Freedom from Torture response to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees' annual Global Trends report

Sonya Sceats, Director of Policy and Advocacy, said:

"The UNHCR's annual Global Trends Report highlights that at the end of 2014 there were 8.3 million more refugees, asylum seekers or otherwise displaced people since 2013 and that half of all refugees were children. Many of these individuals will be survivors of torture but remain without the support they need because they have not hope of obtaining sanctuary.

"One of the biggest drivers of the increase has been Syria, a state which has a record for torture and other serious human rights violations and alone had produced 7.6 million internally displaced people 7.6 million and 3.88 million refugees by the end of 2014. In the same year the U.K Government helped just 187 persons from Syria resettle in the U.K.

"The human right situations in many other States where torture is rife are also helping to drive the massive international displacement of people. These individuals need expert help to recover from torture which they will not be able to access in the refugee camps of less wealthy states such as Jordan.

"The U.K Government should stop quibbling about offering sanctuary and make a voluntary pledge to help more vulnerable refugees resettle in the U.K. and access the help they need."