New attacks on migrants expose the government as racists

The government is redoubling its attacks on refugees, yet ordinary people are resisting Picture: Guy Smallman

Frank Ospina is yet another ­victim of the British ­government’s brutal anti‑migrant offensive. He died last week in Colnbrook removal centre near Heathrow ­airport, which is next to the adjoining Harmondsworth immigration detention site.

He is believed to have been 39 and from Colombia. Detainees said he died by suicide. The Guardian newspaper says that shortly after reports of Frank Ospina’s death circulated, a number of other detainees attempted suicide.

Some detainees staged a protest at the centre last week. And there are also reports of repeated protests within Yarl’s Wood detention centre in Bedfordshire because access to healthcare, clothing and food has been heavily restricted.

Detainees say they are confined to their rooms for long hours, isolated and unable to exercise. Yet the government is going to make the system harsher, ramming through more anti-migrant laws and expanding detention.

And three sites, including two ­ex-military bases, will be used as migrant housing as refugees are removed from hotels.

The sites could contain “several thousand” people, immigration ­minister Robert Jenrick said last week. But he is now tangling with other Tories over the issues—as well as anti-racists.

In an attempt to say that ­refugees are the enemies of ordinary people, Jenrick said he would “not elevate the wellbeing of illegal migrants above the British people”. “Accommodation for migrants should meet essential living needs and nothing more,” he added.

The proposals for these sites are triggering ­protests. Sometimes these are initiated by people that are not racist—but they tend to be swiftly taken over by ­campaigners who are.

The government has announced that a redundant prison and army base outside Bexhill in Sussex will be used as one of their internment camps.

Some local residents organised a protest on Saturday against the plan. Stand Up To Racism ­supporters from the area say, “We weren’t sure who had organised it, nor their demands. Some of us went over to find out.

“About 150 to 200 people turned up, as did around half a dozen of us. It was a toxic atmosphere with lots of verbal aggression aimed at us, and our pro-refugee placards were smashed up.

“The vitriol and rage aimed at ­refugees was shocking. We left after 30 minutes, having made our point. We say refugees are not to blame for inflation, or the NHS crisis, or the cost of housing. We say refugees are welcome here.

“But asylum seekers deserve far better than decrepit internment camps in hostile environments. We demand that asylum seekers are allowed to work, to contribute and to be part of our communities. Above all, we call for safe routes for refugees to seek asylum here.”