Hundreds of refugee and human rights organizations have joined forces, urging Labour leader Keir Starmer to overhaul the current asylum policies inherited from the previous government.

In a letter, endorsed by 300 civil society organizations and 534 individuals involved in migrant support, the coalition calls for a radical change in approach, branding the existing policy framework as “fundamentally broken.”

The letter outlines nine critical demands that the signatories believe will set a new direction for the UK’s asylum policy.

The document emphasizes a humane and supportive approach to asylum seekers, contrasting sharply with the current government’s stance, which has been widely criticized for its harshness and inefficacy.

“We are writing to you as grassroots organizations and individuals grounded firmly in our communities across the UK,” the letter begins.

“We are proud to welcome people seeking safety. For years, we have stepped in to support people who have been targeted and brutalized by hostile policies. We are now calling on your government to take a new approach: protecting people seeking safety, rather than punishing them for political gain.”
Excerpt of the letter

The letter criticizes the recent legislative measures, stating, “Successive pieces of unworkable, cruel legislation have effectively extinguished the right to seek asylum in the UK, creating an ever-growing ‘perma-backlog’ of tens of thousands of people.”

Among the prominent signatories are the Refugee Council, Refugee Action, the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, and various branches of Citizens Advice.

Key Demands

They collectively present a detailed blueprint for policy reform, which includes the following key demands:

First, they call for the restoration of the right to seek asylum by repealing the Illegal Migration Act and the Nationality and Borders Act, bringing UK asylum policies in line with international law.

Second, the letter urges the establishment of safe pathways for asylum seekers to reach the UK, reducing the need for perilous Channel crossings. This includes providing visa routes, enabling family reunifications, and revamping refugee resettlement programs.

Also, the coalition advocates for housing asylum seekers within communities rather than in institutional accommodations like barracks, barges, hotels, and hostels, which inflict lasting harm and incur high costs for taxpayers.

Additionally, they stress the importance of allowing asylum seekers to work within six months of their arrival, enabling them to live with dignity and contribute an estimated £1.2 billion to the UK economy.

Sarah Wilson, director of Penrith and Eden Refugee Network (PERN), emphasized the historical role of refugees in the UK.

“Refugees have always been part of the UK and we ask our new government to rebuild this tradition. For too long, PERN has watched lives destroyed and talent lost because of the hostile environment. This makes no sense. It is time for a change in how we treat those who seek sanctuary in the UK.”
Sarah Wilson

Echoing this sentiment, Duncan McAuley, the chief executive of Action Foundation, said, “There’s an urgent need for a sensible, humane approach to people coming here to seek safety. We hope Labour will fix our broken asylum system and put an end to the demonization of people forced to make dangerous journeys because there are no safe routes.”

In response, a Home Office spokesperson reiterated the government’s stance, stating, “The government is determined to restore order to the asylum system so that it operates swiftly, firmly, and fairly, and ensures that the rules are properly enforced.”

This impassioned appeal from refugee advocates highlights a growing demand for a compassionate and pragmatic overhaul of the UK’s asylum policies, urging the Labour Party to lead the change towards a more just and humane system.