Refugee Council chief lambasts Government over asylum seekers

John Wilkes, Chief Executive, Scottish Refugee Council has issued a strongly worded statement at the end of a dramatic week for asylum seekers.

He said:  ’News this week that that up to100 refused asylum seekers are to be evicted from their accommodation in Glasgow brings into sharp focus the shocking reality and inhumanity of how the UK Government treats people who have sought sanctuary in our country.

They are being forced into abject destitution because our asylum system has failed them.

These are men and women who have come from countries with appalling human rights records and well documented conflicts or oppressive regimes such as Iran, Iraq, Somalia and Eritrea. But their claim for sanctuary has been refused.

The public has been led to believe that asylum seekers whose claims are refused have somehow ‘abused’ the system. Yet, many refused asylum seekers would have qualified for some form of protection had they applied in another country or had they applied for asylum in the UK in the past.

Now they are existing in limbo. They cannot go home – either because it is not safe or because it cannot be logistical arranged, due to lack of co-operation from the governments of their countries of origin.

But yet as refused asylum seekers in the UK, they are entitled to nothing – they receive no financial support, no accommodation and of course, are not allowed to work. That means they have to rely on friends, family or charity just so that they can eat and find somewhere to sleep.

The reality is that there are already well over 100 destitute asylum seekers living on the extreme margins of society in Glasgow. They face a daily struggle to simply survive.

Charities have had to step into support them; they shouldn’t have to.

Grass roots organisations and faith groups are already stretched beyond their means whether they are providing food packs, accommodation in night shelters, tracking down volunteer hosts to put people up for the night or hosting drop-ins where people rely on the free lunch as much as the emotional support on offer.

The Scottish Refugee Council has teamed up with British Red Cross to offer emergency advice surgeries for people affected by the current situation. The British Red Cross is also funding Refugee Survival Trust so that they are to provide small grants, given out by the Scottish Refugee Council, to offer financial aid when it is most needed.

The UK Government urgently needs to face up to this unacceptable, appalling and inhumane policy.

We are calling once again on the UK Government to restore integrity, pride and humanity in our asylum system by returning to a more inclusive approach to its assessment of who is in need of protection.

People seeking asylum should also be allowed the dignity and right to work to support themselves and contribute economically to Scotland while they wait for a decision on their claim. If they can’t work, they should receive support from the point at which they make their claim to the time that they either recognised as refugees or are returned to their home country.

Only then can we all have faith and pride in our asylum system.’

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dawn raids start again

Unbelievably, in the very week when protests are growing at asylum seekers being made destitute, the UK Borders Agency (UKBA) has dawn raided a family from Azerbaijan. The family is currently in the Cedars family detention centre in Sussex and scheduled to be removed on a flight leaving at 8am on Saturday 14 April.

The 29 year old woman Endalina is five months pregnant and suffers from high blood pressure.

Immigration officials broke into the family’s home on Duke Street in the East End of Glasgow at 7.30am on Wednesday morning while the family were still in their beds. Their two year old son woke up to see his mother crying and shouting and immigration officials wearing stab-proof vests On the phone to Unity, the Glasgow support group for asylum seekers, Endalina’s husband Emil said she was so distressed about being forcibly removed to Azerbaijan where their lives will be in danger that she suffered a thirty minute long panic attack when she was restrained by four immigration officials and could not breathe. She now has badly bruised arms.

Said a Unity spokesman: ‘Endalina is now experiencing severe pain in her stomach, showing a discharge and has been advised by the nurse in Cedars to lie down and not to walk about. We are extremely concerned about her and her baby’s well-being.’  He said Unity was calling on the UKBA to immediately suspend the removal flight and to release the family.

He added: ‘Endalina is only one or two weeks away from being too heavily pregnant to travel as most airlines will not take women who are more than 28 weeks into their pregnancy and the UKBA’s own guidelines state that a medical certificate must be issued showing the mother is fit to fly.’  He urged concerned Glasgow citizens  immediately to contact Theresa May, the Home Secretary to urge her to stop the family’s removal from the UK. The Home Office reference number is M1389212 and the email addresses are:

mayt@parliament.uk

pscorrespondence@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk

Privateoffice.external@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Fax: 020 7035 4745

 

 

Child robbed in Govanhill

Police are continuing enquiries after an 8 year-old girl had money and her mobile phone stolen in Govanhill on Wednesday 11 April 2012.

Around 4pm a young man was in Govanhill Park sitting on an inflatable red fitness ball, normally used for gym exercises. He approached the girl, stole her money and her mobile phone before making off.

The suspect is described as Asian, in his mid teens to early twenties, between 5 ft 5 and 5 ft 8 inches in height. He was wearing a black jacket over a long brown tunic and brown, loose fitting trousers.

Police officers have been carrying out extensive enquiries in the surrounding areas and are reviewing CCTV images in an effort to find out more detail about the suspect.

