Three quarters of asylum applications are caused by conflict

Three out of four asylum applications in Britain are made by
people fleeing countries in conflict, according to Home Office
figures contained in a new report released to mark Refugee Week,
writes Amy Taylor.

The report, from organisations including the Refugee Council and
Amnesty International, examines the impact of conflicts on
civilians and on the movement of refugees.

It examines conflicts in seven key countries that refugees flee
from – Afghanistan, Columbia, Democratic Republic of Congo,
Iraq, Russia, Somalia and Sudan.

People from the countries tell their own personal stories of how
they came to seek safety in Britain. The report’s focus on
war and conflict reflects the themes of Refugee Week 2004 that
takes place this week.

“Refugees are people forced to flee their homes in fear of
their lives – this is a fact that is too often
overlooked,” said Maeve Sherlock, Refugee Council chief
executive, speaking on behalf all the agencies.

Fleeing the Fighting: How conflict drives the search for asylum
from: www.refugeeweek.org.uk