Our response to the Home Secretary’s latest asylum reforms

Every day we work with people who have survived torture in countries like Sudan, Eritrea and   Afghanistan for defending the freedoms that we take for granted in Britain – freedom of speech, equality and the right to live and love without fear.

Instead of ensuring that we continue to provide these refugees with sanctuary, the Home Secretary’s latest proposals will punish people who have already endured unimaginable harm. They will make it harder for survivors of torture and other refugees to access safety, reunite with their families and rebuild their lives here in the UK.

The Home Secretary has spoken about the need to ‘heal a divided society’. Yet measures that further marginalise and impoverish refugees will only deepen division by preventing people from putting down the stable roots that help communities thrive.

The Government is weakening essential safeguards that prevent refugees being returned to torture and is denying long-term stability to those recognised as refugees in what constitutes a profound departure from the UK’s long-held commitment to human rights.

The Government’s attempt to project toughness by targeting those without power reflects a worrying turn towards populist tactics. This is not mere political theatre – it has very real and dangerous implications. These policies will put refugees and other migrants at increased risk of harm.

People across the UK can see that scapegoating vulnerable people will not solve the issues facing this country or even repair the problems with the asylum system. What we need is an approach grounded in compassion that makes sure people receive a timely and fair decision on their asylum claim and, where the need for protection is recognised, provides the stability that is essential to recovery and integration.

Freedom from Torture urges the Government to rethink these proposals. We call on those who believe in human rights and the inherent dignity of every person to stand with us in demanding an asylum system that reflects the best of who we are.