Refugees will not be evicted until law is clarified in court
REFUGEES living in Glasgow will not be removed from their homes after ongoing legal action was suspended.
Shelter Scotland have confirmed an agreement with Serco which ensures that asylum seekers will not be removed from their homes whilst the lawfulness of a potential lock change is tested.
The homelessness charity is currently taking court action against the private housing provider which threatened to evict 300 refugees from homes in Glasgow, sparking protests in the city. Serco said it planned to evict refugees who had exhausted the asylum process.
Shelter has filed papers at Glasgow Sheriff Court to prevent two tenants being issued with so-called lock-change orders.
Following events at Glasgow Sheriff Court yesterday, Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: “Serco have provided an undertaking to the court that they will not take any steps to remove our clients from their homes whilst our clients’ cases and Legal Services Agency’s case has been temporarily suspended.
“The hearing on interim orders on August 27 has therefore been discharged as it is not currently required.
“All parties agree that the law should be clarified. This undertaking provides our clients with some security that they will not be removed from their homes whilst the lawfulness of a lock change is tested.
“We are aware that there are two actions in the Court of Session. We are not familiar with all the arguments or facts in those cases and will review our clients’ cases in due course. The suspension of the case will also allow our clients’ legal aid applications to be considered.” Mr Brown added: “Our cases remain in court and we are prepared to argue our points if necessary as we consider that a lock change without due process would be a violation of our clients’ human rights.
“We also have concerns that this practice is discriminatory against disabled persons facing destitution.
“We will continue to provide free legal advice to those at risk of a lock change, working alongside partner agencies at the legal surgeries hosted by the Scottish Refugee Council.”
The boss of Serco previously welcomed legal moves bidding to stop asylum seeker evictions from properties run by his firm.
Rupert Soames said the court challenges could “bring clarity to an area of law that some people feel is unclear”.
Serco says it is providing housing for 330 people “at its own expense”. As well as the sheriff court action, the issue is also due to be raised in the Court of Session in Edinburgh after a case was lodged by Govan Law Centre, which is also trying to prevent the evictions by Serco.