By Lewis
Refugees and asylum seekers
According to the 1951 Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees a refugee is a person who: ‘owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country’.
An asylum seeker is someone who has applied to the government to be recognised as a refugee. In Scotland most asylum seekers today are from Peoples Republic of China, Iran, Nigeria and Iraq. Many countries from which asylum seekers come are recognised by Amnesty International to have chronic human rights abuses or conflicts.
Asylum seekers are from all sections of society. Many are skilled professionals: teachers, doctors, engineers and journalists who had good jobs in their own country.
Since the introduction of the 1999 Asylum and Immigration Act, it is estimated that 9,000 asylum seekers have been dispersed to Glasgow.
Studies have shown that asylum seekers in the UK are the most likely of the non-white population to encounter hostility. A poll in June 2002 found that 24% of Scots thought that it was justifiable to verbally attack asylum seekers who receive housing and benefits in Scotland.
The First Asylum Seeker in Scotland
Seven years ago, the first asylum seekers arrived in Scotland after fleeing their homelandsGangs target asylum seekers
But it seems they still have a long way to go before they can claim to have escaped persecution in this country.
A rising tide of youth disorder targeted at asylum seekers and their families takes place against a backdrop where 60% of the asylum seekers granted permission to stay in Glasgow by the Home Office subsequently leave the city, according to the Scottish Executive.
Despite the valiant efforts of community groups and volunteers, many refugees feel far from welcome, let alone assimilated into the wider society.
Racist incidents within the Strathclyde Police area have soared from 968 six years ago to more than 1,500 in 2006 and 2007.
What Is a Refugee?
A refugee is a person who is outside their country of origin or habitual residence because they have suffered persecution or for personal reasons on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because they are a member of a persecuted ‘social group’. Such a person may be referred to as an ‘asylum seeker’ until recognised by the state where she makes her claim.
I Hope You Enjoyed!
Today you have learned what an asylum seeker is! And about the first asylum seeker in Scotland
