WHY THEY COME
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Would-be immigrants from 1I) countries applied for asylum In Britain during 2000. The reasons are varied but the main factors are usually extreme poverty or extreme persecution in their homelands. For example, those from Afghanistan faced persecution by the Islamic Taliban movement; those from Romania faced discrimination against minorities, most notably against the Roma Gypsies. Those from Sri Lanka faced death In the war raging between the Sinhalese government and the Tamil Tigers— since the mid-eighties tens of thousands have died in this war. In India 55% of the population lives below the poverty line, and strong links with Britain mean many will naturally come here.
Like most countries, Britain is a signatory to the UN Convention on Refugees, which obliges members to offer help to those fleeing persecution, famine and othes. disasters.