{"id":1168,"date":"2023-03-08T13:53:50","date_gmt":"2023-03-08T13:53:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jpit.uk\/?p=19844"},"modified":"2023-03-08T13:53:50","modified_gmt":"2023-03-08T13:53:50","slug":"response-to-the-illegal-migration-bill-march-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/standrewsurcrustington.org.uk\/?p=1168","title":{"rendered":"Response to the \u2018Illegal Migration Bill\u2019 \u2013 March 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

Church Leaders from JPIT\u2019s denominations have signed a joint statement expressing opposition to the government\u2019s new \u2018Illegal Migration Bill\u2019<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

We are appalled by the proposals in the government\u2019s \u2018Illegal Migration Bill\u2019 to detain, punish and reject thousands of people seeking safety. They are completely incompatible with our Christian conviction that all human beings are made in the image of God, and are therefore inherently worthy of treatment which honours their dignity. Instead of dignity, these plans will foster discrimination and distrust, and cause immeasurable harm to people already made vulnerable by conflict and persecution. If ever there was a contemporary example of ignoring our neighbour and walking by on the other side, this is it.<\/p>\n

When two in three people who cross the channel to seek sanctuary in the UK are granted asylum following rigorous checks, it seems unthinkable to reject them before they have even had a chance to have their claim for asylum heard. Many people fleeing war and persecution in countries such as Iraq, Iran, Syria, Eritrea and Sudan have been left with no safe and accessible routes to claim asylum in the UK, forcing people to make difficult and dangerous decisions. The UK falls far behind our global neighbours in welcoming people seeking sanctuary into our communities, and yet these plans essentially put a ban on claiming asylum and reject the UK\u2019s responsibility to play our part in responding to global inequalities and conflict.<\/p>\n

We all agree that we cannot continue to see thousands of people risk their lives to reach safety in the UK, but the solution cannot be deterrence and punishment. As Christians, we believe that we should be amongst the first to welcome the stranger with open arms. We urge the government to withdraw this legislation, to honour our moral and international obligations and to behave with compassion and fairness by establishing safe and accessible routes to enable the UK to play its part in welcoming people in need of safety.<\/p>\n

Signed by<\/strong><\/p>\n

Revd Fiona Bennett, URC General Assembly Moderator<\/p>\n

Revd Lynn Green, General Secretary of the Baptist Union<\/p>\n

Revd Graham Thompson, President of the Methodist Conference<\/p>\n

Anthony Boateng, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference<\/p>\n

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Write to your MP<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Write to your MP to share your views on the proposals. Here\u2019s some guidance on where to start: <\/p>\n

Find out who your MP is<\/strong> \u2013 Click here to search for your MP and find out their contact details<\/a><\/p>\n

Remember to include your address <\/strong>\u2013 Remember to include your address in the letter or email, so that your MP knows that you are a constituent in their area and can respond. <\/p>\n

Make it personal \u2013<\/strong> Letters are always more powerful when they share something of your own personal experience or beliefs. Share why you are in opposition to the proposals, and tell the MP about any positive experiences you\u2019ve had welcoming refugees and asylum seekers in your community. <\/p>\n

Include some facts \u2013 <\/strong>It might be helpful to include some facts or statistics in your letter, to strengthen your message. Here are some you might want to use: <\/p>\n