Colin Macfarlane

A fair asylum system cannot be built on instability or performative toughness

This policy will not deter people from fleeing conflict and persecution. But it will make life harder for those the UK has already recognised as needing safety

Read here: scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/refugee-asyl...

🚨Today, the UK government announced harsh new asylum rules that will make refugee status for people fleeing war and persecution temporary.

These proposals are cruel, unworkable and undemocratic.

Here is our response: https://scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/cruel-asylum-changes-unworkable/

This #HelplineAwarenessDay we’re celebrating our small team who support people through their hardest moments.

In just 3 months, they've supported:
📞 3,000+ calls
🌍 29 council areas
🗣️ 38 languages
🏠 44% needing urgent help with housing & essentials

Read more here: https://ow.ly/akAO50YhGYQ

The upcoming Scottish elections will impact refugee rights.

Our manifesto builds on Scotland’s longstanding approach to immigration. It's centred on human rights, anti-racism, tackling poverty, and supporting people rebuilding their lives here.

Read the manifesto here: https://ow.ly/TER450YhZN0

Migration is not colonisation — it’s contribution. Our CEO, Sabir Zazai, challenges harmful myths and calls for compassionate conversations about migration.

It’s time to reject toxic narratives and recognise the value of those who make Scotland home.

Full statement here: https://ow.ly/l8eC50Yf3SK

We know that navigating the asylum system isn't an easy journey. That's why we've created online guides to help people in crisis access essential info.

Our guide is available in 20 languages and covers a range of issues.

You can read the guides and find out more here: https://ow.ly/b3KY50Ych5w

"People want to contribute and give back to the community. We just need the guidance and support to make this place home" 🧡

ITV spoke to young people like Motaz who are all in different stages of rebuilding their lives in the UK www.itv.com/news/2026-01...

📢 We're looking for a Policy Officer to join our team. You’ll lead on specific advocacy priorities and respond to changes in laws, policies, and practices that affect refugees, people seeking asylum, and other displaced groups in Scotland. 👉Interested? Find out more here: scottishrefugeecounc...

Learning Exchange on the UK Government’s proposed “A Fairer Pathway to Settlement" organised by @scotrefugeecouncil.bsky.social
When: Tuesday, 3 February 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: Online via Microsoft Teams.
To register, follow this link👇 forms.office.com/pages/respon...

Photo of Westminster Parliament. On the left, the text reads "Last year, too many politicians chose cruelty. In 2026, we need them to choose compassion." On the right, there is the Scottish Refugee Council logo and a banner that says "Take Action"

We cannot accept a system that traps people in poverty, isolates them in poor-quality accommodation, prevents them from working, and exposes them to hostility and hatred.

Politicians must choose compassion over cruelty.

Take action: scottishrefugeecouncil.good.do/compassion-n...

‘The response is a beautiful thing’: how Glasgow is squaring up to Reform In the face of Nigel Farage, flag-waving and a longstanding housing crisis, some Glaswegians are taking on anti-immigration rhetoric

I asked bilingual high schoolers in Glasgow what they made of Nigel Farage's criticism of their language skills...
“Speaking another language definitely improved my cognitive skills and my memory", 16 year old Maria told me. "And it opens doors for jobs.”

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

‘The response is a beautiful thing’: how Glasgow is squaring up to Reform In the face of Nigel Farage, flag-waving and a longstanding housing crisis, some Glaswegians are taking on anti-immigration rhetoric

Reform UK has launched repeated attacks on Glasgow - over asylum policy, housing, schools - I spoke to those working at the front line about the realities of a city under pressure

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

Image of a mother and two children on a grey background, featuring the wording 'Help someone start again safety'

Today is the last day of our campaign.

For people forced to flee their homes, your kindness provides warmth, dignity & HOPE.

If you can, please donate today to help rebuild lives and help someone start again in safety.

Thank you for all of your support 🧡

🔗 ow.ly/tx3k50XTVZA

MSPs pledge to detoxify immigration debate - Scottish Refugee Council Dozens of MSPs have taken our pledge to detoxify the debate around immigration by speaking about refugees with dignity and compassion.

More than 1 in 3 MSPs have taken our pledge to detoxify the debate on immigration.

We’ve seen first-hand the damage caused when dehumanising language is used to describe refugees and people seeking asylum.

Find out if your MSP has signed here: scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/msps-pledge-...

I was a child asylum seeker treated as an adult. The Home Office is inhumane What people get wrong about the life of an asylum seeker in the UK is not just the facts. It is the human cost of getting it wrong

"This is one of the biggest things people get wrong about the asylum system: survival is mistaken for safety. You can be alive, sheltered, and still profoundly harmed."

