Asylum seeker policy is cruel and racist
INDIAN Workers’ Association GB joins the broad coalition demanding the Government scrap its policy to relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda. This policy has been designed to reduce black and brown immigrants. The Government is aiming to demonstrate it is committed to deal with illegal asylum seekers.
How on earth can anyone running from persecution gain legal documents?
Secondly, the Home Office’s plan is to reinforce the divide between deserving and ones considered not deserving. There is no indication if the policy will apply equally to the Ukrainian asylum seekers who have been given legal protection from deportation for up to three years, are allowed to work, claim universal credit and are able access public sector services.
Ukrainians are not subject to a hostile environment created by the British authority; neither are they seen to be burden on public purse or job snatchers.
Priti Patel does not intend to cut costs on asylum seekers nor will the policy protect the human rights of the asylum seekers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan, the countries that have been gravely suffering imperialist and neo-colonial wars and Nato intervention. She has turned a blind eye to the risks taken by the asylum seekers from these lands in a hope for a safe haven.
The Government’s interests lies in distracting public attention from domestic problems that are inflicting pain and deprivation.
Rwanda’s human rights track record is not hidden from the world. The current regime, led by Paul Kagame, uses every means possible to suppress opposition deemed to be a threat to the government. Under such conditions one cannot have a confidence that asylumseekers will be treated fairly and humanely. Thus the decision by the UK Government has sent an angry wave throughout the globe.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has strongly criticised the British Government’s failure to consult it prior to signing the treaty with Rwanda. In doing so it has violated the 1951 convention it has assigned to.
UN Human Rights Convention and Amnesty International also have raised concerns about deprivation of individual liberty, forcible removal and denying asylum seekers a right to privacy and family life.
Despite the calls to rip the shameful, cruel and racist policy, Priti Patel is determined to procced. She has told MPs that she remained fully committed to deliver her proposals.
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, shaken by the growing opposition, threatened to change the law or even to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Indian Workers’ Association GB stands in solidarity with the broad coalition of organisations, lawyers and individuals for their courageous and tireless work to halt the asylum-seekers’ removal by plane on June 14.
No 10 remains calculatedly vague on who it is referring to; is it human rights lawyers, the Church of England, or the Prince of Wales? United people’s power will make our deaf Government hear. Joginder Bains, Member of Indian
Workers’ Association