ByJessica Weinstein, Jessica Weinstein
1 min read
ByJessica Weinstein, Jessica Weinstein
Former Kindertransport refugee Lord Dubs has welcomed the House of Lords vote to pass his amendment allowing 3,000 child refugees from Europe into the UK.
Peers voted through the amendment to the Immigration Bill by 306 votes to 204. The amended Bill will now be considered by MPs in the Commons.
In the debate, Lord Dubs called on the government to show the same compassion to young and vulnerable refugees as the Jews fleeing the Nazis were shown.
Speaking afterwards, the Labour peer, who was born in Prague and was one of the children rescued by Sir Nicolas Winton in 1939, said: ‘I’m delighted with the result and trust the House of Commons will now accept our amendment, and help give 3,000 children a safer and better future.
‘I would like other children who are in a desperate situation to be offered safety in this country and be given the same opportunities that I had.'
But opposition is likely to come from the government. The UK is already committed to taking in Syrian 20,000 refugees over five years, and Prime Minister David Cameron had make it clear he does not support the amendment. Speaking before the debate said: “We think it is right to take additional children over and above the 20,000 refugees, but to take them from the region and to do so by working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.”
He also said that he did not think Lord Dubs’ reference to the Kinderstransport was “a fair comparison”.
“I think that the unfairness, if I might say that, of comparing child migrants in Europe with the Kindertransport is that countries such as France, Germany, Italy and Spain are safe countries, where anyone who claims asylum and has family in Britain is able to come to Britain. I do not believe that it is a fair comparison.”
There are currently an estimated 26,000 child refugees in Europe travelling without a parent, relative or guardian.
