MP: Asylum seekers need more support
An MP has called for a review of asylum seekers’ treatment in the UK.
Glasgow North East MP Paul Sweeney raised the issue at Westminster, stating he has been “shocked at the level of the hostile environment” people in his constituency have faced.
It comes after The Sunday Post highlighted the plight of Giorgi Kakava and his grandmother Ketino Batkhadze, who were fighting deportation following the death of Giorgi’s mum Sopio.
Among the MP’s other cases include a Pakistani Christian family who are fighting to stay in Scotland – with a petition attracting thousands of signatures.
Mr Sweeney said: “In my first year as a Member of Parliament, I have been shocked at the level of the hostile environment as it manifests itself in my constituency. Just two weeks ago, the Kamil family went on hunger
strike outside the Home Office in Glasgow, having been kept in limbo for 18 years, waiting for their asylum application to be assessed.
“They are Iraqi-Kurdish refugees.
“How on earth was this able to happen?
“Eighteen years is worse than a life sentence.
“Their children were forced into a situation where they were not able to leave the country.”
Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes said she was “conscious that we need to do better” and vowed to review the case.