THE UK Government have been accused of “dishonouring God” with their immigration policies by the Church of Scotland.
Speaking ahead of Refugee Week (20-26 June), Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields, the moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said the new Nationality and Borders Act makes life very difficult for people seeking safety from conflict.
He described the UK Government’s policies, including forcing asylum seekers on a plane to Rwanda, as an “unspeakable disgrace and a stain on our nation.”
Greenshields added: “As people flee oppression, violence, conflict and war, many unfortunately do not find the welcome or safe place they need.
“In the UK, the new Nationality and Borders Act 2022 threatens the very principle of refugee protection and offers protection on the grounds of how people arrive in the UK, rather than the war, terror and persecution a person may be fleeing from.
“The trajectory to create a web of hostile policies to make life as difficult as possible for those seeking protection continues.”
“This is an unspeakable disgrace and stain on our nation.”
There is currently uncertainty over the legality of the UK Government’s policy to send asylum seekers to Rwanda on a one-way ticket.
Last-minute legal action prevented the flight from taking off after the European Court of Human Rights intervened.
Greenshields added: "Our UK Government is putting up barriers to prevent people finding the peace and safety they need and robs them of the opportunity to contribute their skills and experience to the communities they live in and to rebuild their lives.
“Next week is Refugee Week and I wanted to offer a prayer for refugees around the world, but find myself, in the name of the One who Himself was a refugee, calling on the UK Government for a change of heart and direction.
“They may feel their policy to be just and right but they dishonour God by their inaction, lack of compassion and disgraceful attempted solution to this critical solution.”
