Immigration Solicitors

A group of 13 aid and refugee agencies has said that the UK is failing in its responsibility to protect some of the world's most vulnerable people, who have been displaced by conflict, violence, persecution and poverty.

The group claims that the lack of adequate response from the UK and European governments to more than one million refugees and migrants who arrived in Europe in 2015 has compounded the suffering – and created a humanitarian crisis on Britain's doorstep.

In the report A Safe Haven? the agencies lay out the steps the UK needs to take to respond to the global displacement crisis, including expanding the safe and legal routes to reach protection in the UK, improving the humanitarian response in Europe, such as humane reception conditions at borders and in transit countries; and ensuring access to a fair, effective and humane asylum system.

The report also calls for improved conditions in countries hosting large numbers of displaced people, as well as tackling the causes behind forced displacement.

The tragedy at Lampedusa spurred the EU into holding its first summit on the migrant crisis. However, successive summits have done little to improve the situation, says the group – which adds that the deal struck between the EU and Turkey to deport migrants from Greece is the latest “callous attempt” to shut the door on desperate people, who have already fled their homes and risked a treacherous sea crossing.

Oxfam, the British Refugee Council, the International Rescue Committee (IRC-UK) and ten other agencies have said that it is not enough for the UK government to provide aid for refugees in countries like Lebanon and Jordan, as the UK has an obligation to offer a safe haven to its fair share of refugees –
as well as doing all it can to ensure protection for people on the move, regardless of their legal status.

Oxfam's Head of Humanitarian Policy, Maya Mailer, said:

“The UK is trying to pretend that this is someone else's problem – and that refugees and migrants could and should be dealt with elsewhere. But people who are desperate will take huge risks to reach safety.

”The UK needs to accept its moral responsibility to offer a safe haven to the world's poorest and most vulnerable – men, women and children who have been made homeless by war, violence and disasters.”

British Refugee Council Chief Executive Maurice Wren added:

“While European leaders demonstrate a collective failure of political leadership and moral courage, people who have escaped war and tyranny are met with barbed wire and tear gas, mums are forced to bathe their infants in dirty puddles – and yet more refugee children drown on Europe's shores.

”European governments – including the UK – must take a long hard look at themselves and ask, ’Is this the best they can do?’.

“We say that it doesn't have to be this way – today we're presenting a roadmap for change, which prioritises saving lives, solidarity and safe passage.”

Associate Director of Policy and Advocacy for IRC-UK, Melanie Ward, said:

“As chaos continues to unfold in Europe, refugees face inhumane conditions –
thousands are losing their lives and their dignity.

“In the context of a rapidly growing global refugee crisis, the UK and Europe cannot turn away from protecting refugees on their doorstep.”

Duncan Lewis Immigration Solicitors

Duncan Lewis immigration solicitors can advise on all aspects of immigration, including visa applications and appeals, business immigration, asylum claims and asylum appeals, right to work in the UK and illegal entry to the UK.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and our immigration solicitors are also able to advise on visa overstays and student visas.

For expert legal advice on UK immigration law, contact Duncan Lewis immigration solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

For urgent help with an immigration matter, call the Duncan Lewis 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.