28th October 2003
MPs
Support 1951 Refugee Convention
New
research amongst members of Parliament has shown strong support
for the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention. In a poll by MORI, 84
percent of MPs agreed that “the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention
has a key role to play in protecting refugees and human rights”.
Only 9 percent “disagreed.” *(see notes below)
The
release of the research coincides with today’s visit by
UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Ruud Lubbers, who is scheduled
to meet the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary. They are expected
to continue a dialogue on how the High Commissioner’s “Convention
Plus” initiative can build on the foundation of the 1951
Convention to address contemporary asylum challenges worldwide.
“Convention Plus” was launched following a declaration
by the UK and some 140 other states at a Dec. 2001 ministerial-level
conference which recognised the 1951 Refugee Convention’s
“enduring importance” and the “continuing relevance
and resilience” of the rights and principles it embodies.
Other
items expected to be discussed during today’s meetings include
the UK resettlement scheme for vulnerable refugees. Under this
scheme refugees, identified by UNHCR, are found homes in third
countries and the UK has agreed to take 500 refugees in the first
year. 18 countries currently participate in UNHCR’s global
resettlement programmes.
ENDS
Notes
for editors:
*The
poll was carried out during June/July 2003 on behalf of UNHCR
by MORI. MORI interviewed 119 MPs face to face. Full details below:
“On
the subject of asylum, to what extent do you agree or disagree
that “the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention has a key role
to play in protecting refugees and human rights”?
| |
All
MPs |
Lab
MPs |
Con
MPs |
| Strongly
agree |
34% |
43% |
11% |
| Tend
to agree |
50% |
45% |
55% |
| Neither
agree nor disagree |
6% |
4% |
13% |
| Tend
to disagree |
8% |
5% |
17% |
| Strongly
disagree |
1% |
2% |
0% |
| Don't
Know/Not stated |
1% |
0% |
4% |
For more information:
John Leaman, MORI on 020 7347 3000 or at john.leaman@mori.com
