Refugee petition presented to Chief Minister

Tue, 31 Jan 2017

Representatives from the four organisations behind the petition present the signatures to the Manx Government.

A petition signed by more than a thousand people calling for the Isle of Man to take in Syrian refugees has been handed to the Chief Minister.

Representatives from four organisations met with Howard Quayle and Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas to urge the Government to reconsider taking in those who have fled the war zone.

Those behind the petition say taking part in the UK's Syrian Vulnerable Person's Resettlement Scheme would result in around 25 refugees coming to live in the Island until 2020.

Amnesty International Isle of Man, Refugees Welcome IOM, Manx Support Refugees and the One World Centre worked together to put the petition together.

50 individuals, charities, businesses and groups have pledged financial and practical help for those coming to the Island.