What's Going on in Human Rights: February 2023

Welcome back to our blog!

This term in amnesty we've started more concentrated work on our campaign for Refugee Rights. Our first session highlighted intersectional issues facing refugees, meaning how different minority identities can overlap to create unique issues. This included discussions about women, LGBTQ+ people, disabled refugees, and Muslims. We engaged in letter writing, with a particular focus on those who voted in favour of the Nationalities and Borders bill. Our final session of the month was a bake sale where we raised money for our chosen Birmingham based refugee charity Birch. Birch is a charity which focuses on offering community to refugees seeking asylum in Birmingham. For example, they have a service called 'the Family Befriending Project' which supports local volunteer families in befriending young refugees aged 16-21 who have come to the UK alone, usually as unaccompanied minors. We also started a petition asking that the University of Birmingham increase the number of refugee scholarship students they have every year. We are so excited to keep working towards bettering refugee rights in our community!

Last month we saw a frightening display of anti-refugee sentiment in Liverpool. Around 450 people gathered to riot outside of a hostel housing refugees who they were threatening with violence. They shouted racist chants at those inside the building. This came after members of the government, particularly Home Secretary Suella Braverman, were accused of stirring hate through use of inflammatory language like 'invasion' and 'swarm'. There were however some anti-racist campaigners at the scene countering the protest with their own chants, welcoming the refugees into the UK. Furthermore, hundreds gathered later for a rally in Liverpool advocating for refugees to be welcomed into our country. We hope as a society to be part of those groups in the UK countering racism and ensuring refugees feel safe and welcomed.

Last month also saw tragedy for the transgender community. Brianna Ghey, who was a child aged just 16, was murdered in a transphobic attack. Brianna was beloved by her friends and family, and used her own platform to discuss trans issues in order to make her peers more comfortable in their own transitions. Amnesty expresses our deepest condolences to her loved ones, and our outrage that something like this has been allowed to happen.

What's more in recent months we have seen the government try to stifle the progress being made in Scotland for transgender people. The conservatives have blocked the new Gender Recognition Reform bill, limiting the ability of trans people to identify as their gender in official capacities. As an organisation Amnesty stands with the transgender community and their right to equal treatment and protection under the law.

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By Charlie O'Keeffe