News this week: unpacking concerning developments in policies affecting people seeking safety in the UK and Greece

Backround: a global trend of eroding safety

Over the past week, there have been two separate, devastating blows to the last few remaining options that people forced to flee persecution, violence and torture have to seek safety and to rebuild their lives. This blog unpacks what this means in reality, as well as what we and our partners are doing, and how you can help.

What is abundantly clear is that these policy changes are all connected. 

The way society treats refugees is emblematic of whether those in power want to divide us or to unite us. 

All too often, stories are woven by the media, and by those in power, which paint the people who are the most marginalised, or experiencing the most violent forms of suffering, as being responsible for inequities and struggles across entire communities. 

In these cases, we know that it was never really about refugees (or trans people, or people who experience homelessness, or claim disability benefits, or any other group without systemic power who are seen as an easy scapegoat). It was only ever about sowing fear and division. 

Refugee and migration policies are also linked to global foreign policy. Governments across the world have stood by as the Israeli government continues to inflict mass torture on the people of Gaza, have watched the apartheid and gender-based persecution in Afghanistan under the Taliban rule, and have provided nowhere near the level of humanitarian assistance required in 'forgotten crises' like Sudan. 

That's why, for us, SolidariTee has never 'just' been about legal aid for asylum seekers. There's always been a bigger picture. 

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Greece: imprisoning rejected asylum seekers

Greece has passed legislation in recent days which means that people who receive a rejection on their asylum application could face years-long prison terms, fines of thousands of pounds which most would have no hope of paying, and even be forced to wear ankle tags.

These shocking measures also apply to people who are deemed to enter the country 'illegally'. Anyone who arrives to Greece without 'proper paperwork' can also be detained for two years. 

The message is clear: Greece does not uphold the right to seek asylum, enshrined in international law.

These measures are vicious and cruel: they are punishing people for 'failing' a rigged system, where unjust rejections are so common. 

Asylum procedures are deeply retraumatising, and we've written many times before about how clients who have experienced the most serious forms of harm, and who live with the most complex post-traumatic effects, are often the least equipped to navigate these processes. There are only a handful of legal aid organisations present in Greece; nowhere near enough to cover everyone in need.

At the same time, just like the UK, the measures to penalise those who arrive from countries where their life was at risk without 'correct' documentation are against international law, and also meaningless - there's essentially no way to reach Europe 'regularly' from somewhere like Sudan or Yemen.

Our partners are continuing to urgently provide legal aid to all those currently present in camps, mobilising legal challenges and advocacy efforts against these decisions, and seeking funds to sustain their work at a time where every single person arriving to Greece will need in-depth support

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UK: refugee families at risk

In the UK, as of 3pm yesterday, the refugee family reunion route has been completely closed. This is under a 'temporary suspension', and it is not known for how long this will go on, or what future options will be. 

In simple terms, this means that for many families, there are now simply no routes to seek safety in the UK. 

Journeys from many of the countries which produce the largest numbers of refugees take months or years, with huge amounts of violence at each and every border. 

For this reason, many families are only able to send one person at a time, either because they simply can't afford to send more people, or because they hope that they will be able to avoid the same deadly risks for brothers, sisters and other family members once a first person reaches safety. 

Now, with refugee family members forced to meet absurd requirements such as earning £29,000 per year, there is essentially no possibility of this for most of those caught up in the worst crises around the globe.

That leaves people with no option but to attempt the same deadly boat journeys that the government continues to bang the drum about ending. 

Under the new UK-France deal, however, many people reaching the UK via small boat will not have their asylum claim considered. They will be returned forcibly to France, where they may or may not be able to access their rights under international law. 

With now almost 500 student volunteers having applied to join SolidariTee's team this year, we're taking every opportunity to support them in educating those around them about the harmful myths our government perpetuates, and campaigning for a kinder, fairer system however they can. The ripple effects of a united, welcoming society take time for their effects to be felt, but they will win out against hostility so long as movements of solidarity continue to exist. 

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How to help

In Greece, as you'll read below, the most important thing that our partners can do is to keep existing. 

Legal representation is generally the only thing that can prevent unjust rejections which lead to imprisonment and deportation, and which can turn around wrongful criminalisation cases. 

Our partners also provide vital information and mental health support to people who are incredibly fearful for their futures and living in damaging refugee camp conditions.

More systemically, many of our partners engage in strategic litigation efforts that force the European Court of Human Rights and other bodies to intervene in unlawful actions by Greece and other states against refugees. 

It is, however, getting harder and harder for them to do just that. Funding for refugee assistance is drying up, and that means that the public, and grassroots groups like us, need to fight to continue to be able to support them.

In the UK, what we can offer is quality education, movement-building, and skill-building for young activists and changemakers. 

We can also offer a route for everyone, student or not, to visibly live out their values and take a brave stand with refugees. 

To support all of this work, and much more, we invite you to consider one of the below actions: 

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1) Wear a SolidariTee 

We can think of few things more powerful than wearing a t-shirt, designed by artists who are themselves refugees, that shows an unapologetic willingness to bring the conversation about upholding the right to safety in your daily life.

We have tees and tote bags available in a price range of £6-12 - or if you already have one, please do take a picture of you wearing it and tag us! 

All funds raised support legal assistance for refugees in Greece.

Online Shop

2) Support the Where We Rise Movement

The issues affecting our partners, and the wider pattern of eroding solidarity efforts to stand with people on the move, are not specific to Greece. 

That's why we're proud to be part of Where We Rise, standing together as 30 grassroots organisations working to reach people seeking safety at all of Europe's borders. We're sending a message of unity, not of competition.

Our joint fundraiser is open throughout September, with funds split across all participating organisations. Any contribution, big or small, would greatly help strengthen this movement. 

Where We Rise

3) Sign the Safe Passage petition to demand Safe Routes Now

Petition

4) Stay up to date

Don't let 'shock and awe' tactics turn you away from knowing what's happening. If you can't donate now, that doesn't mean that your eyes, and your awareness, aren't valuable. Distraction or apathy pave the way for further injustice. If you'd like, read our summaries below, check out other resources, and raise these topics within your circles.

This blog was originally published as a newsletter sent to SolidariTee's mailing list. To read more or subscribe, visit our main webpage.