The Refugee Festival Scotland is devastated with the news that the Illegal Migration Bill has now become law. This bill strips individuals of their right to seek asylum and devolves the UK government from their international law obligations. Even the government recognises that this bill does not adhere to international law, highlighting how exceptionally dark and challenging this moment is for UK politics.

This poorly planned and cruel law will have a monumental impact on the most vulnerable people who are fleeing to the UK, including women, children and victims of trafficking. The law challenges the fundamental rights of those who flee war, persecution, and unimaginable hardship.

The festival theme for this year was ‘hope’ and we saw over 130 events celebrate, cultivate and grow hope within unique refugee communities. We will continue to use the festival as an opportunity to grow hope, to welcome new community members, and to challenge the negative and hostile rhetoric grown by the UK government. Refugee Festival Scotland and Scottish Refugee Council will not stop fighting for a safe and humane asylum system and we will continue to celebrate the positive and welcomed contributions of New Scots.

Please join us in our fight against the government’s hostile environment. We also encourage you to post on social media using any of these graphics to make your voice heard.