Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

                                                               


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Myth Busting

Definitions:

Here is a quick guide to the definitions regularly used and misused

Asylum seeker: is someone who is fleeing persecution in their homeland and has arrived in another country, made themselves known to the authorities and legally applied for the right to be recognised as a refugee

Refugee: is someone whose asylum application is successful and is allowed to stay in the host country

Failed asylum seeker: has had their application turned down and is awaiting return to their home country. It may be unsafe to return and therefore be sometime before they can.

Illegal immigrant: is a person who arrives in another country and does not inform the authorities of their presence.

Economic migrant: is one who has arrived in a new country in order to work

Asylum seekers just want to be safe:

they have the right to apply for asylum in the UK - therefore cannot be "illegal" or bogus.

they do not come for economic purposes

the UK is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention on the Rights of the Refugee and therefore guarantees the right to anyone to apply.

Most refugees in the world have no choice in their destination and only go to a neighbouring country

The UK system is tough - there have been several recent pieces of legislation that have made this tougher

Asylum seekers do not get large handouts from the state, they receive 30% less than those on benefits and are not allowed to work

Asylum seekers are more likely to be the victims of crime than the perpetrators

Refugees make a huge contribution to the UK.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:

www.refugeecouncil.org.uk

www.unhcr.org.uk

www.refugee-action.org.uk

 

 

 

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Copyright © 2007 Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Last modified: October 08, 2007

Patrons: David Drew MP, Martin Horwood MP, Diana Organ, The Right Rev. Michael Perham, Bishop of Gloucester

Company number 4026398                    Charity Number 1082388

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