The last week has seen a sharp escalation in the dehumanisation targeted at people seeking asylum, Disabled people, and those who experience both forms of oppression. We come together in solidarity to condemn the government’s assault on people already marginalised.
The Rwanda bill has passed and will soon become law. This will enable the government to forcibly remove people seeking sanctuary in the UK, despite the Supreme Court ruling that this is unlawful.
This is the latest of many increasingly hostile immigration policies. The government likes to make us blame each other rather than to unite in solidarity and resistance against their policies. There was no reference to provision for people in the asylum system in the government’s submission to the United Nations Convention of the Rights of Disabled People (UNCRPD). But after receiving submissions from disabled people in the asylum system, the UN committee condemned the government’s denial of essential services for people seeking asylum or in refugee-like situations.
Each day, more and more of us are struggling to access our most basic human needs including food, housing, healthcare, and safety. During this cost of living crisis, many of us are having to choose between heating and eating.
These difficulties are not because people in small boats seek sanctuary in the UK or people use the welfare state. The position we are in is a direct consequence of government policies that fail to uphold our rights.
The rights of Disabled people and migrants are not separate issues. All too often the government tests out policies on one sector before being brought to the other. Only this week, it was proposed that disabled people get vouchers, instead of money. This policy was tested on people in the asylum system more than 20 years ago.
We can only mount effective resistance to these policies if we come together. We stand with all oppressed people and seek to build the solidarity necessary to build justice for all.
We will not be divided. Disability justice = migrant justice
We will build solidarity not borders
For further information
how to support people facing the threat of detention and removal to Rwanda, please see this from Action Against Detention and Deportations
https://cryptpad.fr/pad/#/2/pad/view/TpKJpOjfdUcsZ3uYO+eGBF8X9LKUENzq2Uns8nxIjI8/
DPAC is part of the Disability and Migration Network (DAMN) https://disability-migration.org.uk/network
If you would like to join other disabled people protesting in solidarity with people facing detention and potential removal to Rwanda please contact info@disability-migration.org.uk and we can try to put you in touch with others in your area.
