About
Latin American Women's Rights Service
(in partnership with the Latin American Disabled People's Project and the Latin American Elderly Project)
The Latin American Women's Rights Service provides advice, information, casework support and counselling, as well as running projects to assist with the successful resettlement of Latin American women and their dependents in the UK.
The Latin American Disabled People's Project works with disabled people of all ages. It seeks to relieve isolation through events and outings for families affected by disability.
The Latin American Elderly Project aims to enable Latin American older people aged 55+ to relieve isolation and lead dignified and fulfilling lives.
The Latin American community in London is very large and estimated to be between 70,000 - 100,000 strong. Refugees have been arriving in London in large numbers since the 1960s -1970s when several countries in our continent (Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina) suffered a succession of right wing dictatorships.
Some came as part of organised international refugee programmes, and although many returned, the majority of those who remained now play significant roles in the UK in public service, the voluntary sector, academic institutions, science and cultural activities.
A more recent wave of Latin American refugees has been arriving since the 1980s especially from Colombia, reputed to be one of the most violent countries in the Western world. Colombians represented one of the largest groups of new asylum applications in the late 1990s according to Home Office figures. In recent years, the UK has consistently refused asylum to Colombians, in spite of prevailing political violence. (Nowadays only 3% of asylum applicants from Colombia are accepted, whilst this figure is 85% in Canada.)
In recent years, the community has been able to make its mark in London, especially as regards cultural life, music and entertainment. However, we remain a group that is not recognised or acknowledged. Our legitimate presence in this country is routinely queried. Yet, we are here and contributing to British life.
