By Alfie Futerman, René Cassin intern I write this reflective blog a few days after returning from March of the Living. Despite the wealth of writing, research, and testimony on […]
Blogs
From the Kindertransport to the Illegal Migration Bill – a plea for kinder treatment of asylum seekers

“We must advocate for a kinder treatment of asylum seekers within our country, and actively seek to redirect the narrative away from hostility and towards compassion.” writes Alfie Futerman
A Hidden Gem: Britain’s First Female Jewish MP
By Abi Levy, René Cassin intern As a feminist with an interest in politics I was somewhat shocked – yet intrigued – to hear about Marion Phillips for the first […]
Hands Off our Human Rights Act!
By Debora Singer MBE, René Cassin When Sarah* had to move to a care home, she and her husband Benjamin* were shocked when they were told that he was not […]
“Not a single safe space”
By Melanie Goldberg, René Cassin intern “There was not a single safe place in Ukraine…Everyone was afraid and panicked, explosions were heard…We ran in a panic…” (Katerina, May 2022, Poland) […]
‘Enemy Aliens’ – Really?
By Izzy Arkus, age 17, René Cassin Ambassador Programme 2022 Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy […]
Refugee Week Guest Blog: The Latin American Women’s Rights Service
This guest blog was written by The Latin American Women’s Rights Service for Refugee Week 2022. This year Refugee Week’s theme is healing. As a migrant women’s community organisation, healing […]
From rescue to resilience: It’s time to reimagine anti-slavery work
Jess Templeman, Director of Programmes at Arise For most people ‘slavery’ is a historic problem, or something limited to the realms of horrific news stories and Hollywood movies. It does […]
The importance of the Mizrahi Jewish experience of persecution and asylum
By Jack Walton, René Cassin intern “Telling the history of the Jewish populations from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is therefore crucial…so we can truly appreciate the breadth […]
The EU must accept responsibility for the use of violence towards refugees and asylum seekers at Europe’s borders
Recent reporting from numerous NGOs and activist groups has revealed the systematic use of violence against migrants at Europe’s borders. Whilst the EU has tried to distance itself from these […]
Active Remembering: Urgent Significance of Offshore Detention of Jewish Refugees
By Stav Salpeter, Ambassador, René Cassin The Home Office caused an uproar when it announced its plans to reinstate a system of offshore detention last fall. The concern of adopting […]
The New Plan for Immigration: what is it and why is it so harmful?
By Michael Goldin, immigration lawyer and René Cassin detention volunteers group coordinator Earlier this year the Home Secretary published the government’s New Plan for Immigration, which sets out proposed changes […]
Life in Wire: Jewish Women and the British Detention System
By Edie Martin, Intern, René Cassin The view of Port Erin, drawn by a male internee on the Isle of Man for the Onchan Pioneer When the events of the […]
What Uyghur Women face and what you can do to help stop it
By Evie Cawte, René Cassin Ambassador Since the beginning of time, the female experience has always been different; this does not exclude the female experience in acts of Genocide. However, […]
The Jewish case against immigration detention is a Jewish voice for women’s liberation
By Esther Raffell, René Cassin’ Campaigns Officer International Women’s Day is a day of joy, affirmation, and resistance. For women and for people of marginalised genders, it can be tough […]
URGENT ACTION: Is Genocide acceptable to you?
By Ruth Barnett “If you find genocide inflicted on peoples far away from here does not matter – then don’t continue reading. BUT, if you find genocide inflicted on any […]
Women’s Rights are Human Rights
Women have the right to live free from violence and discrimination; to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; to be educated; to own property; to vote; and to earn an equal wage.
“The loss of the Charter will be felt in the years to come”– Our human rights protections after Brexit

Let’s work to hold on to the benefits of Human Rights Act and European Convention
Immigration detention is putting asylum seekers in the UK at risk of suicide and self-harm
By Reanna Smith Immigration detention is putting asylum seekers in the UK at risk of suicide and self-harm. Two years ago, the Guardian revealed that there was an average of […]
MARVEL(lous) Jewish Human Rights Heroes
By Mia Hasenson-Gross, Executive Director, René Cassin According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the definition of a superhero is ‘a character in a film or story who has special strengths and […]
Human rights at risk in the UK government’s planned overhaul of the asylum system
by Reanna Smith The UK government has recently promised to make big changes to the UK’s asylum and immigration system, following an increasing number of refugee arrivals via small boat […]
The Disability Crisis – waiting on the next big fix in social care
By Mitchell Woolf NOTE: this article is a summary of a webinar Mitchell gave on 7 October 2020 as part of the René Cassin Hummus and Human Rights Speakers Series […]
“Home Office Policy For Deporting Migrants Ruled Unlawful”
By Miranda Zeffman On October 20th, the Court of Appeal ruled that a Home Office policy giving migrants just 72 hours’ notice of deportation was unlawful. The ‘Removal Notice Window’ […]
The Modern Day Babel Fable
By Dr. Sheldon Stone, René Cassin Fellow and Campaign Associate, Advisory Group to STOPUYGHURGENOCIDE, World Uyghur Congress, London Office “Have you reserved?” “No!” I was prepared to do anything. Take […]
Standing Together Against the Pandemic of Hate
By Minnie Wiggins, René Cassin intern This year’s National Hate Crime Awareness Week (10-17 October) seeks to bring people together to stand in solidarity against all forms of hate. As […]
Chained Women: Human Trafficking and Sex Slavery of Jewish Women in the 20th Century
By Lesley Urbach, René Cassin Fellow At the end of the nineteenth century and early twentieth century Jewish European women were trafficked across international borders to be sold into sex […]
Forced labour in Channel Islands during WWII – it happened then, and it is happening now
By Claudia Hyde, René Cassin alumni “Remember that you were once slaves in the land of Egypt” Deuteronomy 15:15 Slavery is central to the Jewish experience. We speak on Pesach […]
Women’s Environmental Leadership – how a human rights approach can help people and the planet
By Eva Rehse and Sandy McClure, Global Greengrants Fund UK We need to act now to protect our planet, which is facing mass biodiversity extinction and the threat of a […]
Virus crisis – yet another reason to close immigration removal centres

“… an unnecessary evil and a totally avoidable catastrophe”
‘Reimagine our society as a diverse and knitted-together mass of communities’
By Rabbi David Mason, Muswell Hill Synagogue I was asked recently, by the Jewish human rights organisation René Cassin to give a contribution as part of an evening looking at […]
Imagine – an end to immigration detention

Coronavirus has shown us that radical change is possible
“They miss the drop-in and the things that made their lives more bearable”
COVID-19 and the Alyth Refugee Drop-in Response The Alyth drop-in for refugees is a small charitable organisation run by volunteers. We provide social Sundays, outings and a choir. Our aim […]
Windrush: Lessons Learned

“I can’t believe I have been treated like this by my beloved England”
Lock-down focuses our human rights glasses
By Student Rabbi Gabriel Kanter-Webber The glasses we usually associate with Pesach contain wine. But I think glasses have another connection with it as well. “During the emergency period, no […]
Righteous Women – René Cassin’s Women’s Seder
What is your Seder night like? Does your father or grandfather sit at the head of the table and lead the telling of the exodus? Do you remember our forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Do you discuss what the four sons have to say?
What about the righteous women?
Remembering Amir Siman-Tov and the cost of the UK’s immigration system
by Michael Goldin, Coordinator of the Detention Jewish Visitors Group On Sunday 1st March I attended an event to mark the yatrzheit of a friend of mine, Amir Siman-Tov, who […]
Purim, the Book of Esther and Human Rights
by Moses Seitler, Education and Community Engagement Officer at René Cassin A summary of most Jewish holidays is they tried to kill us, we won, let’s eat! Purim follows this […]
Huawei and the internment of three million Muslim Uyghurs
by Sheldon Stone The UK government’s decision (28 January 2020) on future of Huawei, as a leading telecommunications provider in the country, undermines the UK’s long and celebrated tradition of […]
‘Standing together’ or ‘a race apart’?
Written by Shamus McPhee, Chairperson of RAJPOT (www.rajpot.org.uk) The theme of Holocaust Memorial Day 2020 is: ‘Stand Together’. While not a panacea in itself, there is a definite case for […]
Intern-al Reflections
Alice Akca reflects on her internship at René Cassin at th end of 2019, and looks outlines her hopes for the organisation in 2020
Marking the anniversary of the UN Convention Against Genocide – 9 December 2019
Today marks 71st anniversary of the signing of the UN Convention against Genocide and World Genocide Day, established by the UN, to commemorate and honour the victims of genocides and […]
Make Your Vote a Vote for Human Rights
With just over a week left until polling day, we have been thinking about what the future holds for human rights in the UK. We have read through the manifestos […]
Modern slavery and homelessness: René Cassin workshop
by Alice Akca, René Cassin Intern “The majority of modern slavery victims in the UK are from the UK.” This statement, presented to us by Caroline Barnard, Communications Officer, from […]
Where human rights begin – training youth group leaders

