Asylum targets

A cross-party group met last week to hear from John Vine, chief inspector of UK Border Agency Inspectorate, in regard to his recent report on the agency's operation. It appears that the organisation has been set unachievable targets for dealing with asylum applications.

The report deals with the agency's systems and processes, and much of the media coverage has questioned the agency's ability to achieve its targets. If the agency is to improve its through-put of the number of applications, this surely means there will be less time for the consideration of each case. This attention to targets, however, misses the point.

Each application for asylum represents an individual's hopes and aspirations. While a number of applications may not be valid, others as evidenced by the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture (FCVT), certainly are, as the practice of torture, unfortunately, is global.

The FCVT dealt with nearly 2,000 referrals from more than 79 countries in 2008.

On arriving in the UK, an asylum seeker who is a victim of torture may well be disorientated by new surroundings, culture, climate and language.

The individual will be experiencing loneliness as well as having a distrust and a fear of authority and bureaucracy from previous experience in his or her homeland. There may be physical and mental injury arising from the torture.

The conveying of an individual's story in support of the asylum application needs time and patience.

Rather than creating an asylum system that continues the UK's previous noble tradition of providing a safe haven, it appears that the chasing of targets will merely act against those most deserving of support.

A WATSON

Morningside Place

Edinburgh