The latest amnesty international media alert
-----Original Message-----
From: Michelle.Lowe at amnesty.org.uk [mailto:Michelle.Lowe at amnesty.org.uk]
Sent: 05 May 2004 17:54
To: undisclosed-recipients
Subject: Respond to Poll: "Asylum Seekers win right to fight for axed
benefits"
Hi,
Here's a Daily Express poll you might like to
respond to...
"Asylum Seekers win right to fight for axed
benefits"
Daily Express 5 May 2004 p.2
This story is not available to view on the
internet.
Summary:
The Express reports on yesterday's decision by
the High Court to grant two asylum seekers
from Eastern Europe permission to bring a
challenge against the Government's decision to
block state benefits. On 1 May asylum seekers
from the EU Accession countries who were
already living in Britain lost the right to
claim housing and support as a result of their
change of status. The article finishes with a
phone-in poll:
Should asylum seekers from the new EU be sent
home?
Here are some suggestions on how to respond.
The phone-in poll "Should asylum seekers
from the new EU be sent home?" ignores
the fact that asylum seekers from Eastern
Europe came to this country to flee
persecution and that they have a
fundamental legal right to be in the UK,
under the 1951 UN Convention, while their
claim for asylum is heard. Just because
their status has changed because of EU
enlargement does not mean that they will
be free from being persecuted if they
return
As the Express rightly reports, both of
the men mentioned in the article want to
support their families by getting jobs.
Most asylum seekers want to work to
support themselves and their families.
However, it is a grave oversight of the
Home Office that before May 1 those
claiming asylum from Eastern Europe were
prevented from seeking employment but
could claim housing support. Now
conversely, as new EU citizens, they are
expected to find a job overnight but will
be refused support and accommodation
whilst doing so.
Contact details:
Remember to refer to the article and make sure
you mark letters "for publication" and include
your full contact details. Please also try to
reformulate your response in some way.
The Daily Express
E: scotexpress at express.co.uk
Post: The Editor, Scottish Daily Express, Park
Circus Place, Glasgow G3 6AN
Fax: 0141 332 5448
Thanks,
Michelle
Michelle Lowe
Scottish Campaigner
Amnesty International
6 Castle Street
Edinburgh EH2 3AT
0131 466 6200 (t) 0131 466 6201 (f)
I work part-time and my normal office hours
are Monday afternoons, Wednesdays and
Thursdays.
For the latest news, actions and events from
Amnesty International in Scotland, please
visit www.amnesty.org.uk/scotland
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