ABSTRACT
Since the 1980s refugees have caused increasing concern, but there has been a growing unwillingness to provide shelter for them especially within the countries of western Europe which have sought to tighten their laws against people they argue are 'economic migrants'. Although it is clearly difficult to distinguish between the political and economic motivations for movement, agencies monitoring human rights violations have repeatedly argued that genuine refugees are suffering from the effects of such restrictionism. In Britain, the Asylum and Immigration (Appeals) Act 1993 and the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 were manifestations of the changing climate in dealing with refugees.1 Economic circumstances have not been propitious for refugee resettlement in Britain, but it is the political climate which has significantly changed. Refugee policy is now affected by European harmonisation policies and a 'Fortress Europe' mentality. Migrants of any sort, including refugees, are regarded as problematic and unwanted. The Conservative government from 1979 to 1997 adopted a 'hands-off' approach after its efforts to help the Vietnamese refugees. Subsequently, there have been no refugee assistance programmes on such a large scale with the only exception being the Bosnians affected by the outbreak of war in the former Yugoslavia. Even then, the number assisted, in the form of temporary protection, was small in comparison with the influxes of the 1970s. All other involuntary migrants arriving in Britain now have to make individual applications for asylum and may be granted either refugee status, in keeping with the UN Convention of 1951, exceptional leave to remain, a temporary humanitarian status allowing them to stay in the country, or may face refusal and be subject to deportation.2
