Rights Groups Criticize Starmer's Language on Immigration Ahead of International Summit
Over 130 organizations urge UK Prime Minister to adopt a more compassionate narrative towards migrants following controversial remarks.
In a coordinated effort, more than 130 refugee and human rights organizations have called on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to reconsider his recent language regarding immigration and asylum seekers.
This appeal comes in the wake of Starmer's remarks made before the Organised Immigration Crime Summit on March 31, attended by representatives from over 40 countries in London, aimed at addressing organized immigration crime, including people-smuggling operations.
During his comments, Starmer stated, "But we all pay the price for insecure borders – from the cost of accommodating migrants to the strain on our public services.
It is a basic question of fairness."
In response, the organizations, coordinated by the advocacy coalition Together With Refugees, sent an open letter to Starmer emphasizing the importance of avoiding divisive language that may alienate local communities from refugees.
The signatories include prominent groups such as City of Sanctuary UK, Choose Love, Freedom from Torture, and the Refugee Council, among others.
The letter expressed concern over what they perceive as a resurgence of “hostile politics” and called for a shift away from rhetoric that may contribute to societal divisions.
The organizations stated, "Now is not the time to play into the hands of those seeking to build them-and-us division between local communities and refugees.
It is the time to move away from the hostile politics, racist rhetoric and demonising language of the past and unite our communities for a different way forward."
With reference to recent events, the letter drew attention to incidents from the previous summer, where violent protests occurred against hotels hosting asylum seekers.
The signatories contended that the Prime Minister's framing of immigration as a matter of fairness did not adequately address the complexities and challenges faced by refugees.
The letter also criticized the summit's focus on disrupting smuggling operations, arguing that such measures often complicate the journeys for refugees, making them more perilous.
They advocated for the establishment of safe routes for individuals seeking asylum in the UK.
Tim Naor Hilton, chief executive of Refugee Action, highlighted the urgent need for the government to adopt a language that promotes unity rather than division, stressing the negative repercussions of hostile rhetoric.
Similarly, Nico Ndlovu from the group One Strong Voice conveyed the pain caused by the current discourse and emphasized the need for a more comprehensive and compassionate asylum framework that recognizes the contributions of refugees to society and the economy.
The organizations collectively called for a transformative plan for refugees that encompasses fair and rapid asylum decisions, improved global cooperation tackling the underlying causes of forced migration, and the implementation of safe pathways for asylum seekers.
In response to the criticisms, a government spokesperson reiterated the Prime Minister's position, stating, "As the Prime Minister made clear, there is nothing compassionate about turning a blind eye to the vile gangs who ruthlessly exploit vulnerable people and trade in human misery.
This is why we have launched an unprecedented global fight against these criminals to secure our borders as part of our plan for change."
This appeal comes in the wake of Starmer's remarks made before the Organised Immigration Crime Summit on March 31, attended by representatives from over 40 countries in London, aimed at addressing organized immigration crime, including people-smuggling operations.
During his comments, Starmer stated, "But we all pay the price for insecure borders – from the cost of accommodating migrants to the strain on our public services.
It is a basic question of fairness."
In response, the organizations, coordinated by the advocacy coalition Together With Refugees, sent an open letter to Starmer emphasizing the importance of avoiding divisive language that may alienate local communities from refugees.
The signatories include prominent groups such as City of Sanctuary UK, Choose Love, Freedom from Torture, and the Refugee Council, among others.
The letter expressed concern over what they perceive as a resurgence of “hostile politics” and called for a shift away from rhetoric that may contribute to societal divisions.
The organizations stated, "Now is not the time to play into the hands of those seeking to build them-and-us division between local communities and refugees.
It is the time to move away from the hostile politics, racist rhetoric and demonising language of the past and unite our communities for a different way forward."
With reference to recent events, the letter drew attention to incidents from the previous summer, where violent protests occurred against hotels hosting asylum seekers.
The signatories contended that the Prime Minister's framing of immigration as a matter of fairness did not adequately address the complexities and challenges faced by refugees.
The letter also criticized the summit's focus on disrupting smuggling operations, arguing that such measures often complicate the journeys for refugees, making them more perilous.
They advocated for the establishment of safe routes for individuals seeking asylum in the UK.
Tim Naor Hilton, chief executive of Refugee Action, highlighted the urgent need for the government to adopt a language that promotes unity rather than division, stressing the negative repercussions of hostile rhetoric.
Similarly, Nico Ndlovu from the group One Strong Voice conveyed the pain caused by the current discourse and emphasized the need for a more comprehensive and compassionate asylum framework that recognizes the contributions of refugees to society and the economy.
The organizations collectively called for a transformative plan for refugees that encompasses fair and rapid asylum decisions, improved global cooperation tackling the underlying causes of forced migration, and the implementation of safe pathways for asylum seekers.
In response to the criticisms, a government spokesperson reiterated the Prime Minister's position, stating, "As the Prime Minister made clear, there is nothing compassionate about turning a blind eye to the vile gangs who ruthlessly exploit vulnerable people and trade in human misery.
This is why we have launched an unprecedented global fight against these criminals to secure our borders as part of our plan for change."
