It is refugee week here in the UK a week to celebrate the rich contribution refugees bring to the UK and promote a better understanding of why people seek sanctuary, sadly however, we are currently witnessing the worst crisis since World War 11.
One million refugees still desperately in need of resettlement, some sanctuary, safe harbour. Currently there are 4 million Syrian refugees struggling to survive in Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt. More than 3 million refugees in Sub-Sahara Africa and only a small fraction being offered resettlement. Since 2013, 3,500 people have drowned trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea in 2014, 1,865 so far this year. People daily dying, due to drowning, starvation or dehydration.
World leaders are condemning millions of refugees to an unbearable existence and thousands to death by failing to provide essential humanitarian protection, because they pursue selfish political interests instead of showing some human compassion.
Amnesty International have published today a new briefing today in Beirut, ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20th
The Global Refugee Crisis; a conspiracy of neglect
https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/pol40/1796/2015/en/
Governments across the world have a duty to ensure people do not die trying to reach safety, after managing to escape, persecution, torture, oppression, poverty, etc. Our own Government has not yet joined the United Nations High Commission for Refugees - a resettlement programme, but has instead set up its own programme providing minimal assistance. Unlike Germany who have pledged to take 11,000 Syrian refugees as part of a UN initiative. Even much smaller countries with respect, like Sweden and Norway have agreed to take in a significant number, to Britain's shame.
We must continue to counter the element of persecution of migrants and refugees, who have been scapegoated for no fault of their own. That has been fuelled by the rise of the racist UKIP party.
On the 25th of June European leaders will have the chance to take decisive action to save lives and stop smugglers in their tracks by offering refugees another route to safety. We must resettle more people bringing them directly and safely to European Countries. Please act now and call on the Prime Minister David Cameron to protect refugees in the Mediterranean.
http://act.refugeecouncil.org.uk/lobby/medcrisis
It is essential that we offer a safe have for desperate refugees, offering them protection and dignity, lets steer away from the mindset of Fortress Europe. To be welcomed and accepted , to be treated with respect, no one is illegal, no one should be caged, imprisoned, quarantined, denied access, abused and vilified for simply seeking freedom. In these uncertain times, we must offer them hope, and a means of survival.We must end the detentions and deportations. Let us stand together against racism and for international solidarity with migrants and refugees the world over.
No one is lllegal, we are all human.
