UK celebrities pen open letter against government's Rwanda plan

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - Celebrities including TV presenter Gary Lineker, Succession star Brian Cox, and women's rights campaigner Helen Pankhurst have joined forces to oppose the UK government's controversial plan to declare Rwanda a safe destination for asylum seekers.

The move comes as the UK members of parliament are set to engage in a debate and vote on the Safety of Rwanda Bill this week.

The government's controversial emergency legislation aims to fast-track the process of declaring Rwanda a secure destination for asylum seekers, despite the Supreme Court having ruled against the initial scheme last month.

According to the Rwanda plan, people whom the UK identifies as illegal immigrants or asylum seekers would be relocated to the East African country for processing, asylum and resettlement.

The influential figures have collectively signed a letter urging the government to abandon its proposal and instead formulate a "fair new plan for refugees."

Former head of the British Army Lord Dannat and Big Zuu, the popular TV chef and son of a refugee from Sierra Leone, has also lent his support to the cause.

Lineker, renowned for his active involvement in political discussions, stirred controversy over BBC "impartiality" in March. He expressed his criticism of the government's measures against illegal immigration on social media, drawing parallels between the language employed and that reminiscent of Nazi Germany.

The letter, coordinated by campaign coalition Together With Refugees, said: "Our Government is still trying to banish people fleeing persecution to Rwanda despite the highest court in the land ruling the scheme unlawful.

"Tens of thousands of people are stuck in limbo waiting for their refugee protection to be processed, separated from their families and barred from working.

"These policies aren’t working for refugees and they aren’t working for local communities.

"That’s why we have come together to say we’ve had enough. Enough of the division. Enough of the short-term thinking. Enough of the wasted human potential. And it’s why we now call for something better."