{"id":568470,"date":"2022-03-22T16:34:37","date_gmt":"2022-03-22T16:34:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecanary.co\/?p=1567073"},"modified":"2022-03-22T16:34:37","modified_gmt":"2022-03-22T16:34:37","slug":"its-time-to-end-the-hostile-environment-and-welcome-all-refugees-with-humanity-and-respect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2022\/03\/22\/its-time-to-end-the-hostile-environment-and-welcome-all-refugees-with-humanity-and-respect\/","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s time to end the hostile environment and welcome ALL refugees with humanity and respect"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The government is not doing enough for refugees. After showing reluctance<\/a> to allow any refugees fleeing Ukraine to come to the UK, there is finally a scheme in place, but it still falls extremely short of the mark. The French interior minister quite rightly accused<\/a> the UK government of showing a \u201clack of humanity\u201d towards Ukrainian refugees. He also warned<\/a> that some refugees may try to cross the English channel by boat if they have no other options available.<\/p>\n

The plan now in place is the Homes for Ukraine Scheme<\/a>. However, this requires the sponsorship of refugees by British citizens. This is a wonderful step, but the government should take more responsibility for receiving and re-homing refugees – not just rely on the public to do its job for it.<\/p>\n

Justice secretary Dominic Raab attempted to justify reports<\/a> that 150 Ukrainian refugees had been turned away for not having correct visas. He stated that the government won\u2019t \u201cjust open the door\u201d because that would \u201cundermine the popular support\u201d for helping “the genuine refugees”. It’s unclear whether Raab thinks that some Ukrainians are not “genuine refugees” or is simply taking the opportunity to bash non-European refugees who also need help.<\/p>\n

Deadly alternatives<\/h5>\n

Denying entry to refugees or reducing their rights is also an issue of international law. The Nationality and Borders Bill<\/a> has now made it’s way through the House of Lords and is awaiting votes on amendments in the House of Commons. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is urging the government not to overturn the removal of Clause 11, which would give most refugees a lower status and fewer benefits The UNHCR states<\/a> that this would:<\/p>\n

cause unnecessary suffering to refugees fleeing war and persecution<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It also says it would be in “direct breach” of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention (and its 1967 Protocol)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The alternative to allowing safe entry is already a well-documented tragedy. Entering the country via small boats is extremely dangerous<\/a>. In 2021 alone, 44 people died or went missing attempting to cross the British Channel via boat. Other routes can be as equally deadly. In October 2019,\u00a039 Vietnamese people died in a lorry<\/a> in Essex. It’s our duty as a country to welcome and help those in need, not to turn the journey into a deadly gauntlet or to turn people away at the border.<\/p>\n

We should remember that refugees are human beings – not just statistics or a commodity to put an arbitrary value on. They should be given a safe and welcoming space that respects their human rights and treats them humanely.<\/p>\n

Not a new issue<\/h5>\n

Of course, resistance to immigration is not a new issue. The Windrush Scandal<\/a> provides both current and historic evidence that migrants faced pushback for entering the country, as well as trying to remain here. When Windrush migrants arrived in 1948, politicians on both sides of the aisle in Britain reacted negatively. 11 Labour MPs wrote a letter<\/a> to prime minister Clement Atlee stating their displeasure:<\/p>\n

An influx of coloured people domiciled here is likely to impact the harmony, strength and cohesion of our public and social life and to cause discord and unhappiness among all concerned.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Conservative MP Cyril Osborne spoke<\/a> on People of Colour entering the country:<\/p>\n

they have altogether a different standard of civilisation, to begin with.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Both reactions are xenophobic, but not a far cry from Tory statements<\/a> in the last few years.<\/p>\n

Ongoing struggles<\/h5>\n

Unfortunately, fleeing war and persecution is, of course, not an issue unique to Ukraine. I spoke to Anwar, a refugee from Afghanistan, and asked him about his experience.<\/p>\n

When asked how he travelled to the UK, Anwar said:<\/p>\n

I came by a very difficult way… Iran first, then to Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Austria, Germany, France, then to England. I travelled through the borders via trucks, cars and a lot of walking. The chance of dying was 75%.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I asked Anwar how he was treated when he got to the UK border. He replied:<\/p>\n

I was in a holding cell for 48 hours but still very well.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When asked if there was anything that would make his life in the UK better, he said:<\/p>\n

Now that I am here, all I want is to be equal. I want to work and pay my own way. Make a family and live life.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

His experience will parallel those coming from Ukraine. People have a high chance of injury or death en route<\/em> to the Ukrainian border followed by travel through unfamiliar countries. The goal is also clearly the same. Refugees just want equal treatment, to be with their families, and to live life. However, they are not all treated the same:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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Reporting of the Ukraine vs Afghanistan crisis pic.twitter.com\/4RJxRjZeHU<\/a><\/p>\n

— Reya El-Salahi (@_Reya) March 5, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n