Still Human, Still Here
The Still Human, Still Here coalition, (comprised of various NGOs and charities including Amnesty International) is calling on the government to end the use of enforced destitution as tool of government policy against refused asylum seekers.
There are currently thousands of refused asylum seekers in the UK. While their asylum applications are being considered the government is obliged to provide healthcare and education for them. However, once their claims are turned down they are barred access to these services. This results in many people living a marginal, limbo-like existence, with huge numbers being rendered homeless.
The vast majority of asylum seekers in Britain are refused, despite claims in the media to the contrary. A change in the law in 2003 has meant that the temporary form of protection – called ‘Exceptional Leave to Remain’ that was previously granted to one in four applicants is now only received by one in ten people. This means that many people who would once qualified for protection find themselves refused and, as a result, destitute and without access to healthcare, legal employment or education.
While many of the people refused asylum do not 'technically' qualify as 'refugees' under the strict criteria of the 1951 Refugee Convention, it does not automatically follow that their claim for asylum is “bogus". Many have fled violent and unstable countries and experienced violence, torture, rape, or loss of family members. Even if the government accepts that you have been persecuted, asylum can be refused you can't prove there is a significant risk it will happen again.
Despite failing to achieve 'Exceptional Leave to Remain' it is often extremely difficult for the government to remove people to countries where they are likely to suffer serious safety issues. Which is why, for example, Home Office statistics show that no more than five people were forcibly removed to Somalia in 2005.
Unable to return to countries ravaged by conflict, war and widespread human rights abuses, many failed claimants are therefore forced to eek out a marginal existence in Britain, frequently having to sleep rough, and reliant on unscrupulous gang masters for work.
As part of the Still Human, Still Here campaign, Amnesty International has teamed up with acclaimed director Nick Broomfield to produce a short documentary: 'Still Human, Still Here' to promote awareness of the plight of refused asylum seekers. film will be screened at the next Amnesty meeting in Brighton on 6 December at the Community Base Centre, Queens Rd, Brighton from 8-10pm. The film can also be found online at: www.amnesty.org.uk/asylum . Further information on the Still Human, Still Here campaign can also be found at: www.stillhuman.org.uk.