Our Statement
We must recognise that the pursuit of dignity, freedom and justice is a collective one. Human rights for some without collective liberation for all is not justice.
This Human Rights Day, we want to draw attention to the communities that frequently have their rights undermined: BIPOC, migratised, working class, queer and trans communities.
Our government is becoming increasingly more racist, xenophobic and queerphobic, and frequently scapegoats migrants, Muslims and trans communities.
The Nationality and Borders Bill was a harrowing moment in our political landscape, and we await its repercussions with fear and apprehension. With plans to scrap the Human Rights Act, what the proposed Bill of Rights will mean for the dignity and safety of the most marginalised groups remains to be seen.
The deal with Rwanda and the commitment to small boat push-backs will undoubtedly lead to more human rights violations and deaths. Surveillance and policy brutality continue to violate the dignity and rights of Black and other racialised communities, whilst the cost of living crisis will continue to deprive many of their right to housing and shelter.
Rights violations will continue to happen beyond our shores, not just because of this government’s commitment to anti-migrant violence, but because human rights will continue to be weaponized in the name of imperialism and foreign intervention.
Human rights have become a tool for powerful people to exercise their ‘rights’ at the expense of the safety + dignity of others. We cannot allow this to continue to happen. We stand in solidarity with all who are subjected to violence and deprived of their rights.
British Institute of Human Rights Open Letter
Alongside over 150 other organisations, we’ve signed the British Institute of Human Rights‘ open letter to the Prime Minister emphasising the importance of the Human Rights Act. You can find the full letter here.