Following weeks of debate at public meetings, in the States and on social media, the Chief Minister yesterday announced that it would not be possible for the Island to offer refuge for up to six Syrian families. He said it was a debate that had brought out the ‘best and worst’ in the local community.
He also announced plans to step up the Island’s overseas aid donations to the war-torn country next year.
Addressing the States yesterday, Senator Ian Gorst said that by Jersey, which does not have its own asylum protocol, adhering to the UK’s relocation scheme it would be forced, under the terms of the European Convention on Human Rights, to open its doors to all refugees – not only those from Syria.
Under the law the Island would be obliged to provide asylum seekers from across the world with immediate free health care, housing and guaranteed employment.
Senator Gorst said: ‘We cannot expose Jersey to that risk. Our Island simply would not have the capacity to manage the impact on housing stock, on public services or on the work market.’
Today the Jersey Calais Refugee Aid Group, a charity that directly supports refugees in Europe and was a strong supporter of the Island accommodating families from Syria, said it was disappointed with the decision. It also condemned the reaction to the news of some members of the public online.
A spokesman for the group said the ‘anger and hatred’ among a small minority of Islanders was indicative of ‘the society we live in’.
‘I don’t understand Senator Gorst’s legal argument. I would be interested to hear his full explanation. But the charity will continue going to Calais and other camps in France and it will continue to work with other charities,’ said the spokesman, who asked not to be named.
Reform Jersey chairman Deputy Sam Mézec, a supporter of plans to bring Syrians to Jersey, said he was disappointed by the decision but said he did not question Senator Gorst’s integrity.
Elsewhere Mark Baker, one of the leading voices opposed to the Island taking in refugees, said he welcomed the news but added that he believed Jersey now needed to step up its monetary aid efforts.
‘I don’t like it when people say that charity starts at home. But not taking them in was the right decision for the Island,’ he added.
Sandra Bisson, who set up an online petition against Jersey taking in refugees, also said the Island could provide more financial assistance.
‘Of course we are very pleased to hear of this decision,’ she said. ‘We continue to support Overseas Aid in their commitment to providing financial assistance to those in need in the refugee camps.’
Jersey has already given more than £1 million in aid to camps in and around Syria through the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission, and the Chief Minister announced that a further ‘considerable sum’ would be donated next year.
Senator Gorst also revealed plans to introduce a new pay-roll donation scheme. Under the initiative an employee can make a weekly or monthly gift directly from their salary and, providing the total donation is £50 or more over the course of the year, the money that would be taken in tax would also be donated.
Senator Gorst stressed that the decision had not been made because of the reaction of some members of the public. He added that he was disappointed by some comments that had been made.
‘I want to make it clear that the reactions from those people had no impact whatsoever on me making this decision. I have made it purely because of a technical decision based on the wording of the law,’ he said.
The proposal to accept Syrian refugees had met fierce opposition from some Islanders, which climaxed at a stormy public meeting at the Town Hall in October. But Senator Gorst said there had also been considerable support for accepting some families from the Middle-Eastern country.
‘I understand that some people were fearful about what it would mean for Jersey and the potential for terrorist attacks,’ he said.
‘They seemed to build on that and say that we should not accept refugees into the islands.
‘But at the same time those loud vocal voices were being heard I was being contacted by many Islanders who were asking me to move heaven and earth to make sure that we could welcome some refugees to the Island.
‘It really brought out the very best, and to some extent the worst, in Islanders.’