Detective Inspector Scott McMillan said: ‘Given the time of day, I’m sure there were people out and about in the park and the surrounding area. Someone may have noticed the man sitting on the red ball or may even have witnessed the incident. I would appeal to anyone who was in the vicinity at the time to get in touch with us. Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could help us trace the suspect. I would like to reassure local people, who may have concerns, that there will be a heightened police presence in the area and officers are there, not only to gather information but to provide reassurance to any concerned local residents.’

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cathcart Police Office on 0141 532 4900. Or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given in confidence and anonymously.

Titanic weekend raises hope

Harper Memorial Baptist Church in Kinning Park is buoyed up for a Titanic weekend starting Friday 13 April 2012.  One of the 1500 people lost when the Titanic sank 100 years ago, was John Harper who had been a minister of the church in Glasgow.  He was on his way to be a guest preacher in Chicago at the Moody Church.  And the current preacher in that American church – Dr Erwin W. Lutzer – will be the guest speaker in Glasgow during the commemorative events and services.

To recognise John Harper’s sacrifice – he gave his life vest to another man – the congregation has planned a wide variety of events to which they invite anyone along.

Friday 13 April started with a school  children’s holiday club. That evening a Christian rock band – Superhero – were scheduled to play their only UK gig. They’ve completed a European tour and are about to go on tour in the United States. That event is the only one where a door entry charge applies (£3)

On Saturday 14 – a commemorative service and re-dedication will be held in Craigton Cemetery, Cardonald at 2.30pm. There John Harper’s wife was buried and her headstone has details of his subsequent death when the Titanic sank after being holed by an iceberg on its  maiden voyage to America.  Dr Lutzer will conduct a service at the graveside and  local Councillors Alistair Watson and Iris Gibson are expected to attend.

That evening – the 100th year to the date of the sinking of the Titanic – a service of praise will be held in the church which is located off Paisley Road West in the midst of a complex of modern houses. Among the contributions will be the choir ‘Father’s Song.’

Sunday services, morning and evening, will be conducted by Dr Lutzer with communion being celebrated in the morning and the Govan Salvation Army Band playing in the evening.

 

 

Rwanda gets help from Oatlands

The Ladies of Oatlands who meet on a Wednesday for tea, conversation and a game of bingo, have raised more than £80 for destitute children in Rwanda.

Organiser Marie Reilly was crocheting a blanket when she first heard of volunteer Mary Millar going out to Rwanda to work with local projects. ‘I said then, I’d raffle the blanket when I finished it and give the proceeds to her for that work,’ said Marie.

And that’s what she did on Wednesday 11 April 2012. ‘We sold raffle tickets around in the community but mainly it was the pensioners who come on Wednesday afternoons to the OCRC (Oatlands Community Resource Centre who bought the tickets,’ ‘ she added.

The group heard how Mary works from dawn till dusk managing the projects which centre on street children and people with disabilities.

Marie is now gathering in more wool, knitting needles and crochet hooks and other craft supplies so that the Wednesday Ladies can run their own craft or art classes.  ’All donations would be gratefully received,’ said Ann Marie.

 

Titanic Weekend ahead

The Harper Memorial Baptist Church in Kinning Park Glasgow, is preparing for a mega weekend starting on Friday 13 April through till Sunday 15 April.

The church was named after Pastor John Harper who had grown it in the early 1900s and who was one of the 1500 people drowned when the Titanic sank.

The Glasgow Harper Memorial Baptist Church has a school children’s holiday club running from 10.30am till 12.30am on Friday 13.

That evening the Christian rock band ‘Superhero’ will play on their single UK gig before they head for America. There is a £3 ticket for this gig. tel: 01698 275343 or online@www.globookshop.co.uk/cgi-bin/newinto.pl?=s11

On Saturday 14 April at 2.30pm, a memorial and redidication service will be held in Craigton Cemetery Cardonald. The wife of John Harper is buried there and his sacrifice aboard the Titanic is recorded on her headstone.  The service will be conducted by Dr Erwin W. Lutzer of Moody Church in Chicago. It was to that church that John Harper was travelling when the vessel sank.

On Saturday evening at 7.30pm Dr Lutzer will preach and remember the events of exactly 100 years ago. Music will be provided by Father’s Song and a play about John Harper’s life will be presented for the first time.

On Sunday 15 April at 11am, the regular morning service will have Dr Lutzer as their guest speaker and communion will be celebrated.

The evening service on Sunday will feature Govan Salvation Army Band along with Dr Lutzer.

 

 

Croftfoot United F.C. growing

Croftfoot United Football Club is going from strength to strength.

Founded in 2006 by Robert Fox when he was 15  because there was nothing in the area for kids, it now costs almost £15,000 a year to run all the teams for four different age groups.

At the Club’s first ever ‘big event’ – on Saturday 31 March 2012 -when trophies were presented, sponsors, local Councillors, families and friends all agreed: ‘This is like one big family.’

