Almost 40 senior faith leaders from across the UK’s Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities have united to sign an open letter urging the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to rethink the Government’s asylum policy agenda.
Together, the leaders warn that the UK’s current approach risks damaging social cohesion.
Signatories include Revd Lynn Green, General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain; Revd Mark Slaney, President of the Methodist Conference; Caroline Stead, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference; and Revd Neil Thorogood, Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly.
At a time of rising antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other hate crimes, the letter is an important show of interfaith solidarity.
The faith leaders stress their deep concern “that our society’s unity and cohesion are increasingly under threat”, sharing their “hurt for this division and for those affected by recent unrest and violence in Southampton, Belfast, and Edinburgh.”
They continue by warning that “the Government must play its part… We cannot afford for our leadership to enable a narrative that tells society refugees are the problem.”
Instead, they remind the new Prime Minister that “those fleeing persecution are no different to us”.
The intervention comes as the new Government prepares to advance policy changes outlined in the Restoring Control over the Immigration System white paper and the new Immigration and Asylum Bill.
The Bill had its second reading in Parliament last week, despite almost 80 Labour MPs having signed a private letter to Andy Burnham MP pushing him to shift course.
While acknowledging the need for a “managed and equitable asylum system”, the signatories state that “we do not believe that subjecting refugees and people seeking asylum to endless cycles of uncertainty, unnavigable support systems, and painfully long routes to settlement achieves this.”
Criticising the refugee settlement reforms, the leaders also assert that these “threaten to harm integration and risk deepening a sense of us and them.”
They conclude with a series of policy asks, calling on the new Prime Minister to fully reinstate refugee family reunion rights, reverse the 30-month protection model, and return to a five-year route to settlement for refugees.
The letter was led by a steering group of leaders from different faiths and denominations, and co-ordinated by UK Jewish refugee charity HIAS+JCORE.
Rabbi David Mason, Executive Director at HIAS+JCORE, said: “This is a moment to choose what kind of country we are.
Andy Burnham’s appointment as Prime Minister must lead to a reset in the UK’s refuge and asylum policy. We hope that new leadership brings a far greater focus on our shared values of solidarity, compassion, and partnership.
A change in direction is critical for social cohesion too. Far too many of our communities are facing rising hate and insecurity. We desperately need a new focus which brings people together and strengthens cohesion – we simply can’t afford not to.”
Imam Dr Sayed Razawi OBE, Chief Imam, GAU (Scotland), said: “Both a fair and well-managed immigration system and compassion for those fleeing persecution, are not competing values. As people of faith, we believe that protecting the vulnerable and maintaining the common good go hand in hand. The United Kingdom is at its best when its immigration system is orderly, just and rooted in the dignity of every human person.”
Esther Moodie, co-ordinator of the Scottish Faiths Action For Refugees, said: “Across Scotland, our faith communities regularly welcome people who have fled war, persecution and violence. We see first-hand the gifts New Scots bring to our communities, and the importance of offering hope and belonging to those finding new homes here.
Our asylum and refugee systems should enable people seeking safety to rebuild their lives without prolonged uncertainty. We call on the new Prime Minister to pursue reforms that support integration, allow families to be reunited, and create pathways to settlement that are fair, just and dignified.”