🖋️ Gulwali Passarlay on his own experiences and the misconceptions around the asylum system in the UK.

inews.co.uk/opinion/chil...

College English classes 'should be expanded' to help boost the Scottish economy Despite recent controversy, Edinburgh College finds ESOL classes are helping to boost the Scottish economy and provide a skills pipeline

Supporting refugees and people seeking asylum to learn English helps boost the Scottish economy benefiting both students and the wider community.

www.scotsman.com/education/co...

Red graphic containing the words 'At some point in life, most of us have had to start over. Whether through personal hardship, relocation, or a new chapter in life, we understand the courage and hope it takes to begin again, especially when fleeing dreadful conflicts and human rights violations.' At the bottom of the graphic is the wording 'help someone start again in safety' with the silhouette of a mother and child standing at an open doorway.

As the new year begins, we'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported our winter appeal so far.

Leaving everyone & everything behind is something that no-one should have to face.

Your donation & kindness can help someone start again in safety

Thank you🧡 ow.ly/7X2b50XS25u

Racial and religious hate crime on UK public transport is growing, data shows Anti-racism groups warn some people are avoiding public transport or limiting their use of it for fear of abuse

I spoke to Courtney, who live-streamed her racist abuse on a Glasgow train, as data shows hate on public transport is rising

www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

How the right uses "gender ideology" to blame trans people for everything MAGA learned from global autocrats the language needed to push fear.

www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

Dad smuggled into UK in lorry slams Government's asylum seeker plans and blasts Farage Sabir Zazai OBE, has made a life for himself in Scotland after going through the asylum seeker system in 1999 - has begged for refugees to be treated with dignity in communities.

26 years ago our CEO @sabirzazai.bsky.social arrived in the UK.

Here he tells the Daily Record about his challenging but inspiring journey uk.news.yahoo.com/dad-smuggled...

Don't let the far-right drown out the voice of reason. We need to let politicians from all parties know that most people want leadership grounded in humanity, not fear. If you believe in treating people seeking safety with dignity take action today 👇

This #HumanRightsDay, join our call for action. Ask your MP to choose compassion over cruelty and reject the Home Secretary’s harsh new immigration plans.

scottishrefugeecounc...

Graphic with a blue to purple gradient background. It says "A short summary of the Sandie Peggie V. Fife Health Board and Dr Beth Upton employment tribunal judgment" The Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos are at the bottom.

We've written & published a short summary statement regarding the Sandie Peggie V NHS Fife Health Board employment tribunal case & the judgment given yesterday. Much of the media coverage has missed key information, the most important aspect being that all claims against Dr Beth Upton were dismissed

People fleeing war and persecution aren’t asking for much - just to be treated with dignity and given the chance to rebuild their shattered lives.

Everyone has the right to be safe and to feel like they belong.

The Home Secretary’s sweeping new immigration plans have been praised by Tommy Robinson and Nigel Farage.

We can't accept a system that exposes people to hostility and hatred.

Please ask your MP to choose compassion, not cruelty and oppose these harsh proposals
scottishrefugeecounc...

Today we launch our winter appeal.

For those starting again in Scotland this winter, let’s make sure they begin their new chapter with safety, dignity, love & solidarity.

Donate today & help us support those seeking safety as they rebuild their lives here in Scotland.🧡

🔗 ow.ly/szZE50XyG4S

Portraits of resilience: marking 40 years of Scottish Refugee Council A special parliamentary reception marked forty years of Scottish Refugee Council, bringing together supporters, partners and parliamentarians to look...

A special parliamentary reception marked 40 years of our work, and showcased a specially commissioned exhibition of portraits celebrating people who have rebuilt their lives in Scotland. Thank you @humzayousaf.bsky.social for sponsoring the event.

‘I arrived here as a child refugee — now I’m a chef at Michelin-star restaurants’ As This Day donates £900K to our campaign taking the total raised to £1.4M, we reveal how the Scottish Refugee Council helped an unaccompanied child who came with nothing

"I arrived here as a child refugee — now I’m a chef at Michelin-star restaurants"

Delighted to see our friend Nestor featured in today's Standard. What a superstar 🌟

www.standard.co.uk/news/nestor-...

People in Scotland want an asylum system that is controlled, that they have confidence in, and that shows compassion.

The Home Secretary’s proposals do none of these things.

We need a humane, effective and efficient system 🧡

Read our full response: ow.ly/Er6w50Xublv

We're welcoming visitors to our stall at Scottish Parliament.

We'll be here for the next few days.

Pop down and pay us a visit! 💛