"ALL of us" have a responsibility to "debunk myths and misinformation" targeting refugees and asylum seekers, Scotland’s equalities minister has said.
Speaking to The National as part of our series highlighting positive stories of refugees in Scotland, Kaukab Stewart told how she had an “absolutely heartbreaking” encounter with a young unaccompanied refugee in Perth, where a number of protests have been held outside of a hotel.
The Glasgow Kelvin MSP said that the young man said with “great sadness in his eyes” that he was not a threat and was just looking to rebuild his life.
In the current climate where far-right narratives can spread rapidly, Stewart says, politicians and the public must “resist attempts to dehumanise people”.
It comes as hotels housing asylum seekers in Perth and Falkirk, as well as in England, have been subject to protests. On Wednesday, Holyrood gained a new Reform MSP, after Graham Simpson defected from the Tories ahead of the beginning of the final parliamentary term before the 2026 election.
Stewart lamented that there is an “obsession” within the UK Government and media on the number of asylum seekers in the country. She said that it is a “great shame” Keir Starmer’s Government is “pandering” to Reform’s policies.
“We resist that here, I absolutely reject that,” she said.
“Human rights are human rights, and they are there for all humans.
“By the very virtue of being a human, you are entitled to have human rights, and we cannot see any rollback to that at all, and we will resist that very strongly.”
Stewart insisted that the Scottish Government is taking a “human rights-based approach” to asylum seekers, crafting “holistic” policy with the Scottish Refugee Council.
“We support as far as we can, and organisations such as Police Scotland, who have been absolutely fantastic in quickly putting out there, accurate information, and rebutting rumours that are unsubstantiated.”
Earlier this week, the force issued a warning over misinformation that was shared in relation to an incident in Dundee after a 12-year-old girl was charged with possession of offensive weapons.
Twitter/X owner Elon Musk and far-right agitator Tommy Robinson were amongst those who shared posts about the incident.
“I think that obviously, we're dealing with the digital landscape where misinformation and disinformation can spread rapidly,” Stewart said.
“If people are feeling vulnerable because of the effect of Brexit, because of the effect of austerity, they're feeling the pinch with the cost of living crisis – none of those things are the fault of refugees and asylum seekers.
“All of those are UK decisions, and that's where the accountability lies.
“It's very worrying to see that certain people are taking advantage of people feeling a bit vulnerable about their own life, and sowing those seeds of misinformation and disinformation.”
Stewart said that in her view “cohesive communities” and allowing people to “connect with one another” is the antidote to the rise of the far-right narrative.
“It's that fear of the unknown,” she added, “and the more human connections that we make and get to know each other, we realise that actually we have more in common than we don't.
“It puts the empathy and the sympathy right at the heart of it, where you know dignity, respect for everybody, for all of our citizens, and taking that human rights approach.”
Speaking about her recent visit to speak with unaccompanied minors in Perth, Stewart explained that refugees are “doing their best to integrate and connect with the local community”.
“We must remember that seeking asylum is not illegal,” she added.
“These are humans, and human rights enables people to seek asylum when they are fleeing persecution.
“There should be a humane and efficient asylum system that’s got dignity and respect at the heart of it, that can actually process people efficiently so that they can actually get on and live their lives.
“None of them want to be stuck in hotel rooms or alternative accommodation, all of which comes under the responsibility of the Home Office and the UK Government.”
Stewart insisted that “strengthening social connections” will help “increase that understanding of people who have suffered greatly”.
She added: “It’s humanising people and resisting these attempts to dehumanise people. It’s what we must do, resist these attempts that are dehumanising some of the most vulnerable people that have suffered deep trauma.”
