Political leaders ought to “take a clear stand” and condemn violence in opposition to asylum seekers, charities have mentioned – as they warned scenes like these exterior a Merseyside lodge could possibly be replicated throughout the nation.
Fifteen individuals have been arrested after “violent scenes” exterior the lodge the place asylum seekers have been staying in Knowsley on Friday.
An illustration descended into chaos as a police van was set on hearth and missiles, together with fireworks, have been thrown at officers.
Several charitable organisations have now signed an open letter criticising “inflammatory language” and insurance policies that “demonise” individuals in search of refuge.
The letter, co-ordinated by coalition marketing campaign Together With Refugees, additionally warns of a “high risk of more premeditated extremist attacks around the country” following the violence exterior the Suites Hotel.
The letter has greater than 100 signatories, together with Liverpool City of Sanctuary, Care4Calais, Share Knowsley and the Refugee Council.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has confronted repeated criticism for her rhetoric describing migrants crossing the English Channel.
Ms Braverman was criticised in November after she advised MPs that the south coast was dealing with an “invasion” of migrants.
The charities write within the letter that individuals within the asylum system “have already suffered terribly”, fleeing struggle and persecution in locations together with Afghanistan, Sudan, Syria and Iran.
They describe Britain’s asylum system as “broken”, and say individuals in search of refuge are compelled right into a interval of “limbo” as they look forward to a choice on their declare to remain within the UK. Asylum seekers are put up in resorts, which the charities name a “completely inappropriate form of accommodation”.
The signatories of the letter name on political leaders to “create a system that is fair and compassionate and brings cohesion instead of division”.
“Having already experienced great hardship, these men, women and children who come here for protection are now faced with violence, fuelled by inflammatory language of ‘invasion’ and policies that demonise them,” the charities say.
“The responsibility to create a system that is fair and compassionate, and brings cohesion instead of division, lies with our decision makers.
“With the excessive danger of extra premeditated extremist assaults across the nation, leaders of all events should now take a transparent stand and condemn any additional violence in opposition to those that come right here to seek out security, and set out the motion they’ll take to stop it.”
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The charities add that those responsible for inciting anger and violence like that seen in Knowsley last Friday “convey disgrace on this nation” and are in the minority.
“This doesn’t mirror the individuals of Britain. This is just not who we’re,” they are saying.
Ewan Roberts, centre supervisor of Asylum Link Merseyside, mentioned the world has a “proud history of welcoming refugees and the horrifying incident on Friday night does not represent the people of Knowsley”.
“The people staying in temporary accommodation came to us seeking our help, and instead had the experience of being under siege by a violent mob,” he mentioned.
“We urge politicians to stop using rhetoric that fuels such hatred, condemn this violence and start doing the real work of clearing the backlog instead.”
Former refugee Sabir Zazai, who’s now chairman of Together With Refugees – a coalition of greater than 500 nationwide and native organisations – mentioned the problem is just not about celebration politics however slightly “basic human decency”.
“The very least all political leaders could do is to condemn the attack on people seeking sanctuary in our communities,” Mr Zazai mentioned.
“Leaders of all political parties must call for the ending of these hostile policies and hateful language that only fuels division and anger.”
A person appeared in courtroom on Monday charged with violent dysfunction and assault by beating of an emergency companies employee following the violence exterior the Suites Hotel.
Jared Skeete, 19, of Aigburth, Liverpool, was remanded in custody to look earlier than Liverpool Crown Court on 13 March.
The remaining 12 males and two ladies who have been arrested have been launched on conditional bail.
Source: information.sky.com”