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xTogether joins organisations to oppose the new Migration Bill
Date: 28th March 2023
Category:
Refugee , migrant and asylum-seeking children
UK Government has introduced a new Migration Bill or, more fittingly known as, the “Refugee Ban Bill. If passed, it will have a deeply negative impact on the human rights of migrants, women, children and young people. Together has joined JustRight Scotland, Scottish Refugee Council and other civil society organisations to oppose the Bill.
The Bill is currently at Committee stage in the House of Commons. Join the movement on social media to advocate for the #RefugeeBanBill to be stopped.
What changes will this Illegal Migration Bill bring about?
The Bill will bring about changes that are incompatible with human rights safeguards, including the Human Rights Act 1998. For example, children who have not arrived via the very limited ‘safe routes’ outlined by UK Government will be blocked from protection as refugees and victims of trafficking. This means children fleeing war and persecution who have endured traumatic journeys to the UK will now be potentially subject to indefinite detention and removal. Children can then be removed to their country of origin, or a country that is listed as a ‘safe’ country which includes Rwanda. Whilst awaiting removal, children and families will either be detained or left reliant on minimal support and accommodation. This can last for many months up to years.
It will also be permissible for children to be detained for periods longer than 24 hours. The new Bill allows for the Home Office to detain both adults and children for a mandatory 28-day period without the possibility of bail. This is in contrary to children’s rights under the UNCRC, demonstrated by widespread evidence showing the long-lasting damage of detention on children’s lives.
The Bill gives the Home Secretary jurisdiction over the care of unaccompanied children. That is despite 222 lone children recently going missing from Home Office "hotels". This is hugely inappropriate as care responsibility should remain with child protection professionals working and accountable to Scots child law.
- You can read more about the Human Rights Act 1998 here.
- Find out more about the #RefugeeBanBill here.
- Read civil society’s joint statement here.
There are other ways you can get involved too. Click the links below to get involved!