This govt has just voted in favour of the #AntiRefugeeBill during its final reading in the House of Commons.
If this bill passes into law, it will punish many people fleeing from war and persecution for trying to seek safety here.
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It could mean that people fleeing war & torture, are sent to off-shore prison-like camps, stripped of their rights to seek safety & may mean they can never see their families again.
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We may feel at odds during moments like these, but right now it's more important than ever to take action.
Most of us want an asylum system that reflects the humanity & decency we believe in. So before it passes, we need to tell this govt we don't support this cruel bill.
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If you could do anything today, please take 1 minute to email your MP, to let them know you stand against this anti-refugee bill, and #TogetherWithRefugees.
If you have already emailed, then forward the link to your friends and family too.
Priti Patel’s anti-refugee bill goes to report stage today. Here's why it breaches international law according to legal experts 👇
A THREAD 🧵
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Priti Patel’s anti-refugee bill is the biggest overhaul that our asylum system has seen in decades
Her plans are not only cruel and inhumane but would also violate the UK’s legal commitment to the Refugee Convention, and European Convention on Human Rights.
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1⃣ If someone has travelled through a safe 3rd country, the UK govt will try to not consider their claim.
This violates 1 of the key pillars of the Refugee Convention, which states that you can't penalise a refugee because they have travelled irregularly to seek protection.
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Eduardo fled his home country after being kidnapped. Three months after he arrived in the UK seeking asylum, he was taken to Penally barracks in Wales.
THREAD
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“They came in the middle of the night and took us,” Eduardo says.
He was given no time to gather his possessions.
“I was so upset, scared, I had no idea what was happening.”
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“Everyone was so scared because Penally looks like a jail. I have never been inside a prison but it felt like one.”
“The heaters weren't working, most of the showers weren’t working and there was no soap or toilet paper most of the time.”
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"No one would risk death crossing the Channel if they weren't running from a terrible situation."⠀
Aydin risked everything to get to the safety of the UK. But under Priti Patel's "New Plan", many of his rights would be stripped away because he crossed the Channel by boat.
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Aydin is still waiting to hear if his asylum claim was successful. But even if he is successful, under Priti Patel's new plans, he could be at risk of immediate deportation at any moment. No one should have to live like this - let alone a survivor of torture.
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Aydin has already been through so much. In his country of origin, he fought against the eradication of the language and culture of his ethnic group in the Middle East. The price he paid was torture. He fled alone, leaving his life and family behind him.⠀