The May 7th generalelection this yearoffers an opportunityfor voters to play avital role in decidingwhat sort of societywe want to live in. Italso offers thevarious politicalparties theopportunity to setout their vision forthe future. But whenthey do, we wantthem to promote asociety that respectsall its members -including refugees,asylum seekers andmigrants.

Too often, the debate about immigrationturns into the denigration of migrants.Immigrants and refugees are scapegoated,and blamed for all the ills of our society - anoverstretched NHS, low wages,unemployment and lack of housing - whileasylum seekers are demonised andabandoned, their traumatic past forgotten ordismissed, our responsibility to thempassed on to somebody else.

We do not believe that migrants, refugees orasylum seekers have an adverse effect onthe UK, and we do not believe thatimmigration is the greatest problem we facein the UK at the moment, despite the

enormous amount of publicity it receivesfrom the press and politicians. We shouldnot cast migrants and asylum seekers asthe other in our society; difference is asource of strength, not division. Ourpoliticians must stand up for a Britain thatrecognises and appreciates its diversity, thatprotects those fleeing persecution, andvalues those who come to the UK to workhard and contribute.

So let the 2015 general election beremembered for its positive messages. Thepress and politicians often claim that theBritish people are worried about thenumber of refugees and migrants here. Butmany of us disagree, and our voice must beheard too.

An initiative of Registered Charity 1132666 March 2015

The INTERFAITH MANIFESTO

For the just treatment ofrefugees, asylum seekers and migrants

An initiative of Registered Charity 1132666 March 2015

There is a fair immigration and asylumsystem

Asylum seekers, refugees and migrantsare treated with dignity and respect andhelped to integrate into British society

Politicians and the press do not stereotypeor demonise refugees, asylum andmigrants

No asylum-seeking children are placed indetention centres, in line with the UNConvention on the Rights of the Child

Asylum seekers are never forced intodestitution

Asylum seekers have the right to work ifthey have been waiting more than sixmonths for their case to be resolved

Migrant workers are protected fromexploitation such as slavery, servitude orbonded labour

We, the undersigned representatives of faithcommunities in Great Britain, call on our politicalleaders to pursue ethical, moral and fair policiestowards migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.

WE BELIEVE IN A BRITAINWHERE:

An initiative of Registered Charity 1132666 March 2015

First, we ask you to sign the manifesto.

But actions speak louder than words. Sowe also hope that your community willcommit to fulfilling two (or more) of thefollowing actions between now and thegeneral election on May 7th.

1 Circulate the manifesto Distribute it throughout your

community through emails,newsletters and any other platformsyou use.

2 Preach about it Speak about immigration in your

sermons, through pre-electioneducation events, panels or discussiongroups.

3 Engage your youth Run briefing events for first-time

voters. Encourage youth groups to run

educational activities for theirmembers.

4Get involved Volunteer at a drop-in centre for

asylum seekers/refugees near you. Organise/contribute to food and clothes

collections for drop-in centres.

5 Get political Write to your prospective parliamentary

candidates to find out their views onimmigration. Ask them to commit tofulfilling the manifesto post-election.

Attend local pre-election events (suchas hustings) and question yourparliamentary candidates about theseissues.

Monitor and correct your local andnational press for bias or inaccuraciesregarding these issues.

WHAT CANWE DO?

Keep in touchMake sure you let us know how yourcommunity has responded to themanifesto. Let us know what youhave done or have planned from thefive action points above and whathelp, if any, you might need. Keepnot only your community, but alsothe wider world engaged with yourcommunitys participation in theInterfaith Manifesto by sharingevents, articles or sermons onTwitter and Facebook and by usingthe hashtag #InterfaithManifesto.