DAWN raids against asylum seekers in Glasgow will continue over Christmas and New Year, the Home Office has admitted.
Around 1200 families are living in fear of being thrown out of their adopted homes at any moment by immigration.
Raids have become more frequent of late and over recent weeks families have even been targeted on Sunday mornings.
Now it’s emerged there will be no respite over the festive period which means families could be taken away to spend Christmas in Dungavel or another detention centre.
Furious campaigners who have succeeded in preventing some of the forced removals today criticised the “brutal and relentless” actions. They also warned there will be no let-up in opposition to the raids.
A spokesman for the Home Office said dawn raids were not being suspended over the Christmas and New Year period.
In a statement the spokesman added:
“UK immigration operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and officials in Scotland will be on duty over Christmas and New Year to respond to situations as they occur. Operations are intelligence led and are done for maximum exposure in accordance with proper risk assessment.”
Robina Qureshi, director of Positive Action on Housing said the potential of Christmas raids only underlined the “intolerable cruelty” which asylum seekers live with all year round. She said: “If the Home Office is going to keep up its brutal campaign over Christmas and New Year it should know it will not get any respite from the persistence of ordinary people. Asylum seekers make good neighbours and friends, they make a valuable contribution to the community. Their neighbours welcomed them with open arms and will continue to defend them.
“There are 1200 asylum-seeking families in Glasgow living in fear of being thrown out of their beds in the middle of the night. There are eight-year-old children scared to sleep in their own beds. This kind of cruelty is intolerable.”
Revd. Dr Iain Whyte, Chair, Positive Action in Housing, said:
“At a time when Christians and others are celebrating the birth of one who was accepted in Egypt as a refugee from persecution it is particularly disgraceful that families in a similar situation are faced with the fear of being dragged fromn their homes and from a secure environment and forcibly put in danger of their lives. All who care about human rights and especially those celebrating Christmas must reject this inhuman policy and take every opportunity to challenge its implementation by a government which claims to abide by the spirit of Christmas and by the standards of civilisation”
The spokesman for the Home Office said early-morning squads were only sent in to remove failed asylum seekers “as a last resort”.
He said: “They are people with no legal right to be in this country. Their applications have been rejected and they have not taken the opportunity to leave voluntarily.”
19/12/06 – Evening Times
9 responses so far ↓
David Todd // December 19, 2006 at 4:46 pm |
I continue to be disgusted by the iniquitous, inhumane treatment of these most vulnerable people.
These systematic attacks on the liberty of people who only request shelter and succour are reminiscent of Nazi Germany. When will we learn to treat people with dignity and respect rather than suspicion and hatred?
Eilidh Lane // December 20, 2006 at 9:26 am |
Where is the humanitarianism? I am continually appalled and saddened by the treatment that already vulnerable, traumatised people receive. Moreso that it continues at a time when goodwill and togetherness is supposed to be high on everyone’s agenda. Asylum Seekers are not criminals so why do they get treated this way? Most criminals probably receive better treatment from the state.
fiona & alex robertson // December 20, 2006 at 12:57 pm |
Disgusted by this treatment of vulnerable people in a country led by a Prime Minister who claims to be a practising christian. can he not see the parallels with the story of another poor family who sought shelter long ago in a foreign land?
Robert Johnson // December 20, 2006 at 2:02 pm |
I am consistently astonished at the Home Office spin around Dawn Raids. On this occasion there is a suggestion Dawn Raids are “intelligence” led. Can anybody think of a poorer choice of words. Dawn Raids are wholy the actions of the “unintelligent” within the Home Office who appear to be devoid of the concept of human dignity. The actions are those of a totalitarian state and totally contray to what might be expected of Democratic Country. Surely this is not the model the Prime minister wants countries in the Middle East to adopt.
Lynn Alexander // December 20, 2006 at 11:51 pm |
On Sunday I spent time over a lunch with women who are alone and frightened about what is going to happen to them, potentially over Christmas and New Year. Terrified in the country from which they fled; terrified in this country which they now call home – praying that they will know PEACE within as they face possible deportation with dignity and grace.
Robert McKenzie // December 22, 2006 at 12:49 pm |
These failed asylum seekers have had their cases heard fairly and legally through our law courts by our judges and a decision taken that they have no right to stay in Britain. They should accept the decisions of our judges and leave Britain. Ms. Robina Qureshi should accept the laws of our country and cease assisting the failed illegal asylum seekers to remain here. Failure to do so should result in taxpayers’ finance being withdrawn from Positive Action in Housing.
Geraldine MacVicar // December 28, 2006 at 11:06 am |
Having read various comments, it is the case that many asylum seekers have not had a fair hearing on their case for asylum as many Home Office employees and even many solicitors are incompetent and racist in their dealings with asylum applications. Many failed cases for asylum result in a positive decision once the case has been dealt with by persons who are capable and efficient on asylum matters. Many useless Home Office staff are poorly educated and not prepared to understand what people in other countries really suffer before, during and after seeking asylum (protection) in UK.
Robert McKenzie // December 29, 2006 at 11:39 am |
‘Incompetent’, ‘racist’, ‘useless’, ‘poorly educated’, all derogatory rhetoric aimed at our solicitors and Home Office staff by Geraldine MacVicar in her attempt to dismiss the legal decisions of our courts. If Ms. MacVicar has proof of personnel who are incompetent, racist, useless and poorly educated perhaps she would care to name these individuals. Failing this, I trust she will remove her comment from the website. In passing, Ms. MacVicar should be aware that branding anyone as racist is libelous.
stopdeportationofguy // February 6, 2009 at 2:49 pm |
Mr. McKenzie
Unfortuanately it is not a matter of naming and shaming individuals working for the home office. Sadly, there is plenty of proof that the UK asylum system is marred by inhumanity.
The Independent Asylum Commission found that the UK asylum system falls seriously below the standards of a civilized society.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/mar/27/immigrationpolicy.immigrationandpublicservices