10 May 2023 , 14:01
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Suella Braverman's constituency office has been targeted by protesters claiming she's on the "wrong side of history" amid backlash over her migration bill.
Charity Freedom from Torture today fixed a mocked-up blue plaque declaring the Home Secretary had "closed the door" on refugees.
It comes as the Archbishop of Canterbury added his voice to those opposing the Illegal Migration Bill, which he branded "morally unacceptable".
The sign - a parody version of English Heritage plaques noting places of historic interest - declares the Home Secretary "closed the door on people seeking safety in their hour of greatest need".
It was attached outside the Fareham Conservative Association in Hampshire.
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Sonya Sceats, chief executive of Freedom from Torture, said: “Suella Braverman’s vindictive and dysfunctional refugee ban bill will do nothing to reduce the number of Channel deaths. It will lead to more torture survivors being unfairly denied protection.
"Every day, survivors in our therapy rooms tell us of the terror they feel at the government’s threat to remove them to Rwanda.
The sign claims Ms Braverman has 'closed the door on people seeking safety' (Freedom from Torture)“Rather than scapegoating refugees and fomenting culture wars, this government should rebuild an asylum system capable of giving refugees a fair hearing, and focus on opening safe routes to protection so that they are not compelled to risk their lives in order to safety in the UK.”
Ms Braverman's office declined to comment.
The Government's bill - which would see people who arrive on small boats detained and deported - was this morning torn apart by members of the House of Lords.
Archbishop Justin Welby - fresh from his central role at King Charles's Coronation on Saturday - lashed out at the plans, saying they will do huge damage to the UK's standing in the world.
In a rare intervention he told peers that the legislation "fails to live up to our history, our moral responsibility and our political and international interests".
Suella Braverman's bill has been heavily criticised in the House of Lords today (Wiktor Szymanowicz/REX/Shutterstock)And in a devastating assessment of Ms Braverman's proposals, the Archbishop told the House of Lords there were "too many problems for one speech in this bill".
Mr Welby called it "isolationist", and said: "It's morally unacceptable and politically impractical to let the poorest countries deal with the crisis alone and cut our international aid."
He said the bill will "greatly damage" the UK, stating: "The UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) has warned that the bill could lead to the collapse of the international system that protects refugees.
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"Is that what we want the United Kingdom's contribution to be in our leadership?"
And he warned that allowing the bill to pass could have devastating consequences for the UK.
Mr Welby said: "My Lords, this bill is an attempt at a short-term fix.
"It risks great damage to the UK's reputation at home and abroad, let alone the interests of those in need of protections or the nations who together face this challenge.
"Our interests are closely linked to our reputation for justice and the rule of law and our measured language, calm decision and careful legislation.
"None of those are seen here."
The bill also came under fire from the Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler, who said it "poses fundamental questions about who we are as a nation".
"The state will view a child or a pregnant woman as individuals subject to immigration control, not as an innocent child or a vulnerable mother about to give birth," he said.
"We need to ask - what about the Government's duty to protect?"
The Bishop added: "I am reminded of Jesus' words: It would be better to have a millstone around the neck and be cast into the sea than to cause a little one to stumble.
"This responsibility needs to bear upon us heavily."
Labour peer Lord Alfred Dubs, who arrived in the UK as a child refugee fleeing the Nazis in 1939, said "notorious abusers of human rights" would be empowered if the bill goes through.
Under the plans, anyone who arrives in the UK will be detained and deported - sparking alarm about the treatment of children and victims of trafficking.
Ms Braverman's bill would see refugees denied protection under modern slavery laws - a move critics including former PM Theresa May say will be a gift to traffickers.