Wales: The world’s first Nation of Sanctuary?

On Monday 5th September a crowd of around 200 people assembled at the steps of the Senedd Government building, in protest of the ‘offshoring’ of refugees, to Rwanda who is seeking asylum here in Wales. The UK Government first introduced the Rwanda policy on April 14th 2022, in a bid to reduce the number of migrants to the UK. According to a recent BCC report, the UK received 63,089 asylum applications as of June 2022. This is the recorded highest number of applications to date, 16,000 of those applications along with their dependants have received some form of protection.

Currently, there are, 2,353 asylum seekers here in Wales these figures are reported by the Home Office. According to the Refugee Council, based in Swansea, there are currently 10,000 refugees, both of which make up 0.5% of the Welsh population.

The protest, in the Welsh capital, was led by, the Welsh Refugee Coalition, who believe the offshoring of refugees violates the United Nations, human rights laws, stating the Rwanda policy is, inhumane, unnecessary, and expensive. These were the words of the new Chair of the Welsh Refugees Council, Salah Rasool. During his speech, outside of the Senedd, Mr Rasool, went on to condemn the Welsh Government’s decision to support the policy and urges all Welsh politicians to remember that Wales has a long history of being a country that offers sanctuary. Mr Rasool was physically upset, as he described offshoring, would be detrimental to the most vulnerable and posing a huge risk to the mental well-being of refugees, already distressed from being displaced, he went on to say that offshoring would make those most vulnerable open to exploitation by human traffickers.

Mr Salah Rasool, Chair of The Welsh Refuges Coalition:

"Offshoring would make those most vulnerable open to exploitation by human traffickers".

Wales has been a place of safety and refuge, going back to the 1st World War, were, 4,500 Belgian refugees were welcomed to Wales, and still 100 years later, Wales, still has an important role to play in Europe’s and other countries, continuous refugee crisis.

Mr Rasool shared his own story of being a refugee, first seeking asylum 19 years ago, when he arrived in Wales, in a back of a lorry. He said he owes the Welsh Government huge respect for allowing him swift sanctuary, where he claims, he was able to work and contribute to an already crippling economy. Amongst the protest, were members of Stand up to Racism alongside members of the public, who were out to show their solidarity with all asylum seekers and refugees.

This week, lawyers opposing the policy have referred the issue to the High Court, the UK Government lawyers object to claims that Rwanda, is unsafe and state that, Rwanda, have the capacity and support in place to welcome refugees. The opposition profusely rejects these claims, stating that Rwanda has a history of questionable human rights violations and will continue to fight against the policy. Some success has been made, with a flight bound for Rwanda, being cancelled this June.

This policy will be a stain on the UK, forever and a day

Ruth Brown Director of Asylum Justice

Human rights lawyer and campaigner, Ruth Brown, Director of Asylum Justice, spoke outside of the Home Office on Cardiff’s Newport Road, where the protest proceeded from the Senedd, stated, on this day, Liz Truss, has been announced as Britain’s next Prime minister, and that the MP has already been in search of other countries, that could accommodate refugees. Mrs Brown made a bold statement in saying that should this policy win in the High Court, it will be a stain on the UK, forever and a day. The implications of the policy have already resulted in people withdrawing asylum claims here in Wales, out of fear of being sent to Rwanda. Whatever your point of view on asylum and refugees, we cannot deny that Wales, is a richly diverse nation and the contributions of cultures, communities, and trade, has made Wales what it is today. We can all agree that should we be, overall, an empathetic nation that supports humanity in its time of need. You never know, we may need help someday.

Protesters outside of the Home Office, Cardiff.

Seven Steps To Sanctuary

Wales: The world’s first Nation of Sanctuary? ‘City of Sanctuary’ is a movement of people across the UK and Ireland who seek to create a culture of hospitality and welcome for people seeking sanctuary. As well as two established ‘Cities of Sanctuary’ in Swansea and Cardiff, people across Wales have been responding to the refugee crisis in towns and villages across the country, setting up schemes which offer support and welcome. The generosity and compassion of people in Wales should be recognised and celebrated. The Welsh Refugee Coalition supports the establishment of Wales as the world’s first ‘Nation of Sanctuary’. The Welsh Government can play its part in making this a reality by publicly supporting the movement, and by enacting policies and practices which promote safety and inclusion for all asylum seekers and refugees in Wales.

If you would like to show your support, or raise concerns, you can do so, by contacting, The Welsh Refugee Coalition, by visiting www.wales.cityofsanctuary.org or the www.wrc.wales