‘Scottish Refugee Council Pledge’ Campaign Response

I believe the 70th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention should be an opportunity for the UK Government to reflect on what more can be done to protect those escaping unimaginable horrors and danger. Instead we have a UK government intent on undermining the Refugee Convention and international law, simply disregarding international obligations that it signed up to.

The SNP will always reject the Tories’ disgraceful rhetoric. It is not illegal to enter the UK to claim asylum and the Refugee Convention makes this clear.

The UK Government have shown time and time again their disregard for some of the most vulnerable people in the world. Scotland has made clear it wants nothing to do with their cruel asylum and immigration policies but the Scottish Parliament needs immigration powers devolved to build a fairer system that supports people fleeing war, violence and terror.

With both votes SNP on 6th May, voters can put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands and build a fairer society with a fairer asylum system at its heart.

Fiona Hyslop