In the face of government efforts to curtail asylum seekers entering the UK, the perilous English Channel remains a grim gateway for those desperate for refuge.
Osama Sharkia, a 27-year-old Syrian refugee now studying computer science at Canterbury Christ Church University, sheds light on the challenges faced by those seeking safety in the UK. Despite the government’s attempts to reduce asylum numbers, safe routes are limited, leaving many with no choice but to risk their lives, as reported by Kent Live.
For Osama and his family, the journey to the UK was not a matter of choice but a necessity. Fleeing Syria in 2011, they sought refuge in Jordan, enduring a seven-year wait before being granted refugee status by the UNHCR. In 2018, they arrived in the UK, opting for the resettlement scheme as a safer alternative to the perilous Channel crossings.
While acknowledging the resettlement scheme as a “good way” to reach the UK, Osama emphasizes the arduous nature of the process, involving two years of interviews, checks, and uncertainty. He highlights the stark contrast between the difficulty of the resettlement process and the perilous nature of clandestine Channel crossings, emphasizing that the latter is not a viable option for families seeking safety.
Osama’s narrative unveils the personal sacrifices made in the pursuit of safety. Memories of his home, school, and friends in Syria have become bittersweet, overshadowed by the devastation of war. Despite the challenges, he maintains contact with family still in Syria, highlighting the importance of staying connected even amid displacement.
Official figures from the Home Office reveal a surge in asylum applications, reaching 78,768 in the year ending June 2023. Osama asserts that asylum seekers, drawn to the UK as a reputed haven for refugees, often lack alternatives due to language, cultural familiarity, and the perceived safety the UK offers.
Calling upon the government to address the root causes of dangerous journeys, Osama advocates for safe routes and reception centers in France, proposing a more humane approach to asylum processing.
He questions why the government doesn’t provide more resettlement schemes, akin to those for Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Syria, emphasizing the need for viable options beyond risking dangerous routes.
Osama’s positive experience in Kent, where he has lived for six years without facing issues, counters the negative narrative around asylum seekers. He expresses gratitude for the welcoming atmosphere and firmly asserts Kent as his home.
The article concludes by highlighting the closure of the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, leaving no “safe and legal” routes for asylum seekers to reach the UK. The absence of visa routes for claiming asylum from overseas further compounds the challenges faced by those seeking refuge in the country.
