Demonstration for refugee rights - Glasgow, Saturday June 16
On June 16 in Glasgow, NCADC will be marching in solidarity with all refugees for the right to sanctuary and for an end to detention, destitution and deportation.
The event starts at 12 noon at George Square, setting off for a march round the city centre at 12:30, ending with a rally in the Square at 1:30.
Called by Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees, Unity and NCADC, with the support of STUC.
We will be marching with the Ahmed Must Stay campaign, for Glasgow resident Ahmed Abdullah, a Somali refugee since the age of 7, who is seeking protection in Scotland. Ahmed was made homeless and destitute when the locks of his flat were changed when he was out, and he has now been detained and is facing deportation on Tuesday 19 June.
Erosion of refugee rights
Successive governments have used legislation and regulations to deny the right of protection under the Refugee Convention. The UK now imprisons more refugees and migrants than ever before, with no time limit, and no automatic judicial oversight on decisions to detain. Access to legal justice and the right to work, to housing and to welfare support has been incrementally withdrawn in an attempt to force refugees out of the UK.
The asylum determination system has an incredible error rate. For example, over 40 per cent of Eritreans and Somalis, like Ahmed Abdullah, will win an appeal against refusal - if they can get legal aid and find a decent lawyer.
Destitution by design
Destitution is a deliberate government policy, written into the 2007 Home Office strategy document “Enforcing the Rules”, which states that people refused asylum but who cannot be forcibly removed should “be denied the benefits and privileges of life in the UK and experience an increasingly uncomfortable environment so that they elect to leave.” (download the pdf) The British Red Cross helps over 10,000 people a year who have forced into destitution.
Solidarity
Ahmed Abdullah is a victim of UK government policies deliberately designed to deny refugees access to their rights; forcing them into absolute destitution, imprisoning them, and using violence to deport them. Ahmed’s friends and the wider community in Glasgow have rallied round, starting a campaign for justice.
On June 16 we will be marching to demand justice for Ahmed, and for all people seeking sanctuary, and for an end to the inhuman asylum policies of the UK government. Join us.
Links:
Facebook event for the demonstration
Campaign page for Ahmed Must Stay and facebook group
Refugee Solidarity Glasgow facebook group
