We all deserve to be treated with humanity and compassion.

But the Government has announced a plan to ship asylum seekers to Rwanda. This headline-grabbing cruelty will cause untold harm to people who should be supported to rebuild their lives here.

The plan to start deporting people on 14 June met fierce opposition from refugees, campaigners, MPs, councillors, religious leaders and public figures. The Government will be in Court in July setting out why it believes this barbaric and racist plan is lawful. It remains to be seen whether the Home Office attempts another flight before then, as it originally planned, until our incredible collective actions stopped the flight on 14 June. 

Children and young people with family members in the UK  are among those who face being sent to a country with a poor record on human rights - as the UK itself pointed out as recently as last January.

'Offshoring' asylum seekers is a tried-and-failed model

The deal will fuel the smuggling trade, as people make new journeys to safety. A similar deal made by Israel with Rwanda in 2013 led to refugees being detained, beaten up in prison, and ultimately paying smugglers to escape Rwanda and make a new journey to safety. 

We know from Australia that offshore detention causes untold harm, with UN investigators describing detainees held on Papua New Guinea and Nauru as among the most traumatised people they had ever encountered. The policy cost 6 billion Euros, delivered unimaginable suffering, and did not even meet its stated aim of 'deterring' people from seeking refuge in Australia.

The Government is out of step with public opinion

We have seen from the outpouring of support towards Ukrainians and Afghans that the British public welcome refugees. And human rights groups, the Archbishop of Canterbury, hundreds of local councillors and many others have slammed the cruel and inhumane deportation deal, urging government to treat people seeking refuge here with compassion and dignity instead.

It's time to build a decent, accessible asylum system that works fast to help people build new lives here in safety.

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Say no to Government plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda

1. Write to your MP

You can use this tool from Bail for Immigration Detainees or this template from Asylum Welcome. 

There is also a petition from All Out and Rainbow Migration - add your name now.

2. Call on airlines to say no to the scheme

Help make sure not even one plane takes off for Rwanda - we have a tool so you can call on airlines to steer clear of the scheme. And you can call them, using this tool from Freedom From Torture.

3. Share the stories of people facing deportation

Over 100 people have been told they face being sent to Rwanda. Many have spoken out. Read and share their stories with your friends, family and networks.

4. Join a demo or protest

BRISTOL: Demonstration at the Cascade Steps in Bristol on Saturday 11 June - details on Facebook.

BROOK HOUSE, GATWICK: There will be a solidarity demonstration outside Brook House detention centre, where many of those facing removal are currently being held, on Sunday 12 June, 3pm. More detail on twitter - please spread the word.

LONDON: And a demonstration is planned outside the Home Office on Marsham Street, London, on Monday 13 June, at 5.30pm. More detail on twitter - please spread the word.

NEWCASTLE: A protest at Grey's Monument in Newcastle is being organised for Monday 13 June, 4pm - details on Facebook.

MANCHESTER: A community day of action against the Hostile Environment, Saturday 18 June, 12 - 5pm - details on Twitter.

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