Human Rights

In a political climate where the rhetoric about asylum and migration is increasingly hostile and divided, it is more important than ever to seek out and listen to the voices of those directly affected by experiences of fleeing and seeking safety. Makani, a woman-led organisation supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women is amplifying exactly these perspectives through […]

On the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), we stand with almost 300 other organisations and groups in the UK in support of the ECHR, and we call on politicians and government to end the scapegoating of human rights.  At Seraphus we are not just proud to join all these hundreds of organisations […]

The UK has a legal and moral duty to provide safe and adequate accommodation to people seeking asylum. People who arrive in the UK in search of safety are often fleeing conflict, persecution or serious human rights abuses. While their claims are being decided, they depend entirely on the support and protection provided by the […]

Over 150 lawyers and refugee organisations recently signed a public statement warning of increasing far-right intimidation directed at those providing legal support to migrants. But such intimidation doesn’t always involve shouting on street corners. It can also come from the government, politicians, and the media, quietly, strategically, and with long-term consequences. Over recent weeks, we’ve seen […]

Food is a powerful tool for bringing communities together. Migrant-led supper clubs and community kitchens are reshaping high streets and village halls across the UK. These initiatives create belonging and aim to support and celebrate migrants on their journey to feeling at home. From Glasgow’s Soul Food Sisters, to London’s Migrateful Cooking Classes, these food projects are united […]

With immigration rarely out of the news, political leaders will be using Party Conference season to demonstrate why their policies will deliver. Yet how workable are these policies in practice, and how much have they been shaped by electioneering and the desire to gain political ground? In this article, our director Christopher Desira examines the […]

Labour’s immigration reforms repeat the Conservative playbook: tough talk, restricted rights, and little honesty about Britain’s real needs. We all deserve a country we can be proud of, a country with higher standards, rooted in responsibility, history, and actual fairness. The Disappointment of Labour on Immigration In her 1 September statement, the Home Secretary set […]

A new pilot scheme between the UK and France came into force this week, that will have a significant impact on people arriving in the UK to seek asylum. Under this new agreement, known as the “one-in-one-out” deal, some people who cross the Channel in small boats will now be sent back to France, without […]

Solidarity, Friendship, Respect. These are the values behind Sanctuary Runners Brighton.  This year’s Refugee Week theme, Community as a Superpower, highlights the everyday ways we build connection, belonging and hope. Running, has a unique power to bring people together — it breaks down language barriers, boosts mental and physical health, and builds shared purpose through movement.  […]

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming part of how governments manage immigration and asylum processes. In the UK, where the asylum system is facing record delays, AI is now being used in new ways to help process claims. According to the Home Office, trials of AI-assisted tools have shown potential for making decisions faster. But with […]

The Labour government has introduced the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, claiming it will strengthen border security and dismantle criminal networks exploiting vulnerable migrants. At first glance, this might sound reasonable—but scratch beneath the surface, and it becomes clear that this bill continues the same harmful approach to migration that treats people as threats rather […]

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) recently released a compelling report highlighting the urgent need for a shift in how asylum accommodation is managed in the UK. With annual costs for housing and supporting asylum seekers in the UK now at a staggering £41,000 per person, up from £17,000 in 2019/20, the current system is unsustainable. […]

In his previous articles, Seraphus director Christopher Desira has looked at the concept of migration, the dynamic between migrants, the international community and the state, as well as the shortcomings of these entities in protecting the latter. In this article, Christopher presents the legal concept of ‘jus cogens’ and begins to explore how appealing to […]

In response to the recent surge in organised racist, Islamophobic and violent riots across the United Kingdom, we, Seraphus, stand in solidarity with those targeted by these despicable acts. The disturbing wave of far-right violence has not only inflicted fear upon racialised communities but has also attacked the institutions dedicated to supporting migrants and asylum seekers. Attacks […]