Scotland can be '˜beacon' for refugees

Scotland can become a 'beacon' for the rest of the UK and Europe when it comes to protecting refugees, the Scottish Refugee Council has said.

A Greek volunteer carries a baby girl in her arms after helping her out of an inflatable boat in the Mediterranean

The organisation will set out six principles for the protection of refugees as it stages its annual general meeting in Glasgow today.

The principles set a benchmark for how asylum seekers and refugees’ rights should be respected, and ensure they are welcomed and treated with 
dignity, it said.

Syrian refugees began arriving in Scotland in November as part of the UK government’s pledge to accept 20,000 by 2020 to help with the refugee crisis.

Many have found new homes in Edinburgh and the wider Lothians.

Gary Christie, head of policy and communications, said: “In our 30th anniversary year we have witnessed ever greater numbers of people fleeing for their lives in pursuit of safety.

“The response in Scotland to this has been overwhelming.

“Thousands of people from all walks of life took to the streets across Scotland to offer solidarity to refugees fleeing Syria.”