As much as 14.2 million refugees were migrating by the end of 2013. The numbers continue to rise as developed countries that were helping are now struggling with the impacts of the enormous surge of people. Since the pre-democracy protests that erupted in South City of Deraa in March 2011, this problem became a ticking time bomb. Fuelled by opposing parties that debate the resignation of President Bashar Al-Assad, this significant conflict ascended into a civil war that killed more than 90 000 people annually. Traumatised by the horrifying war crimes, massive amount of civilians have been migrating to other countries in search for a place to resettle. As desperate situations calls for desperate measures, immigrants are willing to risk their lives by travelling in an overcrowded boat. Some even go as far as travelling and entering a country illegally.
Nonetheless, international countries had been helping immigrants to relocate into its peaceful democracy ever since. However, recent news about countries specifically in Europe struggling to provide refugees a home were spread. The unbalanced ratio of immigrants to civilians in an European country caused impacts such as an increase of homelessness. This is caused by the constant flow reaching up to 135 711 people since the beginning of 2016. Additionally, theories supported by the massive bombing in some European countries established that a country containing massive intakes of refugees from war inflicted regions have a higher chance at receiving a harmful threat from violent groups or parties. Being that a collection of EU countries could not contain the amount of immigrants or asylum seekers that came, the government of the countries involved decided on a solution; to tighten their asylum policies.
By tightening a sole system that could regulate union’s intake of refugees or IDPs (Internally Displaced People), overwhelmed countries have the right to require certain amount of immigrants entering their territory. For example, the limit of refugees entering Austria would be no more than 3 200 people accompanied by the fact that they would only accept around 80 asylum applications a day. Despite the utter brilliance of this idea, involving countries have been debating on whether or not to use this measure since it partially disagree with the EU Asylum Policies Criteria which goes along the lines of a summary which General Ban Ki Moon made,
“We have a moral, legal and political obligations to help those fleeing war, human rights abuses and persecution. Our commitment to human dignity is meaningful when we provide shelter, food, and warm welcome to families who have risked their lives in search for peace.”
According to the quote, European countries pledged to provide necessary needs for refugees and IDPs from around the world. If the asylum policies were tightened, the countries will fail to satisfy the aim of the asylum policy which is to ensure a warm welcome to refugees entering the country. By Batrisyia (MYP3)
Short Film Review : Imagine (2015)
Genre: Drama Film length: 9:50 minutes Directed and Produced by: Carl Mason Screenplay by: John F. McDonald Cinematography by: Jack Shelbourn
“IMAGINE" follows the story of Millie, a little girl who dreams of being a dancer. On the outside she seems like a normal, bubble child; but on the inside she is a ticking time bomb. She suffers from Niemann Pick Type C; an extremely rare, incurable disease which causes the body to slowly shut down it’s most critical functions and symptoms that can be likened to early-onset alzheimer and dementia. Only 800 people around the world suffer from it, the majority of whom are children who were born with this horible genetic condition, the majority of which won’t reach the age of twenty.
When director, 17 year old Carl Mason learned that his nine year old neighbour suffers from Niemann Pick Type C, it inspired him to raise £6000 for the making of the film in order to raise awareness of the extremely rare disease. The screenplay was written by John F. McDonald, a multi-award winning screenwriter, with the careful guidance and support of NP-C charities: Hope for Hollie, Niemann Pick UK, INPDA and Great Ormond Street Hospital to ensure that the story stayed as true as possible while taking inspiration from real-life cases.
Despite the short length of the film, it succeeds in dragging the viewers in and making them truly care. It’s such a powerful tale that touch you emotionally and even though it’s not easy to watch, it’s worth it to be a part of this experience. “IMAGINE”, is a film that’s better watched if less is told. So with that I ask of you to take the time to watch it.
Starting off with EURO 2016, the tournament started on Friday the 10th of June and it ends on the 10th of July. There are 24 teams in total for the EUROS and France are the hosts of the tournament, so all of the matches will be played in France. There are 10 venues in total, all around the country. There have been a total of 10 matches played so far, but I think that most entertaining match played was England vs Russia.
England started the match fantastically, they had so many chances in the first half, that it left England fans wondering how Russia got a point from that match. If you feel like me, then you must feel like we lost the game. First Eric Dier scored a wonder goal from about 25 yards out, then late in the second half with the score still 1-0 to England with about 15 minutes to go. Roy Hodgson decided to take off Raheem Sterling and Wayne Rooney to put on Jack Wilshere and James Milner. Now, personally I think that was a mistake because if you look at the way we were playing, you look at the score and then you look at how Russia were getting caught up in midfield, I think you would want to get as attacking as possible to put the match out of sight but he takes off Wayne Rooney, who on the night had been controlling most our attacking play.