A clear, efficient and humane system of asylum: that is what is urged by the bishops of the Episcopal Conference of England and Wales meeting at their assembly in London on 1st May. Referring to the British Government’s intention to revise some commitments assumed by its ratification of the UN Convention on Refugees of 1951 due to the high number of refugees arriving in the country, the bishops write in a statement issued at the end of their meeting that “our country has a great tradition in the field of right of asylum” and that “a full application of the Convention cannot dispense with some principles such as the speed and quality of decisions, the support, also in terms of accommodation, of asylum-seekers awaiting a decision, and programmes of social, economic, cultural as well as linguistic integration”. In particular, the bishops stress, “the detention of refugees, except for reasons of public security, and any form of racism towards them, must be avoided, and proper access to the health and social services provided. The Government, the Churches and the NGOs ought, moreover, to acknowledge the positive contribution made by refugees to the economy and culture of the country”. “It is up to the European Union they conclude to adopt concrete measures to improve living conditions in the countries from which refugees come”. During their assembly the bishops discussed Iraq and prospects for peace and expressed the hope for “an equally great commitment of the Coalition to peace as it was to war”. They also urged that “the right to self-determination of the Iraqi people in the reconstruction of their country be balanced by respect for the civil and religious rights of minorities”. Also in Great Britain, the ecumenical meeting “Shout it from the rooftops” is due to be held on 10 May. Promoted by the CTE, Churches Together in England, of which 22 Christian movements form part, its aim is to “reflect on the passion and commitment of the laity in evangelization”.
