The British Youth Council remains concerned about the government’s continued attempts to deport people to Rwanda. The charity’s international representatives, UK Young Ambassadors, call on the government to end this brutal practice immediately. The intervention follows a series of statements from across the political spectrum and an open letter from more than 100 organisations.
The Home Office has resisted pleas for the policy to be rescinded despite legal challenges and opposition from people across the country. The measures in place are contested and go against our duty to protect the human rights of all refugees and asylum seekers.
As part of their efforts to challenge the government’s erroneous policy, UK Young Ambassadors have written an open letter to the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, urging the department to take action.
Speaking on behalf of the UK Young Ambassadors, Maurizio Cuttin, UK Young Ambassador to the European Youth Forum, said “We must take steps to protect the human rights of all refugees and asylum seekers. It is unconscionable that we plan to deport people under this immoral policy knowing how dehumanising it is.
“We call on the government to end the deportation of people to Rwanda under this brutal practice immediately.”
Osaro Otobo, Deputy Chair of the British Youth Council said “Refugees and asylum seekers deserve so much better than this. Young refugees and their families are often in the worst situation and there is a need to ensure that their basic rights are catered for. There is still time for the government to make a u-turn and rescind this abhorrent policy.
“Until then, we will continue to campaign for the refugees and asylum seekers to be treated with the dignity they deserve.”
The British Youth Council believes that we must work together quickly and in solidarity to find an overall solution that includes shared responsibilities within the whole of Europe. Campaigners in the youth voice movement have stated they will continue to campaign for a coordinated human rights response to asylum seekers and call on the responsible institutions and governments for a common policy on asylum, including long-term plans for legal routes for asylum seekers and refugees.
The charity, which has been campaigning for more than 7 decades, also calls for improvements in bilateral agreements and partnerships between countries located in Europe, regarding the reception of refugees, with immediate attention to the relationship between the UK and mainland Europe.
