New manifesto to ‘Stop the Inhumanity at Europe’s Borders’

A manifesto calling for an end to the inhumane treatment of refugees and people on the move across the UK and Europe, and for the adoption of humane, rights-based migration and asylum policies, will be launched at an event at the University of East London (UEL).

Hosted by UEL’s Psychology Department and Centre for Research on Migration, Refugees and Belonging (CMRB), in partnership with United Against Inhumanity (UAI),  the hybrid event, scheduled for April 16 at 6pm (BST), will bring together leading academics, clinicians and human rights advocates to examine how current asylum policies impact the psychosocial wellbeing of refugees. 

Central to the evening is the unveiling of the manifesto of UAI's Campaign to Stop the Inhumanity at Europe's Borders, a document already supported by over 160 civil society organisations across the continent, including Médecins Sans Frontières, Oxfam and Save the Children. 

The event features keynote addresses from Dr Claire Marshall, Counselling Psychologist and Senior Lecturer at UEL, Dr Jeff Crisp, Visiting Fellow at the Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford,  Committee Member of UAI in the UK, and Dr Lul Seyoum, founder of the International Centre for Eritrean Refugees and Asylum Seekers (ICERAS) and Co-Chair of UAI in the UK.

Dr Claire Marshall, Senior Lecturer on the Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at the University of East London, said:

What we are seeing is not simply a mental health issue, but the psychosocial impact of sustained exposure to exclusion, uncertainty and institutional practices that undermine people’s sense of safety and belonging. This manifesto is an important step in recognising that responsibility sits with systems, not individuals, and in calling for meaningful, humane alternatives.”

The evening will also feature a panel discussion chaired by Professor Rachel Tribe, Professor of Applied Psychology, featuring experts from the Refugee Council, Art Refuge, Good Shepherd London, Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA) and King's College London.

Martin Barber, Secretary of the International Executive Committee of UAI said: 

The policies of European governments towards refugees arriving in Europe are exacting a severe toll on the mental health of people already severely impacted by events at home and on their journeys. At UAI, we are delighted to be partnering with UEL to launch our manifesto to highlight what is happening and to explore ways of promoting the psycho-social wellbeing of refugees.”

Event details

• What: “Promoting the psychosocial wellbeing of refugees: UK launch of a manifesto to stop the inhumanity at Europe's borders”
• Date: Thursday April 16, 2026
• Time: 5:30pm–8pm BST (In-person) | 6pm–8pm BST (Online)
• Location: University Square Stratford (USS), 1 Salway Road, London E15 1NF (Room USS.G.17) and via Microsoft Teams.
• Registration: Use this link to register.