A DEMONSTRATION was held in Liverpool city centre yesterday as part of a week-long national campaign to promote the contribution of refugees and asylum seekers in the UK.

Refugee Week 2008 aims to challenge the way people perceive refugees.

Students and asylum seekers were among those taking part in the event outside Reliant House, in Water Street.

First-year medical student at the University of Liverpool, Padraig McNamnara, said: “We are here to raise awareness of the terrible injustices in the asylum system.

“Three out of four applications are refused, and it is completely weighted against the asylum seeker. We will carry on to shout about this issue because it is being swept under the carpet.”

Chair of the Liverpool branch of MBC, the main opposition party in Zimbabwe, Isaac Ndoro, has been in Britain since 2002.

However, he could have to wait until 2012 to have his case resolved. He cannot work during this time, but wants to be able to.

He said: “Governments need to sit up and take notice of what is happening in Zimbabwe.

“I hate not being able to work – it is a human right but we are denied it. My mother was killed in my home country and so are countless others.

“I am studying at John Moores University, so when I can work I am able to make a valuable contribution, but I hate surviving on benefits.”