No one ever should be forced to risk their life to reach sanctuary.
But yesterday at least four people lost their life in the Channel trying to reach British shores.
This appalling loss of life was predictable and preventable. Simply put, right now there are no safe ways to reach the UK. Without safe routes, people are left with no choice but to risk everything – therefore what happened in the Channel is a tragedy of this government’s own making.
How many people have to lose their lives before this government starts treating refugees like human beings?
Now is the time for a compassionate and realistic approach.
- No more demonisation of people seeking safety
- No more criminalisation of those who save lives at sea
- No more sensationalist and unworkable policies like the Rwanda scheme.
It’s time for the government to step up. Division and hostility will be our downfall, we need an asylum system built on compassion, dignity and recognition of our shared humanity.
We say enough is enough. We need safe routes now.
We are encouraging people to reach out to your MP to express your grief, anger and determination to see change.
Here are some simple actions you can take now:
1. Tweet Suella Braverman
2. Tweet your MP
Hello @XXXX – you’re my MP. No one should ever lose their life trying to reach sanctuary. But without safe routes, people are left with no choice. Make sure there are no more deaths in the Channel – please call for #SafeRoutesNow
2. Email your MP
-Template email:
Dear XXXX,
I am writing to ask you to call for more safe routes for people to reach sanctuary, family and the chance to rebuild in the UK.
I was heartbroken to read about the people who lost their lives in the Channel on 14th December 2022.
This appalling loss of life was predictable and preventable. Simply put, right now there are almost no safe ways to reach the UK. If I were a woman fleeing gender-based violence in Iran or a young person from an East African country escaping a war zone, there would be no safe way for me to reach the UK. In fact, this month it was revealed that only four people have been brought to safety in 11 months through the Afghan Resettlement Scheme.
Without safe routes, people are left with no choice but to risk everything – therefore what happened in the Channel is a tragedy of this government’s own making.
Enough is enough. The hostility that this government is pushing isn’t working. Now is the time for more safe routes to safety so people can claim asylum and reach family without having to risk everything.
I urge you to call for more safe routes to reach the UK. Lives truly depend on it.
Yours sincerely,
YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS (this is important to include as MPs will only respond to people within their constituencies)
Wherever you live or work there are ways to get involved with City of Sanctuary. Find your local group by
clicking here.