|
"Section 55 is legally and morally wrong"
"Section 55 is legally and morally wrong. Through this law, the government
has attacked the most marginalised section of our society, many of whom
are already traumatised due to strife and war; and has relegated them
to sleeping under dustbins and begging for food." Habib Rahman, Chief
Executive JCWI
Coalition Against the Destitution of Asylum Seekers Press Release - Thursday
8th January 2004
Asylum
seekers:
First anniversary of Section 55 asylum law: thousands of asylum seekers
destitute
On This Day last year (8th January 2003) Section 55 of the Nationality,
Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 came into effect, with devastating consequences
for thousands of asylum seekers around the country.
Left without food or shelter, many are now facing a bleak winter on our
streets, simply because they have made an asylum application in-country
unless they can satisfy the Home Office that they applied 'as soon as
reasonably practicable'.
Karen Chouhan of CADAS (who is also director of The 1990
Trust) said: "On this anniversary, we have to remember destitution
of asylum seekers runs against the letter and the spirit of international
conventions and standards on refugees. It is an utter disgrace that the
forth economy in the world chooses to treat this very vulnerable group
of people in this way.
"In the last year, refugee groups have had a massive task feeding,
clothing and providing shelter to unprecedented numbers of asylum seekers
made destitute by this inhumane measure.
"Taking away all support could force women into prostitution and
crime, and others into the hands of unscrupulous black-market industries.
"Starving asylum seekers out of the country is not the way forward.
The government must abandon this policy, rather than potentially extend
it to families with children, as proposed in the new Bill".
Adam
Sampson, Director of Shelter, said: "Shelter has repeatedly
warned that denying support to destitute people will cause homelessness
and force applicants onto the streets, undermining the Government's policies
to tackle rough sleeping and reduce social exclusion. Others may be forced
to stay with friends and relatives, causing overcrowding and placing increased
demands on communities who may already be struggling. If the Government
fail to rethink this brutal legislation some very vulnerable people will
continue to face a harsh and desperate winter."
Habib
Rahman, Chief Executive of the Joint Council for the Welfare
of Immigrants, said: "Section 55 is legally and morally wrong. Through
this law, the government has attacked the most marginalised section of
our society, many of whom are already traumatised due to strife and war;
and has relegated them to sleeping under dustbins and begging for food."
Fazil Kawani, of the Refugee Council, said: "It
is intolerable that this is happening in a country which has a proud tradition
of providing sanctuary to victims of human rights abuses. We, and other
charities, warned the government when they introduced this policy that
we would not be able to provide support for the hundreds of people who
will be left destitute.
"We are now starting to see the real impact that this is having on
human beings. We call on the government to reconsider this policy and
to show some humanity to people who have come here seeking protection."
Available For Interview:
Karen Chouhan 07903 581 968 or 1990 Trust office (020) 7582 1990
Habib Rahman 07974 355 304 or JCWI (020) 7251 8708
Joint Statement by Coalition Against the Destitution of Asylum Seekers
We the undersigned express our opposition to the inhumane measures already
in place, and those proposed, which effectively leave asylum seekers destitute,
without state support for food and shelter. The measures are an affront
to the Human Rights Act. We are particularly calling for:
the repeal of Section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act
2002. This inhumane measure has left thousands of asylum seekers effectively
destitute because of the timing of their application. Asylum seekers should
have the right to pursue their claim whether having applied at port of
entry or in country. They are prevented from working to support themselves
and without any recourse to help they suffer mental and physical deterioration.
The withdrawal of clause 7 of the new bill - which proposes to deny support
to families at the end of the asylum process and, if necessary, remove
their children into care if they do not 'take reasonable steps to leave
the UK voluntarily'. We are opposed to this extension of s.54/Schedule
3 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 and these provisions
should be repealed.
Signed and supported by:
The Refugee Council; Shelter; Liberty; Joint Council for the Welfare of
Immigrants; The Salvation Army; Jesuit Refugee Service; Refugee Arrivals
Project; The 1990 Trust; National Assembly Against Racism; Black Londoners
Forum; Baptist Union; Eritrean Women's Group; French Speaking African
Global Congress; Crossroads Coalition for Justice for Asylum Seekers;
North Kensington Law Centre; Women of Colour in the Global Women's Strike;
Operation Black Vote; National Black Alliance; Society of Black Lawyers;
The Peepul Centre; Birmingham Racial Attacks Monitoring Unit; Liverpool
8 Law Centre; National Black Students Alliance.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Views expressed in the press release do not necessarily reflect the
positions of every organisation which has supported the CADAS statement.
Coalition Against the Destitution of Asylum Seekers
CADAS c/o The 1990 Trust Suite 12 Winchester House
9 Cranmer Road London SW9 6EJ
Tel: (020) 7582 1990 Email:
lholloway@blink.org.uk
|
