immigration are flat out false and driven by hostile rhetoric.
Reality is, on a day to day basis, people are more worried about how they'll get through to the next payday.
news.sky.com/story/manufa...
Reality is, on a day to day basis, people are more worried about how they'll get through to the next payday.
news.sky.com/story/manufa...
'Manufactured panic': Immigration not near top of most people's concerns, poll suggests
The cost of living, health, crime, and housing are much higher on people's lists of personal worries, a YouGov survey has suggested.
news.sky.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Migration makes for political deflection and migrants an easy scapegoat, but most "concerns" around immigration are flat out false and driven by hostile rhetoric.
Reality is, on a day to day basis, people are more worried about how they'll get through to the next payday.
news.sky.com/story/manufa...
Reality is, on a day to day basis, people are more worried about how they'll get through to the next payday.
news.sky.com/story/manufa...
Dependants of Gaza students can come to UK, government says - BBC News share.google/t80nEhE0ny44...
Dependants of Gaza students can come to UK, government says - BBC News
The decision is a reversal of the original policy which only supported the evacuation of the students themselves.
share.google
October 30, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Dependants of Gaza students can come to UK, government says - BBC News share.google/t80nEhE0ny44...
Share your views on a Tory MP’s proposal to deport large numbers of legally settled UK immigrants | Immigration and asylum | The Guardian share.google/MXRiscppRri7...
Share your views on a Tory MP’s proposal to deport large numbers of legally settled UK immigrants
We’d like to hear from people who may be affected by the policy proposal of Katie Lam MP to revoke the right to remain from many legally settled immigrants in Britain
share.google
October 30, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Share your views on a Tory MP’s proposal to deport large numbers of legally settled UK immigrants | Immigration and asylum | The Guardian share.google/MXRiscppRri7...
Reposted by Cynthia Orchard
Use your country expertise to help inform asylum decisions - Train as an expert witness for asylum cases - Register now for our next session on 5 December 2025.
Early bird rates available until 6 November - register here: rli.sas.ac.uk/study-us/sho...
#ExpertWitness #RefugeeLaw #AsylumClaims
Early bird rates available until 6 November - register here: rli.sas.ac.uk/study-us/sho...
#ExpertWitness #RefugeeLaw #AsylumClaims
October 22, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Use your country expertise to help inform asylum decisions - Train as an expert witness for asylum cases - Register now for our next session on 5 December 2025.
Early bird rates available until 6 November - register here: rli.sas.ac.uk/study-us/sho...
#ExpertWitness #RefugeeLaw #AsylumClaims
Early bird rates available until 6 November - register here: rli.sas.ac.uk/study-us/sho...
#ExpertWitness #RefugeeLaw #AsylumClaims
ICJ orders Israel to allow aid into Gaza and says restrictions breached international obligations | The Guardian
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
ICJ orders Israel to allow aid into Gaza and says restrictions breached international obligations
UN’s top court also finds Israel failed to justify blocking Unrwa and other relief agencies
www.theguardian.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:07 AM
ICJ orders Israel to allow aid into Gaza and says restrictions breached international obligations | The Guardian
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Reposted by Cynthia Orchard
You may have heard about UK ministers' plan to double to 10 years the time needed to reached settled status in the UK. But did you realise that it threatened access to pensions for the 180,000 people who came from Hong Kong on the UK government's visa scheme? My dispatch: www.ft.com/content/8b91...
UK Hongkongers rue the rockiness of their ‘lifeboat’ after threatened visa changes
People who fled Chinese territory are angry after London looks at doubling length of time required to gain citizenship
www.ft.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:21 AM
You may have heard about UK ministers' plan to double to 10 years the time needed to reached settled status in the UK. But did you realise that it threatened access to pensions for the 180,000 people who came from Hong Kong on the UK government's visa scheme? My dispatch: www.ft.com/content/8b91...
Reposted by Cynthia Orchard
New on the #RLI podcast:
'Fit for the future? Climate change, global crises and the capacity of refugee law' which was part of the 16th International Refugee Law Seminar Series: The Future of Refugee Law.
Listen here:
rli.sas.ac.uk/podcasts/fit...
#ClimateChange #RefugeeLaw #Podcast
'Fit for the future? Climate change, global crises and the capacity of refugee law' which was part of the 16th International Refugee Law Seminar Series: The Future of Refugee Law.
Listen here:
rli.sas.ac.uk/podcasts/fit...
#ClimateChange #RefugeeLaw #Podcast
October 21, 2025 at 11:30 AM
New on the #RLI podcast:
'Fit for the future? Climate change, global crises and the capacity of refugee law' which was part of the 16th International Refugee Law Seminar Series: The Future of Refugee Law.
