The need to defend and celebrate multiculturalism
In the past, refugees have made a massive contribution to shaping the UK. It was refugees who introduced fish and chips to the UK; a refugee who designed the Mini; it was even a refugee who set up Marks and Spencer, and you can’t get much more British than that!
But as MP for Dagenham in East London I also see the huge contribution that refugees and other migrants make to the local community today. They enrich the fabric of our communities, add to the diversity of our culture – not to mention expanding our culinary opportunities! They have also contributed to Britain’s recent economic success. They make a vital contribution to our economy and public services – there are now programmes to help refugee doctors, teachers and entrepreneurs use their skills in the UK for example. So I think that Refugee Week is a fantastic opportunity every year to celebrate the positive contribution of refugees.
These people are at the heart of huge change in our towns and cities. Most of them make their home in the UK communities that are the least equipped to deal with new arrivals, and yet they have been deservedly accepted by most of the people they live alongside. Refugee Week is a ‘space of encounters’, and the situation in Dagenham has shown me the value of positive encounters between refugees and the host community in East London – and I will be attending some encounters in my own constituency next week.
But growing insecurity – in such areas as housing, education, public services and low pay – means that they are often the focus of the kind of hostility that has been successfully whipped up by the racist British National Party. Underlying all this is a need to defend and celebrate multiculturalism. People come to live and work in the UK not just for economic reasons, but because we have a tradition of offering sanctuary, allowing people to be equal but different, in keeping with the essential British values of tolerance and fair play. We should not forget that.
For centuries refugees have been offered a safe haven because of political or religious persecution, and there will always be a need for a system of asylum such as that set out in the 1951 Geneva Convention which has saved millions of lives. But how will we respond to a different type of refugee that we may well see in the future? Developing countries, although largely innocent of the causes of climate change, will be the hardest hit. As our planet becomes hotter, there will be increases in the intensity of natural disasters and an increased danger of conflict over scarce resources. As the 21st century unfolds, the term ‘climate refugee’ will become more and more common. We could see 200 million people become refugees as their homes are hit by drought and flood. More than a fifth of Bangladesh could be underwater by the end of this century. We need to be thinking about how we respond to ‘climate refugees’ in the future.
In the meantime, let’s promote Refugee Week as a valuable ‘space of encounters‘ and celebrate the refugees who were lucky enough to make it here.
Jon Cruddas is MP for Dagenham.
Comments
1) While it is right and proper for Mr Cruddas to celebrate multi-culturalism, it is a shame that the Commission for Cohesion set up by his colleague Ruth Kelly in the Department for Communities and Local Government, shies away from advocating the term on the spurious basis that it means different things to different people. As long as Labour engages in this double-speak, we will continue to see the 'us and them' version of politics whose endgame sets asylum seekers and refugees on the margins of society.
2) Referring to Jon Cruddas's comments about the positive contributions that so amny refugees make to the UK, I was privileged to attend the Anne Frank Awards 2007 at the Hackney Empire last night.
The Anne Frank Awards, in memory of the young writer of the famous diary, who perished during the Holocaust, following deportation, are presented annually to young people "who have shown great personal strength, moral courage and detemination ot stand up for what is right."
I was immensely proud to watch as a former student of mine, Behnam, a fine young man and highly gifted artist, studying Fine Art at the prestigious Central St Martins College of Art and Design, was Highly Commended.
Behnam came to the UK with his family at the end of 2002. His great artistic talent was immediately recognised at Quintin Kynaston School where he was a highly regarded student and role model to younger pupils.
His whole world changed drastically in April 2005 with the arrest in Iran, of two of his close friends and, a few days later, of his own father, on his arrival at Tehran Airport.
Behnam, his mother and younger brother claimed asylum in the UK. Behnam and his mother were subsequently sentenced in absentia to 5 and 7 years prison and told they would be given a barbaric punishment of lashes.
The family has so far been refused asylum. Despite the immnense stress and anxiety of the past couple of years, Behnam is determined not to become a victim.
Despite being deeply affected by the terrible predicament his family has found itself in , Behnam has somehow found the strength to carry on, developing his art in new directions and inspiring all who are fortunate to know him.
Behnam is holding an Art Exhibition at Burgh House, Hampstead from 11th - 29th July and we would love to see you there.
An online petition to the Home Secretary callng for the right of this family to remain in the UK is available at www.gopetition Quick Search: behnam
3) The home office should be positive on their decision and treat people equally they should give every body an amnesty and tightening the border by using the same people to do the job
4) While I agree with Jon Cruddas MP's comments, it is disappointing that New Labour continues to give mixed messages about new arrivals to the country and even more so that they have not sorted out the appalling mess at the Home Office. Those of us who work with refugees and asylum seekers know that some genuine people are sent back to their countries to suffer further persecution - or to disappear.
5) I agree entirely with everything John Cruddas has said, but he seems to be avoiding any comment on the disgraceful treatment by the IND of refugees and asylum seekers here in the UK. Far from being "offered a safe haven because of political or religious persecution" their appeals are routinely being rejected because of the increasingly callous and uncaring attitude of the IND.
7) I believe that the government should have taken a much stronger stand against the british media and their portrayle of asylum seekers and refugees. i believe that this has been detrimental to not just these groups but has had a serious effect on settled communities, anyone from and ethnic background, gang crime and the way in which britain is perceived around the world. all of these are major issues in todays modern britain. kind regards to you all stef swansea
6) I've met Jon Cruddas a couple of times, through mutual contacts, and I believe he has a front-line understanding of the fault line lying in today's politics.
The borough he represents as MP is struggling between an influx of economic migrants, those moving out from the inner city, a somewhat static white working class 'indigenous' community, falling economic prospects, lack of housing, and the rise of extremist movements only too willing to capitalise on the resultant tensions.
Those movements, such as the BNP and their supporters (many of whom, as a writer, I have met and interviewed), rarely distinguish between different types of immigrants: whether settled into second or third generation, recent arrivals, refugees, in search of work, etc. Such niceties are simply not debated.
On the streets of Dagenham, whilst researching for The Observer Magazine, I heard locals talk about "asylum seekers" all the time - despite the lack of many such "asylum seekers" on the streets. There were some who were more forthright, who blamed "refugees" for taking their children's housing (there's a big debate to be had about explaining the allocation of resources based on 'need'); one chap even said "burn them".
What they probably meant, as ever, was the face of rapidly-increasing change i.e. traditional forms of employment going, newcomers coming in, the fight for scarce resources. Nothing new in that, perhaps just the wider scale of the situation as it is today.
Having reported from several conflict zones and taking note of Cruddas' warning about "climate refugees", whomever holds power at Westminster (Washington, Berlin, Paris etc) is going to have to take note the lies and distortion that spread, too easily, within our communities. As well as look seriously at allocation of resources, integration and "binding back" the indigenous communities with a sense of belonging to the wider whole.
Nick Ryan
writer/journalist
www.nickryan.net
