Championing Asylum Rights After Death of Whole Family
- 20 Aug
The decision not to carry out a fatal accident inquiry into the deaths of three asylum seekers in Glasgow brings to an end a sorry tale of desperation.
Russian refugees Serguei, Tatiana and Stepan Serykh died when they fell from the 15th floor of one of the Red Road tower blocks in the Springburn area of north east Glasgow on 7 March 2010.
(See article on this here)
What complicated the case was that their application to remain in the UK had been refused and they had been told they had to leave their flat, leading to fingers being pointed at agencies which might have been able to protect them.
The family had not, however, been issued with a removal order at the time of their deaths, and were reportedly also suffering from mental health issues.
We will never know whether these people were so desperate that they leaped to their deaths rather than be sent home, or whether there were other factors at play. It would be wrong to speculate either way.
Inevitably, not everyone who arrives in this country seeking asylum will be granted it. The homelessness charities, housing associations and council workers who support the families have a job on their hands to provide suitable accommodation, sometimes for months on end, for people who are in limbo.
Asylum seekers seem to represent the unseen side of housing-related support. The individuals are often traumatised, unable to speak English and not eligible for much state help. They might have complex needs, and cannot work, meaning charities have to pick up the slack.
There are organisations that do a lot to support asylum seekers and champion their rights. But people like the Serykh family show that there's still a huge amount of work to be done, and it's not something anyone can take lightly.Source: Inside Housing
Related articles
- 08 May
Delays in the asylum system leaving many refugees homeless
The charity is calling on the government to review its system so that delays are eliminated in issuing documentation.In the report, titled '28 Days Later: the experience of new refugees in the UK',...
- 24 Apr
MPs criticise asylum housing scheme management
The Public Accounts Committee has said that the Home Office scheme has resulted in asylum seekers being places in "unacceptable poor" housing due to being "badly managed", reports the BBC. The Home...
- 21 Feb
Asylum Seekers let down by G4S
The study took place in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North East, prepared on behalf of South Yorkshire Migration and Asylum Action Group (SYMAAG) and Notog4sYorkshire Plus, for the Independent...
- 14 Dec
Consistent Problems for Detainees
The two inspectorates interviewed a total of 81 detainees to establish the factors relevant to the decision to detain or maintain detention, and the impact that detention was having on them. They...
- 21 Nov
G4S Asylum Seeker Housing Declared Unfit
Parliamentary inquiry into housing provided to asylum seeker families by G4S is not fit for children to live in.--> --> --> -->Women staying in hostels provided by G4S have reported...
- 15 Oct
Pakistani Girl fighting for education will receive treatment in the UK
Until now, she has been at a military hospital in Rawalpindi, but London had offered to help her in any way, so the evacuation has been arranged by the Pakistani authorities after an assessment by...
- 05 Oct
Child starved to death after benefits delay
Further tragedies are increasingly likely as more asylum claims are processed while support funding dries up, organisations claim.Details of the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of ‘child...
- 01 Oct
Pregnant women, children and people with disabilities among those living on less than 77p a day
Pregnant women, children and people with disabilities are among those who have been left destitute on Scotland's streets, according to a report by the Scottish Poverty Information Unit (pdf) which is...
- 24 Sep
Asylum Seeker Process can cause Mental Health Problems for Children
A study by The Childrens Society shows the link between the troubles children have when claiming asylum and their mental health and well being.Of the 3,000 unaccompanied children that claim asylum in...
Revenue Optimisation "I am really impressed with Support Solutions and how small organisations are supported with information and training" Susan Harrison (Tenant Support Services)
