Basic Human Rights for Asylum Seekers

Refugees are people who are fleeing from serious danger. ie war, political persecution, famine, economic crisis or natural disasters. In the UK asylum seekers face difficulties and barriers: widespread, indiscriminate detention; poverty; poor housing; poor access to healthcare; lack of training and employment opportunities. In housing, lower standards are applied for families seeking asylum than for other families.

The vouchers refugee families receive are set at a lower value than Income Support levels and stigmatise asylum-seekers. Moreover, many children who have lost their families and seek asylum do not receive the same care that is routinely offered to other children in need.

When the Government signed up to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991, they made an exception - refugee children. Asylum seekers come here because their lives and/or the wellbeing of their families and homes are in danger. They would not choose to leave there homes and families out of choice. They are the victims of war and famine and drought and poverty and they need our help. We are a country of plenty, and it is our responsibility as a civilised, developed nation and as human beings to give these people a home and a chance and treat them with compassion and respect.