Sector leaders have signed a letter to prime minister Keir Starmer, warning that charity workers are facing abuse amid increasing “far-right activity” in the UK and urged his government to act.
More than 150 civil society representatives signed the letter, dated 29 September, which says that sector organisations working with migrant and other marginalised communities have faced threats of violence and attacks by the media.
It says the Civil Society Covenant, published in July to “reset” the relationship between the state and the sector, includes a pledge to create a fair, just and equitable society including the protection of human rights.
“We urge you to put this commitment into action, and we stand ready to play our part to ensure the freedom and future of the UK,” it reads.
The letter comes after the Charity Commission took the rare step of removing the names of trustees from several refugee charities listed on its register in August due to a potential safety risk.
Last month, several charities including Bail for Immigration Detainees (BiD), Care4Calais and Freedom from Torture, along with many lawyers, signed a statement of solidarity in the face of what they describe as mounting threats from the far right.
BiD reported facing harassment after the Telegraph ran its story on 17 September titled “Home Office charity guide for migrants to avoid deportation”.
Last week, shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick was criticised after posting a video claiming that many immigration judges have links to “open borders charities” and naming BiD.
Government response
The letter, signed by leaders of sector organisations including umbrella bodies NCVO, ACEVO and the Charity Retail Association, urges the government to enable civil society to build resilience to extremism within communities who are being exploited.
It says this work should include Black and minoritised women’s organisations as key stakeholders “given the weaponisation by the far right of violence against women and girls”.
“We are experiencing increasing racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and antisemitism on the streets and in workplaces, including abuse of charity staff and charity shop volunteers,” it reads.
“All this alongside attacks by the media and threats of violence against lawyers and civil society groups working with migrant and other marginalised communities.”
Equally Ours chief executive Ali Harris, who wrote the letter, said: “Civil society leaders are taking this collective stand because our organisations and the communities we serve are experiencing growing racist, Islamophobic and antisemitic threats and aggression - in places of worship, offices, shops, on public transport and high streets.”
A government spokesperson said: “Racism is completely unacceptable and has no place in our society.
“This government has pride in our tolerant and diverse country, and we are dedicated to tackling inequality at its roots, including working closely with ethnic minority leaders to enact change.
“We have a strong legal framework in place to deal with the perpetrators of racism and other forms of hate crime and expect those responsible for these abhorrent offences to be brought to justice.”
