Principle 12: We defend the fundamental human dignity of all migrants and refugees, regardless of their legal status, including through policies providing access to decent accommodation, healthcare, and childhood education, as well as facilitating family reunification.
There are a number of campaigns you can get involved with, from signing petitions and showing solidarity across social media, to collective action within communities.
We have compiled a list of campaigns, and will endeavour to review and update the list with new campaigns and petitions periodically.
For further information on any of the campaigns, kindly see the individual organisation websites, where you will also find downloadable resource kits.
Current Campaigns:
The right to work: #Lifttheban
A coalition of charities, trade unions, businesses, faith groups and think tanks have been campaigning since 2018 to overturn the Government’s ban on people seeking asylum being able to work. In 2020, they presented a petition to the Home Office, with over 180,000 signatures. In 2022, it was found that 81% of the public support the right to work for people seeking asylum in the UK.
Further information on how to get involved, including a resource pack, can be found on the Refugee Action website: https://www.refugee-action.org.uk/lift-the-ban/
The right to family reunification: #FamiliesTogether
The Families Together Coalition is made up of over 50 organisations who are advocating for a change to the UK’s family reunification laws which are keeping family members apart and in particular depriving child refugees of the ability to sponsor their immediate family members to join them.
Further information on the work of the coalition and access to a campaign pack can be found on their website: https://familiestogether.uk/
The right to human dignity: #Togetherwithrefugees
Together with Refugees, a coalition of organisations calling for a fair and compassionate approach to supporting refugees. They have been campaigning against the Rwanda plan and lats year had a campaign ‘Fill the Sies With Hope’, for which there was a day of action on which groups across the country made and sent orange heart shaped paper planes with messages, to the Prime Minister.
They are now calling on people to share an orange heart across social media and use the hashtags #WhoWeAre and #TogetherWithRefugees to show support and raise awareness of their work.
Graphics and messages for sharing can be found on their website: https://togetherwithrefugees.org.uk/get-involved/show-support/?_gl=1*cw5c2i*_ga*NDYxMTQ3OTI0LjE2NzU2OTg4ODI.*_up*MQ..
Refugee Council: Protect Children Seeking Asylum
Refugee Council are currently running a letter writing campaign, asking MPs to speak up for unaccompanied and vulnerable children seeking asylum, and put pressure on the Government to launch an urgent response.
To read their template and add a personalised message, see their website: https://act.refugeecouncil.org.uk/campaign/action-ask-your-mp-speak-unaccompanied-and-vulnerable-children-seeking-asylum-0?utm_campaign=2223OMQ4&utm_source=rctwitter&utm_medium=social
Safe Passage: No Afghan Left Behind
Safe Passage advocates for safe routes, working with child refugees to reunite them with their families. They are currently petitioning the Government to address the failing Afghan resettlement scheme which has left families separated and loved ones unable to safely reach the UK. You can learn more about their work and add your name to their petition at: https://www.safepassage.org.uk/no-afghan-left-behind
Praxis: Stop the Waiting
Praxis is a leading charity providing expert support to migrants and refugees. At this time when the Government is reviewing its immigration policies, Praxis is calling on the Government to change the rules to reduce waiting times and provide a sense of security for those forced to spend thousands of pounds on renewing visas and navigating a complicated visa application process.
You can add your name to the petition at: https://act.praxis.org.uk/stop-waiting
JCWI: Work it Out
21 trade unions have come together to call for urgent action to end the exploitation of migrant workers. They have signed a Migrant Workers’ Pledge to stand in solidarity with all migrant workers and resist the government’s hostility, urging employers NOT to assist the Home Office with immigration raids.
If you belong to a union, see if they have signed the pledge, and if not, encourage them to do so: https://www.jcwi.org.uk/unions-speak-out-for-migrant-workers-rights
JCWI: Resisting the Hostile Environment
JCWI have published a toolkit of information and resources to raise awareness about the hostile environment and how it impacts people. The toolkit also includes actions for individuals and communities to take to fight against the hostile environment. The toolkit is available to download on their website: https://www.jcwi.org.uk/pages/category/work-it-out-toolkit
Freedom From Torture: No To Rwanda, No To Anywhere: Stop The Flights
Freedom From Torture supports and advocates for people who have survived torture. Following the Supreme Court Rwanda decision, which declared Rwanda unsafe for refugees, the Government announced they plan to go ahead regradless and will launch emergency legislation to allow them to do so. In response, Freedom From Torture have launched a campaign to stop the flights – sign your name today: https://secure.freedomfromtorture.org/page/139339/petition/1?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=23dc070&utm_content=
Anti-slavery International: Business and Human Rights – help stop the abuse
Anti-slavery International have worked for over 180 years to change the systems that enable slavery, today challenging modern slavery in all forms including human trafficking, child slavery and forced labour.
If you believe that products in the UK shouldn’t be made with forced labour, join them in their urgent call for change: https://www.antislavery.org/take-action/campaigns/business-human-rights-and-environment/
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Image: Prayer vigil for refugees outside Westminster Cathedral
Credit: Mazur / CBCEW, Catholic Church England & Wales, Flickr