Every third Monday of the month, a committed group of Christians gather outside the Home Office building in Westminster, to honour and remember the people who have died trying to reach the UK, those who suffer due to the current cruel system, as well as those who are who have the power – but not always the will – to improve the system. We have both had the privilege of attending the vigil, to reflect upon these issues.
It is so important that we remember the individual stories and people, who are often forgotten in the headlines. During the vigil, a list of names is read out, honouring those who lost their lives in the previous year’s month – this month, we remembered those who lost their lives in July 2023. We also spent time in prayer, song, and silent reflection together.
In 2023, 29,437 people arrived in the UK on small boats. In 2024, 75% of those making the journey were men, and 16% were children. Most of these people then apply for asylum upon arrival – according to the Home Office, 93% of those crossing the Channel between 2018 and 2024 applied for asylum, or were a dependent to someone who was. It is also important to keep in mind that the people making these journeys did not have access to safe routes – which are currently extremely limited and inaccessible. In addition, this was not helped by the COVID-19 pandemic, now with even fewer people able to arrive using a safe route.
When reflecting on these statistics, it is easy to forget that behind each one is a story, a person, and a desire to be safe and respected. Pope Francis reminds us of this: “Each of them has a name, a face, and a story […] as well as an inalienable right to live in peace and to aspire to a better future for their sons and daughters.” During the vigil, when the list of names was read out, it was so powerful to reflect upon the contrast between the media narrative, and what’s actually happening – this was even more amplified by holding a presence outside the Home Office; through the power of prayer, community and action, we remember the individual stories – the people – and honoured the lives that they could’ve had.
As a group of Christians we remembered that, just as Jesus sought refuge in Egypt, those fleeing today are still just searching for a place to call home. We both find comfort in being surrounded by like-minded people of faith, who honour the words of God – as Jesus said, ‘When I was a stranger, you welcomed me’. It was a heart-warming reminder that there are people that care. The government’s decisions don’t reflect the compassion and care of British people, and what they want for their neighbours.
Standing outside of the Home Office, we both recognised that for most people – and for us – life carries on. But it is so valuable to amplify the voices of those who are silenced, and remember those whose lives can’t just carry on – those who have no choice but to make dangerous journeys, and who are then left – stuck in limbo – in the current UK Asylum System.
