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Cynthia Orchard

@cynthiaorchard.bsky.social
767 followers 2.6K following 99 posts

Human rights are for everyone. Personal account.

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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
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Refugees @refugees.skyfleet.blue · 01/10/2026
UK and France 'one-in-one-out' deal canceled #Refugees
infomigrants.net
UK and France 'one-in-one-out' deal canceled
The pilot program, which allowed for an exchange of migrant arrivals between the two countries, is set to expire today (October 1) and will not be continued. The program was part of a three-year multi-million euro agreement with France to strengthen border controls in northern France.
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Spoken word event to raise funds for South London Refugee Association happening today in Peckham! www.instagram.com/p/Db8n7pmM2Q...
instagram.com
heart.ofthe.community on Instagram: "We’re back baby!! 💞Join us for the (late) summer edition of Heart of the Community on Sunday 13th September at the @princeofpeckha…"
We’re back baby!! 💞Join us for the (late) summer edition of Heart of the Community on Sunday 13th September at the @princeofpeckham 🌞This time we’ll be raising money to support the South London Refugee Association @slracharity and their incredible work providing support, resources and community for local migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.As always, we’ll have the open mic, a few incredible headliners (TBA), games throughout the day and music along the way - and 100% of ticket and raffle sales will be donated to SLRA after it’s all done! 😌Looking forward to seeing you there! ❤️Ticket link in bio!! 🎟️
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Still time to apply - great opportunity for the right person!
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Are you an experienced trusts and foundations fundraiser looking for a new opportunity? If so, please consider joining our fab team at South London Refugee Association - applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so please apply promptly! www.slr-a.org.uk/get-involved...
slr-a.org.uk
Vacancies - SLRA
Please submit your completed application form to admin@slr-a.org.uk. For all roles, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from individuals of the global majority, and those who are migran...
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Are you an experienced trusts and foundations fundraiser looking for a new opportunity? If so, please consider joining our fab team at South London Refugee Association - applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so please apply promptly! www.slr-a.org.uk/get-involved...
slr-a.org.uk
Vacancies - SLRA
Please submit your completed application form to admin@slr-a.org.uk. For all roles, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from individuals of the global majority, and those who are migran...
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
My colleagues and I are seeking to raise £1200 so we can arrange a much needed respite trip for families who have experienced very difficult times. Please donate if you can, and/or share. Thanks in advance! www.justgiving.com/campaign/slr...
justgiving.com
Raise funds for a summer day trip for local migrant families!
This summer, South London Refugee Association hopes to give local refugee, asylum-seeking and migrant families a much-needed day of fun, connection and respite during the school holidays.
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Very informative briefing paper about the situation of Palestinians returning to Lebanon.
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Don't forget to vote in UK local elections today, and please vote for candidates who care about human rights and our planet being habitable. 🙏 Elections in your area | Electoral Commission www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter...
electoralcommission.org.uk
Elections in your area
Find upcoming elections in your area, your polling station, candidates, and contact details for your local electoral services team
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The Secret Barrister @barristersecret.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Morning! Let’s all do our best today not to vote for racists.
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
UK friends, please ask your MP - this week - to support motion 2908 for Parliament to have the opportunity to scrutinize the Government's asylum proposals, which is Parliament's duty. Thanks to my MP @stellacreasy.bsky.social for introducing the motion.
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Free Movement @freemovement.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
New from Free Movement: Job Ad: ILPA are recruiting a Legal Project Officer | Free Movement
freemovement.org.uk
Job Ad: ILPA are recruiting a Legal Project Officer - Free Movement
Legal Project Officer, Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA)
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Refugee Law Initiative @rli-sas.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
#Newblog Four part series by clinic volunteers at the Refugee Law Clinic featuring “Fresh Claims” for Asylum: A Procedure Mandated by Law?' by Aykhan Allahveranov rli.blogs.sas.ac.uk/2026/03/16/f... #AsylumLaw #RefugeeProtection #UKImmigrationLaw
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Happy Eid, Muslim friends!
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Together Alliance @togetheralliance.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
What unites us will always be stronger than what divides us. Join us at noon on 28 March, Central London. #together
Unity is stronger than division
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
Nice to see examples of people helping refugees settle in the UK and the benefits that come from supportive approaches. #refugeeswelcome ‘It takes a town to raise a family’: the community sponsors supporting refugees in the UK | Communities | The Guardian share.google/w4WOO5OY9Q6m...
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‘It takes a town to raise a family’: the community sponsors supporting refugees in the UK
Groups are coming together across the country to help refugee families settle and integrate into local life
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
Happy new year! Hope 2026 brings love, friendship, peace, justice and happiness.
Trees on hillside in Upper Cumberworth, Yorkshire, 1 January 2026, photo by Cynthia Orchard
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
If you're feeling glum about the state of the world, read this article. People this kind are rare perhaps, but there are many who live their lives with kindness at the core. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Cardiff couple invited man in for Christmas, he stayed for 45 years
An arrangement Rob and Dianne Parsons thought would last a few days ended up changing their lives.
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
I recently began working with South London Refugee Association - a wonderful organisation that helps refugees resolve varied challenges, including homelessness, treatment of children as adults, legal status issues, learning English, and much more. Please donate if you can! www.slr-a.org.uk. 🙏
