A number of people have written into the Herald newspaper in support of Bob Holman's open letter.
Now the government of the Scottish Parliament (admittedly it's impotent in this situation) and the cabinet positions of the Westminster government face monumental changes. The Rt. Hon John Reid has announced that he will step down his position as Home Secretary in June. And the department is to be split in two. New leaders could mean a clean sweep: all change. Who knows?
Please pray. Our nation's attitude to immigrants and asylum seekers is shaped by the government ministers - and, as Brodie pointed out a few posts ago - by the press. The civil servants carry out the Ministers' bidding; they don't change their jobs; their attitudes (helpful or unhelpful) may well remain the same. A sea level change is required for a new ethos to permeate throughout the whole department.
In the meantime, every Christian who knows someone in the asylum seeker hinterland of awaiting a decision on their application for Leave to Remain could find out more about their case. Is there any practical help you can give?
Do you see individuals and families in a position of powerlessness because of:
1.demotivated lawyers - not keeping in contact with their client, not replying to letters or phone calls?
2. fear and trauma; affecting mental and physical health, even to the extent where the person will not come to a hearing to be questioned? As one woman said to me in tears: "I let pots burn on the stove at night....I feel so numb and depressed every evening, uncertain and unsure of tomorrow?"
3. copious forms to fill out without the help of an interpreter and in impossibly short timescales? Don't know how your Kinyarwandan is, mine's bad!
If you see any of these things: can your church offer assistance with legal fees? Take an offering? We've managed to secure advice from a sympathetic solicitor for a number of people. Do you know of people who are free during the day to accompany folks to their legal appointments?
Encourage women (and men) to seek specific help with post-traumatic stress disorder/psychological or physical injuries from voluntary organisations such as the Medical Foundation for the care of victims of torture.
Specific advice and assistance with interpreting, form-filling and advocacy from:
Positive Action in Housing - there is specific advice here now on how to prepare for a "legacy cases"
Glasgow Welcomes Refugees (no website)
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