Do we need a new system? A horrifying attack in London last week has started a fierce debate about whether it is too easy for criminals to gain asylum in Britain.
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Chemical attack sparks anger over UK asylum
Do we need a new system? A horrifying attack in London last week has started a fierce debate about whether it is too easy for criminals to gain asylum in Britain.
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Safe space
Lessar Avenue is a quiet street in south London. Last Wednesday, it was the scene of a terrifying assault. Locals saw a man throwing a child to the ground as a woman screamed for help. When they intervened, he tried to run someone over before escaping.
The woman had been attacked with a corrosiveCapable of destroying or eating away at something. Usually used to describe certain acids. alkaline liquid. The substance caused burns and temporary blindness. Her two daughters also suffered potentially life-changing injuries.
The attack was committed by Abdul Ezedi, a 35-year-old man from AfghanistanA mountainous Asian country, slightly larger than France, whose neighbours include Pakistan, Iran and China.. He was given asylumWhen a state agrees to shelter somebody who is fleeing dangerous circumstances. The right to asylum is protected in international law by the 1951 Refugee Convention. in the UK, despite being convicted of a sexual offence in 2018.
According to Robert Jenrick, the former minister for immigrationThe permanent movement of people into a country. , the system is "dangerously broken".1 Here are five facts to bear in mind:
Real refugees. Refugees are people who leave their own country because they are in danger. Once they have arrived in a safe country, they can apply for the right to stay.
Living locally. The majority of refugees (72%) live in one of the countries next to their home country.
Victims and the vulnerable. In total, 41% of refugees are children.
State support. Refugees seeking asylum are not allowed to work and rely on state support as low as £6.43 a day.
Legal status. There is no legal way to travel to the UK when seeking asylum. However, the 1951 Refugee Convention grants everybody the right to apply for asylum.2
Many of those working with refugees recognise that the UK system is inefficientNot working in an organised and effective way. . The UNUnited Nations. An intergovernmental organisation based in New York that aims to maintain international peace and security.'s refugee agency warned that Home Office staff did not have enough training or resources to assess applications. Report author Vicky Tennant blamed "flawed and inefficient screening procedures".3
This problem will not go away. In fact, the number of global refugees increased considerably in 2023. The UK will need an asylum system that works for everyone.
Do we need a new system?
Yes: The fact that someone was granted asylum in the UK after committing an assault shows that the system needs reform. Criminals should forfeitGive up as a consequence of doing something else. their right to a place.
No: One shocking attack does not change the fact that most refugees are vulnerable people who deserve our help when making a new life for themselves.
Or... Given how inefficient the asylum system is, it is inevitableUnavoidable. that a few bad people will be allowed in. But reform needs careful thought, not a knee-jerk responseReacting in a predictable or automatic way, without thinking properly about your decision. .
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Keywords
Corrosive - Capable of destroying or eating away at something. Usually used to describe certain acids.
Afghanistan - A mountainous Asian country, slightly larger than France, whose neighbours include Pakistan, Iran and China.
Asylum - When a state agrees to shelter somebody who is fleeing dangerous circumstances. The right to asylum is protected in international law by the 1951 Refugee Convention.
Immigration - The permanent movement of people into a country.
Inefficient - Not working in an organised and effective way.
UN - United Nations. An intergovernmental organisation based in New York that aims to maintain international peace and security.
Forfeit - Give up as a consequence of doing something else.
Inevitable - Unavoidable.
Knee-jerk response - Reacting in a predictable or automatic way, without thinking properly about your decision.
Chemical attack sparks anger over UK asylum
Escaped: Police are still looking for the suspect, who ran away after the attack. Glossary
Corrosive - Capable of destroying or eating away at something. Usually used to describe certain acids.
Afghanistan - A mountainous Asian country, slightly larger than France, whose neighbours include Pakistan, Iran and China.
Asylum - When a state agrees to shelter somebody who is fleeing dangerous circumstances. The right to asylum is protected in international law by the 1951 Refugee Convention.
Immigration - The permanent movement of people into a country.
Inefficient - Not working in an organised and effective way.
UN - United Nations. An intergovernmental organisation based in New York that aims to maintain international peace and security.
Forfeit - Give up as a consequence of doing something else.
Inevitable - Unavoidable.
Knee-jerk response - Reacting in a predictable or automatic way, without thinking properly about your decision.