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Call to give Iraqis sanctuary in UK

Displaced Iraqis from the Yazidi community look for clothes to wear among items provided by a charity at the Nowruz camp in Derike, Syria (AP)
Displaced Iraqis from the Yazidi community look for clothes to wear among items provided by a charity at the Nowruz camp in Derike, Syria (AP)

A senior Free Church of Scotland figure has urged the UK Government to offer asylum to people displaced by the conflicts in Syria and Iraq.

Professor James Fraser, chairman of the organisation’s board of trustees, welcomed the humanitarian response to help those targeted by Islamic State (IS), but said more action was needed – including military intervention.

Prof Fraser of Kiltarlity, near Inverness, a former principal of the University of the Highlands and Islands, said: “We are grateful to see the humanitarian response from the UK Government to the plight of Christians and other people targeted by IS in Iraq and also for the support offered to the American intervention.

“We have asked the government, however, to go, much further by offering asylum to the displaced victims of IS and military intervention at least to the extent of the intervention which the UK Government authorised in Libya.

“Prime Minister David Cameron reminded us that we are a Christian country.

“We must step up to the plate in offering help and support to our fellow Christians and other persecuted minorities in Iraq.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said the international community “must do what it can” to protect people in northern Iraq and Syria who are suffering persecution.

“A priority must be given to ongoing international humanitarian efforts to provide aid and shelter for those fleeing violence,” she added.

“We have offered to take in Syrian refugees and written to Foreign Officer Minister Hugo Swire to offer our assistance to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Iraq.”

A Home Office spokeswoman said: “The UK has a proud record of offering sanctuary to those who need it.

“Every claim for asylum is carefully considered on its individual merits.”

The UK Government has released a £13million humanitarian life saving aid package to assist tens of thousands of people across northern and central Iraq who have fled terrorists

International Development Secretary Justine Greening said: “This aid from the British people will help the Yazidi community, who are now cut off on Mount Sinjar, get immediate emergency support.”