Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

When you've been living under the Assad regime and experiencing all sorts of terror and destruction from both the government and ISIS you're probably going to think Steven Harper isn't so bad.

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

It is but.... he is the interior minister ...

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

But that [I]is[/] the point here in Europe....:unsure:

Once you start to cross 'illegally' the interior borders for your preferred destination, you moved from being a refugee at point of entry to an economic migrant

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

can you sponsor someone other than a family member such as a refugee - if so, then the system is bonkers:eek:

Guide to the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program

I would like to sponsor a non-relative OAP couple from the UK (ones who actually get state pension), but me thinks that's not possible :ohmy:

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

For Bavaria, yes, not Germany.

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

I think you're getting hung up on that point. On a very literal interpretation of the rules, yes that is correct. But in reality, the refugees know that the country they have landed does not have the resources (and perhaps willingness) to provide for them. In many cases, people have family and/or an ethnic support network in other countries, and aim at that. To date Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey have provided 'pure refuge' for many Syrians, but they have lived in abject conditions and want for a better life. Are we so small minded in Europe that we can say as long as you don't have a gun in your face, be happy for a tent and some bread. Some people have lived like that for four years, perhaps they don't want another four years of it. Taking a completely literal interpretation of refugee/economic migrant distinction misses the big picture.

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

Love it!

Tried to give you more karma but it said I have to spread the love first.

I hope no one finds out about us. :rofl:

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

Unfortunately how else to get people to the places that can support them ?

The whole refugee support programs rely on people getting identified on arrival, and them being moved to places that have organized a reception program and have the financial ability to do something when they get there
Allowing mob rule mean everybody ends up chasing after one destination without coordination and without proper support and as we’ve found out that one destination maxes out quickly, but the bulk is now in transits and there no space waiting for them now! Not only does that creates false hope, but those living on the transit routes have to support a wave of marching immigrants but without resources, and resentment grows
Ask Serbia if it wants the surplus that Hungary has drawn the line too… what happens down the line when Serbia puts up a fence because it can’t afford any more, how long before ill will between Serbia and Croatia creates a new barrier to contend with
The big picture is that a lot of people are heading to Europe, what they don’t want to hear is that either immigrant or refugee is its Europe’s Choice how to deal with them, and they can chose to be selfish or take a moral high ground
Those that stop at the point of entry and follow the refugee process have international law to protect an guide how there dealt with, those that chose to walk on and become economic migrants put themselves at the mercy of local and regional governments

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

I've been watching a lot of news reports from the Hungarian border.
What I'd like to know is where are all the women, children & elderly refugees because what I see is about 90% of them are young men under 30. Couldn't they have stayed home and fought for their country ?
Good job the British didn't do this in WW1 & 2.

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

I think we have a winner. :(

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

Hands off Shard he's mine ... Apparently I need to give Karma to someone else too!

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

What an awful thing to say... you clearly have no idea what's actually going on in Syria.

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

Being British is often an embarrassment.

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

What do you mean he's been watching lots of news reports???

Re: Syrian refugee crisis.
 

Some of them are trying to get to their women and children who are already in Northern Europe, some of them are trying to pave the way (with plenty of family left behind). Some of them probably told there women and kids to stay away from the tear gas. Who knows, we only see tiny clips from the media. I've certainly seen enough women and desperate kids to know that this is not a 90% men situation. Should we have a few more sixty year olds walking along the Sebian train tracks? But you are right about the WW1&2 soldiers, it's a good thing they weren't killing their fellow countrymen or many of us might have been refugees too.