More than 150 lawyers and various organizations, including human rights, refugee, and environmental groups, have reported feeling forced into silence. This has happened due to rape and death threats from far-right and anti-migrant protesters.
At least two refugee NGOs that were assisting asylum seekers who were served notices by the Home Office for forced removal to France as part of Labour’s disputed “one in, one out” scheme have been compelled to close their offices due to credible threats to their safety.
Prominent organizations such as Liberty, Greenpeace, Care4Calais, Bail for Immigration Detainees, Choose Love, the Runnymede Trust, and Freedom from Torture, along with numerous lawyers, have signed a statement in solidarity to combat the increasing threats.
A significant concern raised by these organizations is the role of media and social media in fueling hostility toward migrants. They have called for an end to narratives that incite division, urging journalists and media outlets to act responsibly and with integrity.
The situation escalated when personal details of some NGO staff members were shared online. Threats received included violent comments against the staff and their families, with some directly referencing rape and harm.
The joint statement emphasizes that these attacks are more than just verbal threats; they have real consequences, fostering fear within communities and among staff and volunteers, leading to the targeting of their offices. Consequently, organizations operating with already limited resources are forced to work more discreetly, fearing that any public stance could invite abuse or physical danger, essentially silencing them from speaking out about the injustices they witness daily.
This growing concern over increasing racism and hatred towards migrants follows reports of some NGOs having to install safe rooms to protect against far-right attacks, with some feeling pressured to relocate their offices.
Bail for Immigration Detainees, one of the participating organizations, stated that such attacks only emphasize the importance of their work in ensuring access to justice and protecting the rights of those most in need. Despite attempts to intimidate or harass organizations advocating for fundamental rights and the rule of law, their resolve to continue this essential work has been strengthened by the collective support they have received.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/sep/22/more-than-150-lawyers-and-refugee-ngos-report-being-pressured-into-silence-by-far-right-protesters
