Campaigners are holding a protest in the centre of Bristol this Saturday (July 16) calling for the Government to halt any further plans to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. The organisers, Bristol Defend Asylum Seekers Campaign (BDASC) are calling for people to gather at The Centre by the Colston Plinth, St Augustine’s Parade from noon on Saturday.
A high court hearing over the legality of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda is due to begin this Tuesday (July 19). This comes as interim measures were put in place by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) over an asylum seeker facing last month
A deportation flight from the UK to Rwanda was due to take off on June 14 but was stopped after a late intervention from the ECtHR led to fresh challenges in the UK courts. Home Secretary Priti Patel expressed her disappointment at the time but added: "Preparation for the next flight begins now."
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The protest is the latest in a series held by BDASC who had previously been protesting against the Nationality and Borders Act that has now become law. The new law gives the Government power to implement a series of controversial measures, including the processing of asylum seekers in Rwanda.
The charity, Freedom from Torture have raised legal funds to challenge the Government in court over what they say will be a long legal battle. Following the cancellation of the flight last month, the charity put an update on their crowdfunder campaign: “While it’s great that no one was flown to Rwanda on Tuesday, the government is already planning the next flight.
"That means we’re only at the start of what is going to be a long legal battle. So we’re so grateful to you and the thousands others who’ve supported our legal action fund”
The Bristol campaigners say that for most asylum seekers, there is no safe and legal way to seek asylum in the UK. Under the new legislation, people will be deported on the basis of how they arrived in the UK rather than on the basis of their refugee application.
BDASC Coordinator, Jo Benefield said : “We’re saying it’s not in our name. It’s outrageous, inhumane, people come here looking for safety from Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Eritrea. They come here looking for protection and under the new legislation they will be detained and some will be deported to Rwanda.
“There is no safe and legal way to claim asylum in the UK, that’s an absolute myth. For those people who didn’t escape Kabul Airport and come here under the resettlement scheme, there is no other way for them to get here to claim asylum.”
The protest has been relocated to the Colston Plinth due to the Harbour Festival. It will take place on Saturday, July 16 from 12-1pm
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