The UK Government is pushing ahead with plans to deport some people seeking asylum that it deems to have arrived in the UK illegally to Rwanda. We believe people seeking asylum deserve better. The First Minister for Wales has described the refugee flights to Rwanda as "cruel, inhumane and a dark day for the UK".
He said about the policy, "Today is a dark day for the UK. This policy is a new low for the UK government - and a cruel and inhumane response to those seeking safety and sanctuary in our country. It is in stark contrast to Wales' position as a nation of sanctuary."
We agree with these comments and also support the Welsh Refugee Council's concerns recently expressed here in the National.
People seeking asylum are already disproportionately vulnerable to experiences of injustice, neglect, abuse, distress and/or trauma. From experiences in their home countries, on their journey to safety and from the circumstances they are exposed to here in the UK. Further disruption, more exposure to harm and loss of safety can only compound the psychosocial suffering of people seeking asylum. We therefore cannot condone this inhumane response.
Over the last decade asylum seekers have been treated increasingly inhumanely. The UK Government have increased restrictions on welfare and people seeking asylum have found themselves criminalised in the public mind as “illegal immigrants”.
We are shocked about the system being implemented by the UK government to forcibly remove people seeking asylum in the UK. Last week Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith said that people seeking asylum who had been removed by the UK government to Rwanda could return if their applications were successful.
We understand that this is not true. Under the current terms, published in a memorandum of understanding (April, 2022), those with successful applications processed in Rwanda will be settled and remain in Rwanda. They will not be allowed to return to the UK unless the UK government specifically requests it. This lack of clarity and consistency will only add to the distress people subject to the scheme will face.
We call on the UK government to abandon these inhumane plans.
Furthermore, we are concerned that the UK government is planning on reducing the influence of the European Court of Human Rights in the UK with a new Bill of Rights. This could mean ECHR decisions currently blocking removal flights to Rwanda could be ignored.
PSC Cymru
2/7/22
He said about the policy, "Today is a dark day for the UK. This policy is a new low for the UK government - and a cruel and inhumane response to those seeking safety and sanctuary in our country. It is in stark contrast to Wales' position as a nation of sanctuary."
We agree with these comments and also support the Welsh Refugee Council's concerns recently expressed here in the National.
People seeking asylum are already disproportionately vulnerable to experiences of injustice, neglect, abuse, distress and/or trauma. From experiences in their home countries, on their journey to safety and from the circumstances they are exposed to here in the UK. Further disruption, more exposure to harm and loss of safety can only compound the psychosocial suffering of people seeking asylum. We therefore cannot condone this inhumane response.
Over the last decade asylum seekers have been treated increasingly inhumanely. The UK Government have increased restrictions on welfare and people seeking asylum have found themselves criminalised in the public mind as “illegal immigrants”.
We are shocked about the system being implemented by the UK government to forcibly remove people seeking asylum in the UK. Last week Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith said that people seeking asylum who had been removed by the UK government to Rwanda could return if their applications were successful.
We understand that this is not true. Under the current terms, published in a memorandum of understanding (April, 2022), those with successful applications processed in Rwanda will be settled and remain in Rwanda. They will not be allowed to return to the UK unless the UK government specifically requests it. This lack of clarity and consistency will only add to the distress people subject to the scheme will face.
We call on the UK government to abandon these inhumane plans.
Furthermore, we are concerned that the UK government is planning on reducing the influence of the European Court of Human Rights in the UK with a new Bill of Rights. This could mean ECHR decisions currently blocking removal flights to Rwanda could be ignored.
PSC Cymru
2/7/22
