Stand Up for Dignity

On Saturday 29th June, I took part in the UK wide day of action to highlight the issue of asylum seeker destitution. At a gathering in St. Enoch's Square, I spoke with reference to the 2007 findings of House of Commons Joint Committee on Human Rights which stated, "the UK Government is practising a deliberate policy of destitution and a deliberate use of inhumane treatment against asylum seekers".

This UK Government policy is unacceptable and falls below the requirements of common law of humanity and international human rights law. Currently about 300 asylum seekers are homeless and destitute in Glasgow. They face loss of their dignity and basic rights including access to money for food, clean water, clothing and accommodation. Destitute asylum seekers are forced to sleep rough on the streets and rely on charity handouts. 

Asylum seeker supporters in Glasgow rallied as part of a national show of outrage over the number of people living in destitution as a result of Government policies. The day of action called for a change in policy to allow people seeking sanctuary to support themselves by removing the ban on working. Supporters are angry that people whose asylum applications have been turned down but who can’t return home are left without any form of financial support.