Now a qualified

joiner,  Robert gave a clear, concise and informative power point presentation to the Club guests at Toryglen Football Centre while the boys played their games outside.  He said: ‘We are giving these kids a secure platform for life.  The Club provides good role models and is a family Club with a safe, secure environment. We encourage the kids to make progress and teach them core values and they find new friends here.’

Following a question asked by Councillor Archie Graham, Robert said there were no girls, as yet, playing in the teams. ‘We’re open to having them but so far, have not had any demand.’

Cups presented on the day included: Steven McKenna Cup for the 1999s; Kenny Walker Cup for the 2002/3s; Councillor Sadie Docherty Cup for the 2000 Blue’s; Ross carmichael Memorial Cup for the 2000 yellows and the Wullie Fox Memorial Cup.

 

TASK’S new premises officially opened

New childcare Services in Gorbals were described as ‘brilliant’ by Linda de Caestacker, Director of Public Health NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on Saturday (31 March 2012) when she formally opened them.

Operated by TASK Childcare Services, the Family Support and Learning Centre is at 347 Caledonia Road and was in past times, the Gaelic nursery.

Established in 1993, TASK provides high quality, flexible, affordable and accessible services and amenities. The organisation takes a holistic view of what they offer so that the broad needs of the families and individuals who come to their door, can be addresses.

Thanks to a cocktail of funding from  Big Lottery- Growing Community Assets –  European Regional Development Funding, Glasgow City Council’s Development and Regeneration Services, New Gorbals Housing Association and other sources; the £1.7 million required to re-develop the former nursery school building was secured.

More than 60 people heard Linda de Caestacker say the facility was ‘brilliant for Gorbals community and beyond.’

Said Margaret Gunning, the TASK Centre manager: ‘We aim to enable parents and carers to sustain employment or training and we offer support networks to disadvantaged groups. This will improve, significantly, the social and economic welfare of their families.’

In the new premises TASK can extend other services to children and young people and increase community and family services by extending respite care, offering community meeting space and programmes and building family capacity and parenting skills.  The new centre has created six new jobs.

Jane’s hope lives on

The story of a forgotten Scottish heroine who was murdered in Auschwitz was told in powerful performances by Tram Direct at Theatre at Queens on Glasgow’s Southside this week.

The harrowing details of Jane Haining’s final days as matron of a Church of Scotland orphanage for Jewish girls in Budapest, were dramatically retold by professional and community actors in ‘To Serve is to Resist.’

Because she refused to leave ‘her girls’ she was arrested and died with them in the gas chambers of the notorious Auschwitz concentration camp.

The performances were even more poignant because Jane had worshipped in the very building where Tram Direct now has its headquarters and theatre space. The congregation of what is now called Queen’s Park Church of Scotland, installed two stained glass windows to remember Jane’s sacrifice and some of the current congregation took part in scenes in the play.

One of the cast was from Budapest and had known of Jane’s bravery.  Aniko Szilagyi  is currently working for her PhD at the University of Glasgow. She first visited Glasgow in 1999 as a winner of an English speaking competition run in Budapest as a living memorial to Jane Haining. Said Aniko: ‘It is strange taking part in this play. It is part of my history.’

The play was commissioned by Isobel Barret founder of Tram Direct who runs it and Theatre Ecole from their base within Queen’s. ‘When I heard the story of Jane Haining I commissioned Ian Morland to write this play. It was a story that just had to be told and it was right here on our doorstep.’

The first act tells of Jane’s determination to work abroad as a Christian missionary and how she achieves her dream on being appointed matron of the Budapest girls’ home.

The second act illustrates vividly how, despite her suffering throughout interrogations and in the death camp, she never lost her faith in God. Skilful use of original film footage of Hitler speaking, set the context of the time. Nine songs interspersed throughout the play added to the emotional response of the acting.

Those who watched the play were left with a profound sense of awe at Jane’s courage. ‘This deserves to be wider known and seen,’ said one member of the audience.

 

Shettleston runners show their mettle

ATHLETICS REPORT by Alex Mackay

Shettleston Harriers competed at Maryhill on Saturday 24 March and at Grangemouth the next day. The Nigel Barge 10 K on Saturday saw Thomas Fay winning in 31.55mins from club mate Lachlan Oates by 30 secs. Matthew Turner finished 4th with brother Gary in 25th position. Peter Ward was 49th with Sarah Ward finishing 80th.

On Sunday at the 46th ‘Round the House’ road race at Grangemouth Shettleston’s Tewoldeberham Mengisteab finished 2nd behind Ross Houston of Central Ac. Mike Deason was 4th with Paul Sorrie 7th. Kevin Brydon finished in 24th position.

Meanwhile, on Thursday 23 March, Emma Arbuckle, running at the Renfrewshire Schools Cross Country, came away with the gold medal to add to her recent bronze. At Balloch Park Natasha Mackay, running in the Dunbartonshire Schools Cross Country, finished 4th just getting run out for the bronze medal a couple of metres from the line.

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