SHAMEFULLY, cracking down on asylum seekers has become one of the key hallmarks of New Labour ever since Blair came to office. This reactionary programme has included both harsh changes in the law and at the same time an ideological approach which has pandered to racism and given credence to the fascists of the British National Party and the National Front. What is on offer in the Queen's speech at the end of November is not just more of the same. The new proposals will qualitatively strengthen Fortress Britain. Asylum seekers, refugees and those campaigning in their support are rightly stepping up campaigning at all levels to prevent these vicious measures being introduced or implemented. On Friday October 24, Home Secretary David Blunkett announced amnesty for some asylum seekers. Deportation campaigns said, this was "very thin icing on a cake whose main ingredient was salt".
Up to 15,000 families with children who have applied for asylum before October 2 2000 will be considered for amnesty and indefinite leave to remain. Starved out
Campaigners are more than happy for those families who benefit. But David Blunkett intends to starve out of Britain many families who claimed asylum after October 3 2000. The new measures will end all future support for families who have been refused asylum if they refuse to take up the offer of a voluntary, paid route home. This is irrespective of whether it is safe for the family to return to their country of origin. Blunkett also proposes to reduce the appeals process to one tier. There are able to prove that they have a justified claim to remain here only after several attempts. The impact of this change if it goes through is that many people will be sent to their deaths by a government that claims to stand for human rights!
Another astonishing plank of the new legislation will be to prosecute those who don't have travel documents with them.
Speaking on the radio, Home Office Minister Beverley Hughes claimed that she could not understand any valid reason why asylum seekers should do this. What a display of ignorance! Just talk to anyone who has fled torture, famine or war. Many would not escape if they had their real papers, while others are in situations where such documentation couldn't be obtained even if you wanted it! Home Office statements callously put forward the main justification for tax payer! Charged for care services. they will save £3 million for the British
The new proposals will be further compounded by others already under discussion. A huge campaign has been launched against the proposed on. cuts to legal aid funding which will mean asylum seekers can only receive 5 hours of free advice.
There are also measures that will mean that asylum seekers will be charged for hospital treatment - while doctors will have discretion as to whether to charge for primary care This reactionary assault poses one of the biggest challenges facing the social movements in Britain today. While new Labour has made asylum central to its calling card, the left has not always responded with equal vigour. We need to ensure we do so higher.
Trade unions have been increasingly won to this cause. The intervention of people like Bill Morris of the T&G was central to throwing out the iniquitous voucher system. This needs to be built The existing movement in defence of asylum seekers is somewhat fragmented. While there is indeed validity in having specific organisations which concentrate on different aspects of the attacks - be it deportations, immigration detention or other aspects, there is also an overwhelming need to ensure unity in action over the aspects of new Labour's assault. Socialist Resistance is proud to have been part of the movement in defence of asylum seekers over the first year of our existence. We hope that the year to come will see that fightback going from strength to strength as the stakes become even
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