We Can't Turn Them Away
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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We Can't Turn Them Away
Harry's Place: "We Can't Turn Them Away"
Since British troops occupied Southern Iraq in the spring of 2003, thousands of Iraqi citizens have worked for the British Army, the Coalition Provisional Authority ()South) and for contractors serving UK forces. There is now considerable evidence that their lives, and the lives of their families, are at risk: some former workers for the British have been murdered, and many others have fled to neighbouring countries or gone into hiding in Basra. The British Government, for whom they were ultimately working, has not offered them the right of asylum in the UK. This is morally unacceptable. It is also unnecessary, since we are well able to accommodate several thousand Iraqi refugees, most of whom already speak English and all of whom have already worked for our country.
The most detailed recent report, by Jonathan Miller of Channel Four news, notes the murder of 17 translators in one single incident in Basra. It cites the cases of hundreds of others who have fled to a refugee existence in nearby Middle Eastern countries or are in hiding in Iraq. The British Government response has come from the Home Office, which has suggested that Iraqis put at risk by their work for British troops 'register with the UN refugee agency'. Other reports provide supporting detail: Iraqis are being targeted for murder because they have worked for British forces.
Marie Colvin's report for the Times of April 8 speaks of desperate former workers for the British Army being turned away from the British embassy in Syria by staff who had orders not to admit any Iraqis. These brave men and women have testimonials written by British officers
If you feel that this is unacceptable and that Britain should prevent Iraqis from being murdered for the 'crime' of working for British troops, could you please write to your MP and ask him or her to press the Government for action. You can use the excellent website 'Write to Them' or post a letter yourself.
Please be courteous when writing to your MP. It would be a good idea to read the reports above, and cite relevant facts. We would suggest that your letter could contain the following points:
- It is morally unacceptable that Britain should abandon people who are at risk because they worked for British soldiers and diplomats.
- This country will be shamed if any more Iraqis are murdered for the 'crime' of having supported UK forces.
- Iraqis who worked for British forces should not be told to leave Iraq and throw themselves on the mercy of United Nations relief agencies in Arab countries: these agencies are already being overwhelmed by the outflow of Iraqi refugees, and Iraqi refugees who have worked for British diplomats or troops may well be targeted by local jihadists.
- There is plentiful evidence that armed groups in Iraq kill the families of those they consider 'enemies': for this reason we must extend the right of asylum to the families of those who worked for us.
- It is entirely practical for this country's troops in Iraq, and its embassies in neighbouring countries, to take in Iraqis who have worked for us and fly them to the UK. Indeed, there is already considerable anger among British servicemen that Iraqis are being abandoned in this way.
- This country is large enough and rich enough to accommodate several thousand Iraqi refugees. Denmark has already given asylum to all 200 Iraqis who worked for its smaller occupying force.
- It does not matter what your MP's views (or what your views) are on the invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq. People who risked their lives for this country's soldiers are now being abandoned by the British Government. Their lives can and must be saved by their being granted the right of asylum in this country.
- This policy should be implemented regardless of whether British soldiers stay in Iraq or are soon withdrawn. But it must be introduced soon: applications for asylum cannot be processed in a lengthy fashion, as the security situation in Basra is deteriorating rapidly, and delay is likely to lead to further killings of Iraqis who worked for British troops.
Since British troops occupied Southern Iraq in the spring of 2003, thousands of Iraqi citizens have worked for the British Army, the Coalition Provisional Authority ()South) and for contractors serving UK forces. There is now considerable evidence that their lives, and the lives of their families, are at risk: some former workers for the British have been murdered, and many others have fled to neighbouring countries or gone into hiding in Basra. The British Government, for whom they were ultimately working, has not offered them the right of asylum in the UK. This is morally unacceptable. It is also unnecessary, since we are well able to accommodate several thousand Iraqi refugees, most of whom already speak English and all of whom have already worked for our country.
The most detailed recent report, by Jonathan Miller of Channel Four news, notes the murder of 17 translators in one single incident in Basra. It cites the cases of hundreds of others who have fled to a refugee existence in nearby Middle Eastern countries or are in hiding in Iraq. The British Government response has come from the Home Office, which has suggested that Iraqis put at risk by their work for British troops 'register with the UN refugee agency'. Other reports provide supporting detail: Iraqis are being targeted for murder because they have worked for British forces.
Marie Colvin's report for the Times of April 8 speaks of desperate former workers for the British Army being turned away from the British embassy in Syria by staff who had orders not to admit any Iraqis. These brave men and women have testimonials written by British officers
If you feel that this is unacceptable and that Britain should prevent Iraqis from being murdered for the 'crime' of working for British troops, could you please write to your MP and ask him or her to press the Government for action. You can use the excellent website 'Write to Them' or post a letter yourself.
Please be courteous when writing to your MP. It would be a good idea to read the reports above, and cite relevant facts. We would suggest that your letter could contain the following points:
- It is morally unacceptable that Britain should abandon people who are at risk because they worked for British soldiers and diplomats.
- This country will be shamed if any more Iraqis are murdered for the 'crime' of having supported UK forces.
