AN AMNESTY group has celebrated an evening drawing attention to the plight of refugees in the UK.

Refugees: Reflections in Words and Music was held in St Asaph Cathedral and was attended by 300 people, including Amnesty International UK (AIUK) Director Kate Allen.

Amnesty Colwyn Bay and the Ysgol Eirias Youth Group sought to raise awareness for refugees seeking asylum in the UK. Attendees were given the opportunity to reflect on the story of refugee Beatrice Smith of Rwanda, who settled in the UK in the nineties, as well as a more recent arrival to Colwyn Bay, Omar Muslim, from the Syria.

An exhibit from the renowned Magnum Photography detailing the difficulties of refugees from the past 70 years was also on show.

The event featured classical performances by the Eleni Duo and violinist Mary Hoffman, choral music by local Ysgolion Cystennin and Llandullas choirs and Cor Iau Cytgan Clwyd – as well as contributions by Welsh Poet Mererid Hopwood and Bishop Gregory, who emphasised the importance of maintaining Wales’ heritage as a Nation of Sanctuary.

Other national charities present included Stop the Traffic, the British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Freedom from Torture, Share Aid and T.C.C.

Local refugee charities were represented by the Welsh Refugee Council the Rhyl Belgian Refugee Trust to spotlight the work they are doing to aid refugees and asylum seekers.

The audience were invited to get involved and contribute to AIUK’s Postcard Action on Family Reunion, which calls on the Government to scrap legislation that prohibits refugee children settled in the UK from being reunited with their families here.

Amnesty International UK director Kate Allen said: “The evening was moving, warm and there were so many people there. The music was brilliant and the conversation with Omar showed how tough these journeys are.” 

AI Colwyn Bay and The Red Cross will follow this event with an inaugural meeting in September for a new North Wales’ refugee and asylum network. Anyone interested is encouraged to contact Maggie Towse of Amnesty Colwyn Bay at maggietowse@gmail.com