Our Statement
It is heartbreaking watching the tragic events unfold in Afghanistan. It is also heartbreaking watching the lack of care shown by our government to people seeking sanctuary who have arrived in the UK looking for safety, from Afghanistan and from across the world.
We have seen this in the treatment of Afghans over the years who have been denied asylum in the UK; in the unjust and unworkable new Nationality and Borders Bill and most recently in the death of Mohammed Munib Majeedi in our very own city – a tragedy borne out of a chaotic system of asylum.
We are heartened by the response of so many people in Sheffield and across the UK who show everyone that we are a country that cares and that wants to do its bit; to stand and be counted. At CoSS we will do all we can to harness this support and bring about positive change for people seeking sanctuary.
Our Government’s Response?
Many Afghans now face profound dangers to their lives, human rights, and ability to live in freedom and dignity. The UK’s response to the crisis must be compassionate, comprehensive and equal to the scale of the crisis. It must combine:
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a strong UK contribution to international humanitarian aid to refugees in the region;
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a wide-ranging package to provide protection to Afghans seeking safety in the UK via resettlement and providing asylum;
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a fundamental rethink of the government’s proposed Nationality and Borders Bill which would prevent people fleeing for their lives from Afghanistan and other such crises from securing safety in the UK.
We wholeheartedly support the recommendations in the JCWI’s briefing paper which can be found below
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