The gov's bill is a cruel, arbitrary attack on people who have a right to protection

10/03/2023

We're sure you’ve seen the news from the UK in the last few days. The government is taking another swipe at human rights and the rule of law.

The first page of the UK government’s Illegal Migration Bill includes a statement from the home secretary on the Human Rights Act:

“I am unable to make a statement that, in my view, the provisions of the Illegal Migration Bill are compatible with the Convention rights”

The United Nations refugee agency is careful when it comes to meddling in domestic affairs. However, it’s condemned the bill in unusually strong terms:

“…the legislation…would amount to an asylum ban - extinguishing the right to seek refugee protection in the United Kingdom…”

Much of the criticism in the UK has focused on whether the law is workable or a political gimmick. These things may be true. But first and foremost the law is an attack on people who have a right to protection. It’s cruel and arbitrary and needs to be defeated.

More detailed analysis will come later. For now, we restate our commitment that no matter how tough things become we’ll continue to fight alongside people who are in need of protection.

The RLS team will be out in force at the London demonstration against the bill. It’s on Saturday 18th March. It starts at 12 noon at Portland Place.