Is it too easy to claim asylum? One of Britain's top politicians said so in a speech in America. But she was criticised by the United Nations itself.
X
Next
Refugees are threat to the West says minister
Is it too easy to claim asylum? One of Britain's top politicians said so in a speech in America. But she was criticised by the United Nations itself.
X
PreviousNext
What's happening?
Fish and chips. Marks & Spencer. The Garrick theatreA theatre in London that opened in 1889. . The Bank of England.
They are some "very British" things. All of them were made by refugeesAnyone fleeing conflict or persecution is defined as a refugee by the UN as a refugee, regardless of where they are from..
On Tuesday, Britain's home secretaryIn Britain, they are responsible for national security, immigration and policing. Suella Braverman made a speech in the USA. She said that the UNUnited Nations. An intergovernmental organisation based in New York that aims to maintain international peace and security.'s Refugee Convention, which was written in 1951, no longer works.
The Convention says that refugees are people who fear persecutionIll treatment and oppression, especially due to a person's beliefs or race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or other factors. . But Braverman said that many people who are seeking refugee status today are fleeing discriminationWhen people are treated unfairly due to characteristics such as gender, race and age. instead.
Braverman said that discrimination due to being gay or a woman is not a good enough reason to apply for 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..
Find out more
Her words sparked lots of criticism. Some of it even came from the United Nations itself, which said that the refugee convention is still relevantSomething is relevant if it is important and useful to talk about. today.
Many argue that the real problem is not that claiming asylum is too easy, but the waiting times for asylum claims to be looked at by officials. Asylum seekers cannot work and live in uncertaintyWhen things are not clear or obvious. while they are waiting to find out whether or not they can stay.
Today, there are more than 175,000 people waiting. But Britain only has a tiny percentage of the world's refugees.
Yes! The word "persecution" is used in the UN Refugee Convention. There must be solid proofSomething that shows something else is true. of persecution to make a strong case for asylum.
No! Nobody chooses to leave their home and life behind if they do not have a good reason to fear for their life. Asylum seekers do not face an easy time when they arrive in the UK.
X
Previous
Is it too easy to claim asylum?
Keywords
Garrick theatre - A theatre in London that opened in 1889.
Refugees - Anyone fleeing conflict or persecution is defined as a refugee by the UN as a refugee, regardless of where they are from.
Home secretary - In Britain, they are responsible for national security, immigration and policing.
UN - United Nations. An intergovernmental organisation based in New York that aims to maintain international peace and security.
Persecution - Ill treatment and oppression, especially due to a person's beliefs or race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or other factors.
Discrimination - When people are treated unfairly due to characteristics such as gender, race and age.
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.
Relevant - Something is relevant if it is important and useful to talk about.
Uncertainty - When things are not clear or obvious.
Proof - Something that shows something else is true.
Refugees are threat to the West says minister
War of words: Home Secretary Suella Braverman's comments sparked a rare rebuke from the UN. Glossary
Garrick theatre - A theatre in London that opened in 1889.
Refugees - Anyone fleeing conflict or persecution is defined as a refugee by the UN as a refugee, regardless of where they are from.
Home secretary - In Britain, they are responsible for national security, immigration and policing.
UN - United Nations. An intergovernmental organisation based in New York that aims to maintain international peace and security.
Persecution - Ill treatment and oppression, especially due to a person's beliefs or race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or other factors.
Discrimination - When people are treated unfairly due to characteristics such as gender, race and age.
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.
Relevant - Something is relevant if it is important and useful to talk about.
Uncertainty - When things are not clear or obvious.
Proof - Something that shows something else is true.