In the aftermath of the war in Iraq, it is worth reflecting on the little-known fact that Iraqis were far and away the largest single group of those applying for political asylum in the UK last year.

Coming to Britain to find a place of safety away from human-rights abuses in Saddam Hussein's Iraq, these vulnerable people deserve our welcome and understanding.

In return, as Amnesty International and countless refugee and community groups can testify, Iraqis and other refugees in Britain will make a valuable contribution to our society - in the arts, in sport, in business and in professions such as teaching and nursing.

We urge readers to look behind the headlines on asylum and find out why they can be proud of Britain's newest communities and of the principle of providing a safe haven for those persecuted in other countries.

-Maresa Pitt Haywards Heath AmnestyInternational Group