UK leaders urged to end ‘racist rhetoric’ fuelling anti-refugee protests
A coalition of more than 200 organisations have signed an open letter to party leaders condemning the recent spate of anti-refugee protests that took place outside of asylum hotels this past weekend.
The letter was coordinated by Together With Refugees and included signatories such as Amnesty International UK, City of Sanctuary UK, Care for Calais, Doctors of the World, Oxfam, Freedom from Torture, Islamic Relief, and more.
The open letter calls on party leaders in the UK to address anti-refugee sentiment and focus on building a compassionate and workable plan for accepting and supporting refugees fleeing to Britain.
It began by addressing the anti-refugee protests occurring across the country, noting echoes of last summer’s riots that made them all the more alarming.
“It is clear that major action is needed,” the letter states. “It is time for you, our leaders, to take a strong and united stand.”
“The pernicious and insidious currents of racism and hatred underlying these protests are glaring evidence of a failing system.”
“The responsibility to end the divisive politics, racist rhetoric and demonising language of the past is yours. Only then will you bring unity instead of division and cohesion rather than hate,” it adds.
It notes that many of the refugees being targeted by protests and persecution have already suffered terribly as they fled from places such as Afghanistan, Iran, and Syria.
“Now, due to unacceptable delays and a broken system, they are housed in hotels, a collective target of hostility, banned from working, with limited control over their lives or futures,” the letter says.
“Believing they will at last be safe and protected, they are then faced with further persecution and fear.”
The coalition added that the views reflected by anti-refugee protesters do not represent the majority of the country, and that they stand in solidarity with counter-protesters and those working to welcome and support refugees arriving in the UK.
