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Problems in Calais with refugees - lack of compassion?
frisky python
Posts: 9,737 Forum Member
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I'm in Kent and it's been in the local news about the problems in Calais, with refugees/migrants waiting in Calais in camps waiting to cross the channel illegally to gain entry to the UK. There has been violent clashes in the camps from groups from different countries over space and area within those camps. A Calais official is so fed up with his town having to deal with this and affecting the local economy that he has said the refugees/migrants should all be given tickets to cross the channel to Kent.
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/dover/news/immigrants-shipped-to-dover-21399/
Now that's the background. What I find quite disturbing though is the complete lack of compassion shown by people in this country towards this issue. Regardless of where you stand on the immigration issue, why do some people go on to describe these refugees as "scum" and suggest their boats get sunk or their planes blown up? (Both comments given on the FB pages of local newspapers). I can understand that people may not want them here, but to want to harm them to the point of killing them is inhumane.
Is this what some people have become, inhumane with a lack of compassion?
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/dover/news/immigrants-shipped-to-dover-21399/
Now that's the background. What I find quite disturbing though is the complete lack of compassion shown by people in this country towards this issue. Regardless of where you stand on the immigration issue, why do some people go on to describe these refugees as "scum" and suggest their boats get sunk or their planes blown up? (Both comments given on the FB pages of local newspapers). I can understand that people may not want them here, but to want to harm them to the point of killing them is inhumane.
Is this what some people have become, inhumane with a lack of compassion?
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So tell us what your solution is?
I take it you will welcome one into your home?
I feel sorry for the French having to deal with them but maybe they need to tighten up their own border controls by not allowing them in from other neighbouring safe countries in the first place.
These people are not anything to do with the UK.
i`m in the same camp as you, i find it absolutely horrifying and it`s soul destroying for anyone to be treated in this way.
we`re all allegedly human.
edit: bit godwins but isn`t this how the persecution of a whole mass of people started?
There are issues that need to be addressed, of course. I don't know all the ins and outs of the situation, but why can't they live in France? France is a pretty nice country and they will be safe there. There are several other countries where they can settle, too, that are pleasant places to live.
I don't know why they're so set on the UK. Contrary to the belief of some Brits, it's not as though when you arrive in the UK as a migrant, you get to walk the red carpet and get all sorts of goodies handed to you. There's a lack of affordable housing, a shortage of jobs, and you'll soon become aware that a percentage of the population really doesn't want you here.
Don't get me wrong - I like the UK. And I'm a migrant (moved here to be with my British partner). The difference is that I wasn't desperate. If it were a case of needing a safe haven, I would have been happy enough to settle in any safe, decent country that would have me.
Totally agree.
I know the "1st safe country" rule does unfairly burden generally poorer countries, but if you are a proper refuge you will be happy with any safe country. Wanting to go to 1 inparticular make s you an economic migrant not a refuge.
Think countries that get high numbers of refuges should get decent international help to reduce the burden on poorer safe countries.
We dont need them or want them.
Next question.
What about the lack of compassion shown as was the point with my post?
On the local news the other day a French government official said that once this latest camp is demolished the migrants should move away from the area and apply for asylum in France, it's not right that the UK should have this problem - I'll take notice of him thanks.
Nasty online comments, you get them all the time no matter the subject.
EDIT to add, no I'm not saying it's ok.
Or sick and tired of them? I know I am.
France is a safe, rich country and these people are already resident there.
In what way does this scenario make these people our responsibility as opposed to Frances?
However, for people like me who are concerned about the amount of people we let into this country I don't think we lack compassion. Personally, I worry about our resources, racial and religious tension, and a total lack of intergration when you get whole areas being used as a dumping ground for people. I don't think having concerns about any of those things mean I lack compassion. Britain is pretty tiny and full to bursting as it is. I wish we could help everyone but real life doesn't work like that. It's not lacking compassion to point this out, just practical.
Again not the point of the discussion as I said whatever the side of debate you are on, what about the lack of compassion? Compassion doesn't mean opening the borders and letting people come here BTW.
So you are not offering any practical solution then?
It's bad enough having an open Border with Europe, never-mind being tried to feel bad into taking Illegal Immigrants on top.
All I see is heads stuffed with cotton wool here.
These people are under the mistaken impression that the UK is a land of Milk and benefits.
Its not.
They probably need a wake up call about the welfare system in the UK and how uncompassionate it is, with our caps, sanctions and bedroom taxes. Boy George was only saying the other day he wants to do away with the entire system to build railroads in the North.
Settle in France, they will probably be better off
what practical solution is there?
i don`t think that the majority of posters here so far are grasping your question. [:o]
Did you see how violent they were? Throwing anything and everything to hand at the border patrols trying to do their job. They can stay over there - of course we know they won't do. They will be here soon enough one way or another as another poster has already stated.
Voting UKIP is the only way, if only to show our politicians that we've had just about enough of their slavish adherence to the EU and turning the UK into the cesspit of Europe.
Its very easy to post put them on a boat and sink it because these people have been dehumanised in most of our eyes. Read a daily Mail article and you will be under the impression that these guys are criminals who carry the Ebola virus who will nick your jobs and rape your wife
They are human beings who want a better life. if I was born in the same siutation maybe I would be trying to get into the UK.
Problem is that we dont want them. We have enough low skilled workers and dont need more