Image by Refugee Action

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has called upon the Government to scrap its cruel ‘Illegal Migration Bill’ – widely known as the ‘Anti-Refugee’ or ‘Refugee Ban Bill’ – ahead of its second reading in parliament this month.

The highly contentious Bill will remove protections from modern slavery and grant the Home Secretary power to overrule human rights law and detain refugees, those seeking asylum – including children – anywhere, for however long they may deem fit.

The United Kingdom, like every nation that is party to the 1951 Refugee Convention, has committed to honouring the right of people to seek refuge from war and persecution. This Bill would be a clear breach of the Convention, as detailed by the UNHCR – the UN Refugee Agency – itself  and make a mockery of our long-standing international commitments.

The MCB has re-iterated its stance on this Bill through joining a coalition of 320+ charities, unions, businesses, & faith leaders in calling on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to scrap it in an open letter.

Commenting on the ‘Anti-Refugee Bill’ ahead of its second reading in parliament, MCB Secretary-General Zara Mohammed, said:

“This Bill is a cruel and unworkable piece of legislation. We must continue to champion a society built on compassion and be a country that honours its international commitments, upholds human right law.”

The MCB will continue to engage the Anti-Refugee Bill whilst it remains before parliament.