Hundreds gather at Islington Assembly Hall to celebrate contribution of immigrants
‘Detaining refugees is a waste of lives and talent’
Published: 24th June, 2011
by PETER GRUNER
UP to 400 people, representing more than 20 nations, packed into the Islington Assembly Hall on Monday to celebrate the contribution made by immigrants to Britain.
Speakers at the event included Jonathan Ellis, executive member of advocacy for the Refugee Council; Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn, deputy London Mayor Richard Barnes and Islington Council leader Councillor Catherine West.
They talked about the need to understand and support the plight of people escaping often from war-torn countries who are desperate to start a new life here.
Yet according to Jonathan Ellis, from the national human rights charity, up to 230 asylum-seekers are being detained in Britain without charge for more than one year, some for as long as two years.
He added: “If you are an asylum-seeker you can be detained indefinitely. To seek asylum is not a crime and no one does it without being pretty desperate to escape a bleak and miserable past. These people don’t pose a risk, and they’ve done nothing wrong.
“Is detainment the `best use of taxpayers’ money? If I commit a crime today I’ll know how long I’ll serve. But asylum-seekers will often escape from one form of prison to another.
“Imagine the emotional and mental impact of being locked away in the country you came to for help.”
Jeremy Corbyn spoke about the enormous waste of lives of those living in refugee camps around the world. “I’ve met Palestinians who were born in camps and have never known anything else.”
Mr Corbyn added: “These camps contain potential artists, musicians, electricians, plumbers, lawyers and teachers. They could all be of benefit to us. Instead, they are wasting their lives away in camps with no future.
“Rather than seeing refugees as a problem to avoid we should be offering our help out of respect for human rights and in the name of global equality.”
Richard Barnes talked about the need to help refugees integrate. “Learning English is the key to everything,” Mr Barnes said.
“It enables people not to be exploited and to take part in civil society. It allows foreign speakers to talk to their children’s teachers and also explain to the doctor what is wrong.”
Mr Barnes called for English language classes to be provided separately at local schools.
“When mothers take their children to school they could have their own English classes,” he added.
There were entertainments throughout the day. They included poetry from Poole’s Park Primary School, Finsbury Park; singing by Jermaine Jackson from Islington Arts
and Media School; Congolese and Somali dancing; a Kurdish fashion show; Iraqi poetry and Algerian music.
Councillor West said: “Refugees often face huge barriers to succeeding but are some of our most talented residents. It’s important to support them as part of our work in narrowing the gap between rich and poor.”
Chairwoman of Islington Refugee Forum, Micheline Safi Ngongo, organised the event. Originally from the Congo, Ms Ngongo came to Britain eight years ago. “It’s wonderful to see so many people from Islington working together to celebrate diversity,” she said.
Poems on Utopia by Poole’s Park primary pupils read out at event
Utopia
My world was full of chaos, destruction and disasters,
But I got away from all of that when I found Utopia,
Utopia is a place of freedom,
Utopia is not cruel,
Mother Nature found its kindness and got rid of all the wars,
What I use to dream of has become my world now.
Mother Nature is calling and peace is growing more,
The brutality and prosecution has become kindness and caring,
Utopia has banned alcohol, weapons and wars,
Every one is someone every one is loved,
What I use to dream of has become my world.
Instead of being tortured I am being loved,
Instead of me crying I’m laughing with joy,
Instead of having prosecution I have my freedom now,
What I use to dream of has become my world.
From prison to paradise,
From violence to comfort,
From being tortured but now I’m being loved,
From locked up in chains to being free as a bird,
I thought this will never end but it finally did.
WARDA
Utopia
Be who you want to be,
With pure, peace and a perfect palace,
Where freedom fighters fight for freedom.
Be who you want to be,
With nothing but shining smiles,
Living in the home of hope.
Be who you want to be,
Where freedom fighters fight for friendship,
With friends, family and freedom to survive.
Be who you want to be,
With happiness reigning over you,
Staying in the palace of peace.
Be who you want to be,
Where freedom fights forever,
With holding hands here forever,
Be who you want to be,
In a paradise palace,
Hop onto the train of tranquillity.
All refugees can join forces
All of us can be one,
Were all equal.
KSANET EMANUEL