Asylum Seekers and Refugee in Britain - Essay Example

?ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEE IN BRITAIN s Introduction Britain has an obligation to maintain asylum seekers and never to return them in countries where they are vulnerable to persecution. Refugee convention defines asylum seeker as an individual who seeks refuge in another country for fear of being persecuted in his or her own country for various reasons such as political opinion, religion, race, nationality or identifying himself with a specific group. On the contrary, the definition is insufficient to signify violation of individual human rights or to show that he or she has been prosecuted by the state. In that case, if an individual’s case for seeking asylum is not conventional, she or he is not granted with humanitarian protection or decretory leave. There exist various reasons why there is an increment in number in terms of individuals seeking asylum in Britain. Young people and children seeking refuge in Britain is not a phenomena that is new. It has occurred over decades. Majority of them evade from situations such as economic hardship, abuse and war (Cool 2001, p.840). Nevertheless, in the late 1980s, asylum seekers getting into Britain increased significantly because of increased military and civil conflict, environmental degradation and the state structures breakdown in Eastern side of Europe that dislocated individuals from their homes. This triggered the British governments to implement policies that are restrictive on asylum. The policies have resulted in increased difficulties for refugees to access Britain. In addition to that, they have greatly reduced asylum seekers rights to welfare provision and social support. In 1982, successful refugee applications decreased from fifty nine percent (59%) to 10 %( ten percent) in the 1990s (Home Office 2004). Entry conditions have inflamed debates and Fortress Europe policy creation making it difficult for Britain to come up with formal programs and policies for refugees’ resettlement. Britain asylum seekers originate from ten principal countries. These are such as Zimbabwe, Sudan, Afghanistan, India, Eritrea, Pakistan, Iraq, Somalia, China and Iran. They account for 60% (sixty percent) of all applications for asylum seeking. In 2003, majority of asylum seekers came from Iran, Zimbabwe, China, Iraq and Somali thus accounting for 38% of all the applicants (Home Office 2004, p.29). From the available empirical evidence, discrimination and repression against minorities, abuse of human rights and ethnic conflicts are the key driving forces in the increased number of asylum seekers in Britain from the above-mentioned countries. This was experienced between 1990 and 2000. However, this evidence contradicts with the existing assumption that, refuges in reality are economic migrants, thus not all refugees from the ten mentioned countries are in dire need of protection. This is because, decisions and reasons by an individual to vacate his or her country are extremely complex and this is what determines the process of asylum seeker (Asylum in the UK 2005, P.4). Asylum Seekers Statistics in Britain The number of individuals applying for refugee in Britain peaked in 2002. The numbers of applicants recorded were 84,000. However, the number declined sharply to fewer than eighteen thousand (18,000) in the year 2010 a digit lower compared to other years since 1889(Hawkins 2010, p.2). The asylum seeking process in Britain divides applicants into two broad categories. In that case, we have the dependants and the principal applicants. Home Office Statistics measure principal applicants’ appeals, refusals, grants and applications. In 2010, Britain had 17,790 applications. The number was the lowest since 1989.In late 1990s, the asylum application increased consistently. For instance, in 1996, Britain had 29,640 applicants and in 2000, the number totalled to 80,315. The subsequent two years, the number stood above 70,000 and in 2002, the number recorded a new level of 84,139 applicants. In the year 2003, the number declined significantly. For example, in 2003, the number of asylum application declined by 41% equivalent to 49,405 applicants. The number continued declining up to the year 2007, when the number of applicants reached 23, 430(Home of Office 2004). Since 2005 up to date, the number of asylum seekers remains at a comparable level as in early 1990s. The decreased numbers in asylum seekers were triggered by a variety of factors. These were such as the France increased controls in immigration and the utilization of immigration officers from the applicants’ origin country including Zimbabwe. The immigration officers were vital in prohibiting individuals without relevant documents from accessing Britain Number of Asylum Application Granted Seventeen percent (17%) of the principal applicants in 2010 were granted at the initial decision refugee status. On the other hand, 75% of the applications were rejected. Since 2003 April, there has been a halt in granting of exceptional leave. However, asylum seekers who are unsuccessful in the application process and are in dire need for protection internationally are granted with discretionary leave or humanitarian protection. In that case, 8% of the principal applicants were granted in 2010 either discretionary leave or humanitarian protection at the decision initial stage. Initial decisions are subjected to further reviews. This occurs when sensitive information comes to the lime light or crucial changes in terms of the current circumstance of the applicants or there is significant information regarding the applicant origin country. In the year 2009, seven hundred and seventy (770) post-decision cases were reviewed. However, previous years initial decisions were included. Out of 770 cases, 290(38%) individuals were given asylum, 8% (60 individuals) discretionary leave or humanitarian protection, 39 %( 300) were rejected and 16 %( 120 individuals) had their applications withdrawn (Hawkins 2010, p.6). Social Construction Asylum seekers in Britain experience harsh measures that are implemented against them (Goodman and Speer, 2007, p.170). For instance, the designed asylum legislation bars them from entering the country. In addition to that, the support available is inadequate for new asylum seekers. Because of inadequate support in conjunction with insufficient human rights, asylum seekers continued detentions have resulted to discrimination. The challenges experienced by asylum seekers have resulted to various definitions. The academic literature views them as vulnerable. Stringent measures are in place to make asylum seekers lives difficult. For instance, the Britain Boarders were tightened, applications are fast-tracked and there is increased asylum seekers detention (Refugee Council 25a). The media portrays asylum seekers negatively and this is quite damaging. According to Steiner (2000, p.345), asylum seekers are viewed as intruders whose main aim is to gain financially from Britain. On the Contrary, asylum seekers escape from human rights abuse, violence and oppression (Neumayer, 2005, p.395). According to various arguments, the media has played a crucial rule in the demand for redesigning of policies for purposes of restricting asylum seekers access. Various dimensions of resources are utilized to justify asylum seekers harsh treatment. For instance, natural disasters and war analogies such as invasions and floods have made people inflow to be challenging (Van der Valk 2003, p.345). Because of asylum seekers being perceived as entering Britain for economic gains, there exists a distinction between bogus and genuine asylum seekers (Goodman and Speer, 2007). Asylum seekers termed to be bogus are the main tough policies target whilst asylum seekers termed as genuine are sympathetically spoken about. The distinction has no great difference as all asylum seekers face the harsh treatment and are termed to be bogus. The merging of the two categories to identify asylum seekers as immigrants has a negative impact on the asylum seekers. In that case, they are denied conditions that are special. Political and media in Britain have shown their interest concerning the increasing number of refugees entering Britain. In the general elections of 2001 campaigns, the opposition (conservatives) made asylum seekers and refugees a significant. Sensational media information and human tragedies have highlighted the plight of asylum seekers being held at the coastal ports of Britain. Media negative presentation of asylum seekers has made Britain citizens to view asylum seekers as a threat to their society stability. Social Perspectives Asylum public perception tends to be misinformed and negative. They are characterized with vivid differences between illegal migrants, economic migrants, refugees and asylum seekers among others. The asylum seeker term highlights numerous negative connotations. Nevertheless, an individual views the significance of issuing assistance to those who need it. Various factors influence the varied attitudes towards individuals seeking asylum and refuge. The factors are such as the media and political discourses, demographic attributes of an individual, educational background, minority ethnic group contact, income and the position in the labour market. Cohesion and integration issues are crucial in dispersing asylum seekers in Britain. Empirical researches on excluding or including neighbourhoods illustrates that asylum seekers and refugees prefers areas having histories of migration that other areas characterized by assaults and harassment. Moreover, exclusion high levels, under employment and unemployment among the refugees have resulted to their marginalization. Majorities of asylum seekers and refugees attempt to build stronger networks, which are integrated in their daily lives. However, some of them feel vulnerable and isolated and easily prawn to harassment. Some have made efforts