Ever wondered where asylum seekers come from and why they had to leave their own country? You’re not alone – so I’m looking at the top 10 nationalities applying for asylum in the UK in 2011 compared to the previous year.
My piecharts show where the most common applications for asylum were coming from in 2011 and 2010. But it’s also equally important to look at what’s going on in these countries to understand why people flee their homes and all they know.
Sadly the information in these graphs highlights countries in the world where the people face violent conflict and the worst human rights abuses including political oppression; torture; enforced disappearances; arbitrary detention; violence and oppression of women and religious hatred.
Worryingly there are some new countries entering the top 10 in 2011 like Libya and Bangladesh. It’s concerning that instead of the standard of living and human rights improving, in these countries they’re getting worse – and as a result more people are being forced to flee their homes to seek refuge elsewhere.
What do the statistics mean?
Looking at the changes year-on-year highlights the problems that are arising in countries throughout the world.
Libya in 2011
2011 was the first time Libya was included in the top 10 nationalities seeking asylum in the UK. It’s concerning that a country has deteriorated to such an extent that its people are forced to flee and seek safety elsewhere.
In 2011 Libyans peacefully protests were met with brutal violence prompting UN Security Council military intervention and a year of violent conflict. Certain groups continue to be targeted; particularly Sub-Saharan Africans, dark-skinned Libyans, and other ethnic groups, who are now facing human rights abuses such as displacement from their homes, intimidation, arbitrary detention, and abuse by armed brigades and militias.
Bangladesh in 2011
Like Libya, Bangladesh was new to the top 10 in 2011. Amnesty International has recently been raising concerns about enforced disappearances of key political opposition figures. It’s equally shocking to learn about abusive practises continuing with impunity including: whipping; lashing; publicly humiliation of women and girls – forcibly cutting their hair, blackening their faces – and ostracising women, girls, and families.
Respond to a changing world
There has been significant and detrimental changes in the countries which now make up the top 10 nationalities applying for asylum in the UK.
Refugees come here seeking safety because of what is happening to them in their own country. They are forced to make difficult decisions in order to survive and must leave all they know.
We need to adapt our understanding and attitudes to respond to what is going on in different parts of the world, and offer sanctuary and safety to those people who so desperately need it.
