there is always hope
By Razia, CEO
Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose? (The more things change, the more they stay the same).
So, the UK has finally started the slippery slope of no return where our political and legislative system impinges not only our fundamental human rights to protest, but our international and humanitarian commitment (since the Second World War) to offer sanctuary to those fleeing persecution.
Just as Britain proudly instigated the UN Declaration on Human Rights in 1948 and the Refugee Convention of 1951 to protect refugees, it is now, shamefully, trailblazing the deconstruction of humanitarian protection as a sacred value in international law across the globe. UK leadership on human rights at home and abroad | UNA_UK
The United Nations has publicly requested that the Anti-Migration Act be repealed UN experts urge UK to halt implementation of Illegal Immigration Bill | OHCHR. The Refugee Council has offered alternative solutions and safe routes Towards a National Refugee Strategy: Our Vision for a Fair and Humane Asylum System - Refugee Council. But the deed is done, even with the Herculean attempts by the House of Lords to make key amendments to protect children, women and those who are trafficked.
The fact now stands that the UK will no longer consider an asylum claim to seek protection and refugee status in the UK ever if the person has not arrived through a limited number of sanctioned schemes.
The consequences are not as promised, that is an end to people smuggling and small boat crossings - these are already continuing as always.
The consequence will be the end of a dignified and humane treatment of traumatised, vulnerable individuals who have given up everything to find safety and a future.
The backlog of claims will grow, the government will be unable to detain people for long periods of time without going into crisis, and will fail to deport anyone as there are endless, rightful, legal challenges and a lack of interest by the EU to establish bilateral cooperation as in the past. The young separated refugees and asylum seekers KRAN works with will all be affected; from now on they will be detained at the discretion of the Home Secretary and deported once they turn 18, according to the new Act.
You may well miss all this, or see it in passing on the news, as you have your citizenship and rights and live in a safe country, but there are thousands of people on our shores who will be unjustly affected in such a negative way that it will scar them for the rest of their lives.
This is because the vast majority of those who arrive in the UK via small boats are actually granted refugee status, ie they are legitimately fleeing persecution. Refugee Week: asylum in the UK, by numbers - Free Movement; How many people do we grant protection to? - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk); The truth about asylum - Refugee Council
Imagine a world where we welcome people, see them as assets, help them flourish so that they can contribute towards our society. What a difference this could make to us all - where would we be without our humanity and welcoming diversity?
There is no "them and us", united we stand or divided we shall all fall. In this century, we should be building bridges not walls. Even with such a grave injustice being sanctioned by the UK Parliament, there is always hope that humanity will shine through, otherwise we may well be revisiting history.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak for me.
Martin Niemöller, 1946