As our TV screens, newspapers and social media outlets bring more and more atrocious news about the worsening refugee crisis, there is a natural call for us to do the decent thing whilst we are still able to do so. All we need is compassion and safe routes, not dehumanising of fellow humans. After all these people are the most vulnerable in our collective human family and deserve our love, empathy, and care as they have already been through lots of hardships.
The desperation of people on
the move and their travels through extremely risky situations is a stark reminder that people will take any risk to go out of the
situation they are in unless we have safe and legal routes to help them. One of my Syrian friends often says, “You won’t leave
home unless home has the mouth of a shark.” If anybody thinks all those taking
risks to cross the English channel in dinghies and other smaller boats should
have a second thought, what should that be? Die falling into the mouths of
sharks or run away to go into the unknown over the known danger? It is very
natural to run for safety. Because hope is what almost everybody has. Hoping
for better days and life despite all the challenges and sufferings of the day.
I have read and heard many good
initiatives and ideas on what could and should be done to address the crisis. The
need for being proactive and collaborative. The need for addressing our collective
human responsibilities and moral obligations in the sense of urgency and with
more plans in the long run. I have also
read and heard many disheartening stuffs in the past few days. As disheartening
as the words are, I am not going to repeat them because I don’t believe they
represent the country I know is the United Kingdom. Let us not forget that
there are many great people in this country who are doing everything possible
to support fellow asylum seekers and migrants. People always on the right side
of history. I am a living testament and I wholeheartedly believe the good
outweighs. I feel blessed to have had the support of many wonderful people in
my life.
I grew up listening to the
BBC; watching premier league; supporting England in world cup competitions
because of the influence of the premier league on me; reading the best of
Shakespeare; learning about one of the most civilised democracies and human
rights records. Hence coming and seeking asylum in this country was natural for
me when I needed protection and had to flee. People have reasons why they take
all those perilous journeys. Let us listen to them as well. Let us give chance to
fellow humans to rebuild their lives and unpack their potentials. It may take
time, but we will be rewarded with all our good investment.
There is also some fact to know
about our immigration system because some people think the immigration system
to be the softest ever, which is not my experience as many fellow asylum
seekers and refugees will testify similarly. There are lots of ups and downs
going through the immigration system. It is not all a 4*/5* hotel life as
mentioned by some. I have seen the good and the bad of our immigration system.
It is time to rethink. To
revisit our system. To check as to when all the safe and legal routes would be
open. How we can widen the welcome and meet the expectation and respect Britain
has globally. To also make sure people seeking protection are given the
protection they deserve. To make sure those stuck in the system are properly dealt
with. Yes, calling for more compassion and positive actions. Finding ways to bring
wider civil society, businesses, and others on board so that we all contribute
to the Refugees Welcome work through schemes like Community Sponsorship of
Refugees. It takes us all to change the course. And the time is now.
