Refugee charity in plea for dignity
A charity which represents refugees in Scotland has urged people to show a “united and dignified response in sorrow” to the knife attack in Glasgow.
The incident at the Park Inn Hotel on Friday took place yards from the office of the Scottish Refugee Council, which said it was “devastated” by the attack.
Six people were injured, including three asylum seekers who were staying at the hotel and a Police Scotland officer. The attacker was shot and killed by armed police.
The Park Inn was being used as temporary accommodation to house asylum seekers, a policy which has been criticised by campaigners concerned about living conditions.
The Scot t ish Refugee Council said it had expressed “repeated concern” about the housing of asylum seekers in hotels, saying the policy should be brought to an end quickly.
Chief executive Sabir Zazai said: “We are completely devastated by what happened at the Park Inn.
“It is difficult to process that this has happened in Glasgow, yards from our office, in our city, which has done so much to welcome newcomers over the years. We are devastated for everyone affected by this –hotel guests, staff, contractors and the police and emergency services.”
The charity will be keeping its helpline for asylum seekers open as many would have fled “traumatic experiences” in their home countries.
He said: “We call for a united and dignified response in sorrow at this horrific event.”