Dear Theresa May,
I work for an organisation that supports teachers, engineers, writers, shop owners, university students and parents. These people are also known as asylum seekers and refugees and are the bravest people I know.
Over the last 7 months I have learnt more about humanity than across my 24 years of life and that is because I’ve been lucky to work for this project in Birmingham. I have spoken to men, women and children who have survived war, oppression, rape, sexual violence, family loss and poverty, but they are still determined to rebuild their lives because if they don’t, their oppressors have won.
The constant rhetoric I read and hear, words spoken by you and others in your cabinet that a search and rescue mission will only encourage people to travel and create a ‘pull factor’ is so cruelly ignorant and an insult to these people. I’d like to share some information with you; unlike people who no doubt work within your cabinet, I have been lucky to speak to those individuals you so easily dismiss and we would like to share our thoughts with you.
Refusing to be part of a search and rescue mission will not deter people who are fleeing for their lives. These people are skilled, intelligent, motivated people but more than anything they’re as innocent as you and I. They are risking everything to make these perilous journeys, some of the most dangerous journeys in the world. They do this because they so rightly want the same opportunities you and I have received. I went to school before moving onto college and chose, with the support of my family to go to University. I have a family who have not been hunted, attacked and killed because of their beliefs. Please excuse any ignorance I show but I assume you’re also the same as me; you have a family and have had a more than adequate education. Your beliefs have not prevented this. So when I hear that you believe investing in a rescue mission is not the best decision I feel ashamed to be associated with these beliefs. I feel ashamed to call myself British.
In the last few weeks our media has been dominated by the upcoming elections. Immigration has also dominated the media and now the horrifying loss of life in the Mediterranean Sea is being shown all over the internet. On the 27th October 2014 I was in shock because I learnt that the UK was ending their support for the rescue mission. Human rights organisations feared that more would die and this is so regrettably true.
Lady Anelay, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs said that the government believed there was an “unintended ‘pull factor’ encouraging more migrants to attempt the dangerous sea crossing and thereby leading to more tragic and unnecessary deaths.” Lord Anelay said you would instead focus on taking steps to fight the traffickers and smugglers who “wilfully put lives at risk.” I would like to correct this statement. Four months into 2015 and we have ‘wilfully’ put over 1,500 lives at risk as this is the approximate number of ‘unnecessary deaths’ so far this year. Ending the rescue mission did not discourage people, instead they drowned alone and scared and yes still innocent. I cannot sit back and be silent. I will and must speak on behalf of my friends, friends I am so privileged to know. They believe their loved ones were amongst those people, those we only identify as numbers. Those who have been found in the sea and those who have perished and will never be found, buried and rightfully mourned. I will speak up for my friends who are dealing with unspeakable and unimaginable trauma, who have nightmares and feel alone; and yes those who are still innocent.
Article 14 of the Declaration of Human Rights states that, “everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.” Please stop ignoring this. We are living through a refugee crisis and as human beings have a responsibility to act ethically, fairly and as decent people. If anything, please stop trying to convince the British public that by not having a rescue mission people will be discouraged to make the journey. Only an equal world will do that and maybe one day we will all be safe and free to remain in our countries of choice.
Rachel Ward-Newton
