I SHOULD like to bring your readers’ attention to the fact that June 16-22 is Refugee Week and June 26 is Stop Torture Day.

Refugee week is a chance to celebrate the major contribution refugees have made to British Society. Indeed one of our ‘British values’ has been that of welcoming the oppressed from as far back as the persecution of the Huguenots.

This year the focus is on young refugees such as Malala Yousafrazai (shot by the Taliban for attending school.) It may surprise readers that GARAS (Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers) is currently helping 40 unaccompanied minors. An estimated three or four arrive in Gloucester each year and have often undertaken horrendous journeys after seeing members of their families killed and/or tortured. They show enormous courage and resilience as they struggle to make a new life in a country where they do not speak the language and have suffered major losses and trauma. It is astonishing how quickly they usually adapt, many taking part in the wider community, playing in football teams helping with coaching football for younger children and studying for exams.

Some of these youngsters have been tortured, a practice which is prevalent in many countries. Amnesty International has documented many instances and is running a campaign consisting of individual case histories and pre-written postcards ready to be sent to the authorities in countries where they are imprisoned.

Cirencester Amnesty group will be in the Parish Church porch on Friday, June 27, from 11am-2pm with a supply of cards and information. We welcome anyone who can spare five minutes to add their voice. The church is after all only a short step from the market.

MARINA MARVAN

Secretary

Cirencester Amnesty group