We mourn the loss of Ahmad Al Ibrahim

We are devastated by the tragic killing of Ahmad Al Ibrahim, a 16-year-old young person who was under our care and representation at the time of his death.

Ahmad was a kind, thoughtful and resilient young man who had fled conflict and sought safety in the UK. We came to know him during his time in Swansea, and we continued to represent and support him after he moved to Huddersfield to be closer to family. He was excited about this new chapter in his life and hopeful for the future he was building.

The verdict this week, finding his killer guilty of murder, brings accountability — but it cannot undo the horror of losing a young life filled with promise.

Ahmad’s death is not only a personal tragedy — it reflects a wider climate of hostility that young refugees and asylum-seekers are forced to navigate in the UK.

Across the country, we have seen a rise in racist hate crime and anti-migrant violence, fuelled by dehumanising political rhetoric and media scapegoating. That environment leaves young people like Ahmad more vulnerable, even when they begin to feel safe and settled.

His loss is a devastating reminder of how fragile safety can be for those seeking refuge, and how urgently we must confront the racism, neglect, and systemic failings that put young people at risk.

We hold Ahmad in our hearts, and we stand in solidarity with his family, his friends, and the communities mourning him in Swansea, Huddersfield, and beyond. We also stand with every young person who comes to this country in search of safety, and we renew our commitment to fighting for the dignity, protection, and belonging they deserve.