Dawn raids condemned

UNISONScotland is to mount a campaign for an end to the forcible removal of asylum seeker families from Scotland and the practice of dawn raids with the traumatic impact this has, not only on the families being removed, but also on other refugee children who must live daily with the real fear that it could happen to them.

The union will also campaign for an amnesty and donate £500 to Positive Action in Housing (asking branches to donate too) as well as urging members to take the issue up with their MSPs and MPs.

"Dawn or anytime raids are inhumane and degrading. They breach the human rights of asylum seekers and there is no doubt that they also breach the rights of the children under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child", Aberdeenshire's Kate Ramsden told delegates.

She was shocked that the UK Government had placed a reservation on the Convention so that it does not apply in immigration and asylum situations, thus further discriminating against already vulnerable children.

Kate recognised that most asylum seekers are in Glasgow and other branches may not see this campaign as so relevant to them. However she stressed it was an issue for the whole country.

"The way asylum seekers are treated in this country is a wider issue which should concern us all. "It is about respect for others and citizenship and is about the kind of society we want to have here in Scotland and the UK", she said.

"At a time when Scotland, in particular, is crying out for people to come and settle and work in this country, it is completely inconsistent to be deporting families who have lived here for years and are well established in their communities", added Kate.

On the amnesty issue, Kate reminded delegates there was a precedent in 2003 when the Home Secretary granted an amnesty to 15,000 asylum seeker families.

headlines . top