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Parliament protest over plight of failed asylum seekers
Evening Standard1 Oct 2008
A protest camp has been set up in Parliament Square to draw attention to the plight of failed asylum seekers.
A web designer and media consultant are sharing a tent and surviving on only a £20 Red Cross food parcel for a fortnight.
Ben Gibbs and Ben Gilchrist, both from Manchester, say they are acting out of solidarity with some of the most destitute people in Britain, whose treatment they consider immoral.
They hope to meet MPs and ministers to argue for a change to the policy which abandons people a fortnight after their asylum application has been rejected. There are 230,000 failed asylum seekers in Britain who are too frightened to return home, said Mr Gibbs, 27. The Government has no idea where many of them are and they do not qualify for any support.
Mr Gilchrist, 30, added: "The policy of deliberate destitution is both inhumane and ineffective. Our aim is to convince MPs of the need for policy changes to stop such destitution.
"If people can't return home, they should be given the means to live until they are either able to return safely, or granted leave to remain here on appeal." The pair have set up camp alongside peace protester Brian Haw.
Reader views (12)
Hi,
I would like to thanks Gibbs and Gilchrist for raising the issue for the people who are too scared to come forward and ask for basic help for the fear of deportation. Administration knows this well but still reacts like a heartless spectator not willing to interfere for any good. It seems like refugees in Darfur may have more access to basic health care, food and shelter than this poor souls surviving in UK. At least refugees in Darfur must have a tent over their head and a hope for better future...
- Tarandeep Gill, Plumstead, 21/10/2008 23:47
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I agree with Ian M. These people are willing to work, so let them. They will be adding to the economy this way. Moreover, I believe that very many of them are more educated than the average Briton (myself included I'm ashamed to say). Most of them would also do many jobs that the average Briton wouldn't touch with a barge pole.
- Arayemi Fawehinmi, Harrow, England, 08/10/2008 14:54
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Surely we need immigrants in this country to earn taxes, and contribute towards those currently retiring's pension - since the working age population is dwingling. There's a lot of work that people just don't want to do, or dont have the capabilities to do of all skill levels in this country. Let them stay. Let them work. Let them contribute. Let them be able to support themselves. We've got all that debt the bankers have given the country to pay off. We need all the help we can get.
- Ian M, England, 02/10/2008 18:49
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HI
Thanks to supporting the refused asylum,I am a woman from Iran,I came to uk on 2000,but my applcation for asylum has been refused on 2002 and I dont had support at all now I dont know what I have to do,here the animals have there on rights but we dont and I cant belive.
- Fahimeh, Manchetsre, 02/10/2008 10:46
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People like these pair of merchants, are enemies of the general public.
You know most people in this country have had enough, when you hear black and asian people who were not born here, but came here, now want to leave, especially for the sake of their children.
Economic scroungers are parasites, end of story
- P I Staker, London, 01/10/2008 23:04
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Hmmmm "failed asylum seekers" - that means they didn't meet the criteria for residence. So these men want the country to accept and support them anyway, despite that failure. Ergo, they want the whole process tossed out and, by definition, open borders.
Yeah, that'll work.
I don't think!
- Rogan, DFW TX, 01/10/2008 17:13
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What these two men are actually saying is that there are 230,000 asylum seekers in this country that should have not been allowed entry from the start and now they will not leave. Most of these travelled across many safe countries to get here so it was not asylum they are seeking. Under Labour this country has become a joke with immigration and welfare. All asylum seekers should be kept in detention centers until their cases are heard and decisions have been made on their status, this will reduce the numbers applying as the ywill not be getting free handouts from the get go and this will ensure swift deportation of bogus apllicants.
- Brandon Thomas, London UK, 01/10/2008 14:36
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These people are cowards. If their countries are in such a mess its their duty to stay and improve it for the women and children. What would have been said of my late uncles if they had pushed off to America instead of joining the forces in the last war. Its extraordinary how a different set of standards apply to benefit immigrants.
- Fred, Horsham, 01/10/2008 14:21
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How much have they personally given to those failed wannabees? Have they allowed them to sleep in their homes? There should be a register of all those who support asylum seekers, so that they can be forced to pay for them.
- Ralph, GB, 01/10/2008 14:19
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'230,000 failed asylum seekers in Britain who are too frightened to return home'
Yes afraid of having no homes, money, benefits, all mostly paid by english people. We will never stop this unless we have dedecaited people kicking these 'and the rest uncounted' out!
- Leo, East London, 01/10/2008 12:51
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yawn......do-gooders at it yet again. If the UK is so bad, why do they travel through so many countries to get her? simple answer - benefits!!!
- Gary, wycombe, 01/10/2008 09:50
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These people are given every opportunity to leave the country, financed by hard working tax payers. These two bleeding heart lefty liberals, would have us paying for the entire third world.
I am quite happy to pay for a couple of one way flights for them to leave.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 01/10/2008 09:08
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