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NCADC News Service
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"The overuse of detention, the scale of destitution and the severity of removals are all areas which need attention before the system can be described as fit for purpose"


Inhumane and oppressive': the final verdict on Britain's asylum policy
The most comprehensive examination of the UK's asylum system ever conducted has found it "marred by inhumanity" and "not yet fit for purpose".

The report, published by the Independent Asylum Commission, is a damning indictment of the Home Office's failure to deal fairly with those applying for sanctuary in this country.
The commission found that Britain's treatment of asylum-seekers "falls seriously below the standards to be expected of a humane and civilised society". Its interim report will be delivered to the Home Office today by a delegation of asylum-seekers.
Full story: By Emily Dugan, The Independent, Thursday, 27 March 2008
 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/inhumane-and-oppressive-the-final-verdict-on-britains-asylum-policy-801219.html

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Anniversary of New Asylum Model should bring an end to shameful asylum detention, says charity

The charity Bail for Immigration Detainees has called on the government to use the one year anniversary of the New Asylum Model as an opportunity to stop detaining asylum seekers while their claims are decided.

Since the national roll-out of the New Asylum Model in March 2007, 1,205 asylum seekers have had their claims decided in detention under the fast track process despite the New Asylum Model offering faster timescales and greater contact with a dedicated Home Office case worker than the previous system for non-detained cases.

According to Amanda Shah of Bail for Immigration Detainees:

'The government is sticking to its target for 30% of new asylum claims to be heard in detention without justifying the continued need for the detained fast track since the introduction of the New Asylum Model. Non-detained processes exist and they should be used instead. It costs £903 per week to keep someone detained at Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre. This is a waste of taxpayers' money when alternatives to detention are available.'

Research carried out by the charity has shown that asylum claims heard in detention are set up to fail by the speed of the process, the pressures of the detained environment and the lack of legal representation for appeals.

'Since the government started to detain asylum seekers for its own administrative convenience, children, torture survivors and women who have been trafficked to the UK have all been wrongly detained while their asylum cases have been decided. This is a shameful way to treat vulnerable people coming to the UK in search of sanctuary' says the charity's Assistant Director, Amanda Shah
Download: Briefing paper on the detained fast track - March 2008
 http://www.biduk.org/pdf/Fast track/BID briefing paper on DFT.pdf

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Hackney Migrant Centre
Drop in every Wednesday from 26th March 2008
12.30 - 3.30pm
St Mary's New Church Rooms
Spensley Walk
off Stoke Newington Church Street
Stoke Newington
London

This is a weekly drop-in centre offering free practical help and social support to asylum seekers, refugees and recent migrants. People from any country are welcome whatever your immigration status.

*** Get professional advice on immigration, health and welfare problems
*** Share experiences and get support from people who understand what you are going through
*** Enjoy a cooked meal

Conatct ;
Mobile : 07504 332706 (call or text - we will ring you back if you do not have credit)
Email :  hmcentre@googlemail.com


End of Bulletin:

Source for this Message:
The Independent
BID
Hackney Migrant Centre

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