In memory of Artin

Flowers at the memorial on 20th June 2021

Source: Seeking Sanctuary

Seeking Sanctuary marked World Refugee Day on 20th June at the memorial for deceased seekers of refuge on Dover seafront, laying flowers in memory of Artin Iran-Nejad, the 15-month-old Kurdish-Iranian boy whose body was found in Norway two weeks ago, months after the rest of his family drowned during a storm off Dunkirk on 27th October last year. Seen near Calais just days before he drowned, he was a smiling and happy young boy oblivious to the hostile environment around him. It is likely that his parents, Rasoul and Shiva, desperate to leave France before the winter set in, did not have enough money to travel by lorry or in a slightly safer boat - hence their tragic fate.

Ben Bano, Co-Director of Seeking Sanctuary commented: "Together with other well wishers, as as we had already laid flowers in memory of the four members of his family last year, we decided to lay flowers for Artin whose body was tragically lost for so long after the disaster. Their deaths are just a few of the thousands of people who have died trying to escape danger and persecution. The Mediterranean has been described as one of the biggest graveyards in modern times. In honouring the memory of Artin and his family, let us remember the sacrifices made by so many others in their attempts to find safety and sanctuary."

Seeking Sanctuary' aims to raise awareness about people displaced from their homes and to channel basic humanitarian assistance from Faith Communities and Community Organisations via partnerships with experienced aid workers. Our special concern is for the 2000 or so exiles who are stuck in north-western France, mistakenly expecting a welcome in the UK.

They need food, water, good counsel and clothes, which are accepted, sorted and distributed by several organisations, including two Calais warehouses which also supply needs further afield.

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