The archbishops of Canterbury and York have renewed calls for the Government to back changes to its Illegal Migration Bill to make sure “just” and “compassionate” asylum policy.
In a letter to The Times newspaper, faith leaders warn the draft laws to stop small boat crossings to the UK “falls in need of our obligation to probably the most vulnerable”.
The intervention comes ahead of the report stage debate on the Bill afterward Wednesday within the House of Lords, where it has already been dealt an extra blow by peers inflicting 11 defeats.
The Most Rev Justin Welby, who has tabled two amendments to the draft laws which seek to force ministers to implement long-term plans for combating the refugee crisis and human trafficking, will probably be amongst speakers within the upper chamber.
The UK should take a lead in setting out a just, compassionate approach, ensuring that individuals looking for sanctuary are protected, claims decided quickly and justly, human traffickers are punished, and the foundation causes of mass migration are properly addressed
Letter from faith leaders
He has proposed the event of “10-year strategies” for each issues and for the Government to interact in collaboration with signatories to the Refugee Convention or every other international agreement on the rights of refugees.
Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Rabbi Josh Levy, Senior Imam Qari Asim, Chief Imam Dr Sayed Razawi, Hindu Forum of Britain president Trupti Patel, Network of Sikh Organisations director Lord Singh, Bishop of Durham Paul Butler and Territorial Commander of the Salvation Army Commissioner Anthony Cotterill have also signed the letter.
It says: “As faith leaders, we represent people and communities whose belief, worship and motion point us towards the type of society we wish to construct for the common good.
“The Illegal Migration Bill falls in need of our obligation towards probably the most vulnerable. It fails to satisfy the essential test of an evidence-based and workable policy. We need an alternate approach that reflects our country’s history, values and responsibility.
“With greater than 100 million people displaced world wide, this crisis is not going to be solved without significant collective endeavour.
“To improve the Bill, we support an amendment requiring the federal government to supply a ten-year strategy, collaborating internationally to stop the boats here and globally, and tackle refugee crises and human trafficking.
“The UK should take a lead in setting out a just, compassionate approach, ensuring that individuals looking for sanctuary are protected, claims decided quickly and justly, human traffickers are punished, and the foundation causes of mass migration are properly addressed.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury has been an outspoken critic of the Illegal Migration Bill during its bruising passage through Parliament, having previously described it as “morally unacceptable” and “politically impractical”.
The Bill goals to make sure those that arrive within the UK without Government permission will probably be detained and promptly removed, either to their home country or a 3rd country.
The plan to send migrants to Rwanda was dealt one other blow recently after the Court of Appeal found it was illegal, although the Government intends to challenge this ruling.
Ministers say motion is required to stop people making the damaging sea crossing but critics argue the draft laws is unworkable.
The Lords has voted against parts of the Bill that will weaken detention limits for youngsters and pregnant women in a series of amendments.
They could be overturned when the Bill goes back to the House of Commons, where – unlike within the Lords – the Government has a majority.
