STURGEON’S ‘ SADNESS’ AT DEATH OF TRAGIC MUM
First Minister calls for ‘ wholesale reform’ of the UK’s ‘ deeply inhumane’ asylum system
NICOLA STURGEON has said she is “consumed with sadness” and anger at the death of Mercy Baguma, who was found dead next to her starving baby in a Glasgow flat.
The Ugandan woman’s body was discovered by police in Govan on Saturday and the Scottish First Minister has now called for a complete reform of the UK’s “deeply inhumane” asylum system.
The Positive Action in Housing ( PAIH) charity said Ms Baguma’s one- year- old son was “found crying beside his mother’s body, weakened from several days of starvation”.
He has since been released from hospital into the care of his father.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Ms Sturgeon said:
“I find myself consumed with sadness but also with real anger at the death of Mercy Baguma and first and foremost my thoughts – and I’m sure the thoughts of all of us – go to her family and friends following her tragic death.”
Asked about the incident by Scottish Green co- leader Alison Johnstone, Ms Sturgeon continued: “We knew this before this tragedy, but it is underlined by this tragedy – the UK asylum system is not just broken, it is deeply inhumane and it must be changed.
“People who come to Scotland because they need a place of safety should have our support, and that is even more true right now at this time of crisis.”
Ms Baguma is thought to have been living in extreme poverty after her right to work in the UK was revoked.
She had been relying on charities and foodbanks to help feed herself and her son, and also claimed asylum while living destitute.
Ms Sturgeon said her government has repeatedly raised concerns about the Westminsterreserved asylum process and added: “We need wholesale reform of our asylum system and we need to start from the principle of dignity, of empathy and of support for our fellow human beings who come to this country, seeking support at desperate and dismal times of their lives.
“I would appeal to the UK Government to look into their hearts as a result of this case and finally make the changes that are needed to housing.”
She also added she would support all efforts to investigate Ms Baguma’s death, including backing the PAIH charity’s calls for an inquiry into the accommodation situation faced by asylum seekers in Glasgow during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Crown Office has said the Procurator Fiscal has received a report in connection with the 34- year- old’s death and an investigation is under way.
The death of Ms Baguma has ignited a debate around the treatment and experiences of asylum seekers in Scotland, with it being the third case to affect Glasgow’s refugee population in a few months.
Previous events included the death of Syrian refugee Adnan Olbeh while in the care of the Home Office in May, and the stabbings which took place in the Park Inn Hotel on West George Street in June. In the attack, Badreddin Abadlla Adam, a Sudanese asylum seeker reportedly suffering from severe mental ill health, was shot dead after stabbing six people.
Robina Qureshi, director of Positive Action in Housing said: “The question remains, why are mothers and babies being left to go hungry in this city, why is it being left to charities and volunteers to pick up the pieces?
“Does society have anything to say about that other than call them a drain on society?
“The fact is there is no safety net if you’re a refugee or migrant. You are left destitute and without resources. And your left silenced by far right rhetoric for being forced to ask for help.”
Robina’s sentiments were echoed by politicians and key figures
in Scotland, including Glasgow lawyer, Aamer Anwar.
He tweeted: “Mercy Baguma left destitute by a barbaric racist immigration system, she had a right to life, yet was left with no hope, how sad that whilst we say Black Lives Matter we do not scream out in pain for those like Mercy or her baby now without a mother.
“No woman or child should ever lose her life in this way.”
A vigil, which was organised in memory of Ms Baguma, was due to take place yesterday.
The event was due to take place at 4pm on Brand Street in Cessnock, nearby the UK Immigration and Visa Offices.
RefSol Collective Glasgow, organisers of the event, said in a statement: “Join us in mourning a Glasgow Mum who lost her life due to the neglect of the home office after her right to work was stripped from her and she fell into destitution. Enough is enough. We want justice.”
However the event was cancelled following the wishes of Mercy’s family and friends.
RefSol Collective Glasgow said in a statement online: “The vigil has been cancelled at the request of those close to Mercy. Please continue to campaign for an inquiry and send your love, prayers & solidarity to Mercy’s family.”
More than 800 people had already responded to the event on social media before it was cancelled by organisers.
Despite the event being axed by RefSol Collective Glasgow, a handful of mourners turned out to remember Ms Baguma’s life, gathering on Brand Street last night.
Candles were lit and Ugandan flags were flown out side the Home Office’s UK Immigration and Visa Offices on the Cessnock street in Glasgow, in a small remembrance event to Ms Baguma and her situation.
The UK asylum system is not just broken, it is deeply inhumane