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British Attitudes to UK Refugees Survey & Pledge & UK Asylum Applications

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British Attitudes to Refugees in the UK Survey & Pledge

& Researching Country of Origin Information

 when Applying for UK Asylum

 

 

 Refugee Council Press Release, April 2011: -

 Helping others is part of the British DNA

On the 60th anniversary of the UN Convention for Refugees, most Britons still defend Britain's role as the protector of the most vulnerable.

  • Most Britons are proud to be British (84%) and believe protecting the most vulnerable is a core British value (82%)
  • Two thirds of Britons (67%) are sympathetic to refugees coming to Britain (74% of women and 61% of men)
  • Half of Britons (49%) are proud of Britain's role in drafting the UN Convention on Refugees
  • Negative attitudes to refugees are based on misunderstandings and confusion

British people remain committed to the values Britain fought for in World War II, with an overwhelming majority (82%) believing that protecting the most vulnerable is a core British value. Britons remain proud of their heritage and support Britain's role in offering protection to refugees: two out of three (67%) are sympathetic to those fleeing persecution to seek protection in the UK.

In response to the horrific atrocities of World War II, British lawyers played a key role in drafting the 1951 UN Convention for Refugees to protect people whose lives were at risk in their own countries. The findings of the survey for the Refugee Council carried out by Opinium Research show that six out of ten (59%) Britons believe that the UN Convention is just as relevant or more relevant for protecting people fleeing conflict today than it was in 1951.

Donna Covey, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council, said:

"British soldiers gave up their lives in World War II fighting to build a better world and protect others from persecution. It is a legacy that all British people should be proud of, and should serve to remind us that Britain still has an important role to play in offering safety to those forced to flee their homes to escape violence, torture and war in countries around the world today.

How encouraging that, 60 years after the UN Convention for Refugees was created so many people in Britain remain sympathetic to refugees coming here, and that the majority believe protecting the most vulnerable is an intrinsic part of being British.”

Today's research also reveals that there is significant misunderstanding around what a refugee is, with many confusing them with economic migrants from Poland and Eastern Europe.

Three quarters of Britons also wildly overestimate the small number of refugees granted asylum in the UK: -

In 2009, 4,175 individuals were granted refugee status, 44% of Britons believe it was 100,000 or more.

Notes:

1. All percentages used based on GB adults interviewed that had an opinion on the question asked (i.e. they exclude those with no opinion). Opinium research carried out an online survey of 2,017 GB adults aged 18+ from 1st to 3rd March 2011. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.

  1. Key findings of the poll are:
  • 67% of Britions are sympathetic to refugees coming to Britain

- 74% of women were sympathetic, compared to 61% men.

  • 84% of Britons are proud to be British.

Pride was highest amongst those aged 70 years or over (93%).

  • 82% of respondents with an opinion agreed with the statement that ‘protecting the most vulnerable is a core British value'.
  • 49% stated they are proud of Britain's role in drafting the Convention

36% being indifferent

 

3% stating they are ashamed

  • 12% believe the Convention on Refugees is more relevant today than it was in 1951

47% stating the Convention on Refugees is just as needed.

  • 44% of respondents believe that 100,000 or more refugees were accepted to stay in the UK in 2009.

When asked, "how many refugees do you think had their applications for asylum accepted in the UK in 2009” the responses were:

Around 5,000 23%

Around 25,000 33%

Around 100,000 25%

Around 200,000 13%

More than 500,000 6%

Please find a link to the original article:

http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/news/archive/press/2011/april/20110418_refugeepoll?dm_i=I6P,EYAI,31R5X9,1789T,1

The Refugee Council

would like show your support for Refugee Protection

by signing their Pledge

Refugees are ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. They've been forced to leave their homes and their families to escape from war, torture and persecution. Refugees are looking for something we all take for granted – safety.

2011 is the 60th anniversary of the UN Refugee Convention, the international treaty which guarantees refugees' rights.

British lawyers played a crucial role in drafting the Convention and the UK was one of the first countries to sign.

The Refugee Convention has saved countless lives and no country has ever withdrawn from it.

To mark this anniversary, we're asking 10,000 people to join with us in speaking up for a great British tradition – refugee protection by signing the pledge below

Add your name today

Refugees have fled war, torture and persecution. Refugees must always be treated with dignity and respect, and properly supported to rebuild their lives.

To mark the 60th anniversary of the UN Refugee Convention, I call on the UK government to ensure that our asylum system is fair, humane and effective, enabling refugees to find a safe haven and a new home here.

I urge the government to show international leadership on refugee issues and to encourage all countries to meet their obligations toward refugees.

I am proud that the UK protects refugees.

To sign the pledge, please click the link below:

http://e-activist.com/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=121&ea.campaign.id=9202 

 

 

NCADC - National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns, Wednesday, 20 April 2011: -

Researching country of origin information

Country of Origin Information is central to refugee status determination. However, the Research Unit at Immigration Advisory Service has highlighted serious concerns about the quality of initial decision making in asylum claims in the UK, and in particular the use (misuse?) of COI information.

Please click the link to see Immigration Advisory Service: The Use of Country of Origin Information in Refugee Status Determination: Critical Perspectives: May 2009:

http://www.iasuk.org/media/16851/use_of_coi_in_uk_rsd_final_may%202009.pdf

You may find your asylum application refused because: -

UK Border Agency used dodgy information, or because

  • You didn't have quality legal representation.
  • Or perhaps you are trying to put together a fresh claim, but can't find a solicitor.
  • Or you want to gather evidence to gain public support for an anti-deportation campaign, or persuade your MP to support you.

So, where do you go to source credible country of origin reports?

The experts:

 Asylum Research Company

Asylum Research Consultancy (ARC) was set up by two Immigration Advisory Service researchers. Whilst the UK Border Agency (UKBA) has a dedicated Country of Origin Information Service, in the current legal aid climate, asylum seekers and their legal representatives may lack time and resources to research the political, legal, human rights and humanitarian situations that force people to flee their countries of origin and to seek international protection. ARC's case-specific research service is designed to redress this imbalance.

If you can't get a organisation like ARC to help you, or if you are sourcing information for a campaign rather than an asylum application, here are some links to other sources of information:

NCADC World 

For the last year, NCADC has been building a searchable online resource, collating country information to help people seeking leave to remain or fighting removal from the UK. To date, we have published 393 reports. You can also subscribe to the Twitter feed @ncadc_world to receive updates as they are posted.

US Country Reports on Human Rights Practices

The US Department of State publishes an annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. The reports are useful resources for reliable, credible evidence in support of asylum applications and anti-deportation campaigns. The latest reports were published in April 2011, and can be found at the US Department of State website.

Human Rights Watch World Report

Human Rights Watch's annual review of human rights practices around the globe summarizes major human rights issues in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide. It is an essential resource for anyone campaigning against removal from the UK.

International Crisis Group

The International Crisis Group is generally recognised as the world's leading independent, non-partisan, source of analysis and advice to governments, and intergovernmental bodies like the United Nations. Excellent source of news and in-depth, up to date briefings.

Amnesty International

Amnesty has a searchable website with human rights reports on more than 150 countries.

LGBT Asylum News

LGBT Asylum News is a great resource for the most up-to-date news and information on immigration and asylum rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The website includes a comprehensive international links section with worldwide contacts for LGBT asylum and immigration groups.

Failed States Index 

Fund for Peace publishes an annual Failed States Index, ranking states according to 12 social, economic, political, and military indicators based on data from more than 90,000 publicly available sources.

Please find a link to the original article:

http://ncadc.wordpress.com/2011/04/20/researching-country-of-origin-information/

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