- Iraqis who worked for British forces should not be told to leave Iraq and throw themselves on the mercy of United Nations relief agencies in Arab countries: these agencies are already being overwhelmed by the outflow of Iraqi refugees, and Iraqi refugees who have worked for British diplomats or troops may well be targeted by local jihadists.
- There is plentiful evidence that armed groups in Iraq kill the families of those they consider 'enemies': for this reason we must extend the right of asylum to the families of those who worked for us.
- It is entirely practical for this country's troops in Iraq, and its embassies in neighbouring countries, to take in Iraqis who have worked for us and fly them to the UK. Indeed, there is already considerable anger among British servicemen that Iraqis are being abandoned in this way.
- This country is large enough and rich enough to accommodate several thousand Iraqi refugees. Denmark has already given asylum to all 200 Iraqis who worked for its smaller occupying force.
- It does not matter what your MP's views (or what your views) are on the invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq. People who risked their lives for this country's soldiers are now being abandoned by the British Government. Their lives can and must be saved by their being granted the right of asylum in this country.
- This policy should be implemented regardless of whether British soldiers stay in Iraq or are soon withdrawn. But it must be introduced soon: applications for asylum cannot be processed in a lengthy fashion, as the security situation in Basra is deteriorating rapidly, and delay is likely to lead to further killings of Iraqis who worked for British troops.
I think the line
should be changed to read
This country will be shamed if any more Iraqis are murdered for the 'crime' of having supported UK forces.
This country will be shamed if any more UK forces are murdered for the 'crime' of having supported Iraqis.
And we put them where exactly? Don't think it will stop at those who have 'assisted' UK forces.
Having grown up in an area with a high proportion of immingrants, I can guarantee that every single member of the extended family will be making their way over to the UK despite having done nothing to assist UK forces. The UK is already creaking under the weight of illegal immigrants, if you want to add Iraqis to the mix, then you will need to do something about the 1000s coming into the UK every year for no other reason than scrounging.
Plus, whilst there are many that have served the UK well and honourably, equally there are many that have not and have played both sides of the fence and who have probably been invovled, implicitly or explicitly, in the deaths of over 150 UK service personnel. Can you 100% guarantee that it won't be these that try and gain access to the UK and its facilities? I can see the Security Service desk heads groaning at just the thought of the Jaish al Mahdi and various other rogue elements setting up a Leicester or East London Company.
We are in Iraq to get the country back on its feet and make it a place for Iraqis to live in. If all we are going to do is let our troops die and then invite hoards of Iraqis into the UK, that would suggest that we have failed and the whole venture has been a waste of time, money and more importantly British lives. If Basrah is an unsafe sh1thole, then it is about time the Iraqis took some responsibility for themselves and sorted it out.
Sorry, but the Ghurkas have a fair case which I support to the hilt. Iraqis of dubious character, forget it, the security implications are just too great. Let the silent partners in the coalition of the willing actually do something for once and take them if it's that bad.
Having grown up in an area with a high proportion of immingrants, I can guarantee that every single member of the extended family will be making their way over to the UK despite having done nothing to assist UK forces. The UK is already creaking under the weight of illegal immigrants, if you want to add Iraqis to the mix, then you will need to do something about the 1000s coming into the UK every year for no other reason than scrounging.
Plus, whilst there are many that have served the UK well and honourably, equally there are many that have not and have played both sides of the fence and who have probably been invovled, implicitly or explicitly, in the deaths of over 150 UK service personnel. Can you 100% guarantee that it won't be these that try and gain access to the UK and its facilities? I can see the Security Service desk heads groaning at just the thought of the Jaish al Mahdi and various other rogue elements setting up a Leicester or East London Company.
We are in Iraq to get the country back on its feet and make it a place for Iraqis to live in. If all we are going to do is let our troops die and then invite hoards of Iraqis into the UK, that would suggest that we have failed and the whole venture has been a waste of time, money and more importantly British lives. If Basrah is an unsafe sh1thole, then it is about time the Iraqis took some responsibility for themselves and sorted it out.
Sorry, but the Ghurkas have a fair case which I support to the hilt. Iraqis of dubious character, forget it, the security implications are just too great. Let the silent partners in the coalition of the willing actually do something for once and take them if it's that bad.
Last edited by Melchett01; 23rd Jul 2007 at 13:37.
Word that rhymes with ollocks springs to mind quite frankly. Where will we put all these people, not to mention the numerous "sleepers" that are likely to be inserted here as "refugees". We have enough problems of our own.
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The British Government, for whom they were ultimately working, has not offered them the right of asylum in the UK. This is morally unacceptable
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I can understand the argument that you've put forward ORAC. These people should be kept safe, however granting them permanent asylum in the UK shouldn’t be the answer.
The people in question are probably well educated and skilled. I believe such people are key to the 'reconstruction' of Iraq... If all the educated and skilled workers etc. left the country, what would be left? (As happened in East Germany after WW2)
Yes, they need to be protected, but allowing them to permanently emigrate should be considered a major problem in terms of Iraq's future. They need to be given some incentive to stay
.
