This year's Barnet refugee festival on Sunday coincided perfectly with Tony Blair's tough talking at the EU summit on stemming the flow of migrants to Britain.

Although Tony Blair's proposals to withdraw aid from Third World countries who do not tackle illegal migrants met with opposition, the rhetoric emanating from Seville clearly did not affect morale in Barnet.

"It is a healthy coincidence that this festival is going on during the summit," said Ajamu Mutumwa, project manager of the Barnet health access project.

"There is a right-wing move in Europe which recognises refugees not as contributors but as a problem it is not sending out a positive message to those who are already established. I am hoping this festival will recognise their positive contributions to society."

Rose Ansari, secretary of Horn of Africa Women and Children Association, has lived in England for 40 years. She is disgusted by Home Secretary David Blunkett's plans to educate asylum seekers in special reception schools.

"I feel ashamed when Mr Blunkett talks about this because I am British," said Mrs Ansari. "We are supposed to be open-minded and welcoming. Normally refugees are in desperate need and we should try to help them.

"It makes our community feel inferior, discriminated against and depressed. When you interact with other communities you learn from them and you feel equal. We have to work together that is what we are doing today."

June 26, 2002 12:00