A new strategy to help refugees and asylum seekers settle in Scotland has been announced.

More than 700 asylum seekers and refugees were involved in its development.

The New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy, external has been endorsed by the United Nations Refugee Agency, external.

Its main aims are to provide education, housing, healthcare and employment. It also aims to help refugees settle into the community and share their skills.

The strategy was developed collaboratively by the Scottish government, Cosla and the Scottish Refugee Council.

Read more here., external

Image source, UN

From the UN World Refugee Day website, external:

"In a world where violence forces thousands of families to flee for their lives each day, the time is now to show that the global public stands with refugees.

"To do this, the UN Refugee Agency launched the#WithRefugeespetition, externalin June 2016 to send a message to governments that they must work together and do their fair share for refugees.

"On World Refugee Day, held every year on June 20th, we commemorate the strength, courage and perseverance of millions of refugees. This year, World Refugee Day also marks a key moment for the public to show support for families forced to flee."

"Every minute 20 people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution or terror."

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Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton begins by criticising events currently taking place in America.

"The flame of liberty is guttering in America right now," he states.

We need to see the humanity behind the number of refugees which is the highest it has ever been, the Lib Dem MSP states.

For every 10,000 citizens in Germany, they took in 70 Syrian refugees, Mr Cole-Hamilton highlights.

By comparison we took in just four refugees per 10,000 citizens, he states.

He criticises the treatment of women fleeing from abusive relationships who have no recourse to public funds.

If compassion is the most important pillar of the human conditions, our response to the refugee crisis will be how this generation will be judged the MSP concludes.

Image source, Scottish government

Click here for the New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy., external

"For a welcoming Scotland where refugees and asylum seekers are able to rebuild their lives from the day they arrive."

The New Scots strategy aims to support refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland’s communities.

This includes people who have been granted refugee status or another form of humanitarian protection; people seeking asylum; and those whose application for asylum has been refused, but who remain in Scotland.

While international law does not distinguish between refugees and asylum seekers, there is a distinction in UK immigration legislation, which means they have different rights and entitlements.

"The New Scots strategy sees integration as a long-term, two-way process, involving positive change in both individuals and host communities, which leads to cohesive, diverse communities."

Image source, bbc

Mr Greer says the right to vote is a vital part of integration.

The Green MSP argues if refugees are to fully integrate then they must have the right to vote.

He welcomes the government's proposal to enfranchise all refugees and backs Labour's overtures to the same effect made yesterday.

Some local councils could do much more for refugees with more funding, he says.

Mr Greer insists: "Under Wesminster, British asylum policy has been nothing short of disgraceful."

Green MSP Ross Greer highlights the number of displaced Syrians alone exceeds the entire population of Scotland.

He speaks about the challenging journey many refugees take in attempts to get to safety.

Many deaths go unreported, he states.

"It is our responsibility not to lose hope, but to give it," Mr Greer asserts.

The Green MSP welcomes the focus of the New Scots strategy on integration from day one.

Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour suggests the best solution would be helping people to stay in their own country.

Mr Greer responds that he is sure many people would rather stay in their homes but for many it is not an option.

He criticises the UK government's sale of arms to countries like Yemen which he says means many have had to flee.

Ms Lennon says the goodwill of communities is remarkable, but it cannot be relied upon alone.

Integration requires proper resourcing, she insists.

The Labour MSP tells the chamber about her visit yesterday to the Serenity cafe, where a young man was concerned about issues with his phone, which was the only link to his family back home.

While we accept much of the Conservative amendment on paper, Ms Lennon explains her party will not support it because the UK asylum system lacks compassion and humanity.

Scotland has a big role to play if offsetting these damaging policies, including the joining up of various services such as housing, health and advocacy she argues.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Monica Lennon thanks the Scottish Refugee Council and Oxfam Scotland for their tireless work they and others do to support people in crisis.

Ms Lennon also thanks local authorities and their partners for supporting refugees in their area.

She says: "We must come together and say refugees are welcome here."

This message must be heard across all of Scotland, which has a strong record of welcoming refugees, she adds.

Ms Ballantyne pays tribute to local organisations in the Borders who have helped to support people to transition and settle.

Schemes like this help to reduce social isolation, particularly for children and young people, she states.

We must make sure all refugees and asylum seekers can live free from persecution, the Tory MSP says.

And we must also do all we can to help them return home if they wish it, she concludes.

Image source, Getty Images

In Feruary 2017 we reported a key route into the UK for children caught up in Europe's migrant crisis is to close after a total of 350 arrivals.

In a written ministerial statement, the Home Office said it would stop receiving children via the so-called Dubs amendment at the end of March.

The law, designed by peer and former refugee Lord Dubs, aimed to help some of the estimated 90,000 unaccompanied migrant children across Europe.

The peer has accused ministers of a "shameful" decision.

Read more here.