The people in question are probably well educated and skilled. I believe such people are key to the 'reconstruction' of Iraq... If all the educated and skilled workers etc. left the country, what would be left? (As happened in East Germany after WW2)
Yes, they need to be protected, but allowing them to permanently emigrate should be considered a major problem in terms of Iraq's future. They need to be given some incentive to stay
.
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Not a nice choice & I can see both sides of the arguement. However, this has reminded me of how we (or should I say ...you, our armed forces) liberated Kosovo. Then they all wanted to come here!! the idea is that people should make something of their own country, we can't take everybody.
Godd grief ORAC, what were you thinking?
I shall be writing to my MP, courteously, telling him to make sure that these folk of which you speak do not come to the UK.
I shall be writing to my MP, courteously, telling him to make sure that these folk of which you speak do not come to the UK.
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And if we leave them to the death squads I'm sure we'll have collaborators queueing up to work for the Brits in our next counter insurgency operation.
Just another example of Bliar and Bush not having a clue what they were going to do with the country once it was conquered.
Just another example of Bliar and Bush not having a clue what they were going to do with the country once it was conquered.
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I totally agree with Melchett01.
Where exactly are these people going to live ORAC? The government are still talking about building thousands of new houses to accomodate the people we have here today, they are suggesting these houses will need to be built on flood plains even after the disaster faced by thousands of people this last month. The people of the UK are getting fed up with helping the world when they are in trouble, charity begins at home it is time we helped ourselves. The recent floods have shown just how much we need to spend money on the infrastructure to prevent future disasters. If the Government were to agree to give thousands of Iraqis permanent residence here I think you will find that will be the straw that will break the camel's back. Enough is enough,we were not asked if we wished to go into Irag, it has cost us dearly already. What next ORAC pull out of Afghanistan and invite all who oppose the Taliban to join us in the UK? Get real ORAC.
Where exactly are these people going to live ORAC? The government are still talking about building thousands of new houses to accomodate the people we have here today, they are suggesting these houses will need to be built on flood plains even after the disaster faced by thousands of people this last month. The people of the UK are getting fed up with helping the world when they are in trouble, charity begins at home it is time we helped ourselves. The recent floods have shown just how much we need to spend money on the infrastructure to prevent future disasters. If the Government were to agree to give thousands of Iraqis permanent residence here I think you will find that will be the straw that will break the camel's back. Enough is enough,we were not asked if we wished to go into Irag, it has cost us dearly already. What next ORAC pull out of Afghanistan and invite all who oppose the Taliban to join us in the UK? Get real ORAC.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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I am truly disappointed at the xenophobia exhibited in some of the above posts. The UK immigration figures show about 150,000 people move here every year. The handful we are talking about would make no additional impression on that number whatsoever.
These are people who are working and dying for us. The murder/death rate amongst interpreters is far far higher than amongst the soldiers they translate for. Infiltrators? Unproved aspertions and calumnous considering the job they do. For more reason to fear how grown terrorists or those infiltrated from other sources.
As has been stated, if we do nothing, what chance do we have of finding allies amongst the locals in any future U.N. or national overseas operations.
But, finally, what of honour and trust. To walk away and leave these people would be as despicable as the betrayal of the Cossacks in 1945.
Perfidious Albion indeed.
These are people who are working and dying for us. The murder/death rate amongst interpreters is far far higher than amongst the soldiers they translate for. Infiltrators? Unproved aspertions and calumnous considering the job they do. For more reason to fear how grown terrorists or those infiltrated from other sources.
As has been stated, if we do nothing, what chance do we have of finding allies amongst the locals in any future U.N. or national overseas operations.
But, finally, what of honour and trust. To walk away and leave these people would be as despicable as the betrayal of the Cossacks in 1945.
Perfidious Albion indeed.
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We're only talking about people who were on the British payroll and their immediate families, not an invasion by the whole Assyrian Empire!
Last edited by An Teallach; 24th Jul 2007 at 09:02. Reason: Correct Oh * Hundred Hrs error
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This is a thread about doing the decent thing for the few Iraqis who were directly on the British Payroll and may well not have much of a contribution to make to the future Iraq when the inevitable 'Saigon' moment happens this year or next. Corpses tend not to contribute much to the economy (unless you are an undertaker).
It is not a thread about immigration. If you want to talk about immigration in general, go to JB and fulminate on your barely-concealed racism there.
It is not a thread about immigration. If you want to talk about immigration in general, go to JB and fulminate on your barely-concealed racism there.
What a pity we can't deport the 4,000 or so British Muslims (and their dependents) who have demonstrated where their loyalties lie by going off to the training camps in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
That would free up some housing stock for these, people, to whom we clearly owe a debt of gratitude, and who have clearly done more for us than those British Asians who refused to condemn 7/7 and who applaud the deaths of UK servicemen in Afghanistan and Iraq - and their are an uncomfortably large number of the latter.
That would free up some housing stock for these, people, to whom we clearly owe a debt of gratitude, and who have clearly done more for us than those British Asians who refused to condemn 7/7 and who applaud the deaths of UK servicemen in Afghanistan and Iraq - and their are an uncomfortably large number of the latter.