Moses Seitler’s Post

Yesterday marks a solemn moment as the Rwanda Bill passes, a decision that is overshadowed by the heartbreaking loss of five migrants who lost their lives while desperately seeking safety across borders. It's a harrowing reminder of the human cost of our policies and the urgent need for compassion in our approach to the asylum system. Those who arrive on the British shores are often fleeing unimaginable horrors, seeking only the fundamental right to live and survive. The majority of cases demonstrate the validity of their claims, as they've endured forced displacement and persecution. Yet, from the moment they set out on their journey, they are plunged into a state of survival, grappling with trauma and uncertainty. The decision to relocate individuals to Rwanda adds another layer of complexity to an already dire situation. It's a harsh reality check that the very place they seek refuge from is being proposed as a solution. When will we recognise the ineffectiveness of such measures and prioritise safe routes and compassionate plans for those entitled to seek safety? It's time for the government to reassess its priorities, cease wasted resources, and embrace a more humane approach. #fairness #HumanRights #SafetyFirst

So where is Rwanda now? While the sparkling center city of the capital, Kigali, spells stunning success in redeveloping the nation and winning the confidence of investors, just beyond the downtown are hilly, unlit, and unsafe dirt roads and the kind of poverty and lack of services and opportunity that still plagues much of the nation. Although the president still remains an international darling -- even to the point where the UK is jumping through legal hoops so it can ship desperate asylum seekers there --  he’s also repressive, ruthless, and vindictive, suppressing dissent, silencing the opposition, and securing the removal of term limits, enabling himself to remain in power.   After the sheer horror resonated across Rwanda amid the international community’s deafening silence back in 1994, most of the world very much wants to call Rwanda “a done deal” that it no longer needs to worry about, indeed, where it can make money and warehouse desperate refugees.   Yet the team leading @Rwanda Women’s Network, our @WomenStrong International partner there, with its decades-long practice of high-touch healing and strengthening of couples and families and communities, understands that the delicate, slow, high-touch process actually takes years and years and years -- that there is no return to normalcy, and there can be no quick wins, healing, or forgiveness.   In Gaza, too, it’s hard to think right now beyond the urgent, immediate need for a ceasefire, the massive upscaling of humanitarian aid, and the release of the hostages and innocent Palestinian prisoners.  But “the day after,” as the politicians and pundits and strategists call the desperately needed process of ending the war and building the peace after such physical and psychic harm has been inflicted, is likely, as we’ve seen in Rwanda, to take years and years and years.... (cont'd in my 3rd and final post, with my apologies for your inconvenience -->) Mary Balikungeri Michelle A. Lambert Sandra Coliver Marisa O. Ensor, PhD, LLM Nina Bang-Jensen

I have been asked a lot of times what my thoughts are on the Rwanda policy, as I've spent a number of years living and working there. Here are my personal reflections on this. These views are my own from my own experiences. Some personal thoughts on the UK Government's cruel law on refugees, from an aid worker who lived in Rwanda: 1) Rwanda is a safe, beautiful, clean country, which has invested in the development of its people. It already hosts many refugees from Burundi, DRC and other nearby countries. 2) Does this make the bill fair? Absolutely not. People travelling for safety often in small boats will have already faced unimaginable trauma. Forcibly displacing them further, to a country where they may not speak the language will be more traumatic for them. 3) The UK, as one of the richest countries in the world, has a moral obligation to host people fleeing war and conflict. This will not deter smugglers, it is performative as the UK is side stepping our responsibility. 4) Rwanda is tiny. It is already one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Rwandans rely heavily on agriculture. How will further displacement of people impact poorer Rwandans, dependent on farming, and their homes, as land is used to host refugee and asylum seekers? This bill is immoral. But it's not because of Rwanda. It's because the UK Government is failing. This is my personal reflections having spent time in Rwanda.