On 25 September, René Cassin hosted 30 JLGB volunteers for training on leading human rights education for their groups.
Standing together against hate: the launch of #CutItOut campaign in Parliament

Kate Green MP: “Hatred of one group is hatred of us all.”
Gender equality and modern day slavery: is girl power the answer?
Intern Alice reports on the gendered aspect of modern slavery and suggests possible solutions.
Why is the Human Rights Act important for disabled people?

By Simone Aspis Increasingly, the government is enacting legislation and policies that have the potential to treat disabled people less favourably than their non-disabled peers. Whilst law and policy is […]
Misogyny as a hate crime: not so fast
Work experience student Mollie writes on the campaign to have misogyny classified as a hate crime
The Rule of Law and Socio-Economic Justice

Professor Geraldine van Bueren argues for a new approach
Climate Change: The Next Great Human Rights Challenge
By Sam Alston In an unprecedented high court case in October 2018, the Dutch government was forced to abandon plans to weaken its carbon reduction targets. The case, first of […]
That’s Not a Good Look: Fast Fashion and Modern Slavery

Lauren Chaplin explores whether, six years on from Rana Plaza tragedy, anything has changed.
Immigration Regulations Undermine NRM Despite Reforms
By Jane Kilpatrick Trafficking victim Peter came in contact with @ECPATUK after he ran away from his traffickers, in desperate need of support. In the #UK, the National Referral Mechanism […]
Renewed Uncertainty on Future of Human Rights Act

Sidney and Edith’s story Sidney and Edith have been married for 60 years. When Edith is allocated to a different care home to Sidney, she is distraught that she could […]
As Modern Slavery Starts to Emerge from the Shadows, are we Ready for it?

Will Bordell March was a month of modern slavery data-points – and they’re not as dull as they might sound. Across the board, statistic after statistic shows a steep increase: […]
South Africa’s Human Rights Day

Josh Alston looks at the role that South African Jews played in the fight against apartheid, and remembers Ruth First’s struggle and sacrifice.
To Advance Women’s Rights, We Must Promote Human Rights
By Mia Hasenson-Gross, Executive Director of René Cassin When Minerva Bernardino from the Dominican Republic, Hansa Mehta from India and Shaista Ikramullah from Pakistan, joined Eleanor Roosevelt to ensure that […]
The Promise of the UDHR 70 Years on
By Rebecca Hilsenrath, Chief Executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission My father-in-law was 28 when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted; living in New York […]
“A thoroughly enjoyable, educational and fulfilling experience”

Yoram Goodman reflects on his internship at René Cassin
The 2nd August – Roma Genocide Remembrance Day

74 years ago today, the Nazis killed 2,897 Roma men, women and children at Auschwitz
Trafficked children in UK “continue to be exploited”

On World Day against Trafficking, Ben Lewis considers children “trapped in their exploitation”.
Shaw Review 2: “The time that many people spend in detention remains deeply troubling”

Stephen Shaw has published his long-awaited second review into UK immigration detention.
2018 Has Seen Our System of Immigration Detention Go from Bad to Worse

Michael Goldin calls for government reforms to an “appalling” system of immigration control.
Modern Slavery Victims and Legal Aid

Ben Cartwright discusses the importance of legal aid for victims of modern slavery.
The Forgotten Human Price of Immigration Detention

Javid wants policy to be fair, respectful and decent. UK policy is none of these.
Modern slavery numbers are increasing – is that to be welcomed?

