Any press enquiries should be directed to Karin Goodwin or Clare Harris, Media and Communications Officers.
Telephone: 0141 223 7927 or 07734 030 763
Email: media@scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk
Please see below for our most recent press releases.
Media release, January 26: Will European Court of Human Rights spell the end for child detention?
An asylum-seeking family who were detained in Belgium has been awarded over £14,000 in damages after the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled that their detention was a violation of their human rights.
The family's lawyer, Alexis Deswaef, said that the ruling would mean an end to the detention of asylum-seeking families in Belgium, and called for a Europe-wide law to ban the detention of families.
To read more click on the title above.
Media release, January 20: Big Lottery funds groundbreaking new project for asylum-seeking children
Scottish Refugee Council has been awarded crucial funding from the Big Lottery Fund to help vulnerable unaccompanied children through the asylum process.
We have been awarded £507,252 towards the establishment of a pilot Guardianship Project for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in Scotland. The project will be the first of its kind in Europe, and is set to launch in partnership with Aberlour Child Care Trust later this year. It is also supported by the Scottish Government.
There are around 200 separated children currently in Scotland, who arrived on their own fleeing horrific situations of war or tribal conflict. Many have witnessed family members being persecuted or killed.
To read more click on the above title.
Media release, January 15: UNHCR representative speaks out at Scottish Refugee Council AGM
Embargoed: Friday January 15, 00:01
UNHCR Representative to the UK Roland Schilling has called on the UK Government to do more to enhance its global responsibility to help refugees.
On his first visit to Scotland, Schilling will present the keynote speech during Scottish Refugee Council's AGM today (Friday 15 January) at 2.45pm at Glasgow's City Chambers. Speaking ahead of the AGM Mr Schilling said the opportunities for people to seek safety have decreased due to the tightening of border controls.
Mr Schilling said: "Governments in Europe have focused very strongly on how to make access more difficult, as a consequence, the doors to reach protection for many refugees are shut.
"The lapse in international protection for the world's most vulnerable people requires more responsible action by industrialized countries, including the UK."
To read more click on the title above.
Open Letter: Refugees forced to trek across UK two days before Christmas
On December 22, two men from Afghanistan and Eritrea were forced to travel 400 miles on one of the coldest nights of the year, to lodge their claim for asylum.
In an open letter John Wilkes, Chief Executive of Scottish Refugee Council, slams the inhumane requirement for those seeking asylum in Scotland to travel 400 miles to the UKBA office in Croydon to begin their claim.
To read more click on the title above.
Statement, December 1: Continued detention of children 'a national disgrace'
In advance of Sandra White's motion on the Detention of Children at Dungavel (S3M-05109#), to be raised and debated tomorrow at the Scottish Parliament (Wednesday, 2 December), Scottish Refugee Council issued a statement.
To read the statement click on the above link.
Media release, December 2: New advice leaflet to help women overcome violence and abuse
A new information leaflet produced by Scottish Refugee Council in association with the London School of Tropical Medicine will help asylum-seeking women who have experienced violence, depression and stress to access help and support.
Simon Hodgson, Director of Policy and Communications at Scottish Refugee Council said: 'We hope that our leaflet will be backed at government level by actions that will improve the way the system addresses women's health and protection needs.'
Media release, November 28: Refugee puts human rights on the agenda this St Andrew's day
Professor Alan Miller, chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, met Patience Tsungu, a refugee from Zimbabwe, today as part of Scottish Refugee Council's HOME visit scheme.
The visit has been timed to celebrate the final days of Homecoming 2009, and to put refugee and human rights firmly on the agenda this St Andrew�s day.
Scottish Refugee Council�s HOME visit scheme aims to highlight the difficulties refugees can face in finding a new home in Scotland � from racism to homelessness - as well as celebrating their contribution to Scottish society.
Media release, October 14: New rules from UKBA
New rules forcing asylum seekers to travel 400 miles to lodge their claims are a huge step back, says Scottish Refugee Council.
We are calling for the immediate halt to changes in the asylum system which mean vulnerable people now face longer journeys as well as delays in vital support.
Phil Woolas announced yesterday major changes to the procedure for claiming asylum. From today (Wednesday, October 14) anyone making an in-country claim for asylum must do so over 400 miles away at the UKBA Asylum Screening Unit in Croydon.
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