10/06/2004
Survey finds NI youth ill-informed on asylum issues
A new survey carried out on behalf of Amnesty International has shown that young people in Northern Ireland are ill-informed on asylum issues.
While most young people are positive towards refugees and asylum seekers and would want the right to a fair asylum process if they ever had to flee persecution, less than a third thought the Government treated asylum seekers fairly and 70% were opposed to the use of prison for detaining some asylum seekers in Northern Ireland.
However, the poll, published in the run-up to Refugee Week which begins next Monday, also shows that a significant minority of young people have negative or hostile attitudes towards refugees and asylum-seekers, with almost one in four objecting to a refugee marrying a member of their family.
Patrick Corrigan, Programme Director for Amnesty International in Northern Ireland, said: “The poll appears to confirm what we have long believed - that young people have an innate sense of fairness and while lacking in-depth knowledge of asylum matters, believe that government treats refugees unjustly.
“However it is extremely worrying that there is a significant strand of this coming generation who see asylum seekers and refugees in a negative light. It is perhaps surprising that there is not more hostility among young people given a diet of often unfair media coverage and next to no discussion in schools.”
On the whole, the sample showed a low level of understanding of the asylum seeker situation in the province. Young people also massively overestimated the proportion of the world’s refugees who come to Northern Ireland, on average believing that 6.9% of the world’s refugee population came here, more than 300 times the true figure of less than 0.02%.
Nine out of ten of the teenagers reported they have never or rarely been taught about asylum seekers and refugees in school.
(MB)
While most young people are positive towards refugees and asylum seekers and would want the right to a fair asylum process if they ever had to flee persecution, less than a third thought the Government treated asylum seekers fairly and 70% were opposed to the use of prison for detaining some asylum seekers in Northern Ireland.
However, the poll, published in the run-up to Refugee Week which begins next Monday, also shows that a significant minority of young people have negative or hostile attitudes towards refugees and asylum-seekers, with almost one in four objecting to a refugee marrying a member of their family.
Patrick Corrigan, Programme Director for Amnesty International in Northern Ireland, said: “The poll appears to confirm what we have long believed - that young people have an innate sense of fairness and while lacking in-depth knowledge of asylum matters, believe that government treats refugees unjustly.
“However it is extremely worrying that there is a significant strand of this coming generation who see asylum seekers and refugees in a negative light. It is perhaps surprising that there is not more hostility among young people given a diet of often unfair media coverage and next to no discussion in schools.”
On the whole, the sample showed a low level of understanding of the asylum seeker situation in the province. Young people also massively overestimated the proportion of the world’s refugees who come to Northern Ireland, on average believing that 6.9% of the world’s refugee population came here, more than 300 times the true figure of less than 0.02%.
Nine out of ten of the teenagers reported they have never or rarely been taught about asylum seekers and refugees in school.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 March 2024
PSNI Launch North Coast Easter Safety Message
The PSNI have partnered with Translink and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council to ensure the safety of residents and those visiting the North Coast this Easter, focussing on Safer Roads, Safer Communities and Safer Socialising.
PSNI Launch North Coast Easter Safety Message
The PSNI have partnered with Translink and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council to ensure the safety of residents and those visiting the North Coast this Easter, focussing on Safer Roads, Safer Communities and Safer Socialising.
28 March 2024
Other News In Brief
Infrastructure Minister Commits To Irish Language On Public Services Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has pledged his continuing support for the promotion of the Irish language on public services.
Other News In Brief
Infrastructure Minister Commits To Irish Language On Public Services Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has pledged his continuing support for the promotion of the Irish language on public services.
08 March 2024
Additional £3m Announced For Supporting People Programme
An additional £3 million in funding for the Supporting People programme, which aims to the quality of life for vulnerable people through appropriate housing-related services, has been announced by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons.
Additional £3m Announced For Supporting People Programme
An additional £3 million in funding for the Supporting People programme, which aims to the quality of life for vulnerable people through appropriate housing-related services, has been announced by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons.
22 July 2008
Asylum Seekers Report Welcomed
There has been a broad welcome at Stormont for a new report on the way asylum seekers are being treated. Junior Ministers Gerry Kelly and Jeffrey Donaldson yesterday praised the work of a Commission which is "seeking to restore public confidence" in the UK asylum system.
Asylum Seekers Report Welcomed
There has been a broad welcome at Stormont for a new report on the way asylum seekers are being treated. Junior Ministers Gerry Kelly and Jeffrey Donaldson yesterday praised the work of a Commission which is "seeking to restore public confidence" in the UK asylum system.
26 January 2024
DUP Calls For Action On Car Insurance Price Increases
The DUP has called on the UK government to investigate car insurance price increases, especially for young drivers, in Northern Ireland.
DUP Calls For Action On Car Insurance Price Increases
The DUP has called on the UK government to investigate car insurance price increases, especially for young drivers, in Northern Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry this morning with sunny spells then scattered showers breaking out this afternoon. A chilly start then feeling warmer in afternoon sunshine. Light southerly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Any showers at first soon dying out. Then dry overnight with clear periods and turning chilly with a touch of frost later tonight. Minimum temperature 1 °C.