Aidan Shipman on the latest National Crime Agency figures
Ruling on religious burials recognises our individuality, our freedom and our humanity

High Court upholds principles laid down 70 years ago in Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Women in Hunger Strike at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre

Government criticised over treatment of detainees
The Human Rights Act – protecting the victims of crime

The Supreme Court has put down a very clear marker for victims’ rights
Rights, Recovery and Reform – The Modern Slavery (Victim Support) Bill

Lord McColl’s Bill will both help victims and ensure more offenders are prosecuted
‘A Matter of Routine’ – the cruelty and absurdity of indefinite immigration detention

28 day limit and community-based schemes offer more humane alternatives
2018 – Time for a real modern slavery strategy?

Victims of modern slavery deserve a strategy that is more than just a slogan
Diplomats and the Abuse of Domestic Workers

Modern slaves – made to work exploitative hours, but totally dependent on employers
The Fight Against Modern Slavery…

Domestic progress is being undermined by international failures
What have Human Rights got to do with us?

Debora Singer writes movingly about her own family history…
Modern slavery and the media: What we don’t know can hurt us

Lack of support puts slavery and trafficking survivors at risk
Europol and Eurojust – two vital EU agencies in the fight against modern slavery

Lack of support puts slavery and trafficking survivors at risk
Expect more stories of slavery – and demand more victim support

Lack of support puts slavery and trafficking survivors at risk
More must be done to combat human trafficking in hotels

Lack of support puts slavery and trafficking survivors at risk
A Tale of Two Countries
Have a read and find out what our brilliant work experience students Soroh, Jessica and Julia, have been doing with us this Summer…
All hate crimes are equal, but some …

It’s time to end ‘hierarchy of hate’ – by equalising sentences for all hate crimes
What a human rights hero!

Ruby is generously raising money and awareness on the issue of modern day slavery
Minorities amongst Minorities
Minorities amongst Minorities: The LGBT experience in UK Detention Centres René Cassin Personal Project Emma Falley July 2017 René Cassin works towards a world where everyone can fully enjoy their […]
Simone Veil Obituary

Jewish experience tells us that unity must mean ensuring rights for the vulnerable
‘Inexcusable’ failures in UK’s response to modern slavery

System puts survivors at risk and plays into the hands of abusers
Who is at the centre of Britain’s Modern Slavery Act?
Read our latest blog on modern day slavery
Theresa May says this snap election is about unity

Jewish experience tells us that unity must mean ensuring rights for the vulnerable
Modern Slavery – ‘Human Writes’ essay competition winners

Read the winning entries and what our judge, Joshua Rozenberg, says about them
Reflections on my internship with René Cassin
‘I became enthralled by the topic, as slavery affects so many millions of people around the world, and I know that it is something I will continue to work on […]
Anti-Slavery Laws – and why they do not work

Why don’t anti-slavery laws prevent slavery?
Oppressing the stranger – another death in UK detention

There are community-based alternatives to the fatal inhumanity of immigration detention
‘Lost humanity? Vulnerable Women in Detention’

How immigration detention affects women – and what Jewish teaching can tell us
‘A prison in all but name’
This article is published as part of ‘Unlocking Detention’ – an annual ‘virtual’ tour of the UK’s detention estate, which aims to shine a spotlight on one of the gravest […]
“If they are not counted, they don’t count”
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) children are significantly overrepresented in the youth criminal justice system. However, the failure to record GRT children in ethnic monitoring processes means that there is […]
“I hate injustice” – Ruby

Ruby is generously raising money and awareness on the issue of modern day slavery
“If we’re cut, we all bleed the same.” – the 80th anniversary of Cable Street.

“If we’re cut, we all bleed the same.” – James Masters writes about the 80th anniversary of Cable Street. For many the date of October 4 1936 is one that […]
The Story of the ‘Refugee People’ is not over yet…

Kezia Niman writes about the indelible link between Jewish history and the refugee crisis
A light has gone out of this world

Alex Goldberg, René Cassin Trustee remembers a personal encounter with Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and Nobel Laureate, who died on 2 July
Disbelief, Confusion and Apprehension
“In these turbulent and uncertain times, we need to hold firm to the values that bind us together as a society. Human rights laws developed in response to tyranny and genocide.Let’s not allow them to become the victims of political agendas” René Cassin Director, Mia Hasenson-Gross, responds to Brexit with a heartfelt personal plea
Latest statistics out on global modern day slavery
How many slaves are there in the UK? Is the UK better or worse than other countries at dealing with trafficking? What type of slavery is most prevalent in the […]
Reflections on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

