Glasgow deaths raise concern over treatment of asylum seekers

Ekklesia – A charity has expressed concern at the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers after three people plunged to their deaths from the 15th floor of a block of flats in Glasgow.

The tragic incident took place on Sunday morning, 7 March 2010.

Police have been investigating the deaths of two men and a woman at the Red Road block of flats in the Springburn area of Glasgow, reports Independent Catholic News (http://www.indcatholicnews.com/).

The identity of the three has not been confirmed, but neighbours believe they may be asylum seekers from Kosovo whose applications were rejected.

Robina Qureshi, the director of Positive Action in Housing (PAH), said: “The Red Road flats has housed hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers. We are concerned because [many] of our clients who are from refugee communities were living in the area. They live their daily lives under extreme pressure for years because their lives are on hold while they wait to hear if they will be granted leave to remain by the UK Borders Agency.”

Qureshi added: “As staff, we are daily confronted with the reality of asylum seekers coming into the office crying and upset because they have just been told they must leave the country and their money and housing is stopped a week later. It’s a big shock, having nowhere to live, no money for food, and being forbidden to work, and it’s like this for years, then they are faced with their biggest terror, destitution, disappearing or being detained.”

Read more