Refugee communities and those seeking humanitarian protection: Letter from the First Minister

To all refugees, those seeking humanitarian protection in Scotland and the organisations that support them.

I am sending this message to let you know the Scottish Government stands firmly in solidarity with refugee communities and the organisations that support them and all those seeking humanitarian protection in Scotland. Refugees and those seeking protection are not only welcome here – refugees belong where they have successfully made a home in the most challenging and distressing of circumstances and where they help to enrich societies and cultures, Scotland is their home too.

I know that many of you will be concerned by the changes that the Home Secretary announced in the UK Parliament on 17 November. Decisions on asylum and immigration are fully reserved to the UK Parliament, and the Scottish Government is clear that successive UK Governments have failed to deliver an asylum system which treats those fleeing persecution with dignity and respect.

The UK Government has an international duty and legal obligation to protect those fleeing violence and persecution around the world. We are therefore concerned that the UK Government is now looking to limit refugee human rights. These measures run counter to the approach in Scotland where we value refugees and those who seek protection.

We will continue to make our views heard and to represent the views of the people of Scotland. In doing so, we ask the Home Office to work with us to ensure that people seeking protection including families are supported and are not restricted from rebuilding their lives, contributing to our economy and our communities.

We are living in unprecedented times coming out of covid, dealing with the challenge of the cost of living, while globally we are seeing more and more people around the world being displaced by war, climate change and hunger.

Sadly, in some parts this has been accompanied by increasing anxiety which manifests in anti-refugee and anti-immigration language. That sentiment does not represent who we are in Scotland - we are kind, welcoming and giving.

Our New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy recognises the important contribution that refugees make, and we will continue to work with our partners the Scottish Refugee Council and CoSLA to make sure that our integration approach in Scotland works for New Scots and the communities in which they live.

I am proud of the work we have done in Scotland to make it a place where refugees and those seeking humanitarian protection are welcome and feel safe.

I know that some of the changes proposed by the UK Government will also be deeply worrying for many refugees, people seeking asylum and the communities and organisations that support them. Through the Scottish Refugee Council people can access refugee advice and support, by contacting the Refugee Support Service – 0808 1967 274.

I firmly believe that we are at our best when we look out for others and stand together by not giving in to those who seek to divide us. Because together, we are Scotland.

Yours sincerely,

John Swinney MSP