THE Scottish Refugee Council (SRC) has joined 180 organisations demanding political party leaders "take a clear stand" against racism and hatred directed at asylum seekers following the Knowsley riot.
Fifteen people, including a 13-year-old boy, were arrested after violence erupted during a far-right demonstration outside the Suites Hotel in Knowsley, Merseyside, which houses asylum seekers, on Friday 10 February.
Merseyside Police said the violence, which has been condemned by politicians, left an officer and two members of the public with slight injuries.
Lit fireworks were thrown at officers and a police van was attacked by protesters using hammers and then set alight, the force added.
And now, the SRC has joined a co-ordinated effort, organised by Together With Refugees, to criticise the "inflammatory language" and policies that "demonise" people seeking refuge, and warned of a "high risk of more premeditated extremist attacks around the country" following the violent riot.
On Tuesday the charities said people in the asylum system “have already suffered terribly”, fleeing war and persecution in places like Afghanistan, Sudan, Syria and Iran.
Describing Britain’s asylum system as “broken”, the organisations said people are forced into a period of “limbo” as they wait for a decision on their claim to stay in the UK, and end up in hotels which they called “a completely inappropriate form of accommodation”.
The letter reads: "Having already experienced great hardship, these men, women and children who come here for protection are now faced with violence, fuelled by inflammatory language of ‘invasion’ and policies that demonise them.
"The responsibility to create a system that is fair and compassionate, and brings cohesion instead of division, lies with our decision makers.
"With the high risk of more premeditated extremist attacks around the country, leaders of all parties must now take a clear stand and condemn any further violence against those who come here to find safety, and set out the action they will take to prevent it.
"Those who incite this anger and violence bring shame on this country, on the vast majority who are proud of our history of helping those in danger around the world.
"This does not reflect the people of Britain. This is not who we are."
Sabir Zazai, chief executive of SRC, called for an emphasis on "basic human dignity" rather than party politics.
He said: "These are vulnerable people who have already suffered and struggled to find safety.
"They need our compassion not hatred. This isn’t about party politics, it’s about basic human decency.
"The very least all political leaders could do is to condemn the attack on people seeking sanctuary in our communities.
"Leaders of all political parties must call for the ending of these hostile policies and hateful language that only fuels division and anger. This does not represent the people of Britain. This is not who we are.
“We all have shared duty to nurture our cohesion and strengthen what bind us together as communities in these challenging times.”
Liverpool City of Sanctuary, Care4Calais, Share Knowsley and the Refugee Council were amongst the signatories of the letter.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The Home Secretary has publicly condemned the appalling scenes outside the hotel and violence toward police officers on Friday night in Merseyside.
“The welfare of asylum seekers in our care is of the utmost importance and we will work with the police to ensure their safety.”
Fifteen people were arrested during a demonstration outside the hotel in Knowsley on Friday, including a man who appeared in court on Monday charged with violent disorder and assault by beating an emergency services worker.
Jared Skeete, 19, of Irwell Close, Aigburth, Liverpool, was remanded in custody to appear before Liverpool Crown Court on March 13.
The remaining 14 people who were arrested, 12 men and two women who are mainly from the Knowsley area, were conditionally bailed pending the outcome of police inquiries.
