The amendment is submitted against a policy letter on the conflict in Ukraine which the Policy & Resources Committee has submitted to the States for debate this week.
Part of the amendment reads as follows:
“Taking the opportunity of the work already being undertaken in developing policies and legislation in response to the Ukrainian conflict, to direct relevant committees to give consideration to whether such policies and legislation can be applied in a manner which is appropriate for Guernsey to others seeking refuge or asylum (particularly from past, present and future conflicts); and that the Policy & Resources Committee having led and co-ordinated this work, reports back to the States in due course.”
The Bailiwick’s approach to refugees and asylum seekers is usually in effect determined by the UK Government. Deputy St Pier’s amendment appears to envisage the possibility of the Policy & Resources Committee returning to the States with ideas about how the Bailiwick could in the future have more say over its approach to refugees and asylum seekers.
Pictured: The amendment proposed by Deputy Gavin St Pier and seconded by Deputy Peter Ferbrache draws parallels between the evacuation of thousands of people from Guernsey at the start of the Nazi occupation of the island in 1940 and refugees fleeing war in other parts of the world. Credit: Gillian Mawson website.
Explaining the reasons for his amendment, Deputy St Pier said: “It is important that the work on developing a local Homes for Ukraine sponsor visa scheme is completed as soon as possible.
“And having done that work, it cannot be wasted, and consideration must be given to how it can be applied to other situations which give rise to those who need sanctuary that Guernsey may be able to provide in the future.”
Deputy St. Pier’s amendment, which is seconded by Deputy Ferbrache, also proposes the States taking a series of votes to acknowledge the work of various States’ committees which are working together on the Bailiwick’s response to the war in Ukraine.
“A considerable amount of time and effort has gone into the drafting of the policy letter. It is also clear that a number of committees have been working very hard to respond to the conflict,” said Deputy St. Pier.
“In light of this, given the opportunity to do so that the policy letter presents, I think these efforts and those of the public deserve recognition by the wider States through the propositions the amendments propose.”
Deputy St Pier has also submitted a second amendment for the same debate.
His second amendment proposes acknowledging that the war in Ukraine may have as yet unknown consequences locally on “energy and food security and prices, logistics and supply chains, cyber security and public expenditure and revenues and consequently upon the States’ objectives, policy plans and priorities in the Government Work Plan”.
Pictured: Deputy Gavin St Pier’s second amendment in this week’s debate on the Ukraine conflict has been submitted with the support of Deputy Heidi Soulsby.
Deputy St Pier said: “The extent and duration of this conflict which has begun in Ukraine is unknown. It has the potential not only to have a significant impact on us all individually but also on government’s ability to deliver its plans and priorities. It’s worth taking the opportunity to acknowledge that now.”
This amendment is seconded by the Vice-President of the Policy & Resources Committee, Deputy Heidi Soulsby.
“I am delighted that these amendments are being seconded by Deputies Ferbrache and Soulsby,” said Deputy St Pier.