As the daughter of child refugees who fled Nazi Germany, I agree wholeheartedly that the first principle of a civilised country’s asylum policy is that vulnerable people have the right to be heard (Editorial, 12 December).
Perfomative cruelty such as that demonstrated by the government’s Rwanda policy is completely dehumanising. I am pleased that the Guardian chose refugee charities for its Christmas appeal and support the Fair Begins Here campaign by Together with Refugees. This calls for protection for people fleeing war and persecution by upholding the UK’s commitment under international law, a proper strategy for welcoming refugees, and stronger global cooperation including through safe routes to refugee protection. The asylum seekers I have met of course want to be safe, have their claims heard and to contribute to society, as my parents did when they were welcomed here in the 1930s.
Helen Singer
St Albans
