‘We should all call on our MPs and the government to reject this cruel bill’

• THE Ukrainian refugee crisis has demonstrated the devastation and suffering that war causes and it has been heart-warming to see the generous response of people in Islington.

But there are conflicts and wars going on across the world which do not get so much publicity, and which have resulted in thousands having to leave their homes.

Most of these individuals will seek refugee in a nearby country – which is often very poor and ill-equipped to support refugees.

Some will seek sanctuary in the UK possibly because they already have connections here or speak English.

The government’s proposed Nationality and Borders Bill will make it much harder for these people to reach the UK and claim asylum.

In particular it will create two classes of refugees based on the journeys people made to get here rather than their need for protection.

It will create even longer backlogs and delays in the asylum process, establish unsafe and costly offshore accommodation, and lead to greater poverty and homelessness among asylum seekers.

It is also very short-sighted; it will be much harder for them to integrate into their local community.

Many of the proposals in the bill are not new but are ones which were rejected in the past.

The Ukrainian refugee crisis has highlighted just how difficult it is for people fleeing war to meet immigration requirements even when a war has been predicted.

It would be much better if individuals were able to take safe and legal routes to the UK rather than putting their lives at risk putting themselves in the hands of traffickers.

We need to develop these routes and provide easy access to humanitarian visas. But it also needs to be accepted that often those routes will not work for people having to make immediate decisions to flee from a dangerous situation.

The Nationality and Borders Bill is currently making it way through parliament.
It has been substantially amended in the House of Lords and there may be critical votes in the House of Commons.

We should all call on our MPs and the government to reject this cruel bill and put in place an alternative system that is kinder, fairer and more effective.

MARGARET LALLY
Beversbrook Road, N19