March 2025
Asylum Seekers - victims in a game of political football
Our Trustees have shared their concerns at current news articles, film footage and political slogans issued by the current government ‘boasting’ of its ‘achievements’ in removing more refused asylum seekers than the Tories.
Norwich South MP Clive Lewis claims that the recent showing of deportation film footage ‘enables the mainstreaming of racism’ and Enver Solomon, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council wrote in an article for the Guardian newspaper:
“Melodramatic footage and maligning narratives that risk punching down on the men, women and children in the boats who are victims of traffickers and smugglers will not give the public confidence that the [asylum] system is working.”
It seems that mainstreaming negativity towards migrants justifies support for Reform UK.
We believe that it is shameful to use human suffering for political gain. We need Politicians who will speak up for vulnerable people who are fleeing war and persecution. Not political opportunists who demonise migrants and use them as scapegoats for the failures of domestic policy.
Call for action UK Government to end the Rwandan Support for the M23 rebel group
Members of Congolese communities in the UK are urging MPs to ask for immediate action from the UK government to demand an end to Rwandan support for the M23 rebel group which has invaded Eastern DRC, taking the city of Goma, and for the thousands of Rwandan troops on DRC soil, according to the UN, to be withdrawn.
They explain that Rwanda is a Commonwealth country. It has enabled the invasion of the Democratic Republic of Congo. They ask MPs to urge the government to take actions such as stopping foreign aid to Rwanda and imposing sanctions.
Recent news reports emerging from DRC detail incidents of sexual violence against women and children. UNICEF's executive director Catherine Russell said in a statement:
“In the North and South Kivu provinces, we are receiving horrific reports of grave violations against children by parties to the conflict, including rape and other forms of sexual violence at levels surpassing anything we have seen in recent years”
Catherine Ramos, an Interpreter and Trustee of Refugee Charity Justice First, began documenting the experiences of refused asylum seekers on their forced return to DRC back in 2007 and through her own determination and persistence on behalf of people who had no voice, she has gained the respect of legal practitioners.
Members of the Congolese diaspora are deeply concerned by the failure of the UK government to act appropriately in relation to Rwanda. Campaigners would like this to be brought to the attention of as many elected representatives as possible, so please contact your own MP and share the information with as many people as possible.
Heartfelt thanks from Palestine
Elayan Abu Arra is a Fairtrade almond farmer from Aqqaba village in Palestine. He has been a farmer for 30 years growing olives and almonds on his 12 hectares of land.
Growing almonds is crucial to Elayan’s livelihood. Selling his almonds at Fairtrade prices meant he was able to educate his children and help them build their own homes. His farm is organic, free of chemicals, and relies on rainfall rather than irrigation systems, making his almonds a more sustainable choice.
"For me almonds give me a sense of security. When the trees carry a lot of fruit, I feel confident about the future.
I thank all British people who love and buy our premium quality Fairtrade products - and I am grateful to all those who enable their export to the UK and Ireland”
More than ever Palestinian Farmers need the support of fairer trade to thrive and rebuild!