Press Releases for 2005

GREENS CALL FOR EFFECTIVE COMMON ASYLUM POLICY

17th March 2005

Dr Hazel Dawe, Green Party Candidate for Folkestone and Hythe, has succeeded in getting the Green Party to support the principle of a Common Asylum Policy for the European Union (1). She believes that an effective common asylum policy will help to calm the asylum debate, and serve those who are in need of assistance. She comments:

"We all want to have movement of people between countries for all purposes to be legal, fair and safe.

People come to Britain to study, and keep many courses in our universities open in consequence. People come here to work, because our skills shortages attract them. And they come to Britain as tourists, sustaining millions of jobs. However, a lot of anxiety is still being generated despite the declining numbers of asylum seekers.

"There have been a lot of myths about asylum over the past few years. Asylum seekers and refugees pay more in tax and national insurance than they cost this country (2). France is the number one destination for asylum seekers in the world at present Britain has never been higher than 6th in terms of asylum seekers in Europe. Asylum seekers offer us skills. There were 2000 doctors amongst asylum seekers waiting for assessment during 2003 and numerous nurses and teachers - not being allowed to work despite our need for their abilities. There is no net cost to this country from asylum seekers and refugees: we gain financially and in skills." ENDs C250 WORDS

FURTHER INFORMATION: Dr Hazel Dawe on 01233 645167 or 07747 014487. Alternative contact and Election Agent: Councillor Wendy Harris, 01303 266172. Contact address as above. Mail address for Dr Dawe: 10 Hillbrow Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 4QH or email hfdawe@gn.apc.org Notes: 1. Motion drawn up by Dr Hazel Dawe and her husband Steve Dawe, passed at Green Party Conference, Chesterfield, 3-6 March 2005. This was already KENT GREEN PARTY policy, see Kent Manifesto under KENT & KENT GROUPS at: www.kentgreenparty.org.uk 2. Source: British Refugee Council.

Site design and
management by

providers of

designed for

using

Computers

and VALID

Updated by
Philip
29th March 2005