UK’s response to refugee crisis laid bare

Britain must accept more Syrian refugees faster in response to a humanitarian crisis of people fleeing conflict, a group of over 300 lawyers demanded in a statement released Monday.

Britain’s judiciary rarely openly criticises politicians, but this public statement had the support of dozens of top legal figures such as Lord Nicholas Phillips, former President of Britain’s Supreme Court, and Nicholas Bratza, ex-President of the European Court of Human Rights.

Stephen Sedley, former Lord Justice of the Court of Appeal, said the government’s current offer to accept Syrian refugees was “wholly inadequate”.

“We don’t think people staying in people’s homes is the best way to deal with it because of the education, health and all the other issues that need dealing with”, he said. It argues reception facilities in countries like Greece and Italy have collapsed and the regulations should be suspended.

“The letter reflects profound concern in the legal profession, including a few of its most senior members, that the government lacks a coherent, just or humane response to the refugee crisis”, said leading barrister Pushpinder Saini, who regularly advises and represents the government.

In September the prime minister described the decision to take in 20,000 Syrian refugees as the country fulfilling its moral responsibility.

“This also deters people from attempting these perilous journeys which have already led to so many tragic deaths”, he said.

“The expansion of the (vulnerable persons resettlement) scheme needs careful and meticulous planning to ensure we get it right”. It was within our capability.

Judge Catriona Jarvis, who signed the letter, told the BBC the United Kingdom has a far greater capacity for refugees than is now being explored.

“Given the vulnerability of the people coming here, given that the majority of them will be in families, we’d rather use the volunteers in other ways”.

Last week, we announced a further £100 million in aid, taking our total contribution to more £1 billion.

Asked if the Government is on target for that rate, he said: “I believe we will be on target when the increased traction of the scheme comes into fruition”. They have joined community groups, councils, faith leaders, charities and people across Britain calling on our government to do more.

Shadow home secretary Andy Burnham said: ” Today’s warning confirms what Labour has been saying for months on the Government’s shortcomings.