“The long and proud English tradition of welcoming those attempting to flee from persecution must be defended, because it says much about the history and values of a people”. So Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue, of the Office for political refugees of the Episcopal Conference of England and Wales, comments on the ever more frequent attacks on asylum seekers by some media. “Not only are asylum seekers accused of abusing this right declares the bishop in a press release on 30 January but they are now even regarded as presumed terrorists”. It’s clear, adds O’Donoghue, that if “an asylum seeker were to be involved in terrorist activities he ought to be stopped”. But that should not make us forget that “application for asylum is also an issue that involves human rights. Those making such application are fleeing from torture, persecution, hunger and abuse. They thus have need of protection and to have their dignity recognized. We must never forget that”.
