Interfaith manifesto calls for ‘ethical moral and fair’ policies for migrants

Jewish leaders have called on the next government to pursue “ethical, moral and fair policies towards migrants, asylum seekers and refugees” in an interfaith manifesto.

Asylum seekers who have been waiting for six months for their case to be heard should have the right to work in the UK, the faith leaders declare, and children should not be placed in detention centres.

The manifesto is an initiative of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality (JCORE), whose founder Edie Friedman said: “The responsibility to speak out for the rights of those who have no voice is a religious one. I am delighted so many faith leaders can say that the negative public debate is not taking place in their name.”

Over 50 leaders from the Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Protestant, Catholic, Methodist, Quaker, Sikh and Buddhist communities have signed up to the manifesto, including representatives from Reform and Liberal Judaism and the Muslim Council of Britain.