The front page of the aptly-named Illegal Migration Bill contains an unusual ‘compliance’ statement, made by Suella Braverman, which openly admits that the legislation may be incompatible with internationally agreed human rights.
Note that the Bill of Rights Bill has also been introduced, which is specifically designed to “reform” the law relating to human rights, and hugely limit the power and effect of court rulings, Declarations of Incompatibility, in favour of the government.
Gary Lineker’s much-publicised comparisons to 1930s Germany, viewed in the context of these bills, was right to alert the public to the dangers we’re in, but the upsurge in debate and the clear concerns of the majority of the public, give some hope. There were large protests outside parliament during the second reading last Monday, and further protests at Downing Street at the weekend.
Corporate and state media keep pushing a variety of tropes to divert attention away from the architects of our deeply corrupt system, to dehumanise and blame the victims rather than the perpetrators.
Real Media interviewed this young man who has been forced to run from extreme religious persecution in a North African country. First self-taught and then university-educated in English, he hoped to find sanctuary in the UK, wanting to integrate with and contribute to society.
Despite a strong claim, the reality he discovered is that there was simply no legal route into the UK, or any way for his claim to be properly considered, and so like many others, he had to place himself in the hands of people-smugglers.
In the interview, many myths are exposed, among them the claim that French police are doing little or nothing. He talks about his terrifying journey packed into a small boat with an inexperienced helmsman who takes them into the Atlantic. He explores the reasons migrants end up in the UK, and he talks about his experience of the ‘migrant hotels’.
But our friend also offers some solutions and reminds us that this government and its media allies, instead of punishing the victims, could address the root problems, that tie in with so many other issues of democracy, exploitation and ultimately the climate crisis.
