News / Human Rights

Britain has ‘moral duty’ over migrants

Sunday, 26 April 2015 12:54 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 26 April 2015 12:55 PM ]

File photo of Bishop of Manchester David Walker

The bishop of Manchester says Britain has a ‘moral responsibility’ to help migrants escaping conflicts the UK is involved in.

The Right Reverend, David Walker said those running towards Europe are not criminals, but victims in need of help. He added they are being “pushed, not pulled towards the EU”.

An estimated 35,000 refugees are believed to have crossed over from the Middle East and Africa. Reports have confirmed 1,750 of them have died this year alone in their attempted escape to Europe.

The British charity, Save the Children estimates 2,500 children could face the same fate in 2015.

"We actually need to recognise that in Britain in particular, given that we have intervened so often in Africa and other parts of the world, that we have a kind of moral responsibility when we have left certain states behind in a very unstable situation," Bishop Walker said.

In his newspaper article, he says migrants are "forced out of their homelands by war, terrorism and the persecution of minorities".

He added: "A political rhetoric that characterises them as wilful criminals rather than helpless victims is as unworthy as it is untrue.

"The moral cost of our continual overseas interventions has to include accepting a fair share of the victims of the wars to which we have contributed as legitimate refugees in our own land.

"I want my country to be governed by those who are prepared to look at the faces of the desperate, be it the desperation of the asylum seeker or of the food bank client, and to look at them with compassion."

The comments come following the death of hundreds of migrants escaping Libya last week which caused uproar in the international community.

As a result, European Union leaders vowed to triple funding for rescue missions during talks in Brussels. The £86m boost in funds will bring an increase in rescue ships and other resources.

SU/GHN

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk