No to inhumane accommodation- Sign the open letter to Government

Open letter to Home Secretary and Immigration Minister

Dear Home Secretary and Immigration Minister,

“I feel like I am not welcomed here and UK asylum policies have successfully stripped away my sense of belonging. I am worried about plans for detaining people in unsafe environments for long periods of time and the impact this will have on us.”- asylum seeker in Home Office accommodation

As the first people arrive on the controversial Bibby Stockholm barge, we, the undersigned, urge the Government to abandon its plans to accommodate migrants including refugees in unsuitable and dangerous accommodation. 

Barges, military bases and other proposed accommodation will not meet the standards set out in the Home Office’s own accommodation requirements. Sites such as barges have been described as oppressive environments. People living in Home Office accommodation are already reporting feelings of isolation and they are concerned that accommodating them on barges and disused military sites will further isolate them from the community with restricted access to basic provisions, advice and support.

In addition, we are deeply concerned by reports that asylum seekers have been threatened with having Government support withdrawn if they do not board the barge. No one should be punished for not wanting to live in unsafe accommodation and we ask that this tactic cease immediately.

Everyone deserves to be part of a community: the Government must support people seeking sanctuary and enable them to set down roots in their new communities. We urge the Government to abandon its proposals for these inappropriate sites for accommodation and instead commit to work closely with local authorities and supporting organisations to create local solutions with the proper resources.

Signed,

Migrants’ Rights Network

The Pickwell Foundation

City of Sanctuary UK

Asylum Welcome

After Exploitation

Birmingham City of Sanctuary

Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary

Hope and Aid Direct

Refugee Women Connect

Jesuit Refugee Service UK

Community Policy Forum

Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI)

The bowling green together

Good Chance Theatre

Govan Community Project

RAMFEL

Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network

Global Link

Vents Contraires

Calais Food Collective

Asylum Support Appeals Project

End Violence Against Women Coalition

African Rainbow Family

Lancaster & Morecambe City of Sanctuary

Polish Migrants Organise for Change

The William Gomes Podcast

Oxford Against Immigration Detention

Voices in Exile

Bristol Defend Asylum Seekers Campaign

Haringey Welcome

forRefugees

Together with Migrant Children

Young Roots

Humans for Rights Network

Praxis

Asylum Matters

Paul Hamlyn Foundation

Reclaim the Sea

Room to Heal

Connected Routes CIC

Bristol Refugee Rights

Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU)

Women for Refugee Women

Refugee Legal Support

Migrant Democracy Project

Student Action for Refugees (STAR)

Migrant Voice

Da’aro Youth Project


With the change in Government, the open letter below is now closed.

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