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BLAIR'S OTHER CHRISTIAN FACE

boguschristseekers@10downingstreet.gov.uk | 19.02.2003 13:44

Tony loves flaunting christian creds but his outstanding achievement is still human rights abuse!!! He and his cohorts will best be remembered for hypocrisy, endless lies, and outright fascist behaviour. That is not exactly the same as Christian Compassion however Holy Tony chooses to define that.

Court rejects asylum cutbacks

Staff and agencies
Wednesday February 19, 2003

The high court today blocked tough new government rules that deny late claimants for asylum the right to state-funded food and shelter.

The ruling came after a group of six asylum seekers won their legal challenge against the Home Office rules, which have denied them housing and benefits.

The verdict will affect the cases of another 150 asylum seekers who have begun appeals on similar grounds, and seriously threatens the government's asylum reforms.

The home secretary, David Blunkett, said the government would be appealing against today's judgment. The appeal will be heard on March 3.

Mr Blunkett said: "We are deeply concerned that the high court has found against the Home Office and we will be appealing against the decision, with the attorney general taking the appeal on behalf of the government.

"This measure is an important part of our asylum reform programme, which is dealing with widespread abuse of the system and reducing unfounded claims.

"It is simple common sense that asylum seekers should lodge their claim as soon as they arrive if they expect support from the government.

Mr Justice Collins declared that the rules, as they were applied in six test cases, breached the European convention on human rights.

The judge ruled it had been established there was "a real risk" of destitution leading to injury to the asylum seekers' health.

He said "insufficient consideration" had been given to the issue and the decisions made in the case of the six "must be quashed and reconsidered, if that has not already happened".

Barry Stoyle, chief executive of the Refugee Legal Centre, said he was delighted with the high court ruling.

He said that Mr Blunkett's interpretation of section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 was too strict and did not allow for asylum seekers making claims very soon after arrival in the UK.

Such rigorous adherence to the act meant many asylum seekers were becoming increasingly impoverished.

Mr Stoyle said: "Denial of support will leave many asylum seekers without a roof over their head and without any money to feed themselves.

"Since they are prevented from working to support themselves, many without family or friends in this country will be left destitute.

Mr Stoyle added that the tough laws had made applying for asylum much harder. He said: "Many of the clients we see are traumatised, and face great difficulties in recounting their experiences at the best of times.

"This task is made more difficult when they are hungry, cold and destitute, and having to think more of their day-to-day survival on the streets."
 http://society.guardian.co.uk/asylumseekers/story/0,7991,898698,00.html

boguschristseekers@10downingstreet.gov.uk