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New report shows destitute asylum seekers forced to sleep on the streets

2 June 2008

Destitute asylum seekers in Leicester are being forced to sleep on the streets or rely on charities and friends for shelter, according to a new report 'Destitution in the Asylum System in Leicester' (scroll down for pdf to download).

Leicester Refugee and Asylum Seekers Voluntary Sector Forum (LVSF) surveyed 135 destitute asylum seekers between February 11th and March 14th 2008, and found that almost half had been homeless for a year. Almost three-quarters did not have access to healthcare.

'Destitution in the asylum system in Leicester', which has been commissioned by the Leicester Forum and co-ordinated by the national charity Refugee Action, is being launched today (Monday June 2nd).

The forum is making a number of recommendations to local and national government policy-makers and the voluntary and community sector in Leicester to try to tackle this crisis.

The report shows that the reason most (67%) asylum seekers had become destitute was because their claims for asylum had been fully refused but they were too afraid to return home. Thirteen respondents were depressed and 15 were taking medication for mental health issues. Twenty-two people who were interviewed had dependent children.

Once an asylum claim has failed, asylum seekers without children have their support and housing withdrawn unless they agree to return home. Many argue that they have not had the right decision and are too scared to return. As they are not allowed to work, they are then forced into destitution.

Amanda Soraghan, the chair of the LVSF and area manager of Refugee Action Leicester, said: “A disturbing number of people have been coping with destitution for a very long time, with no idea about how to escape this poverty. Our research proves that making people homeless is not encouraging them to return to their home country, it is just forcing them to live a hand-to-mouth existence, outside of normal society, and this is unacceptable in 21st century Britain.”

The forum highlights the need for better provision of legal advice, solicitors and interpreters to help asylum seekers get the right decision. They are recommending that time-limited leave to remain should be granted to asylum seekers unable to return to their country at this time, granting them the right to work and support. They are also urging the UK Borders Agency to grant leave to remain to people fleeing situations like Darfur and Zimbabwe where widespread war and human rights violations are taking place.

Amanda Soraghan said: “It is essential that the government does something to end the policy of destitution as it has been proved to be inhumane and ineffective. The government needs to improve its decision-making to ensure asylum seekers who need protection are getting it.”

The forum is also encouraging people to support organisations like Refugee Action and the British Red Cross to help assist people who are destitute.

The launch of the report will take place at the British Red Cross Offices at 244 London Road, Leicester from 10am, and speakers will include Peter Soulsby MP. To organise an interview or photographs please call Julia Ravenscroft, press officer at Refugee Action, on 0161 233 1956 or at juliar@refugee-action.org.uk. To find out about Refugee Action’s national destitution campaign go to www.refugee-action.org.uk.

Notes to editors:

• Destitution in the asylum system in Leicester

• The Leicester Refugee and Asylum Seekers Voluntary Sector Forum is made up of a range of voluntary organisations. The survey was conducted by Refugee Action, the British Red Cross, ASSIST and Leicester Aids Support Service (LASS).
  

 

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