Certain elements of the press have never been sympathetic to the small number of people who’ve come to Britain seeking a safe refuge from war and persecution.
This week, as two young Iranian men protesting outside the UK Border Agency had their tent set on fire while they slept inside it, we need to be more wary than ever of those who want to demonise a system that was set up simply to protect people.
Fewer people seeking asylum in the UK
Figures show that in the UK in 2010, only 22,090 people applied for asylum (including dependants). That’s 28% fewer than in 2009, and less than 0.05% of the total British population. In Scotland, just over 2,000 people were being supported through the asylum system at the end of 2010. Again, that’s less than 0.05% of the Scottish population.
When you see these statistics, you wonder why the more reactionary parts of the press have decided to fixate on this small group of people, who’ve come here simply to seek safety and the chance to live their lives without fear.
Britain’s role in drafting the Refugee Convention
On a day when a pride in being British is at the top of everyone’s minds – and Kate and Will walk down the aisle – there should be other reasons for being proud of our country as well. Sixty years ago this summer, British lawyers were instrumental in drafting the UN Refugee Convention. The Convention is the piece of paper that was created after the horrors of the Second World War – when we wanted to see no more people being killed and persecuted for their beliefs or way of life. Since then, the Convention has saved millions of lives.
Protecting the vulnerable is a core British value
And more recently, a survey has shown that most Brits do care about people seeking asylum. The Refugee Council surveyed people across Britain about their attitudes to protecting refugees – and of the Scottish responses, 85 per cent believed that protecting the vulnerable is a core British value. Fifty five per cent of Scots also believed that the UN Convention is just as relevant or more relevant for protecting people fleeing conflict today than it was in 1951. These figures were echoed by respondents from across the UK.
So instead of listening to those reactionary voices who want to demonise our duty to protect, let’s be proud of this. It’s as much a reason to celebrate as a certain royal wedding.
