We are deeply shocked and saddened by the attack on Peacehaven Mosque yesterday, and our thoughts are with all those affected.
During this challenging time of increased division and tension, Voices in Exile stands in full solidarity with communities of all faiths, and of none, in Brighton & Hove, Sussex and throughout the UK.
We will always be committed to the values of equality, dignity, and respect for all.
“…Furthermore, to cause higher rates of homelessness among newly recognised refugees at a time when racist and anti-migrant sentiment is on the rise will put individuals at even greater risk of harm on the streets and exacerbate community tensions. We urge you to reconsider.”
Voices in Exile join over 200 orgs to call on party leaders to end the divisive politics, racist rhetoric and demonising language of the past. Only then will they bring unity instead of division and cohesion rather than hate. This must be a turning point.
‘The pernicious and insidious currents of racism and hatred underlying these protests are glaring evidence of a failing system. The responsibility to end the divisive politics, racist rhetoric and demonising language of the past is yours. Only then will you bring unity instead of division and cohesion rather than hate.’
You can read the article posted on The Guardian here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/11/uk-party-leaders-urged-end-pernicious-currents-racism-hatred-fuelling-anti-migrant-protests
The press release and full letter is posted here by Together with Refugees: https://togetherwithrefugees.org.uk/far-right-response-aug-2025/
Voices in Exile joined over 50 organisations in signing Conversations Over Borders’ open letter to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper demanding a chance in the UK’s initial asylum accommodation system. The current system is failing people – asylum seekers face abuse, targeted violence, and is costing the taxpayer millions — benefitting private companies who continue to provide inhumane and dangerous living conditions.
‘The hotel contracts have a break clause in 2026 – and we are calling for this government to use this moment to stop housing vulnerable asylum seekers in hotels, and to create new, community-based housing that protects the rights of refugees and asylum seekers and allows them to settle into their new lives in the UK, while saving taxpayer money. We are now calling for the government to take immediate action to implement a safe, community-based asylum accommodation system.’
We need Safe Homes, Not Hotels.
You can read the open letter here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V-TR6pyBOoNzmpiQCkHTczMlG0o-Tf7EMzSDeCdWS5Y/edit?tab=t.0
You can sign the open letter here: https://airtable.com/app1cYKkNjetTrwRI/shrdFbvymtSn4EzNu
‘This week, Praxis campaigners screened a video message across Westminster to make migrant voices heard on child poverty. The video played on loop around Westminster, parking outside the Department for Education, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Home Office – the departments with the power to make change for migrant children living in poverty. With its Child Poverty Strategy due to be published in Spring, the Government has a unique opportunity to lift families living in vulnerable situations out of poverty and ensure all children can have the best start to life, no matter where they or their parents were born.’
You can watch it here:
We also have a write to Ministers campaign action live if you would like to share.
Voices in Exile signed, along with 148 organisations, a letter urging the government and Home Secretary from citizenship rules which effectively banning tens of thousands of refugees from ever becoming British citizens. This garnered interest from The Guardian –
The online article can be read here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/16/starmer-union-ally-joins-opposition-to-rules-barring-citizenship-for-small-boat-refugees?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Below, you can see the printed headlines:
We are proud to join 136 orgs, with Together for Refugees, to call for the end to hostile politics, racist rhetoric and demonising language of the past. 80% of British people want an asylum system that is fair, compassionate and well managed. Keir Starmer must unite our communities for a different way forward and need a fair new plan for refugees.
The letter has been covered exclusively in the Guardian here and the full press release can be viewed here.
Voices in Exile joined 60 racial justice, migrants rights and Muslim organisations to call on the government to take action on growing levels of racism and the thread of the far right six months since the dangerous race riots.
You can read the full statement here: https://www.runnymedetrust.org/news/six-months-since-the-riots-charities-urge-the-government-to-take-action-on-the-growing-threat-of-the-far-right
The Guardian posted about it here: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/31/illegal-among-words-most-often-linked-to-migrants-in-uk-politics-report-finds
Part of Asylum Matters’ campaign to Fight the Anti Refugee Laws, Voices in Exile join over 730 organisations and individuals in signing a joint letter to Yvette Cooper to fight the decision to suspend all Syrian asylum claims, at a time when the safety of Syria is far from certain.
You can read it here: https://asylummatters.org/2024/12/14/joint-letter-to-the-home-secretary-syrian-asylum-claims/
‘It was signed by over 730 organisations and individuals on the frontline of providing support to people seeking asylum in our communities across the UK, urging the Home Office to reconsider the decision to suspend all Syrian asylum claims following the fall of the Assad regime. Over 200 organisations (across the four nations of the UK) and over 500 individuals (including doctors, professors, lecturers, trustees, volunteers, ESOL tutors, teachers, nurses, midwives, directors, consultants, faith leaders, solicitors, lawyers, immigration advisors, charity workers, writers, artists, photographers, trade unionists, local councillors, retirees, legal advisors, refugees, people seeking asylum, journalists, human rights advocates, interpreters, campaigners, support workers, students and more) who are proud to welcome people seeking safety, called on the Home Secretary to reverse the unprecedented move to announce a suspension of the asylum system for a single nationality group, at a time when the safety of Syria is far from certain.’
TAKE ACTION:
Firstly, if you haven’t already signed the Fight the Anti-Refugee Laws pledge, you can do so here.
The next step is for everyone to write to their MPs (using this super-easy template tool, where you only have to add your name and email address and it will automatically send) with two simple asks:
We’ve shown the Home Secretary there is public opposition to this move, and the media spotlight we’ve shone means she’s under pressure externally, now we need to ramp up the pressure she is receiving inside parliament.
If your MP agrees to meet with you in the New Year, let us know by emailing nathan@asylummatters.org and we can equip you with a briefing and some top tips on ‘elevator pitching’ to your MP to get the most out of the meeting.
Keep the pressure up on social media too by sharing the letter on your socials with the hashtag #FightTheAntiRefugeeLaws – you could even tag Yvette Cooper.