I just posted this on Twitter:
We could solve this problem.
It is the egos of politicians that is preventing this happening.
Why can't we accept that people have a right to apply for asylum here, and create a safe and orderly system to let them do so?
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Ego may play a part but without “illegal” immigrants[1] to target politicians’ jobs are made harder — divide and rule is much easier than actually dealing with problems.
[1] At least 60% of the boat migrants are granted asylum and so are not illegal in any way: https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/latest/news/majority-of-people-on-small-boats-crossing-channel-last-year-are-refugees-new-analysis-shows/
I think 60% a serious understatement
I believe it is 67% on first application, plus a lot more on appeal.
Richard, your posts keep saying we can share by clicking on icons, but I see no icons.
They should be at the bottom of the page. They are for me on Chrome.
According to the UN refugee charter, which the UK is a signitory of, asylum seekers are, by definition, legal entrants to a country no matter what method they use to gain access. This demonisation of people as illegal is just another part of the right wing playbook to find some segment of the population to use as a target for their hate speech.
Trying to “smash the gangs” of criminal people smugglers in an attempt to thwart small boat crossings is as futile as pursuing drug smugglers to thwart the consumption of cannabis, cocaine or heroin. The problem in both cases lies in the unavailability of safe and legal access. Yet time and time again, cowardly governments pander to our punitive instincts, and in doing so, enable the very behaviours they purport to condemn.
And Yvette Cooper has the nerve to say her heart goes out to the families of those who have died. Hypocrisy doesn’t come much more blatant and despicable.
Much to agree with
The reason the Labour government won’t create a safe way for asylum seekers to come here to have their cases considered is the corollary to their decision to go for austerity. Their policies will become more and more nasty and disliked by the public. Playing the refugee/immigrant/minority card often succeeds.
I fear you are right Larry
The people of this country are wedged between two extremes – austerity and Fascism, both of which make the concept of asylum nigh untenable.
And that starts right at the top of society with our nasty politicians playing games encouraging hate or fake empathy.
One wonders why though these people continue to come to Britain, given how hostile or indifferent the response is? I’ve seen asylum seekers go to other countries and seem to do better there.
But then we get to the nub of the real reason they come here: because they have no choice – they are fleeing from something bad.
I was watching a marvelous documentary about the ‘war’ photographer Don McCullin the other day. It is also a potted history of social upheaval from the late 50’s to the 1970’s/early 1980’s around the world (up to when the Christians infamously murdered Muslims in Beirut).
It reminded me of just how violent and disruptive the world has been since World War 2. I mean, the extent of death and violence and suffering (remember Biafra anyone?) going on around the world was simply staggering, and probably still is. McCullin was fired from his job at the Sunday Times when he was told by Murdoch (the new owner) that lifestyle issues and advertising were going to take over in the magazine and his photo essays telling people what was going on in the world were finished.
So, is this what helps to foster ignorance of other people’s plights and renders us indifferent? Well, it does not help, does it?
I think my compatriots are mostly decent people who have been made less decent through austerity, Fascism and ignorance by those who control information in our society.
Let’s us never lose sight of that.
Look up!
It is divisive. And ultimately filled by greed.
Foreign policy that favours neoliberalism and growth over fairness and social justice.
We could stop exporting arms to regimes with questionable records on human rights and even sanction them instead.
This is only going to get worse with climate change as populated parts of the world become unlivable and basic resources become scarce in the affected regions.
Instead we privatise profits and nationalise the resultant costs – both human and economic.
Collectively, Governments should be promoting peace, stability and sustainability above all else.