The cost of not resisting evil

As the son of a Second World War Holocaust survivor, and a Christian, I am well aware of the sufferings caused by the torture and mass murders by dictator regimes like that of Hitler, and Saddam Hussein.

It is perhaps not surprising that in 1939 there were many who opposed war in spite of the knowledge of the atrocities which were already taking place and which were reported.

War with Iraq is not so much a question of "just or unjust", as described in Sidney Fagan's letter in the Bridge Feb 2003. More important to me is the fact that Saddam Hussein has already demonstrated his willingness to use chemical weapons; he has started two wars with unprovoked attacks on neighbouring countries; he was the only Arab head of state who openly celebrated the suicide hijackers who killed nearly 3,000 people in the US on 11 September 2001; he has blatantly violated UN Resolution 1441.

Those like Mr Fagan who seem to be against war should remember that the consequence of not resisting evil is to be engulfed by it. He should also consider that if Saddam is allowed to use or leak his radioactive materials, anthrax and poisonous gases to a terrorist group, it would have terrifying consequences. They would use them on our cities if they get them, war or no war.

When that happens, children will die on a far greater scale than in the course of a war, dreadful as this also would be, to topple the tyrant Saddam Hussein.

Michael Denton, Wimbledon

Implications of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act

As readers are, no doubt, aware, this Act became law on 8 January 2003.

Its main implication is that applicants who do not immediately apply for asylum with the immigration authorities at a port once they have arrived in the U.K. will not be eligible to apply for support to the National Asylum Support Service (NASS).

The Refugee Council is very worried that a significant number of asylum applicants will be affected and be forced onto the streets with no access to food as a result. Eligibility for NASS support is only for those who:

• have applied for asylum as soon as reasonably practicable after arrival in the U.K.
• have applied for asylum - and got proof of this - and this only happens once they have been through the asylum procedures
• meet the criteria for destitution

There is no definition or guidance on what is meant by 'as soon as reasonably practical'. The Refugee Council believes that in practice this means that if asylum applicants do not apply for asylum at a port immediately on entry into the U.K., they are unlikely to be able to apply for NASS support. They are at serious risk of becoming homeless and destitute if they have no-one else to provide some food or shelter to them. This is because the Act has also removed other legal avenues through which local authorities were previously able to provide support to destitute asylum applicants.

Organisations like ourselves, working with refugees and asylum seekers, believe that this policy is a serious mistake. It offends against basic human rights, it panders to prejudice and is likely to result in many homeless, hungry people on the streets.

We have already experienced people coming to our 'drop-in' sessions who are in this situation. We are trying to prepare to help those in need. If you are able to help with tins of food, warm clothes and bedding do contact the Project Co-ordinator, Pauline Nandoo, on 020 7732 0505 or on her mobile 07994310248.

If you do find people coming to you in this kind of situation, please let us know as we wish to document the affects of the legislation as accurately as possible. Our address is Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers, c/o Copleston Centre, Peckham, SE15 4AN

Gillian Reeve

FOOTNOTE: In the High Court in February, Mr Justice Collins said the rules, as they were applied in the six test cases before him, breached the European Convention on Human Rights. However the government has appealed against the ruling and Home Secretary David Blunkett says that the law still stands adding "We don't accept what Justice Collins has said.. We will seek to overturn it." The appeal will be heard on 3 March.

Musical offer from Russia

Our little choir 'Voskresenije' (Resurrection) consists of 10 professional female and male vocalists.

The choir has performed in Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy and Austria, mainly in churches. The repertoire includes Russian Sacred Music and folk music. In Autumn 2003 we are planing a concert tour in England. We would be happy to give a concert in your community or accompany a service.

We ask for a guarantee or a donation from the audience - plus food and lodging for the day of the concert. If you are interested, please send proposals of dates.

Jurij Maruk
192242 St.Petersburg
190 Russia
Fax 007 812 1746364
E-mail: Georgij@ users.mns.ru