The Government is "failing" refugees fleeing Ukraine and other dangerous or oppressive countries, Whitley Bay campaigners claim.
On Monday, a crowd of people dressed in orange, bearing orange flags and paper hearts, gathered outside Spanish City as part of a national display of support for refugees from around the world. The demonstrations came ahead of Tuesday's Commons vote on the controversial Nationality and Borders Bill, which aims to penalise asylum seekers who enter the UK without prior permission.
As millions of people flee invading Russian forces, the Government has called on individuals to open up their homes and 'sponsor' Ukrainian refugees. But critics say attempts to help Ukrainians are undermined by attempts to push through the "cruel" new bill, which has been slammed by the UN refugee agency.
Read more: Newcastle man's harrowing journey across the Ukraine border bringing aid
At the Whitley Bay event, the Ukrainian flag was flown as people placed orange hearts saying 'refugees welcome' as well as 'peace' and 'safety' in flower beds. North Tyneside Mayor Norma Redfearn addressed the crowd and music, including the Ukrainian national anthem, was played.
Hannah Barnes, of the West End Refugee Service (WERS), accused the Government of "leaning on the kindness of the public to prop up its broken asylum system". While she welcomed the homes for Ukraine scheme, she said a better system was needed for all asylum seekers - and that the Government could not expect people fleeing war and persecution to fill out paperwork and wait for permission to seek safety.
She told the crowd: "It has been truly heartening to see the amazing public support across the UK for people fleeing the war in Ukraine. The amount of people offering support to refugees is phenomenal. Today is a testament to that.
"This generosity has not been reflected in our Government’s response to recent events. Currently our Government is failing Ukrainian and all other refugees.
"These past few weeks have served as a stark reminder of what fleeing persecution and seeking sanctuary can look like. Chaotic, traumatic, fast-paced, uncertain and terrifying. Another powerful reminder of the huge importance of upholding a refugee protection system in the UK that is compassionate and humane and is open to all who come and seek sanctuary here; that is not about paperwork and process, visas, but is first and foremost about offering protection.
"We do not have a good system in the UK – it is broken, people wait for years to get a decision and live off £5 a day, unable to work. Many people find themselves destitute as part of this process. WERS works with people from all over the world who experience incredible hardships once they arrive the UK – a place where they should feel safe and supported."
She said the "cruel" bill contravened the UN's refugee convention by penalising refugees for their method of travel, "criminalising" people for seeking safety.
She added: "Finally, this Government is essentially offering different support to different people and this is not okay. Refugee protection is about shared humanity, it is not about nationality. We must offer a more compassionate, equitable, and humane approach that reflects who we are and that we can be proud of. We can all use our voices to make this happen."
Her calls for a kinder system for those awaiting asylum decisions were echoed by a refugee and member of the WERS community campaigns group named Sadia, who said all asylum seekers should be allowed to contribute their skills by working while they await decisions on their status.
She said: "People coming here to be safe are fleeing all forms of oppression and persecution. Each asylum seeker deserves equal respect, a warm welcome from local people and equal opportunities here.
"So much of what is covered in the media does not show the reality of what is happening in the asylum system and for the people in it. Many asylum seekers are educated and they have skills, they are just waiting for the Home Office to change the law and give them [the] rights to work while they are in the asylum process which can take years and years."
The Nationality and Borders Bill is returning to the House of Commons on Tuesday after being rejected by the Lords. The Government has claimed the bill create a "firm but fair" process allowing the UK to "take full control of its borders" in a post-Brexit world.
