UK's participation in the UNHCR Syrian Refugees Programme

On Wednesday 29th January, there will be a debate in the House of Commons on UK's participation in the UNHCR Syrian Refugees Programme. So for all those who are in the UK, email/phone your MPs, ask them for their views and get them to vote for the programme!

Here's a link for an email template by a UK charity RefugeeCouncil which you can use.

The following is the email I sent to my MP.

Dear __________,

As I'm aware, there's a debate on Wednesday 29th January regarding UK's Participation in the UNHCR Syrian Refugees Programme. I wanted to enquire what your position on the matter is and what you will bring to the debate on Wednesday.

I think it's very important for the UK to be involved in the humanitarian side of the Syrian uprising and a resettlement program offers a durable solution to help the most vulnerable struggling in the region. There are over 2,300,000 registered refugees in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon alone, and over 3,000,000 internally displaced Syrians. Yet these numbers are only the tip of the iceberg. As the Syrian Uprising is soon to enter its fourth year, many Syrians are struggling financially both within Syria and abroad. I'm sure you're aware from the news of the conditions inside Syria and also in the refugee camps in Jordan and Turkey.

As a result of the current conditions, the UK must work with the UN and the wider international community to initiate an immediate programme of emergency humanitarian evacuations to help refugees whose needs are the most acute. Furthermore, it should be made possible for Syrians with a connection to the UK, in particular those who have family members who are either British citizens or are recognised as refugees by the UK government to be assisted to enter the UK to join their families and communities. I personally know of a case where a young lady has her visa application denied by the British embassy in Lebanon and in Egypt despite her mother, step father and their family living in the UK. Her husband died a year after their marriage in Damascus and has now returned to Damascus with no other options. Is it ethical to deny family members the right to be with their immediate families?

Additionally, the UK should set an example for the wider international community by establishing a substantial and co-ordinated resettlement programme in the UK and encourage other European member states to do so likewise. Sweden has offered unlimited assistance to Syrian refugees allowing asylum and permanent residency to all Syrians that enter the country whilst Germany have offered 10,000 humanitarian visas for Syrians.

There are considerable strains on neighbouring countries to absorb refugees though over recent months many Syrian refugees are facing hostile environments in host countries; particularly Egypt and Jordan, and increasingly in Lebanon. Refugees who leave Syria for political reasons are unable to travel to Lebanon for security concerns.

Of course there are those who will always oppose immigration to the UK; however I believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Furthermore, in this case there is an imperative need to help those who face harsh conditions that no one should ever have to face. By offering Syrians a chance to live in the UK, many children would continue their education which they would unable to do so either in Syria or neighbouring countries as many have to work for their families to survive. It would also allow many Syrians the right to work and contribute towards British life; many Syrians have professional roles so they could rely on their own earnings and provide different perspectives and ideas which could only add to British life and diversity. Many refugees have the hope of returning to Syria once the violence and bloodshed has stopped and security has returned to the country. Their experience in the UK would help Syrians to rebuild their country as they would have continued their education and training, gained work experience and improved upon their skills.

In terms of what the UK would get out of a resettlement plan can be seen from past experience. Firstly, immigrants, including refugees, pay more into public's money compared to their UK born counterparts (http://www.ippr.org/publication/55/1352/paying-their-way-the-fiscal-contribution-of-immigrants-in-the-uk). 

Secondly, 30,000 jobs have been estimated to have been created in Leicester by Ugandan Asian refugees since 1972 (http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/aug/11/race.world).

Another advantage would be the economic benefit of accepting refugees whose professions are in medicine. There are currently 1,200 medically qualified refugees on the British Medical Association's database. It's estimated that it costs £25,000 to support a refugee doctor to practice in the UK whereas training a new doctor in the UK is estimated to cost between £200,000 and £250,000 (http://www.nhsemployers.org/Aboutus/Publications/Pages/ReapingTheRewards.aspx).

Lastly, asylum seeking children contribute very positively to schools across the country which in turn enables more successful integration of families into local communities (http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Education/Inclusion/Asylum-seeker-children/The-education-of-asylum-seeker-pupils/%28language%29/eng-GB).

I hope you will consider my email in your decision and I would highly appreciate hearing your opinion and decision prior to the debate on Wednesday.

Thank you for your time and help. I look forward to hearing from you.

Your sincerely,