5. Statement by the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip: Making Wales a Nation of Sanctuary

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:25 pm on 29 January 2019.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Huw Irranca-Davies Huw Irranca-Davies Labour 5:25, 29 January 2019

I'll try and be really rapid here. First of all, can I just welcome the ambition and also the spirit of this statement, and also the work of the committee, which I've now become a member of, and their previous report, 'I used to be someone', which has provided a foundation for some of this? I welcome this because it recognises those who are seeking sanctuary, those who are refugees, as an asset, as a gift, not a burden. Not as people as individuals that we have to begrudgingly or reluctantly take under our wing, but actually that we see their capabilities and what they can give to us as well. Would she agree with me that, actually, some of the best examples of what we're doing in Wales, in individual communities, can show us the way?

I spoke last year, in June, in Ystradgynlais, in the miners' welfare hall there, as part of the Josef Herman Foundation and a collaboration with a film unit there where they'd worked to tell the life story of Josef Herman, who fled the persecution of Nazi occupation of Poland in the second world war to that Welsh Valley community, knowing nobody. He settled there, he was invited there, he is now one of the most renowned Welsh-Polish artists with his artistry on display in the national gallery and elsewhere as well, and the foundation. But it was told by Syrian refugee children—they were the ones who told the story. And that community had once again opened its arms. The south Wales Valleys community had opened its arms to say, 'We not only welcome you, we welcome you and the gifts that you bring and what you contribute to us as well.' And that's what I like about this statement; it's the spirit as well as the practical implementation as well.

Would she agree with me that, as well as taking forward working with the UK Government, which I think we need to do—would she commit to actually highlighting where they need to do signally better as well? Not only in terms of accommodation standards and the hostile environment that we've talked about, but things like the Dubs amendment for children refugees and asylum seekers. We need to point out as well where they're failing if we are to be a welcoming UK as well as a welcoming Wales.

The sanctuary website has been mentioned. Could I just ask for clarity on when that will be up and running? Because that will be very useful indeed. And can I just finally say, then, Dirprwy Llywydd, that I also welcome it because it's not complacent? It recognises that this a big step forward but there is more work to be done. It's not complacent. In which case, where are our next steps, where could she guide us to say, both at a Wales level, but also in local communities, local authorities, third sector, and other partners—where should we be looking to do more to become this welcoming nation that recognises these people for the gift that they bring to Wales and the gift they bring to our communities?