Homeless fears for asylum seekers
A charity boss has urged people to support asylum seekers in Castlemilk and Toryglen who are facing homelessness.
Sabir Zazai, chief executive at the Scottish Refugee Council, last week issued a desperate plea following a new court ruling that lock-change evictions of asylum seekers without court orders are lawful.
The verdict from the Inner House of the Court of Session backs up an earlier ruling that Home Office contractor Serco did not act unlawfully when it issued eviction notices in Glasgow last year.
This means that more than 130 asylum seekers face being booted out onto the streets – including dozens in Castlemilk andToryglen.
Sabir Zazai said:“This galling verdict leaves hundreds of men and women in Glasgow at risk of lock-change evictions and immediate street homelessness.
“People are very anxious and very stressed.
“The people we work with do not have family networks in Scotland or friends with spare bedrooms where they can stay in a crisis. “People have no options. “On top of this, there is already a homelessness crisis in Glasgow that this decision will only contribute to.
“Our advisors are working as hard as they can to provide advice and support.
“We are collaborating with organisations across Glasgow to try to provide emergency shelter and services, but we need the whole city of Glasgow to step up urgently in response to this.
“We are also pushing for fundamental and urgent reform to the UK’s asylum system.
“Nobody should be forced into destitution and homelessness with nowhere safe to go.
“If you receive a lock-change eviction notice or are concerned in any way about yourself or a friend, please contact our helpline immediately on 0141 223 7979.”
Serco, which handed over the contract to the Mears Group in
September, is still housing around 150 people whose asylum applications have been turned down by the Home Office.
The company will now proceed“in a considered and sensitive manner” to return these properties to their owners, who are mainly social housing landlords.
During the summer Glasgow Sheriff Court granted 130 interim interdicts to delay the removal of failed asylum seekers until the outcome of the court appeal.
Three judges on Scotland’s supreme civil court have now ruled that Serco can legally evict an asylum seeker from their property without first obtaining a court order.
Scotland’s community secretary Aileen Campbell said:“I am disappointed at this news and the impact it will have on more than 130 people.
“We have consistently called for a long-term, sustainable solution to the end of the asylum process, which respects people’s dignity and rights at all times and does not leave them destitute and homeless in a country where they have sought refuge.
“If people are unable to leave the UK once they have exhausted their appeal rights, they should receive the support they need to make informed decisions about their future.
“We will now consider the implications of the judgment of the Court of Session and how best we can support those affected.”
People are very anxious and stressed ... they have no options