o learn English language for purposes of accessing employment and services offered. The groups that are highly vulnerable include the disable and older refugees, women, asylum seekers and individuals burdened with caring tasks (Aspinall and Watters, 2010, p. 23). Policy Responses Since 1993, there exist new legislations concerning immigration and asylum seeking. These are such as the 1996 Act on Asylum and Immigration, Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act(1993), Asylum and Immigration Act(2004), Immigration and Asylum Act(1999) and lastly the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act(2002). The Asylum and Immigration Act of 1996 The above act eliminated asylum applicants benefit entitlements. In addition to that, local access to authority housing is restricted. Through this act, there existed employment restrictions. Thus, it was an offence to employ an individual utilizing illegal documentation. Furthermore, the immigration and police powers increased. Hence, it became difficult to access or leave Britain through the utilization of awkward means such as police power or deception. Immigration and Asylum Act (1999) The act was significant in extending liability careers to ships and Lorries. Additionally, it triggered the emergency of the immigration regulation office. Furthermore, it helped in restoring parity concerning asylum seekers benefits. The act also enabled the setting up of a distinct support system for the asylum seekers. This was done at 70% of income support and there was the development of National Asylum Support Service (NASS) for purposes of ensuring that the support was administered. In order to scatter asylum seekers, there was an introduction of new policy. The policy allowed for accommodation of asylum seekers across Britain. Similarly, the Britain Government mandate to come up with deportation orders and removal directions in advance in case of a claim decision. For purposes of processing asylum application, fast-track schemes were introduced. The “one stop appeal” concept was also introduced whereby; asylum seekers were allowed to raise their voice on matter concerning humanitarian and human rights issue while applying for the process. Asylum and Immigration Act (2004) The act was founded on Home secretary power to eliminate asylum seekers and take them designated countries considered safe. The act outlined behaviours that were to be considered while assessing asylum applicant credibility. The act created aided in the development of latest criminal offences. In that case, the asylum seekers were subjected to detention and criminal prosecution if they did not possesses travel documents or damaged them. Conclusion There exists a significant drop in individuals seeking asylum in Britain (Mann 2002, p.9). The main reason for the decreased is due to Britain border strengthening and increased immigration controls. However, the decrease is significant in maintaining the countries security as it is difficult to differentiate between bogus and genuine asylum seeking. The media should not generalize all asylum seekers in a negative manner as some are in need of the help. The asylum seekers should be granted citizenship as they have a role to play in building the Britain Economy as some of them are educationally qualified and can handle any position. Instead of utilizing their skills, they are always portrayed as irrelevant an invisible, they are stereotyped and viewed as a social problem. In most cases, they are utilized for decoration or entertainment. References “Asylum in the UK”. (2005). London, Institute of Public Policy Research. Aspinall, P and Wattera, C. (2010). Refugees and asylum seekers: A review from an equality and human rights perspective. Equality and Human Rights Commission, p.1-52. Cool, C. (2002). A warm welcome? Scottish and UK media reporting on an asylum murder. Media, Culture and Society, vol.24, no.6, p. 840-1005. Goodman, S and Speer, SA. (2007). Category use in the Construction of Asylum Seekers. Critical Discourse Studies. vol.4, no.2, p. 165-185 Home Office Research Development Statistics. Viewed 25 March, 2012 from www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds. Mann, M. (2002, Jun 11). Uproar over asylum may fail to add up: Despite furore in the EU over illegal immigration, the number trying to enter has almost halved in the past decade. Financial Times, pp. 09-09. Neumayer, E. (2005). Bogus Refugees? The Determinants of Asylum Migration to Western Europe. International Studies Quarterly, 49, p. 389–409. Refugee Council Briefing (2005a) Immigration, asylum and nationality bill 2005: key issues and concerns. Viewed 25 March, 2012, from, http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/publications/pub014.htm#2005_bill. Steiner, N. (2000). Arguing about Asylum. New York, St. Martin’s Press. Van Der Valk, I. (2003). Right-wing parliamentary discourse on immigration in France. Discourse and Society, vol.14, no.3, p. 309-348. Read More