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Letter to the Guardian

6 June 2007

Lessons on citizenship

It is not at all clear whether Ruth Kelly and Liam Byrne propose to include refugees in their points system for citizenship. If they do, it is wholly unnecessary.

Refugees, who have proven that they have suffered persecution, know well the meaning of citizenship and have much to teach us about being a citizen. Many have put their lives on the line for these values, by standing up for human rights in their own countries. It would be shameful to suggest that they should have to earn rights that the rest of us take for granted. Our shared rights are what help to bind us together. Treating newcomers as second-class citizens is divisive.

Among the vast majority of newcomers there is no shortage of willingness to integrate - but, despite being desperate to learn English, find work and give something back to the UK, refugees are consistently marginalised. Instead of gimmicks, the government should concentrate on practical measures to help newcomers participate fully in society.
If there is any role for an "earned citizenship" process, it could be best applied to the irregular migrant population, rather than to refugees or to others with permission to stay here. It seems sensible and fair to acknowledge the contribution that illegal workers make and, given the impossibility of removing them, provide them with the opportunity to leave the hidden economy and become citizens.

Sandy Buchan
Chief executive, Refugee Action

This letter was written in response to an article in The Guardian on 05 Jun:

Rules to make migrants integrate
Ministers say citizenship should depend on good behaviour, passing English tests and knowledge of UK

Ministers want to introduce a national British day to complete a "citizenship revolution" that would also toughen rules for migrants and try to instil community pride in all 18-year-olds.
Under the plans to be unveiled this week, every teenager in the UK would be given a citizenship pack when they became eligible to vote, and migrants would only be able to become British citizens if they could demonstrate good behaviour and a willingness to integrate.

The national day, which could be a bank holiday, would be loosely modelled on Australia Day.

The proposals come from the communities secretary, Ruth Kelly, and the immigration minister, Liam Byrne, who are also calling for more inclusive and visible citizenship ceremonies for anyone wanting to settle in the UK.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/britain/article/0,,2096189,00.html