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, August 26: Successful appeals point to poor decision making at an early stage
High success rates in asylum appeals point to poor decision making at an early stage, says Scottish Refugee Council.
The UK Border Agency released its figures on asylum for Quarter 2 of 2010 today. The figures show that nearly a third (27%) of appeals made on refused asylum cases are successful compared to just 20% in the same period two years ago.
According to Scottish Refugee Council, this points to increasingly poor decision making by the UK Border Agency. We are calling for an overhaul of the asylum system to include providing quality legal advice for all new asylum applicants from the start of the process.
To read the full release click the above title.
Edinburgh University press release, August 16, 2010: Festival of Politics
Genetics without borders?
A lively discussion exploring the controversial issue of using DNA testing to determine the nationality of asylum seekers will be hosted tomorrow (17 August 2010) by the Economic and Social Research Council Genomics Forum, based at the University of Edinburgh, and the British Council. The event is part of 2010's Festival of Politics Programme.
An expert panel, including Scottish Refugee Council's Gary Christie, will debate the pros and cons of using genetic testing to verify an asylum seeker's country of origin, as well as broader questions about science taking precedence over personal experience or history.
To read the full release click the above title.
Media comment, July 29: 'Fresh claims' and the right to work
Scottish Refugee Council welcomes the Supreme Court decision to allow a Somali asylum seeker, who had submitted a fresh asylum claim, permission to work.
Under the EU Reception Directive, asylum seekers can apply for permission to work if they have not had an initial decision on their claim from UKBA within 12 months.
The court has now ruled that this right should also be made available to those who have been in the country for more than 12 months and have made a fresh claim.
To read our full statement, click the title above.
Media statement, July 26: Response to Family Removals report
John Vine, the Independent Chief Inspector of the UK Border Agency, released a report today, 27 July, raising serious concerns over the way families are treated when they are removed from the UK. You can read the full report on his website. Here is our response:
Simon Hodgson, Director of Policy and Communications at Scottish Refugee Council, said: 'We welcome this report and its recommendations. The issues it has raised come as no surprise to us, as our caseworkers deal with many of them on a day-to-day basis.
'The report reveals a haphazard approach to family welfare in the asylum process and a lack of consistency in how removals are being carried out. It comes at a time when the UK Government has pledged to bring an end to the detention of children in the asylum process.'
To read our full response, click on the title above.
Media statement, July 9: Comment on Supreme Court ruling
Scottish Refugee Council welcomes the Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday 7 July 2010 that the Home Office was wrong to suggest to lesbian and gay people seeking asylum in the UK that they could avoid persecution in their own country by being more discreet.
John Wilkes, Chief Executive, said: "While it is clearly unacceptable that there are countries and cultures that continue to punish and persecute lesbian and gay people it was even worse that people seeking protection in the UK because of their sexuality were being forced to return home.
"The judges' ruling is good news for many people in the asylum process whose legitimate fears have been ignored by case-owners at the UK Border Agency. We trust that staff will receive the additional training on both the implications of the court ruling and on appropriate and sensitive approaches to dealing with people seeking protection because of their sexuality."
Please contact Karin Goodwin/Clare Harris, Media Officers on 0141 223 7927/07734 030 763 for more information.
Media release, June 16: Asylum seekers in Scotland could be denied justice as llegal charity closes
Scottish Refugee Council expresses deep shock and concern over the news that a crucial charity, Refugee Migrant Justice, has gone into administration.
Refugee Migrant Justice (RMJ) is a life-saving charity that has been providing legal representation for people seeking asylum, through legal aid. They announced yesterday [Tuesday, 15 June] that they would be going into administration.
John Wilkes, Chief Executive of Scottish Refugee Council said: ‘We are truly shocked to hear this news. Many asylum seekers in Scotland are moved to detention centres in England where they must continue defending their claim under the English legal system. Without access to legal representation – which RMJ play a large part in providing – the likelihood is many of them won’t get access to justice.'
To read the full statement click the above headline.
Media release, June 14: Most refugees and asylum seekers feel welcomed by the average Brit
A new nationwide mori poll, results released today, shows that the majority of refugees and those seeking asylum feel welcomed by the average Brit.
Scottish Refugee Council spoke to Patience, a Glasgow-based refugee from Zimbabwe. She said: "Most Scottish people are very welcoming and friendly. Of course, I have come across a few who are not, but the majority of people here accept me for who I am."
More than half of the people interviewed said that they either strongly agreed or tended to agree that the average British person welcomes refigees to the UK.
Media release, June 14: Refugee Week's biggest ever celebration
Alex Neil, Housing and Communities gave his backing to Refugee Week Scotland 2010 today [Monday, June 14] as it launched with a record breaking number of exciting events.
With over 110 events, the week long festival, this year themed around journeys, will celebrate Scotland's growing cultural diversity and highlight the experiences and contributions of refugees living across the country.
Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil said: "Our culture and diversity is enriched with what our new Scots offer, and these week long events also encourage a better understanding between communities."
To read the full release click the above title.
Media release, June 9: Launch of groundbreaking Scottish project for asylum-seeking children
Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, will today give his support to a unique scheme to help children who arrive in Scotland alone and seeking asylum [June 9].
The Scottish Separated Children's Guardianship Pilot will be the first of its kind in the UK. It will be delivered in partnership by Scottish Refugee Council and Aberlour Child Care Trust, with support from the Big Lottery Fund, the Scottish Government, the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and the Diana Princes of Wales Memorial Fund.
The Pilot will offer independent support to extremely vulnerable children who arrive in Scotland without parents or family, from highly dangerous countries including Afghanistan and Iraq.
For the full release click the above title.
Media statement, May 19: Ending detention of children for immigration purposes
May 19, 2010
Child detention in Dungavel has ended: Our response:
Scottish Refugee Council chief executive John Wilkes has made the following statement in response to last night's announcement by Immigration Minister Damian Green that the overnight detention of children in Dungavel will end with immediate effect:
'Stopping child detention in Dungavel and moving families to Yarl's Wood removal centre, as the government is currently doing, is not a solution to this issue.
'We want to see an end to the detention of children for immigration purposes full stop. It should be replaced by a policy that has the child and the family's best interests at heart.'
For more information contact media officers Karin Goodwin or Clare Harris on 0141 223 7927/07734 030 763 or media@scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk
Media release, May 12: Gruffalo author carries out Simple Act
Julia Donaldson, author of the best-selling children's book The Gruffalo, carries out a Simple Act today to promote understanding of refugees living in Scotland.
Julia is reading from her book The Snail and the Whale, and asking children to act out scenes from her play Bombs and Blackberries.
Julia said: 'The Snail and the Whale is about displacement. The snail is a willing traveller, but like many refugees her journey takes her to a completely different world which overwhelms and dazzles her. I hope that children who read the story will gain some insight into the challenges faced by children who are uprooted.'
Read our full press release by clicking on the above title.
Media release, April 22: Party leaders agree on importance of refugee protection
Scottish Refugee Council, Refugee Council and leading human rights organisation Liberty announced that all five major party leaders – plus hundreds of other parliamentary candidates – have signed up to the organisations’ asylum election pledge.
Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg signed up in advance of the Prime Ministerial debate due to be aired this evening (focusing on foreign policy). They join SNP and Green Party leaders in agreeing to ‘never play fast and loose with the proud tradition of a nation that must always offer succour to those in fear of persecution.’
Read our full press release by clicking on the title above.
IOM Press Release, April 1, 2010: New voluntary returns programme
The International Office for Migration (IOM) voluntary returns programme is:
Now available to people who have been refused asylum and to irregular migrants
Flexibile so people can use assistance for housing and basic medical needs
Up to £3000-worth of assistance for each child
To read the full press release from IOM click on the title above.
Media statement, March 30: Red Road Fatal Accident Enquiry
Scottish Refugee Council supports the calls made by the First Minister and others for a Fatal Accident Inquiry following the tragic deaths of three people at Red Road on March 7.
John Wilkes, Chief Executive of Scottish Refugee Council, said: "As an organisation it is our policy not to comment on the specifics of individual cases. However, what this awful incident has drawn attention to is the fact that people seeking asylum are very often living under enormous stress and pressure."
Click on the title above for the full statement.
Media coverage, March: Family Reunion report in the Herald
Our forthcoming report on refugees' experiences of Family Reunion has been covered in the Herald Society section.
The report will lay out the need for greater recognition of refugees' rights to be reunited with their family after receiving leave to remain in the UK.
Keep an eye on our website for further details.
Click on the title above for a link to the article on the Herald website.
Media release, March 29: Refugee Week Media Awards Call For Entries
Have you written or broadcast fair and accurate stories on refugees issues in the past year? If so you may be eligible
to enter the Refugee Week Media Awards.
Or if have you seen or read a fair and accurate story in the past year please nominate the journalist.
Click the above link for details about how to enter.
Media release, March 29: UKBA makes monor concession as asylum support rates increased by 1.1%
Crucial support for people seeking asylum will see a small increase fo 2010/11. As of 12 April people seeking asylum will see a 1.1% increase in the finacial assistance they receive from the Home Office.
While this will still see those seeking asylum facing hardship, Scottish Refugee Council believes this increase is significant. It demonstrates that UK Border Agency is listening to us, our partners and supporters who backed this call.
For more click on the title above.
Media statement, March 24: Yet more reason to end child detention
Scottish Refugee Council welcomes today's report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales on the detention of children. The report raises concerns over children being detained unnecessarily and for long periods of time in Yarl's Wood removal centre, Bedfordshire.
For more click on the title above.
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.
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