ABOUT REFUGEES

This is in response to yesterday’s comments concerning refugees seeking asylum. Celia pointed out to me that my observations about their perceptions of what they were facing, or stirring up, in the countries in which they seek refuge, were perhaps a bit right wing and anti immigration. I had not intended for my comments to be anti-refugee or to cast aspersions on their character or knowledge or intentions. I confess I am perplexed by the problem and I was rather trying to find some explanation to clarify my own thoughts about the problems arising from the seemingly endless stream of displaced people seeking places to settle, and find peace. As much as I would like to think they should be welcomed with open arms, without hesitation, to be able to do so is not that easy. 

In the early stages of conflicts, like the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the crackdown on Syrian citizens by Assad, the Taliban in Afghanistan, etc. most western countries welcomed the people uprooted by these violent and horrific outbursts, and who were, somehow, able to get away, and arrive at their borders. They were not seen as illegal immigrants but as victims and genuine refugees. They were invited in and offered refuge by many local citizens. It was seen as the right thing to do. That has not changed. What has changed are the numbers of people affected by the length and depth of the devastation created by these conflicts, as well as depravations across the world. 

Initially refugee camps were set up in neighbouring countries where conflicts occurred. They soon become overcrowded, insecure, unhealthy and cruel. Laudable as they are, no amount of ‘foreign aid programs’ and ‘Médecins Sans Frontières’ can resolve the problems and issues generated by the simple numbers of victims created by conflict. Rather than remain in such settings, people’s instinct is to try to move back home, but if that home has been obliterated or impossible to reconstruct, people will move on to find a better place, somewhere they can survive and actually have a life worth living. These are subjective as well as objective facts I have gleaned from current events I have witnessed and been made aware of. 

The problem then arises of where to go and how to get there. Hence, the long and dangerous journeys across land and seas to western European countries and North America which display wealth and prosperity throughout the world with endless streams of advertising in visual media. These countries however, are no longer so willing to take people in as they once were. Immigration has become a complex political and social problem. In particular, the economic costs, community and cultural differences have caused protests both for and against the acceptance of migrants. These events have produced extremes of violence, racism and bigotry in some countries, as well as the putting up of barriers at borders. All of the European nations, including the United Kingdom have been affected. 

In the United States, the maligning of immigrants has reached a vindictive malignancy fuelled by an unconscionable President. He continues to label all immigrants as violent criminals, sexual predators and mentally deficient. A gestapo clone agency, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a.k.a. ICE,  are rounding up people for ad hoc deportation. Foreign aid programs have been cut. The claims that not a single person has crossed over the southern border with Mexico since Trump’s return to power, abound. A clearly false claim but nonetheless popular with certain sections of the public. So much for  “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”.

In the United Kingdom the slogan of “Stop the Boats” is still hovering over the newish Labour Government and the housing of illegal immigrants has caused ructions. The new Reform Party has fuelled the discontents and the Conservative Party still fluctuates over its failed and now abandoned Rwanda program. The current Government is in difficulties as it has yet to find a successful solution to a seemingly unsolvable problem. Even with the cooperation of the French authorities and the emphasis on getting at the groups providing the boats and landing on the beaches, it has not been able to stop the flow. For a number of reasons it has implied that it is essential for this Labour Government to succeed where the previous government has failed, or it will no longer remain in power. That appears to be the mood of the electorate. Perhaps I am wrong in that assessment.

The only way to stop the boats, is to provide those refugees with a reason not to want or need to risk the journey in the first place. Help them create a homeland they do not need or want to abandon. That means help in preventing the carnage from happening in the first place. That necessitates closer ties between nations, not nationalist separation and divisions and not supporting dictatorships of any kind. Easily said and by rights should be easily done. Surely by now, in the twenty first century, with all the intelligence, artificial and actual, available to the world’s leaders, where almost no area is without a fixed or roving camera, some sanity and rational thought can prevail.