Open Letter to the home secretary

Dear Home Secretary,

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We are writing to you as a community of young, internationally-minded individuals from across London concerned about the government’s approach to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

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Over the past ten days, we have watched in horror as tensions have escalated into a full-scale Russian invasion. It is estimated that over one million people have already fled in the last few weeks, leaving behind their homes, their loved ones and their livelihoods. And these are the lucky ones.

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We strongly believe that the government’s current set of proposals do not go far enough, failing the people of Ukraine and condemning many to greater loss, misery and bloodshed.

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We are therefore asking you to follow the same path as some of our closest allies and remove the need for visas for Ukrainians fleeing this cruel war, irrespective of whether they possess family members who have settled in the U.K. Furthermore, our approach should mirror that under consideration in the European Union, giving anyone fleeing the conflict the automatic right to asylum for up to three years.

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In these times of war, we must stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. If we do not, not only do we turn our backs on the very values upon which we pride ourselves, but we bring the dark spectre of war ever closer to our shores.

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For the sake of all that is decent and just, we urge you to take bold and constructive action on this issue by removing the need for visas for Ukrainians fleeing this war.

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We hope to hear from you soon

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Yours sincerely,

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The London Global Shapers