Several nonprofit organizations have signed an open letter condemning “inflammatory language” and policies that “demonize” refugees. It follows Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s statement that “the alleged behavior of some asylum seekers is never a justification for violence and intimidation.”
Charities have urged political leaders to “take a clear stand” and condemn violence against asylum seekers, warning that scenes similar to those outside a hotel in Merseyside could be repeated across the country.
On Friday, fifteen people were arrested following “violent scenes” outside the Knowsley hotel where asylum seekers were staying.
During a demonstration, a police van was set on fire, and officers were pelted with projectiles, including fireworks.
Now, several charitable organizations have signed an open letter condemning “inflammatory language” and policies that “demonize” refugees.
The letter, coordinated by Together With Refugees, a coalition of over 500 national and local organizations, also warns of a “high risk of more premeditated extremist attacks throughout the country” in the wake of the violence outside the Suites Hotel.
Over a hundred organizations, including Liverpool City of Sanctuary, Care4Calais, Share Knowsley, and the Refugee Council, have signed the letter.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s rhetoric describing migrants crossing the English Channel has been repeatedly criticized.
In November, Ms. Braverman was criticized for telling members of parliament that the south coast was facing an “invasion” of migrants.
The charities state in their letter that asylum-seekers have already endured “terrible suffering” after fleeing war and persecution in Afghanistan, Sudan, Syria, and Iran.
They describe Britain’s asylum system as “broken” and claim that asylum seeker are forced to wait in “limbo” for a decision on their claim to remain in the country. Asylum seekers are housed in hotels, which is deemed “completely inappropriate” by charitable organizations.
The signatories of the letter urge political leaders to “create a system that is fair, compassionate, and promotes unity rather than division.”
“Having already endured great adversity, these men, women, and children seeking asylum now face violence, fueled by the incendiary language of ‘invasion’ and policies that demonize them,” say the charities.
It is the job of our decision-makers to design a fair system and caring and that promotes unity rather than division.
“Due to the high likelihood of other premeditated extremist assaults around the country, leaders of all parties must immediately take a firm stance and denounce any further violence against people who come here to find the protection, as well as outline the measures they will take to avoid it.”
The charities say that those guilty of inciting rage and violence in Knowsley last Friday are in the minority and “disgrace this country.”
“This does not reflect the British people. They state that this is not who they are.
Asylum Link Merseyside’s center manager, Ewan Roberts, stated that the area has a “proud history of welcoming refugees. And the Friday night incident does not represent the people of Knowsley.”
“Those residing in temporary housing sought our assistance, but instead found themselves under siege by a violent mob,” he explained.
“We implore politicians to stop using rhetoric that incites such hatred, to condemn this violence, and to get to work clearing the backlog.”
Former refugee and current Together With Refugees chairman Sabir Zazai stated that the issue is not about party politics but rather “basic human decency.
Mr. Zazai said all political leaders must denounce the attack on asylum seekers.
“Leaders of all political parties must demand a halt to these divisive and inflammatory policies and rhetoric.”
As a result of the incident outside the Suites Hotel, a man appeared in court on Monday, charged with violent disorder and assault by beating an emergency services worker.
Jared Skeete, 19, of Aigburth, Liverpool, was remanded in custody to appear in court on March 13.
The remaining twelve males and two women arrested were released on bond conditions.
