Tony Blair has today joined the panic over refugees by pledging to reduce the number of asylum applications by 50% by september. The Home office has also announced an increase in the number of countries on it's "white list" from which no application for asylum will be considered. The concept of a "white list" is deeply flawed, are there really any countries where there are never any human rights violations? I doubt it.

This move comes after many weeks in which the panic rhetoric over asylum has reached alarming proportions, and the BNP has secured another council seat. The issue of asylum is a crucial test of the humanitarian credentials of any government, and this one is failing miserably. The government must stand up for the right of refugees and for everyone whose human rights are abused and against the opportunist newspapers and politicians who aim to profit from scapegoating the innocent.

Resources:
National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns/ Campaign against Racism and Fascism
Articles:
Open Statement from the Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers