7th January 2003
International
co-operation, not destitution, is the solution to UK asylum issues,
says UN
International co-operation, not destitution,
is the solution to UK asylum issues says UN.
The introduction of new draconian rules
affecting the provision of minimum support for asylum seekers, is
not the answer to UK asylum issues, says the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The UK has had a long tradition of
giving sanctuary to those fleeing persecution, as have many other
countries, but much more needs to be done to make international
responsibility sharing a reality, so that asylum seekers do not
have to make the long journey to the UK.
Development aid, targeted at the countries
and regions which produce refugees, together with international
agreements for sharing responsibility for asylum seekers has to
be the long term way forward.
“Forcing asylum seekers who are
here into other ways of trying to survive will not answer these
issues. “ Said Anne Dawson-Shepherd, UNHCR Representative
in the UK.
“We know that the trauma that
individuals may have suffered as a result of persecution, as well
as the impact of difficult journeys in order to get to the UK, often
makes it difficult to claim asylum immediately on reaching the UK.
The new rules may simply result in needless hardship and destitution
for refugees. “
“We hope that the government
will apply these rules flexibly and with compassion, and not as
a punitive, deterrent measure.”
Ends
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