Mothers' Union joins campagin for a Sanctuary Pledge

Mothers’ Union has committed its 92,000-strong UK voice to the Citizens for Sanctuary campaign which calls on all prospective candidates in the forthcoming general election to sign the Sanctuary Pledge.

The Sanctuary Pledge, an initiative from Citizens UK, seeks to protect the rights of those seeking safety in the UK, asking government not only to commit to fair and humane treatment for people seeking safety from persecution in their home country, but a change in the very terminology used to describe the need. It aims to secure justice and acceptance of the need for those seeking sanctuary – more commonly called asylum.

Mothers’ Union not only has a long association with assisting families fleeing persecution, but also has within its 3.6 million membership women who have themselves had to flee from their own country with nothing, in order to find safety for their family. We want to join our voice with the 17 other organisations supporting Sanctuary Pledge to demonstrate publically how important the support of ordinary people is to children and families who have faced injustices, oppression and terror at home and who seek safety in our Islands. Mothers’ Union believes strongly that children should not be detained for immigration purposes and that politicians must address the issue of sanctuary responsibly during their General Election campaigning.

Our membership, therefore, can bring a massive pressure to bear so that a sea change for the better, not only in political thinking, but in attitudes within the media to asylum seekers will change.

Speaking at the launch of Sanctuary Pledge, Margaret Beringer, Mothers’ Union central trustee said “On behalf of 92,000 members of Mothers’ Union within the UK, I support the Sanctuary Pledge. The Christ-like mission of Mothers’ Union is to reach out to families who are isolated, in trouble or in need of help, so it is important that our grassroots members encourage their prospective parliamentary candidates to sing the Sanctuary Pledge.”

Alongside Mothers’ Union the campaign is being backed by the Church of England, The Methodist Church, The Baptist Union and other faith and refugee support groups.  If you would like to read more, or become involved as a lobbyist, read our Election Guide or visit the Sanctuary Pledge website by clicking here.