Do we need a new system? A horrifying attack in London last week has started a debate about whether it is too easy for criminals to gain asylum in Britain.
Chemical attack sparks anger over UK asylum
Do we need a new system? A horrifying attack in London last week has started a debate about whether it is too easy for criminals to gain asylum in Britain.
What's happening?
Last Wednesday, a man attacked a woman and her two children in south London before escaping.
The man was 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, even though he was convictedFound guilty of a crime in a court. of a sexual offence in 2018.
The attack has started a new debateA discussion about a subject in which people explain or argue their different points of view. about Britain's system for asylum seekersPeople who have left their countries due to danger and are seeking refuge elsewhere. . Here are five key facts:
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 applyA formal request to do something - for example, join a certain university. for the right to stay.
Living locally. Most refugees (72%) live in one of the countries next to their home country.
Victims and the vulnerable. In total, 41% of refugees are children.
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State support. Refugees seeking asylum are not allowed to work.
Legal status. There is no legalSomething that is legal is allowed by the law. way to travel to the UK when seeking asylum.
Do we need a new system?
Yes! Nobody should be given asylum after they have been convicted of a serious crime. This shows that the current system is not working. It is also not working for the thousands of refugees who are waiting to learn about their future.
No! Although it is very shocking, this is just one event. It should not change how we think about the system. Asylum seekers are people in great need.
Keywords
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.
Convicted - Found guilty of a crime in a court.
Debate - A discussion about a subject in which people explain or argue their different points of view.
Asylum seekers - People who have left their countries due to danger and are seeking refuge elsewhere.
Apply - A formal request to do something - for example, join a certain university.
Legal - Something that is legal is allowed by the law.
Chemical attack sparks anger over UK asylum
Glossary
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.
Convicted - Found guilty of a crime in a court.
Debate - A discussion about a subject in which people explain or argue their different points of view.
Asylum seekers - People who have left their countries due to danger and are seeking refuge elsewhere.
Apply - A formal request to do something — for example, join a certain university.
Legal - Something that is legal is allowed by the law.