UK racist anti-migrant policies are ‘full scale attack’ on rights of refugees
The UK government’s expected crackdown on the rights of people seeking asylum are racist and an attempt to distract from their numerous failings, say the Scottish Greens.
The Scottish Greens human rights and justice spokesperson, Maggie Chapman MSP, said:
“The Home Office’s latest proposals amount to a full scale attack on the rights of refugees and would criminalise some of the most vulnerable communities in the world simply for seeking refuge.
“Asylum is one of the most fundamental human rights we have. Many of the people who this racist policy will impact have escaped war, torture and persecution.
“The policy itself is as immoral as it is unworkable, and any attempts to implement it would make life even harder for tens of thousands of people who have been forced to seek sanctuary.
“We didn’t get here overnight. It took years of repressive, authoritarian and racist Home Office policies from successive Conservative and Labour governments.
“They can see the damage that they are inflicting and they know the catastrophic impact it will have for people, but the racism and the cruelty are the point.
“It is a transparent attempt to scapegoat, demonise and ultimately distract from the numerous failures of this disastrous government.
“With independence we can finally introduce a humane and progressive migration policy that recognises the suffering people have ensured and offers support and solidarity.
“In the meantime, safe avenues to asylum must be made available and people seeking asylum who are here must be treated fairly and with the dignity they deserve.”