Refugee Week: Britons retain commitment to asylum welcome (Enfield Liberal Democrats)

Enfield Liberal Democrats <info@enfieldlibdems.org.uk>

Refugee Week: Britons retain commitment to asylum welcome

June 15, 2010 3:00 PM
Originally published by Sarah Ludford MEP

In Refugee Week 2010, Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman and London MEP Sarah Ludford has commented on an upbeat opinion survey about the welcome that refugees get in Britain.

"The survey of refugees and asylum seekers by leading NGO Refugee Action found that the majority feel welcome in Britain. This contrasts encouragingly with the constant tabloid whinge about people seeking refuge in this country."

"Refugees do not come to 'scrounge' off the state. They come to our shores because their lives are in peril and their fundamental rights trampled on. When asked what they value most about Britain, their answer was human rights, freedom of speech and a safe environment to live in."

"In Britain we are lucky enough to take liberty and security for granted - Refugee Week is a good time to think about those who can't."

ENDS

Note to Editors

Refugee Week runs from Monday 14 June until World Refugee Day on Sunday 20 June 2010.