On 4 May 2016, René Cassin Trustee Alexander Goldberg spoke at the memorial seminar in honour of Clemens Nathan. Clemens was a long time friend and colleague of Monsieur René Cassin. Alex said: “Borne out of the ashes of the Shoah, Clemens … believed that the Declaration was a global attempt to proclaim the imperative ‘never again’. Never again would there be such inhumanity. Never again would a sovereign state be able to claim that it could deprive a minority of life, liberty and fundamental freedoms on the basis of their religion, ethnicity and other characteristics or be able to claim it had done this under law of the land”
From headlines to homes: media coverage and public perception of Europe’s refugee crisis

The lethal policy of immigration detention, defending the Human Rights Act … and much more – read the latest news from René Cassin – in our supporters’ newsletter, 24 February 2016
Just ‘Banter’…
‘Every instance of an ethnic slur, or a stereotype or any other attempt to discriminate against us and push us ‘back to our caravans’ should be vigorously confronted.’ Rachel Bailey […]
40th anniversary since the death of Monsieur René Cassin
40 years ago this Saturday (20th February) the man our organisation is named after, Monsieur René Cassin passed away. Read Catherine O’Neill’s thoughts on his legacy and what her time […]
APPG on Refugees meeting
On February 2, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Refugees held a meeting to discuss the UK’s response to the refugee crisis. The meeting, titled “From Damascus to Dunkirk: Responding humanely […]
Mental health and the Human Rights Act
‘For people who suffer from mental health issues, human rights legislation in the UK has proved a critical tool in securing justice and developing safeguards for their protection’ We looked […]
Happy Human Rights Day!
On this day in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Read our latest blog piece on why, 67 years on, it is as […]
Human Rights and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities
We consider the ways in which human rights legislation affects Gypsy and Traveller Communities living in England and Wales. It is written in the context of government plans to repeal the […]
Hope and Despair for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers
Read our latest update on policy and research developments regarding our Gypsy, Roma and Traveller campaign area Download the article here:Hope and Despair for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers
Detention Debate in Parliament
Today, 10th September 2015, Parliament sat down to debate detention for asylum seekers and refugees. Impassioned pleas were made by over 25 MPs, from the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats and […]
#UnlockTheDebate – Alternative debate on detention
In Britain, asylum seekers can be held indefinitely in detention centres. This means that people, who have often escaped unthinkable situations to seek refuge in the UK, will not know […]
New Article: Creeping conservatism of UK courts in Article 8 cases
The Human Rights Act is often criticized for affording too many people the right to stay in the UK due to their right to a family life, even if they […]
Religious Leaders on Immigration Detention: A Force to be Reckoned With
Leaders from René Cassin and Tzelem attended the London Church Refugee Network meeting to discuss interfaith campaigning on indefinite detention. Read more here.
From Magna Carta to Harmondsworth
From Magna Carta to Harmondsworth Article on the contradiction of celebrating the 800th Anniversary of Magna Carta in an era where the UK is the only country in Europe not […]
Fear and prejudice here and abroad
Fear and prejudice here and abroad Gay, lesbian and bisexual asylum seekers face discrimination at every step of the process. The already harrowing experience of indefinite detention is worsened when […]
Expert panel: How to break the chains of modern slavery?
Breaking the Chains On the 22nd of April, René Cassin was pleased to hear from renowned experts Parosha Chandran and Dr Aidan McQuade to discuss the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and […]
There’s No Such Thing as Trivial Rights
There’s No Such Thing as Trivial Rights The Conservative Party’s proposal to repeal the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA), argues that one of the HRAs shortcomings is its failure to […]
Protecting Parliamentary Sovereignty: A Justification for Repealing the HRA?
The legislative framework for safeguarding human rights came about because of the need to protect people from the overweening power of the state – as witnessed by Nazi and Soviet […]
Hidden Detainees: the Secret Struggle
Hidden Detainees: the Secret Struggle There is a significant discord between the number of immigrants detained in the UK and that reflected by the official Home Office figure. This is […]