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I hope this email finds you well.
As I'm sure is the case with many, we felt a great sadness watching the events unfold in Afghanistan with the end of the UK's military intervention and the military takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban. This is a tragic culmination of a long series of military conflicts that has afflicted the country for decades, which have been exacerbated, prolonged or caused by foreign intervention by governments such as the UK.
Quakers in Britain call on the UK government to recognise it's responsibility and role in this crisis but also it's moral obligation to the people of Afghanistan. The UK's promise to provide visas for Afghan nationals working with British officials is positive but the responsibility does not end there and, as many Quakers will be well aware, the impacts of the governments 'hostile environment' make it so difficult for those seeking refuge.
''Current UK policy means that many migrants have no choice but to risk their lives on dangerous journeys to Britain and face hardship and a hostile environment when they arrive," said Paul Parker, Recording Clerk for Quakers in Britain. “This will be made worse by proposals in the Nationality and Borders Bill currently going through parliament. Now is not the time to harden our hearts to vulnerable people forced to flee their homes. Instead we need to change our approach to one that emphasises our common humanity."
This month also brings the one of the world's largest arms fairs to the docklands in East London. Read on to find out what Quakers are doing to challenge it, find out more news from QPSW, resources from the economics and sustainability programme, courses from our Peace education team, a blog article discussing what meaningful solidarity looks like, and much more.
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