A POWERFUL call to stand up for the rights of refugees was among the first series of events organised in Minehead and Alcombe to mark Refugee Week. The local Amnesty International group initiated a talk and an exhibition in Minehead Library last Wednesday, June 22, and St Michael's Church, Alcombe, held a special Sunday evening programme about refugees. The speaker, Elinor Harris, an advisor to asylum seekers in Bristol, illustrated the injustices caused by the present system. She appealed to the audience to lobby their MPs for proper access to legal aid for those claiming asylum. She said it was becoming increasingly difficult to enter the country and fewer refugees were being accepted. - and they could be rejected if the lengthy, complex application forms were returned late. "People come here for safety, wanting to support themselves by working, but need help to negotiate the complexities of the system", said Elinor. Understandably, she added, they are often reluctant to talk to officials about experiences of torture and rape. Elinor's organisation, Refugee Action, is one of those providing help and support to people going through the trauma of fleeing their homes and seeking safety here. Less than one per cent of the world's refugees even get to Britain - countries such as Iran, Pakistan and Guinea have far more - and asylum seekers are only a small proportion of those who come to Britain to work. She said the health service, in particular, was heavily dependent on staff from overseas, yet asylum seekers could not use the many skills that they bring to this country, as it is illegal for them to work. The audience was invited to write on cards why they supported rights for refugees. Responses included: "Everybody must have the right to flee persecution and be welcomed somewhere safe" and "Justice: do as you would be done by". A practical gesture of support was shown by a collection of over £80 for the work of Refugee Action.