slr-a.org.uk
Home page - SLRA
[...]Read More... from Home page
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AFL-CIO @aflcio.org · 20/12/2025
Mass deportations don’t protect working people—they weaken labor standards, silence organizing and empower bad employers. An attack on immigrant workers is an attack on ALL workers. @jimmy-iupat.bsky.social
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
Great to see the move on period for people recognised as refugees has been extended. 28 days is far too short to find a place to live, a job, and get your whole life set up, in many cases without much support.
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
I recently re-watched Paddington. Nearly cried when Aunt Lucy tells Paddington that British people will not have forgotten how to treat strangers. Sadly, too many have forgotten. But there are still a lot of us who do welcome newcomers. #refugeeswelcome #migrationisnotacrime
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Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
New Home Office impact assessment finds that cutting skilled and social care visas will cost the UK up to £10 billion with a central estimate of -£5.4 billion. It would be good if this got even a fraction of the coverage devoted to the endless debate about boats, flags and Turkish barber shops
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Stella Creasy MP @stellacreasy.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
Our whole debate on immigration starts and ends in the wrong places and we are all the poorer for it.
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Sen. Moreno’s Bill Seeks to End Dual Citizenship in U.S. share.google/mHQGqS9zWNZV...
share.google
Sen. Moreno’s Bill Seeks to End Dual Citizenship in U.S.
The Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025 would prohibit holding US citizenship and that of another country. Failure to renounce results in automatic loss of US citizenship.
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Institute for Public Policy Research @ippr.org · 25/11/2025
👶| 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...
ippr.org
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
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Thank you @alfdubs.bsky.social - still a shining light of humanity.
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
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.
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
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.
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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
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.
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Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
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.
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
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.
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
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.
theguardian.com
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
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Refugee Law Initiative @rli-sas.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
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
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European Network on Statelessness @enstatelessness.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
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
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
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...
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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.
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Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
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...
news.sky.com
'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.
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
Dependants of Gaza students can come to UK, government says - BBC News share.google/t80nEhE0ny44...
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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.
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
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.google
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
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Refugee Law Initiative @rli-sas.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
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
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
ICJ orders Israel to allow aid into Gaza and says restrictions breached international obligations | The Guardian www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
theguardian.com
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
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Robert Wright @reporterrwright.ft.com · 22/10/2025
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...
ft.com
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
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Refugee Law Initiative @rli-sas.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
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
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OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights @odihr.pl · 17/10/2025
Stronger protection needed for human rights defenders in exile, participants say at ODIHR event #WarsawHDC ⬇️ buff.ly/1o446FY
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
Excellent opportunity for the right person: CEO of South London Refugee Association - apply by 9 November. www.slr-a.org.uk/get-involved...
slr-a.org.uk
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...
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OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights @odihr.pl · 14/10/2025
Movie on hate and healing in focus of Roma and Sinti event in Warsaw #WarsawHDC ⬇️ buff.ly/JtiMRcg
buff.ly
Movie on hate and healing in focus of Roma and Sinti event in Warsaw
The film That Boy, screened today at the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, follows the journey of Toby, a former Roma refugee, and Mirek, a former neo-Nazi, as they confront the roots of hate and…
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 12/10/2025
Gaza PhD student ‘heartbroken’ as family blocked from entering the UK www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
theguardian.com
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
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
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...
berghahnjournals.com
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Cynthia Orchard @cynthiaorchard.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Nice to see this example of Jewish and Palestinian people gathering in London for peace - BBC News share.google/Oh4aMmKU9cus...
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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.
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Refugee Law Initiative @rli-sas.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
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
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