Stop the Destitution of Asylum Seekers

Soup Kitchen Protest - Outside the Home Office

Sections *55 and *57 of the Nationality,
Immigration and Asylum Act,
come into force on January 8th 2003.

On January 8th, the government is set to throw thousands of asylum seekers into complete destitution. Under rules contained in the 2002 Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act, asylum seekers who have not claimed asylum as soon as they arrive in the country will forfeit all rights to assistance from the National Asylum Support Service. Since they will also not be allowed to work, they will be without any form of income or support. Normally around 60% of asylum seekers file their claims a few days after their arrival in this country. Often they do not know procedures, or they fear what might happen to them if they report to immigration officials at ports and airports.

We are told these draconian measures along with a host of others contained in the Act will discourage people from claiming asylum in Britain. The truth is people fleeing from persecution are not motivated by the system of support they will find in the countries they seek to reach. Seeking asylum is a basic human right that government policy is denying.

Britain needs to uphold its commitment to the UN Convention on Refugees and provide a safe haven to those risking their lives in the pursuit of it. This means enabling asylum seekers to pursue their claims with appropriate levels of support and not forcing them into utter destitution.

We are calling on all those opposed to such measures to join us in our protest at the Home Office on the day this measure is being implemented.

Organised by:

Asylum Rights Campaign, Barbed
Wire Britain, Committee
to Defend Asylum Seekers, National Assembly
Against Racism.