Glasgow MPs name for inquiry into deaths of three asylum seekers

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Glasgow MPs name for inquiry into deaths of three asylum seekers

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By Catriona Renton & Mary McCool
BBC Scotland

Mercy Baguma

picture captionMercy Baguma was discovered lifeless in a flat after her toddler’s crying was heard

A bunch of Glasgow MPs have referred to as for a deadly accident inquiry (FAI) into the deaths of three asylum seekers.

Adnan Walid Elbi, Badreddin Abedlla Adam and Mercy Baguma all died this yr whereas within the care of the UK asylum system.

Whereas every demise occurred individually, in a letter to the Lord Advocate MPs stated they had been linked to “broader social and situational elements”.

It follows criticism of the town’s asylum seeker

“lodging disaster”.

In Could, Mr Elbi was discovered lifeless in his room in non permanent lodging at MacLays Visitor Home – the 30-year-old had fled his dwelling in Syria. The reason for demise was marked as “unascertained”.
The next month, Mr Adam from Sudan was shot lifeless by police after stabbing six individuals, together with an officer, on the Park Inn resort.

Asylum seekers had been moved there in response to the coronavirus pandemic, which the Dwelling Workplace referred to as a “non permanent measure”.

picture copyrightDwelling Workplace

picture captionBadreddin Abadlla Adam was shot lifeless by police after attacking six individuals

Refugee charity Optimistic Motion in Housing held a press convention following the incident, which heard among the asylum seekers within the Park Inn had been “determined and susceptible”.

The asylum seekers stated lots of them had no home windows or recent air of their rooms. Additionally they stated that they had been in a dire psychological well being scenario.

Then on 22 August Ms Baguma, initially from Uganda, was found lifeless in a flat after her toddler son’s crying was heard.

Optimistic Motion in Housing stated Ms Baguma had claimed asylum, however lived in “excessive poverty” and misplaced her job after her proper to work within the UK expired. The reason for her demise continues to be being investigated.

‘Dwelling Workplace-sanctioned poverty’

Within the letter seen by BBC Scotland, the seven MPs spotlight how the lads had been moved from housing with monetary assist to a resort room within the metropolis centre, when “all monies stopped on arrival”.

They stated there have been “no obvious vulnerability assessments” carried out.

Additionally they stated it was unclear whether or not Ms Baguma was receiving asylum assist, though “she was within the asylum process”.

The letter reads: “We have now lengthy been involved in regards to the high quality and adequacy of the lodging and monetary assist offered by the Dwelling Workplace to asylum seekers underneath its jurisdiction.

“In our expertise, housing is usually sourced on the low finish of the non-public rental sector. Monetary assist quantities to £37.95 per week per particular person, amounting to about solely half of the social safety minimal.

“It is usually our clear view that this quantities to Dwelling Workplace sanctioned extreme poverty at finest and utter destitution at worse.”

The letter is signed by Glasgow MPs Chris Stephens, Stewart McDonald, David Linden, Anne McLaughlin, Alison Thewliss, Patrick Grady and Carol Monoghan.

The Crown Workplace was unable to substantiate receipt of the letter, dated 18 September, however stated all correspondence can be responded to sooner or later.

Can enhancements be made?

If commissioned, a deadly accident inquiry investigates and determines the circumstances of a demise in Scotland.

Chris Stephens MP believes the method might probably hyperlink the three instances and shine a lightweight on any failings within the asylum system.

He stated: “I feel the asylum system is just not treating individuals with respect and dignity.

“It is simply not proper that asylum seekers live on £37 every week – that is what I used to be incomes as a brand new trainee 30 years in the past.

“We have to know if there are enhancements that may be made.”

The Dwelling Workplace has been contacted for remark.

Associated Subjects

  • Refugees and asylum seekers

  • Glasgow
  • Dwelling Workplace



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