EACH and every one of us is an immigrant except for indigenous peoples in every country.

None of us have a right to say to any other human being that they do not have a right to shelter or food. All European countries are signatories to the International human rights conventions, and that plus moral obligations to fellow human beings makes it imperative that we do our duty by the refugees seeking asylum.

Germany has taken more than 100,000 refugees. Jordan and Lebanon have taken more than a million people.

Britain is way richer. Britain has taken less than 5,000. As a UK resident, I am ashamed of those figures.

We don’t want Britain to be the kind of country that turns its back as people drown in their desperation to flee places like Syria.

So let’s stand up for Britain’s long tradition of helping refugees fleeing war.

We must also be mindful of Britain’s role in the wars of the Middle East, starting with Iraq after 2001, which has escalated into serious unrest and violence in so many countries, and has contributed to the present refugee crises.

I personally would welcome a family into my small home. Every individual, city and nation has to do our bit.

INDRANI SIGAMANY
Carlton Road
Oxford