Listen here:
rli.sas.ac.uk/podcasts/fit...
#ClimateChange #RefugeeLaw #Podcast
'Fit for the future? Climate change, global crises and the capacity of refugee law' which was part of the 16th International Refugee Law Seminar Series: The Future of Refugee Law.
Listen here:
rli.sas.ac.uk/podcasts/fit...
#ClimateChange #RefugeeLaw #Podcast
Reposted by Cynthia Orchard
Stronger protection needed for human rights defenders in exile, participants say at ODIHR event
#WarsawHDC ⬇️ buff.ly/1o446FY
#WarsawHDC ⬇️ buff.ly/1o446FY
October 17, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Stronger protection needed for human rights defenders in exile, participants say at ODIHR event
#WarsawHDC ⬇️ buff.ly/1o446FY
#WarsawHDC ⬇️ buff.ly/1o446FY
Excellent opportunity for the right person: CEO of South London Refugee Association - apply by 9 November. www.slr-a.org.uk/get-involved...
Vacancies - SLRA
For all roles, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals, and those who are migrants or refugees, and who have lived experience of the hostil...
www.slr-a.org.uk
October 16, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Excellent opportunity for the right person: CEO of South London Refugee Association - apply by 9 November. www.slr-a.org.uk/get-involved...
Reposted by Cynthia Orchard
Gaza PhD student ‘heartbroken’ as family blocked from entering the UK www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Gaza PhD student ‘heartbroken’ as family blocked from entering the UK
Manar al-Houbi’s husband and children refused entry despite her winning a scholarship to cover tuition fees, living costs and housing for them all
www.theguardian.com
October 12, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Gaza PhD student ‘heartbroken’ as family blocked from entering the UK www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Interesting article:
"Asylum Interviews in the UK:
The Problem of Evidence and the Possibility of Applied Anthropology"
in Social Anthropology/Anthropologie sociale
By @judithbeyer.bsky.social
www.berghahnjournals.com/view/journal...
"Asylum Interviews in the UK:
The Problem of Evidence and the Possibility of Applied Anthropology"
in Social Anthropology/Anthropologie sociale
By @judithbeyer.bsky.social
www.berghahnjournals.com/view/journal...
October 10, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Interesting article:
"Asylum Interviews in the UK:
The Problem of Evidence and the Possibility of Applied Anthropology"
in Social Anthropology/Anthropologie sociale
By @judithbeyer.bsky.social
www.berghahnjournals.com/view/journal...
"Asylum Interviews in the UK:
The Problem of Evidence and the Possibility of Applied Anthropology"
in Social Anthropology/Anthropologie sociale
By @judithbeyer.bsky.social
www.berghahnjournals.com/view/journal...
Nice to see this example of Jewish and Palestinian people gathering in London for peace - BBC News share.google/Oh4aMmKU9cus...
Jewish and Palestinian people gather in London for peace - BBC News
People join together in central London each month to share their hopes for peace.
share.google
October 9, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Nice to see this example of Jewish and Palestinian people gathering in London for peace - BBC News share.google/Oh4aMmKU9cus...
Reposted by Cynthia Orchard
Register now for our next seminar:
Funding crisis, UN reform and the future of humanitarian work, 6 November, 6pm-7pm, Bloomsbury Room, G35, Ground Floor, Senate House
rli.sas.ac.uk/events/fundi...
#Funding #FundingCrisis #UN80 #IOM #UNHCR #Displacement #Refugees #IDPs #InternallyDisplacedPeople
Funding crisis, UN reform and the future of humanitarian work, 6 November, 6pm-7pm, Bloomsbury Room, G35, Ground Floor, Senate House
rli.sas.ac.uk/events/fundi...
#Funding #FundingCrisis #UN80 #IOM #UNHCR #Displacement #Refugees #IDPs #InternallyDisplacedPeople
October 7, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Register now for our next seminar:
Funding crisis, UN reform and the future of humanitarian work, 6 November, 6pm-7pm, Bloomsbury Room, G35, Ground Floor, Senate House
rli.sas.ac.uk/events/fundi...
#Funding #FundingCrisis #UN80 #IOM #UNHCR #Displacement #Refugees #IDPs #InternallyDisplacedPeople
Funding crisis, UN reform and the future of humanitarian work, 6 November, 6pm-7pm, Bloomsbury Room, G35, Ground Floor, Senate House
rli.sas.ac.uk/events/fundi...
#Funding #FundingCrisis #UN80 #IOM #UNHCR #Displacement #Refugees #IDPs #InternallyDisplacedPeople