Today, 56 organisations and groups across Greater Manchester have come together to oppose the Government’s cruel and divisive #AntiRefugeeBill. The full statement reads:
In Greater Manchester we look after our neighbours, we care about each other, and we support each other.
We know that our boroughs are strengthened by people seeking safety, because we see this every day. As members and representatives of voluntary community arts and faith groups, and organisations across Greater Manchester, we spend our days inspired by those we work with. Our welcome in Greater Manchester for people fleeing the horrific situation in Afghanistan is the latest of our welcomes. The outpouring of support for our new neighbours, who have fled for their lives with courage and dignity, has shown what we’re made of: supporting each other is who we are.
That is why we have to speak out against the Government’s proposals to rewrite the asylum system, and the consequences they will have for refugees and in our communities. In a few months’ time, some people seeking sanctuary will reach the UK, after a frightening journey. They will come from countries suffering terror and conflict – some from Afghanistan. Under the proposed Nationality and Borders Bill, they will be: criminalised, threatened with removal, separated from their families, warehoused in unsuitable accommodation, have their asylum claims deemed ‘inadmissible’ and be prevented from feeling secure or safe.
This Anti Refugee Bill – will punish people and not protect them. It will directly increase destitution, homelessness and exploitation in our boroughs. It will lead to ever more dangerous routes for those seeking safety and will stop people who have fled violence and persecution from rebuilding their lives.
We are united in opposing this bill and call on our leaders in Greater Manchester to stand with us, and on the UK Government to scrap these harmful and divisive proposals.
Signed by:
10GM
Action Together
Asylum Matters
Officer Boaz Trust
Booth Centre
Bridging Communities
Bridging Communities
Being There
Care UK Chorlton
Caring and Sharing Rochdale
Caritas Shrewsbury
Citizens Advice Bury & Bolton
Citizens Advice Tameside
Citizens Advice Wigan Borough
Community Arts North West
Community Arts North West
Destitution Project Bolton
Diversity Matters North West Ltd
Eagles Wing Bury
Everything Human Rights Community Group
GM BAME Network
Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People
Greater Manchester Equality Alliance (GM=EqAl)
Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit
Greater Manchester Law Centre
Growing Together Levenshulme
Idaraya Life CIC
Lingua GM CIC
MACC
Manchester BME Network CIC
Manchester City of Sanctuary
Manchester Refugee Support Network (MRSN)
Migration and Destitution Action Group (part of Manchester Homelessness Partnership)
New Life Church Tameside
Oldham Unity
RADAR (Rochdale Action with Destitute Asylum Seekers and Refugees)
Rainbow Haven
Refugee Action
Refugees & Mentors CIC
Revive
Rochdale Connections Trust
Rochdale Women’s Group
Safety4Sisters
Salford CVS
Salford Food Parcels
Salford Pride
Sensewise Consulting
She Inspires Foundation, Women in Neighbourhoods, She Inspires Awards
St Peters Church, Parish of the Good Shepherd Ashton-under- Lyne
St. Peter’s Church Ashton- under- Lyne
Stockport Race Equality Partnership
Support and Action for Women’s Network (SAWN)
The Pankhurst Trust
Director, TS4SE Cooperative Ltd
Wai Yin Society
We Stand Together
Women Asylum Seekers Together
Yaran Northwest CIC
Youth Focus North West
