Campaigning
In addition to helping with immediate needs, RESTORE hopes that we can campaign to change the system, policies and attitudes which that cause the problem. Seeking justice is not only about alleviating the symptoms, it is also about challenging the systems and attitudes that cause those difficulties and problems to occur.
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Destitution of asylum seekers
If an asylum seeker has exhausted all their appeal options within the legal process and still has not been given permission to stay in the UK, then their accommodation and financial benefits are withdrawn. They are left with no support. The expectation is that they will then go home. If someone has come to the UK because they have been persecuted and they fear further persecution, then just because the Home Office decides not to believe their story does not remove that fear of returning to their home countries. So most will choose not to return. We also need to bear in mind that the Home Office may not be able to return the person as there may not be a safe route back, but even in such cases support is withdrawn.
In response to claims that people are being forced into destitution the Home Office is likely to counter that by stating that individuals can be given Section 4 hard case support (accommodation and supermarket vouchers) if they sign a form saying that they will voluntarily return to their own country when the Home Office is able to arrange for the transport. Many refuse to sign such a form, as they are fearful of what will happen if they are returned. They chose to be destitute rather than to be returned - does that in itself not indicate a significant level of fear?
Should we allow people to become destitute? If we do not give people the right to work should we not provide them with the basic human rights of food and shelter?
RESTORE and other refugee agencies, unfortunately, do not have the power to change this situation. It requires a change in government policy. However, whilst asylum issues remain poorly reported in the press and public opinion is generally hostile, the government may not be motivated to make changes. This issue needs to be raised with our local MP's; some of them are already sympathetic to the needs of destitute asylum seekers. If many people write to their MP asking them to raise this issue with the Home Office, then maybe the government will begin to realise that not everyone is willing to accept the current situation and that there are people who want an end to destitution for asylum seekers. A change in policy to give asylum seekers the right to work would be very helpful.
Just.Fair.
The Refugee Council Just Fair Campaign highlights the issue of destitution.
Please visit the web site for more information. If you wish to pursue this matter then please signup for the Just.Fair. campaign and more ideas will be sent to you.
Church Action on Poverty have also run a campaign on destitution matters called Living Ghosts.
Still Human Still Here
There is now a new campaign on this issue organised by several groups including Church Action on Poverty, Amnesty International and the Refugee Council... .
The 'Still Human Still Here' Campaign is dedicated to highlighting the plight of tens of thousands of refused asylum seekers who are being forced into abject poverty in an attempt to drive them out of the country.
We are calling on the Government to:
- End the threat and use of destitution as a tool of Government policy against refused asylum seekers
- Continue financial support and accommodation to refused asylum seekers as provided during the asylum process and grant permission to work until such a time as they have left the UK or have been granted leave to remain.
- Continue to provide full access to health care and education throughout the same period.
We are seeking an amendment to the UK Borders Bill in order to end the scandal of refused asylum seeker destitution.
We are encouraging activists to meet with MPs in their constituencies during March 2007 to discuss the destitution of refused asylum seekers and to get their support in order to change government policy. March will be a critical time for lobbying your MP's as the UK Borders Bill progresses through parliament, it has already reached Committee Stage and may proceed to its Third Reading and Report stage either just before or just after the Easter recess.
However, this campaign is a long term one and we would encourage you to continue to raise this issue with your MP until there is a significant change in government policy.
For more information please visit the stillhuman web site.
'Destitution of Asylum Seekers in Birmingham' report, commissioned by RESTORE, if you wish to find out more about this issue and its impact locally.
A sample letter to use as a guide. Now you have researched this issue, if you wish to write to your local MP, here is a sample of what you might include in your own letter.
If something has struck you from the information you have read from the Refugee Council’s Just.Fair. web site or from Church Action on Poverty’s Living Ghosts web site, then please include that as well. If you have any personal knowledge of this issue, it would be good to include that, as it will carry more weight. Ask your MP to raise your concerns with John Reid MP, Home Secretary and Liam Byrne, Immigration Minister
To find out the name of your MP visit 'Up My Street'
Just type in your post code and it will give the name of your MP and constituency.
Send your letter to your MP at:
Your MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
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