Healthcare ruling from Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal has ruled that refused asylum seekers have no legal entitlement to free healthcare, but that hospitals should use their discretion when deciding whether to treat someone who is unable to pay for their treatment or return home.
Donna Covey, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council, said: “It cannot be right to deny vulnerable asylum seekers life saving treatment simply because they are unable to pay for it, and we hope that this ruling will offer extra protection to those who are very sick and vulnerable.”
“However, we remain concerned that a charging regime for refused asylum seekers still exists at all. Almost all asylum seekers arrive in the UK with nothing, and a great many of those who are refused but who can’t go home straight away end up homeless and destitute. To refuse treatment to those people simply because they cannot pay for it is appalling and inhumane.”
Read the full Refugee Council press release
24Dash.com: ‘Failed asylum seekes have no right to free health care’ – Court of Appeal
BBC News: Failed asylum seekers denied NHS
The Guardian: Failed asylum seekers not entitled to free NHS treatment
Refused asylum seeker killed in Sudan
A refused Sudanese asylum seeker was shot by government security forces after being returned to his home country.
Adam Osman Mohammed died after returning to his village in south Darfur under the assisted voluntary return programme after being refused asylum in the UK.
Amnesty International’s UK refugee programme director, Jan Shaw, said, “Darfur is still incredibly dangerous. No one should be removed to Sudan at the present time.”
“People from Sudan have been refused asylum here, but at present they can’t be removed. Yet in most cases this means that all their support is cut off and they could be left destitute on the streets with nothing. It’s tragic if some people then get so desperate that they return to Sudan despite the risks to their safety.”
The Independent: Sent back by Britain. Executed in Darfur
The Press Association: ‘Murder’ of failed UK asylum seeker
Debate over refugees in Calais steps up
The debate over what French and UK authorities should do about the hundreds of people who are sleeping rough in the Calais area in the hope of being able to enter Britain continued in the media. Eric Besson, the French immigration minister, confirmed that shelters to provide food, showers and legal advice would be provided.
Charities in the area have been calling for much needed help for those who are living in desperate conditions.
BBC News: Desperate lives of Calais migrants
The Times: Briefing: Passage to Britain
The Times: Children risk lives to sneak into Britain
The Independent: British outpost in Calais to speed deportations
The Independent: The forgotten people
Still Human Still Here exhibition highlights destitution
Photographs of people who have been refused asylum and are living in destitution as they can not return home are on display at the Host Gallery in London.
BBC News: In pictures: Still Human, Still Here
Protesters at detention centre attempt to stop deportation of Kurds
A group of protestors superglued themselves to the front gate of Tinsley House immigration centre to prevent a group of Kurdish refugees being flown to Iraq.
One protestor said: “Aside from the ethical implications of handcuffing and deporting innocent people under the threat of the baton, by not telling them when they’re going to be deported, they deprive many people from adequate legal representation.”
The Guardian: Protestors glue themselves to gate to try and prevent deportation of Kurds
BBC News: Nine held after deportation demo
New exhibition of refugees’ photos
Photographs taken by women refugees are on display in a new exhibition, Inspiration Amidst Asylum, at Manchester town hall.
The women were asked to photograph what gives them the inspiration and strength to carry on through adversity.
Manchester Evening News:Refugees’ inspirational photos
Refugee storyline in Scottish soap
Soap River City has featured a character who is a Congolese asylum seeker.
Actress Khadija Coll who plays the role and has also campaigned against female circumcision and for refugees’ rights told The Herald: “Racism happens because of ignorance. The more people know about asylum seekers, the better.”
The Herald: Women’s rights campaigner swaps Kenya for Shieldinch
Celebrities auction underwear to raise money for destitute refugees
Celebrities including Helen Mirren, Jarvis Cocker, artists Marc Quinn and Steve Bell, Tilda Swinton, Jordan and Theo Walcott are auctioning their underwear to raise money for a drop in centre for destitute asylum seekers.
The Guardian: Take 10: Celebrity pants
The Guardian: Gallery
