‘We are a City of Sanctuary’ – Bristol responds to Afghanistan crisis

A young refugee has described the heartache of seeing history repeat itself as Afghanistan is “broken into pieces” and more families displaced.

“Our beloved homeland is bleeding,” wrote the 18-year-old Afghan, who lives in Bristol and prefers not to be named.

“Every Afghan brother and sister, mothers are crying again. They have been displaced from their homes, ran away.

“But the world is silent, because for them, it’s just another day in Afghanistan.”

https://twitter.com/Creative_Youth/status/1427545717309067264

People from across the city have spoken out in response to the crisis in Afghanistan where the Taliban has once again seized control, leaving many fearing for their futures and desperate to flee to safety.

Mayor Marvin Rees described the scenes of people clinging to a US Air Force plane as it took off from Kabul as “heartbreaking” and said Bristol is poised to welcome ten displaced families but needs resource from government to do more.

Politicians and refugee charities say the crisis highlights the need for the Home Secretary to abandon “cruel” immigration proposals set out in the Nationality and Borders Bill, saying refugees seeking sanctuary in the UK must not be criminalised.

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Read more: ‘Immigration bill ignores the fact that seeking asylum is a human right’

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On top of the heartbreak, the situation has also added an extra layer of fear for those currently going through the asylum process who are worrying about what the implications will be for them.

Creative Youth Network (CYN) is one of the organisations in the city working to support young refugees rebuild their lives in Bristol, many of whom have faced a brave and harrowing journey to get here.

“The young Afghan refugees are obviously devastated by what they are seeing happen in their country, to their friends and families,” said CYN CEO Sandy Hore-Ruthven.

“We are making sure each young person is getting the support they need, that they are safe and have access to counselling and community at this difficult time. Many have friends and family trying to escape and are hearing first-hand how scared people are.

“We are also working with the Refugee Council who give advice to our young people on their immigration cases. This is especially important at the moment, as many of the young people we work with have open asylum cases and are now even more terrified of what the outcome of these cases will mean for them.”

Members of Refugee Women of Bristol, a multi-ethnic, multi-faith organisation that specifically targets the needs of refugee women in the city, have spoken of their sadness over the situation and called on people to rally to support those in need.

“We urgently ask the UK Government to act swiftly to support and protect women and children,” said Refugee Women of Bristol.

“It is essential that women and children are offered safe passage and asylum to the UK and neighbouring countries as quickly as possible. As a matter of urgency, it is critical that local organisations and those who are experienced working in the region are given support to help in this crisis.

“Refugee Women of Bristol will continue to support as many women and children of a refugee and asylum-seeking background as possible, and we thank you for your help and support.”

While work is ongoing at a grassroots level to support those most affected by the situation in Afghanistan, Bristol’s MPs have called on the government to accelerate efforts to help, with Thangam Debbonaire saying “This is possibly one of the most significant moments for UK foreign policy for decades”.

“It is turning into a humanitarian crisis of massive proportion, on top of the struggles faced by many Afghan people already,” said the MP for Bristol West.

Under Taliban rule, there are particular fears for the consequences and hard-won rights of women and girls. Each of Bristol’s three women MPs have signed a cross-party letter pledging their support for the 69 Afghan women MPs fighting for democracy and women’s rights.

Bristol North West MP Darren Jones also highlighted concerns over the plight of LGBTQ+ people in Afghanistan.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Jones said: “Firstly, may I put on record the many emails and messages from my constituents wishing to express their distress over the events in Afghanistan, not least in respect of women, girls and LGBT people.

“As well as their wish that Britain plays her full part in not just evacuating British citizens and Afghans who supported our work, but other Afghan refugees who trusted Western nations in our promise of making the Taliban a part of their past and not of their future.

“Bristol is a city of sanctuary and we stand ready to assist.”

He added: “I fear that recent events in Afghanistan could be the symbolic end of a period in which the UK has been able to exert influence in securing a cohesive Western approach to the world.

“The way in which the withdrawal from Afghanistan took place represented a United States primarily concerned about its own situation and failing to step up and play an important role in the world as a torch bearer of democracy and human rights.”

Bristol’s Green councillor group has urged the city council to take in as many refugees as it can, saying in a joint statement: “Bristol has long been proud of its status as a city of sanctuary, and following the desperate scenes in Afghanistan this past week, our sanctuary is needed more than ever.”

The group joined calls for the government to significantly step up its commitment to offer refuge to 20,000 Afghan families fleeing persecution over the next five years, saying: “People are in danger now and need our help.”

Bristol City of Sanctuary agrees the current Westminster offering does not go nearly far enough.

“We are heartbroken at the images coming out of Afghanistan, as the people there endure yet more tragedy and violence,” said Anna Wardell, interim manager for Bristol City of Sanctuary.

“Whilst we welcome the pledge of the government to take 5,000 people this year, we do not believe it goes nearly far enough to help. We believe it is our moral duty to do all we can to provide refuge to the people currently fearing for their lives and join the many calls for immediate safe routes out of Afghanistan for people in danger.”

Wardell said the situation also highlights how “truly cruel” proposals in the Nationality and Borders Bill are. Under the proposals, people forced to take irregular routes will be afforded less protection and potentially criminalised.

Bristol City of Sanctuary is encouraging people to sign a statement and to write to their MP to oppose the bill and urge the government to expand its proposed resettlement scheme.

Wardell added: “We have been heartened to see the response by our local community in response to the crisis. We are seeing the very best of humanity; the desire of so many people to help a situation that can feel hopeless. We hope that the government takes heed of this movement of welcome and expands their resettlement scheme to immediately evacuate many more people.”

An emergency response fundraising appeal has been launched to support Afghan children and young people as they arrive in the UK, and young refugees already here.

Refugee Women of Bristol say people can support their work by volunteering, taking part in a sponsored event or with a financial contribution or monthly donation via JustGiving. Find out more via www.refugeewomenofbristol.org.uk/support-us/.

Main photo of City Hall illuminated in blue to mark a decade of Bristol City of Sanctuary 

Read more: Bristol pledges to offer refuge to ten Afghan families 

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