Our Mission

At GARAS (Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers) we offer support to those seeking asylum in Gloucestershire, welcoming them when they arrive, advocating for them in their daily struggles, supporting them if they face being sent back as well as helping them adjust to their long term future if they are recognised as refugees.

Contact Information

Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (GARAS)

Telephone: 01452 550528
General enquiries: info@garas.org.uk
Administrative enquiries: admin@garas.org.uk
www.garas.org.uk

Director
Adele Owen

May 14, 2015

A week into our new government and I find myself extremely depressed by
the immediate situation we find ourselves in.

This seems to be epitomised by the continuing response from the UK
towards those making the desperate journeys across the Mediterranean.

Countries across Europe are trying to work together to find ways to help
and our response is pitiful.
“Send them back!” was the response of our Home Secretary – to where?
Where do you suggest?

Do you mean to Libya where life is so very very bad taking a risk on a
flimsy craft seems worth it? Where you take your life in your hands and
abuse is routinely experienced.  Where a vivid description made to me
simply stated, “there is hell, and then there is Libya!”.

Or do you mean to countries such as Eritrea, where to be returned means
almost immediate imprisonment? Life long National Service, detention and
torture?

Or to Syria – yes you may claim we have taken 4000 Syrians, but not out
of any altruism, but because almost all them had to make the perilous
journey to get here.

This is a terrible response, one that had me in tears of anger and
frustration.  We can do better… we must do better, please remember that
well worn phrase, “Britain has a proud tradition……”