Over 200 organisations call on party leaders to take a stand against 'racist and hateful' protests outside hotels
The UK's largest pro-refugee coalition, Together With Refugees, has co-ordinated a letter calling on Britain's political leaders to take decisive action to curb the growing protests at hotels housing asylum seekers, including by using more responsible language.
The letter to party leaders, signed by 213 organisations and coalition members, stated: "It is time for you, our leaders, to take a strong and united stand. The pernicious and insidious currents of racism and hatred underlying these protests are glaring evidence of a failing system. The responsibility to end the divisive politics, racist rhetoric and demonising language of the past is yours. Only then will you bring unity instead of division and cohesion rather than hate."
The letter notes that hotels provide a "collective target of hostility" for protestors, with many of the people targeted being refugees fleeing conflict, persecution, or human rights abuses in countries such as Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran, Sudan and Syria. The signatories say it is shocking that people who need compassion are instead now facing further torment in the UK.
Women for Refugee Women and Rainbow Migration were among the signatories highlighting how hostile and inhumane rhetoric by politicians and the media was directly to blame for stoking the protests.
The Head of Campaigns at Women for Refugee Women stated: "The ongoing protests targeting hotels accommodating people seeking asylum are a direct consequence of the divisive and hostile language spouted by some politicians and elements of the media …The Government must choose responsibility over rhetoric. People's lives depend on it."
Rainbow Migration's executive director said it was important for communities to unite in calling for an end to government rhetoric that fuels protests and scapegoats migrants and asylum seekers. They urged the Government to prioritise a compassionate asylum and immigration system and to work towards building a country where everyone can feel they belong.
Asylum Matters accused political leaders of encouraging a toxic political climate that was putting asylum seekers at risk.
Many signatories said on social media that today's letter must serve as a turning point in the national conversation.
An article in The Conversation by academics from London universities notes that hotels are intended as temporary asylum accommodation but have become long-term housing for thousands due to backlogs in asylum decisions. The authors say that even before the recent protests, it was clear that hotels have become "unsuitable and unsustainable" housing for asylum seekers. They outline three alternatives to asylum hotels, finding that arguably the best solution would be to revive partnerships between the Home Office and regional and local governments to house asylum seekers in the community.