PRESS RELEASE: 20 March 2025: Human rights charity calls for Council to hold a round-table meeting with all organisations working with Manchester's Homeless Camp

RAPAR
​Press release - For immediate release
20 March 2025

HUMAN RIGHTS CHARITY CALLS FOR COUNCIL TO HOLD A ROUND-TABLE MEETING WITH ALL ORGANISATIONS WORKING WITH MANCHESTER'S HOMELESS CAMP

People living at the camp should be invited to join the meeting and take part in any discussion about possible solutions

The Manchester-based human rights charity RAPAR has urged the City Council to bring together homeless camp residents and all organisations working with the Albert Square camp for a round-table discussion.

Ideally, representatives from the Home Office should also be at the meeting, RAPAR says.

The charity welcomed an invitation to meet council officers yesterday (Wednesday 19th March) and asked them to organise the round-table session.

A RAPAR spokesperson said: "We believe people at the camp should be part of any discussion.

"We have been very concerned to see today's media reports that council leaders believe the homeless camp is growing because 'activists are buying tents'.

"This is a gross misrepresentation of the housing crisis in the city and other areas of Greater Manchester - a crisis that has forced refugees to live on the streets.

"Under these circumstances, it is not surprising that individuals have provided food and equipment for people at the camp.

"It is a gesture of humanity that demonstrates the kindness and generosity of people in the local  communities."

RAPAR believes the Home Office should immediately halt the evictions into destitution of people fleeing war, famine and persecution.

"They are being made homeless because they have been given refugee status and are forced to live on the streets because of the UK's housing crisis."

RAPAR is working with people at the camp to build links with the wider community - and to dispel the many myths that have arisen about homelessness and refugees through the absence of clear and precise information.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:
Kath Grant 07865713474 
Dr Rhetta Moran 07776264646
Emma Leyla 07756735727

Please see also: Human rights charity hits back at council's claim over Albert Square homeless camp