On the night of the 22nd April 2023, as we lost hope of parliament preventing the ‘Safety of Rwanda’ Bill becoming law, five ordinary people, loved by their friends and family, lost their lives crossing the Channel to ask for our help. One of them was a child. A tragedy in parliament, a tragedy in the Channel. Most people haven’t looked into the Rwanda Bill in detail, but you can help them see the abuse it entails. One of the most important things you can do is help people understand what the Rwanda plan means in reality. Here are the five things everyone needs to know, you can read them in more detail in our full response linked below. 1. IT'S A ONE WAY TICKET TO AN UNSAFE PLACE. People sent to Rwanda have their asylum claims ignored. Refugees will never get a chance to explain why they’re asking for the UK’s help. 2. WHAT WE NEED IS SAFE ROUTES. There is no evidence that this plan will deter people from seeking safety in the UK. We should be getting them here safely instead. 3. THERE IS NOW NO RIGHT TO CLAIM ASYLUM IN THE UK. By removing official routes and threatening anyone who comes by irregular ones with deportation to Rwanda, there is no way to claim asylum in the UK. We are no longer a safe haven. 4. THIS IS AN ATTACK ON EVERYONE’S HUMAN RIGHTS. We should all share the right to seek safety. Removing universal rights from one group puts them at risk for everyone. 5. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WILL BE TRAPPED IN THE UK BUT OUTSIDE THE ASYLUM SYSTEM. Far more people will be eligible to be sent to Rwanda than the scheme has capacity for. Hundreds will be forced onto planes, but many thousands more will live indefinitely in uncertainty and fear of removal. https://lnkd.in/eWh_bZPc

The enactment of the Rwanda Bill by the government is devastating news. For refugees and asylum-seekers already grappling with poor mental health and illness stemming from their traumatic journeys seeking safety, this Bill's passage is deeply disheartening. This Act will only worsen the mental health of refugee and asylum-seeking communities and stifle their human rights further. Refugees and those seeking asylum should be treated with dignity, respect, and humanity, with their asylum claims processed fairly and with urgency. However, data published recently by the Home Office shows there are almost 52,000 people stuck in the asylum system without their claims being processed. With many having already escaped violence and persecution, refugees and asylum seekers face challenging situations upon their arrival to the UK due to anti-refugee or immigration policies and rhetoric, racism, discrimination, and marginalisation. All this has a profoundly negative effect on their mental health which will be further exacerbated by the threat of deportation to Rwanda for people seeking safety. Whilst many communities will be feeling unsafe today, we particularly empathise with those who have escaped persecution and genocide in Rwanda, only to be faced with a return under the guise of a safer solution. Far too many lives have already been lost as people including children, in their desperation, have sought to make their journey through unsafe routes and we know very well that "no one puts their children in a boat unless the water is safer than the land". We need to create a system that is welcoming, that supports people who seek safety and a better life and protects their mental health. This Bill won't stop the boats but it will continue to stigmatise some of the most vulnerable people who need support, security, and stability. We can be better than this. We are better than this. #MentalHealth #RwandaBill

In a recent Earth Matters interview a distinguished expert in international relations, climate and human settlements in East Africa, and Nathalia A., a human rights advocate, humanitarian and community engagement specialist, discussed the ongoing flood crisis in Kenya. The gravity of the crisis cannot be overstated: hundreds of thousands are now displaced, with a significant portion residing in informal settlements such as Mukuru, one of Kenya's largest slums. It's staggering to note that 70% of Kenya's population grapples with similar precarious living conditions. Humanitarian issues like this affect us all, and we must not ignore them. We encourage everyone to spread this professional insight to raise awareness and garner support for Kenya's displaced communities. Together, we can make a difference in this critical moment by pooling our resources and expertise to provide aid and relief to those facing this immense challenge. #KenyaFloods #HumanitarianAid #SupportKenya #KenyaDevelopment #Kenya #ClimateChange #EastAfrica🌍 https://lnkd.in/edfyGVGs

