Foyle MP and SDLP leader Colum Eastwood
He was speaking from Westminster in London where his party opposed the Tory party’s anti-refugee bill in the House of Commons.
Said the Foyle MP: “When the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is criticising the British government’s Nationality and Borders Bill for creating an asylum model that undermines established international refugee protection rules and practices then you know they are on the wrong side of the argument.
“Criminalising people seeking asylum is inhumane and wrong and will not stop desperate people from taking dangerous measures to be with their families.
“Instead, people crossing open water will take more risks. That should be on the conscience of this Tory government.
“We must have a compassionate solution to help people be with their families, instead of corralling human beings into detention.
“I can stand before my constituents and continue to say that refugees are welcome in Derry.
“The SDLP will continue to reject these nasty policies and will always vote for a kinder, welcome and open Northern Ireland for everyone,” he added.
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