Editorial - Scandal of Blunkett's policies
Defend asylum seekers: Defend democratic rights!
Christmas Day’s usual lack of news was broken on this occasion by the story that 500 desperate asylum seekers had tried to leave the Sangatte refugee camp in France, cross the Channel Tunnel, and get to Britain.
This story followed hot on the heels of the death of eight refugees from Turkey, including three children, in a container thought to be bound for Britain – but which actually ended up in Ireland.
It is easy for Bertie Ahern, like his British counterparts, to condemn those who make profits from this obscene traffic in human lives: but it was the creation by the EU countries of a "Fortress Europe", hostile to refugees and immigrants, that has allowed this trade to flourish and grow. The easiest way to end people- trafficking would be to abolish all immigration controls.
These and many other stories obviously illustrate the plight of many fleeing torture and terror in their home countries. But contrary to the lies of many politicians and media hacks, they do not demonstrate that Britain is a " soft touch" but that the rest of Europe is just as illiberal.
Blunkett’s new proposals on the treatment of asylum seekers, sold as a ‘liberal’ turn onthe basis of scrapping vouchers, are no such thing (see page 2)
On top of this, the new "anti-terrorist" laws restrict the right to asylum, and all the evidence is that the Home Office is stepping up deportations, regardless of circumstances, in order to meet its arbitrary targets.
All of the evidence is that the Labour government is even more racist and reactionary in its efforts to close the gates against refugees and immigrants than even the Tories before them.
David Blunkett’s policies are a kick in the teeth to all those who believe in a tolerant, democratic, multi-cultural, anti-racist Britain. That’s why all socialists must redouble the fight against them in 2002.