Is Malawi Really a Peaceful Country? A Personal Reflection on Violence and Peace. Growing up in Malawi, I believed we are a peaceful country. Like many, I saw peace as the absence of war or violent clashes between ethnic or social groups. But my recent studies have made me question this deeply held belief. Johan Galtung (1969) expands the concept of peace, showing how personal violence (direct harm) and structural violence (inequalities embedded in societal systems) shape societies. He argues that true peace isn’t just about stopping violent conflict (negative peace) but also eliminating systemic injustices (positive peace). Looking at Malawi through this lens, I find it hard to call us a peaceful country. Yes, we lack open conflict, but structural violence is pervasive. Corruption, for instance, deprives communities of resources and opportunities. Gender-based violence (GBV) continues to harm women and girls, undermining their dignity and potential. Ethnic and social inequalities persist, and the suppression of critical voices by those in power stifles progress. The Malawi National Peace Policy (2017) defines peace as "a state of harmony, order, and justice." But how can we claim peace when corruption robs people of essential services, GBV threatens the safety of half our population, and systemic injustices limit opportunities for so many? We need to stop saying Malawi is a peaceful country and start addressing the underlying issues. True peace means creating a society where every person, regardless of their background, can achieve their aspirations without systemic barriers. This shift in perspective has profoundly shaped how I view peacebuilding. It's not just about preventing violence or signing ceasefires. It's about systematically addressing the inequalities that fuel frustration, resentment, and instability. As I continue my studies, I am committed to contributing to the conversation and action required to make Malawi truly peaceful—not just in name, but in reality. 🌱 What does peace mean to you? How can we go beyond the surface to address the root causes of violence in our societies? #Peacebuilding #Development #Corruption #GBV #Malawi

It's a matter of Safety! Displacement due to climate change, political unrest, and need for sanctuary is and will continue to be an issue in our world. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) acknowledges that 'individuals fleeing conflict or persecution have a right to safety and should not be placed in a position where their rights, safety or freedoms would be in danger.' The UK Supreme Court does not deem Rwanda as a safe country for the purposes of hosting, developing refugees or asylum seekers. Why pay millions to populate Rwanda when the UK needs diverse minds and skilled individuals to support her growth both socially and economically? I agree with you Rebecca Spruce, that we must reject this culture of targeted alienation and work together to rebuild a sense of community and belonging. Many UK businesses have benefited from the diverse skillsets of refugees and asylum seekers and we hope others will connect with Renaisi to explore how they can partner to support highly skilled refugees with the right to work to rise above social and economic marginalization. #RefugeesWelcome

Everyday Humanitarianism in Refugee-Affected Areas Tanzania’s longstanding commitment to hosting refugees has faced recent policy shifts, especially in the Kigoma region, where stricter encampment rules now limit refugees’ movement and opportunities for self-sustenance. Refugees’ livelihoods within camps, such as vegetable cultivation and small trade, are increasingly restricted, pushing some to leave camps in search of work. Many Tanzanians in the region show compassion by offering various forms of support to refugees, though this is often done at personal risk and under the threat of criminalization. Meanwhile, refugees outside camps navigate precarious conditions, relying on each other for survival through shared skills and mutual support networks, emphasizing the need for legally recognized avenues to foster safe, collaborative assistance. Did we spark your interest? Read our policy brief on everyday humanitarianism in refugee-affected areas at https://lnkd.in/d-4TUxpR #EHTZ #HumanitarianResearch #ResearchDissemination Lisa Richey, Simon Turner

Elite Giving in Everyday Humanitarianism In Tanzania, elite citizens play an essential role in responding to both acute and ongoing crises, supplementing government and international humanitarian efforts with significant personal contributions. These elites frequently provide housing, employment support, and essential goods, though they often prioritize helping those they know. Our findings suggest that, despite a lack of incentives or formal support, elites step up in times of need, balancing social pressures with resource limitations. Their involvement highlights the potential of elite giving as a substantial, yet underutilized, asset in addressing Tanzania’s humanitarian needs, underscoring the importance of engaging elites in future policy and relief initiatives. Did we spark your interest? Read our policy brief on elite giving at https://lnkd.in/d-4TUxpR #EHTZ #HumanitarianResearch #ResearchDissemination Lisa Richey, Peter Kragelund