Outside the Home Office
Wednesday 8 January 2003
4.30-6.30pm
Home Office
50 Queen Anne's Gate
London SW1H 9AT
( Nearest tube: St James' Park)
Sections *55 and *57 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act,
come into force on January 8th 2003.
On January 8th, the government is set to throw thousands of asylum seekers
into complete destitution. Under rules contained in the 2002 Nationality,
Immigration and Asylum Act, asylum seekers who have not claimed asylum
as soon as they arrive in the country will forfeit all rights to assistance
from the National Asylum Support Service. Since they will also not be
allowed to work, they will be without any form of income or support. Normally
around 60% of asylum seekers file their claims a few days after their
arrival in this country. Often they do not know procedures, or they fear
what might happen to them if they report to immigration officials at ports
and airports.
We are told these draconian measures along with a host of others contained
in the Act will discourage people from claiming asylum in Britain. The
truth is people fleeing from persecution are not motivated by the system
of support they will find in the countries they seek to reach. Seeking
asylum is a basic human right that government policy is denying.
Britain needs to uphold its commitment to the UN Convention on Refugees
and provide a safe haven to those risking their lives in the pursuit of
it. This means enabling asylum seekers to pursue their claims with appropriate
levels of support and not forcing them into utter destitution.
We are calling on all those opposed to such measures to join us in our
protest at the Home Office on the day this measure is being implemented.
Organised by: Asylum Rights Campaign, Barbed Wire Britain, Committee
to Defend Asylum Seekers, National Assembly Against Racism.
For more information contact:
National Assembly Against Racism 0207 247 9907
email: AA_R@compuserve.com
Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers 07941 566 183
email: info@defend-asylum.org
Sections *55 and *57 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act,
come into force on January 8th 2003.
http://www.ncadc.org.uk/letters/news28/8thjan.html
