Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton Urges Scottish MPs to Oppose Legislation at Westminster

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, has strongly urged Scottish MPs to reject the contentious Rwanda Bill, which is set to be debated in Westminster this week.

In a letter addressed to all 59 Scottish representatives, Foster-Fulton criticised the proposed legislation, which aims to declare Rwanda a “safe” destination for asylum seekers, despite a ruling by the Supreme Court against such a move. The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill is expected to spark further debates in the UK Parliament.

The Church of Scotland expressed its alarm over the government’s efforts to amend the law rather than addressing concerns about the safety and well-being of asylum seekers. Foster-Fulton stated that the UK has long been recognised as a leader in advocating for human rights globally, but the Bill risks damaging this reputation. She argued, “This Bill threatens to destroy that reputation, reducing our ability to speak with credibility on injustices and human rights abuses worldwide.”

The Moderator also highlighted the growing anxiety felt by many in Scottish churches, who fear being deported to Rwanda and left in an uncertain situation. Comparing the plight of refugees to the struggles of Jesus Christ, Foster-Fulton underscored the Church’s moral duty to advocate for a fair and compassionate system that respects the rights of all individuals, regardless of their origin or immigration status.

“We urge you to resist this Bill,” she added. “This legislation will only lead to more detentions, more deportations, and an environment of hostility.” She called on MPs to focus on finding solutions that truly support refugees fleeing war, persecution, and violence, particularly from countries like Syria, Afghanistan, and Ethiopia.

A spokesman for the Home Office defended the Bill, emphasising that the UK government had worked closely with the Rwandan government to address the Supreme Court’s concerns through the new Rwanda Treaty. He argued that Rwanda has a strong history of supporting refugees, having already hosted over 135,000 asylum seekers.

However, the Bill has faced strong opposition from political leaders. Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael echoed Foster-Fulton’s concerns, warning that the legislation would foster an environment of mistrust and hostility. He accused Conservative MPs of stoking anti-immigrant sentiments and argued that the policy was both ineffective and immoral.

The SNP’s home affairs spokeswoman, Alison Thewliss, condemned the Bill as “deeply callous and immoral,” pointing out that the UK government’s own briefings acknowledged Rwanda’s human rights issues. She reaffirmed Scotland’s commitment to an immigration system rooted in fairness and dignity, stressing that the SNP would continue to oppose the UK’s immigration policies.