FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Asylum seekers across the country are making a
stand for ‘Dignity not Destitution’ this Saturday 29th June, in
Bristol, Bradford, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield and Glasgow and Birmingham[1],
for the first asylum seeker-led national day of action aiming to highlight the
government policy of forced destitution[2].
Since 2002[3]
destitute asylum seekers[4] have
not been permitted to work or claim any support. This means that they are
unable to provide for themselves and are forced to be dependent upon charities
and friends for housing, money and food. They are also unable to access
education and some healthcare. Asylum seekers can be in this situation for
years.
Marching just one week after refugee week[5],
a celebration of all refugees have contributed to the UK, destitute asylum
seekers are asking for the right to contribute.
Manesh, 29, former student in electrical
engineering, from Iran says “I came here to be safe, I had to leave Iran
because I was part of a humanitarian political group. I have had no support for
over 4 years. I would like to share my skills and contribute to society, to pay
taxes.”
Councils in Glasgow, Bristol and Sheffield[6] have
all passed motions against the policy of forced destitution over the past year.
"We should not tolerate destitution in our city for any reason" said
Bristol Mayor George Ferguson,[7] in
January. However the national policy means the situation remains unchanged,
with charity Bristol Hospitality Network estimating that over 100 people are destitute in Bristol alone.
The asylum seekers, who started self-organising last year,[8]
have had to overcome language barriers and traumatic personal experiences to
arrange the day of action and they plan to continue
working together to build a strong national campaign in order to change
the policy that forces them into destitution.
Contact:
asylumisnotacrime@mail.com
Twitter hashtag #Dignity2013
Twitter hashtag #Dignity2013
For images and more information http://asylumseekersinbristol.blogspot.co.uk/p/press.html
###
[1]
Times and locations for all events http://asylumseekersinbristol.blogspot.co.uk/p/marches-in-other-cit.html
[2] “.. The Government has
indeed been practising a deliberate policy of destitution” The
Joint Committee on Human Rights ‘The Treatment of Asylum Seekers, Tenth Report
of Session 2006-7
[3]
Until 2002 asylum seekers were allowed to work to support themselves and
their families.
[4]
Asylum seekers who are seeking safety due to war or persecution,
who are applying to be legally recognised as refugees by the home office.
[6]
Glasgow June 2012, Bristol January 2013, Sheffield April 2013 http://www.symaag.org.uk/2013/05/08/sheffield-council-takes-stand-against-asylum-destitution/
[7]
January 2013, City Hall http://www.cityofsanctuary.org/news/1937/bristol-council-stands-destitute-asylum-seekers
[8]
250 people marched through the streets of Bristol in June 2012 and
camped out to highlight destitution in January 2013. http://asylumseekersinbristol.blogspot.co.uk
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