Treat refugees with more humanity

BRITAIN is supposedly a free country that upholds great traditions of justice and righteousness.

How is it that after 70 years of the UN Convention for Refugees these poor, wretched people fleeing the most unbearable torment are not helped properly? These paupers are fleeing war, conflict and persecution. Society is not just about a magic money machine, it is about asserting some measure of mutual aid and quality of life as well.

We sometimes hear of politicians accusing refugees and asylum seekers of cheating the system. It’s as if they are blamed for being victims. Why can’t we help our neighbours who have nowhere else to turn? Currently asylum seekers are incarcerated in former army barracks and heavily policed. Others are forced to live on £4 a day. These are people who would happily contribute to our society and they need our help.

We didn’t die fighting Nazi Germany so that principles of basic humanity can be completely ignored by fat cats in tailored suits. We must push our politicians to observe basic decency towards people who have nowhere else to turn. It is time for us to assert internationalism against people who do not care. It is wrong that foreigners don’t matter and it is wrong to punish people who have suffered far too much already. Egalitarian principles of justice and fair play should be upheld, and let’s pray that the green new deal helps everyone. Work creates wealth and everyone can contribute.

The lie that refugees are parasites is not acceptable. They are our friends and we demand they are treated properly, no more despair and misery. United we stand.

Mr J Bucke, Bridgend