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A senior aristocrat who fled the Nazis and came to England as a child refugee has lashed out at Robert Jenrick’s “shocking” order to paint over a children’s cartoon mural in an asylum centre.
Labor Party Lord Doves, who arrived in Britain as a six-year-old refugee after fleeing Jewish persecution in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia in 1939, intends to raise the issue when the illegal immigration bill returns to the House of Lords this year. said. week.
I Jenrick revealed last week that he ordered the removal of cartoon characters such as Mickey Mouse and Baloo from The Jungle Book at the Kent Asylum Facility in Dover in April because they were “too welcoming”. bottom.
The interior ministry confirmed that cartoon characters on the walls of the refugee center were painted over on Tuesday following Mr Jenric’s orders.
Lord Doves, 90, said: I: “I find it shocking. This shows that the hostile comments weren’t just limited to Suela Braverman.
“I think there are a lot of cabinet ministers who are hostile to refugees and don’t treat refugees as equals, but I don’t think all of them.
“It’s almost impossible to understand how government ministers can wish children such unhappiness. After all, for children, the places they go to feel a little friendlier and more welcoming.” What could be more innocent than a few cartoon characters who can help you?
“I’m really surprised that there are people like that in government. It’s completely free. I don’t know what he’s thinking.
“Even for those who are hostile to refugees, I think it goes a step too far. Even coming from the government that created this illegal immigration bill, something so shocking, this gratuitous hostility is quite shocking.” I think I will receive
He called on senior Conservative Party officials to oppose the decision to paint over the caricatures.
The Labor Party member was one of 669 children who fled the Holocaust. kindergarten transportation A train from Prague planned by British stockbroker Sir Nicholas Winton.
Earlier this year, Home Secretary Suera Braverman and Mr Jenrick made “vile” comments about asylum seekers crossing the English Channel after questioning the “values” of migrants arriving in the UK on Friday. , accusing government ministers of “pandering to extreme elements”. It was a small boat, suggesting the former was likely the criminal.
Painting over the mural “shows hostility towards vulnerable youth and the reluctance of the people of this country to welcome them,” said Lord Doves.
“I think this goes against all traditions about our attitudes towards vulnerable people,” he added.
“Since we came by Kinder Transport, things were different. I didn’t feel hostility from anyone.
“I just felt confused and confused. I have traveled.”
Meanwhile, a minister claimed refugee children arriving in the UK were “well looked after” after the government faced backlash for painting over cartoon murals in asylum centres.
Asked whether she agreed with the order, Treasury Secretary Victoria Atkins said it was important to “focus on the fundamentals.”
“If you have children arriving in the UK by small boat, they will be given proper care as soon as they land in the UK,” she told Sky News.
“Local authorities can step in and take care of their welfare, health needs and educational needs.
Ms Atkins added that the government’s priority was to prevent people from “being tempted by criminal gangs to cross the Channel”, which was “a very dangerous journey”.
She declined to say whether she supported the decision to have the mural painted over, saying, “When children come to the UK in very frightening conditions, as we do, we want them to be well taken care of. I want it,” he insisted.
She continued: “What I care about is how the children are looked after when they come here. I am confident that they will be given the care and welfare that we expect.”
When Jenrik issued the order after visiting the unit earlier this year, it was colorfully branded to make it clear that the facility was a “law enforcement agency” and “not a welcome center.” It is also said to have urged workers to remove the welcome sign. ”.
Leading children’s and human rights groups have said they are “disturbed and horrified” by the Home Office’s decision to cover up a cartoon mural at a center for orphaned children seeking asylum in the UK.
Children’s association chief executive Mark Russell called it a “shameful act”.
“I am embarrassed, angry and horrified that traumatized and vulnerable children could be treated in such a cruel and heartless manner,” he said. I.
“Children and young people already scarred by the trauma of fleeing their homes or traveling dangerously and seeking safety deserve our care and protection. We are faced with a hostile culture of distrust and criticism from.It is simply not enough.Children must first and foremost be treated as children, regardless of nationality, status or background.
Save the Children said the move was “extremely disturbing”.
Amnesty International’s Tom Sutherden said: “The pettiness and calculated cruelty of this decision exemplify this government’s overall approach to asylum. It’s all about seeing.”
“Robert Jenrick should be deeply ashamed of this whole episode. It tells you everything there is to know about.”
“We are doing everything in our power to ensure the safety, security and support of our children as we urgently seek employment in the local government,” said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs. All children undergo a welfare interview upon arrival at the accommodation. The interview includes questions to identify potential signs of human trafficking or security issues.
“Our priority is to stop boats and thwart smugglers. The government will go further to ensure that people who enter the UK illegally are detained and promptly transferred to their country of origin or a safe third country. We have introduced a law that guarantees