'For many refugees escaping war or persecution, the only hope of rebuilding lives in safety and dignity is a fresh start in a new land.  Lets thank all those who welcome them, and help them to provide a place for their new guests to call home'  (UN High Commission for Refugees)

This section will be a forum for highlighting and promoting awareness and understanding of the many issues associated with asylum and immigration.  We believe that there is an urgent need for a forum that will help to redress the balance, and to challenge some of the negative portrayals associated with the asylum and immigration, whilst at the same time, offering realistic and balanced commentary.   

There is an urgent need to bring to the fore some of the real problems and hardships many people face, both in their country of origin, and in their host country.

Why are so many why people forced to flee countries in fear? We examine real case studies. 

There is also a need to address how the media are often irresponsible and manipulative in portraying the plight of refugees and asylum seekers, and look at the intricacies of achieving balanced legislation in the context of a regular right-wing media onslaught.  

REMARKS BY KOFI ANNAN, SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UN, IN A SPEECH TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, JANUARY 2004.

‘Migrants are part of the solution, not part of the problem. They should not be made the scapegoat for a vast array of social ills.

‘People migrate today for the same reasons that tens of millions of Europeans once left your shores – they flee war or oppression, or they leave in search of a better life.

‘Those forced out of their homes – the refugees who flee in fear for their safety – are our collective and moral responsibility.

‘The vast majority of migrants are industrious, courageous and determined. They don’t want a free ride. They want a fair opportunity. They are law-abiding. They don’t want to live apart. They want to integrate while retaining their identity . . . A closed Europe would be a meaner, weaker, older Europe. An open Europe will be a fairer, richer, stronger, younger Europe – provided you manage migration well.’

The UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) has done some fantastic work which will be reviewed.  There are also many other organisations doing great work towards the same goals.  We support, and promote this work. There will be constructive view points and comments from experts and people working in the field.  Immigrants actually benefit society - historically and in the present day, find out how.

Media Image Community Impact Report  To what extent does the media falsely report and manipulate asylum issues?

The Rights of Migrant Workers  Why the UK should sign the UN Convention.

We thank you for taking time to visit and to read this page.  We hope you will come again.