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Heartbreaking, Philida it leads one to wonder where these things go astray on their way to the decision makers and why. Presumably, since those who received your report ignored the analysis, they provided some other figures. I wonder if they actually read your report at all, or just ticked a box. What a waste of your time and effort. Possibly a case of second guessing what the bosses might want to hear. I ask myself whether itıs wilful destructiveness or sloppy short-sightedness and ignorance of people incapable of doing their jobs. On a personal note, did you find yourself cited as a source of expert information, though youıd clearly been ignored? I understand this happened in the case of the Core Curriculum and materials work people found themselves linked to things theyıd protested against.. Infuriating. All the best Frances On 29/3/07 10:24, "Philida Schellekens" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Dear all > > Frances' email struck a real chord with me. In 2000-01, I was commissioned > by DfEE, as it was then, to write a report on ESOL. This was in the heady > days, when the SfL strategy took shape. One of the aspects I looked at was > what the national need for ESOL provision might be. I have attached my > report and you will find analysis on pp 19-20 where I used census and home > office data to establish how many people in the UK came from countries where > English is not the national language. In the absence of accurate data, I > estimated also that in 2001 between 1 and 1.5 million had insufficient English > to function in society, education and work, and hence would benefit from > language provision. Considering the limited availability of learning ops, > this also indicated a huge backlog of learners at that time and the need to > plan for sustained delivery under SfL. We have since seen that the system has > come under even more pressure because of the influx from the accession > countries but in reality this is part of a long-term trend in immigration and > pressure on education. > > I have had informal acknowledgement from officials since then that my data > were in fact a realistic indication of need but they were ignored at the time. > > Regards - Philida > > > From: ESOL-Research discussion forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On > Behalf Of Frances Nehme > Sent: 29 March 2007 08:45 > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: Forwarded: Yorkshire print coverage of Joseph Rowntree > destitution inquiry 28 March > > This has all been so disappointing. > Since the bad old days of paid-for ESOL classes where many of us ended up > having to weed out au-pairs and deal with all the issues of remission of fees > then through all the trials of no benefits and food vouchers, we had things > going so well for our students with free lessons and quals, even in some > cases, supplying travel expenses, child-care, books and stationery. > > Political memory seems so short, they go round and round with these different > strategies to cope and seem to make the same horrible mistakes over again. It > is possible that it is caused by the corruption of power and general cynicism > of politicians, however I think the explanation may be down to communication > and information. > > Figures are provided to government agencies, the right decisions are made, > everything goes ahead, we all get excited about the possibilities and then it > becomes apparent that the figures provided are way out and that we have many > more ESOL students to pay for it is too expensive and everyone backs away > from it again. > Who informs of numbers? Who advises these quangos? > We only have to look at the planning for the Core Curriculum training where > the estimate of the number of ESOL teachers was nowhere near the reality and > the ESOL materials fiasco where nothing like the required numbers of teachersı > packs was produced. > Effective and generous planning for properly funded provision can only take > place if the figures are correct and they never are. > > Rant, rant! > Frances > > > On 28/3/07 17:24, "James Simpson" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > >> Hello >> More on the report from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust report on >> destitution among asylum seekers. This is a summary of today's press reports >> from the papers in Leeds, where fieldwork for the study took place last >> year. >> Thanks to Richard Byrne of the Refugee Council for collating these. >> James >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf >> Of Richard Byrne >> Sent: 28 March 2007 14:52 >> Subject: YorksRAM Yorkshire print coverage of Joseph Rowntree destitution >> inquiry 28 March >> >> Dear all >> >> See below weblinks and pasted text from Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire >> Evening Post coverage of the Joseph rowntree destitution inquiry. >> >> Yorkshire Evening post will run something on it again tomorrow (Thursday) >> alongside coverage of a Congolese anti deportation vigil.. >> >> Obviously letters of support to the papers concerned a good idea >> >> >> Richard Byrne >> >> Regional Officer >> >> Refugee Council >> >> 0113 386 2235/ 07776 203404 >> >> http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2183845&SectionID= >> 55 >> <http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2183845&Secti >> onID=55> >> <http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2183845%26Section >> ID=55> >> >> >> http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2184351&SectionID=1 >> 04 >> <http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2184351&Sectio >> nID=104> >> <http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2184351%26SectionI >> D=104> >> >> >> http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2184766&SectionID=5 >> 5 >> <http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2184766&Sectio >> nID=55> >> <http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2184766%26SectionI >> D=55> >> >> http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2184766&SectionID=5 >> 5&ArticlePage=2 >> <http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2184766&Sectio >> nID=55&ArticlePage=2> >> <http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2184766%26SectionI >> D=55%26ArticlePage=2> >> >> http://www.leedstoday.net/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2185652&SectionID=39 >> <http://www.leedstoday.net/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2185652&SectionID=3 >> 9> >> <http://www.leedstoday.net/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2185652%26SectionID=39> >> >> http://www.leedstoday.net/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2185511&SectionID=45 >> <http://www.leedstoday.net/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2185511&SectionID=4 >> 5> >> <http://www.leedstoday.net/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2185511%26SectionID=45> >> >> >> >> Plight of the refugees left to rot in Yorkshire >> >> By Mike Waites >> >> A DAMNING report which exposes "appalling and inhumane" conditions facing >> destitute asylum seekers in Yorkshire today calls for urgent changes to >> Government policy. >> >> >> >> The study funded by the York-based Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust warns >> that there is an "invisible" population of as many as half a million failed >> asylum seekers in Britain. >> >> It said most were homeless, hungry and hidden. Evidence from a survey of >> more than 100 refused asylum seekers and refugees in Leeds found that one in >> four had slept rough and a third had been living hand-to-mouth for more >> than 12 months. >> >> Many were suffering "grave" social and health problems and wrestling with >> thoughts of suicide. >> >> In January the Yorkshire Post revealed how thousands of failed asylum >> seekers were living in destitution in Yorkshire as the chaos surrounding >> deportations left many facing years of poverty. >> >> A pregnant woman sleeping rough in a telephone box, a pensioner denied >> surgery to prevent blindness and women refused chemotherapy for cancer were >> among cases highlighted. >> >> Today's report brands it a "scandal" that people were destitute as a direct >> result of Government policy. >> >> It calls on Ministers to give them licences to work, with access to food, >> accommodation and health care for others who cannot work. >> >> It also wants an end to the role of the Home Office in ruling on asylum >> claims together with swifter decision-making based on "British values". >> >> Journalist Kate Adie, who chaired the inquiry, said: "Destitution is >> shaming, both for the individual and for the society that tolerates it. >> >> "It has become abundantly clear to us that the appropriate response to this >> issue does not depend on whether you are a soft-hearted 'asylum seeker >> hugger' or a tough-minded defender of Britain's borders. >> >> "For the benefit of everyone, there has got to be urgent and pragmatic >> reform which brings these people in from the shadows so that they can be >> treated humanely, contribute to the community and remain inside the system." >> >> The acting chief executive of the Refugee Council, Anna Reisenberger, said: >> "We hope this balanced and reasonable report from an independent inquiry >> will finally convince the Government that its policy towards refused asylum >> seekers has failed and that urgent reform is needed." >> >> She said Government policy of using destitution to force people to return to >> their home countries might look tough but was not delivering results. >> >> "For all sorts of reasons many refused asylum seekers cannot return home, at >> least for the time being," she said. >> >> "Given that, the policy of denying refused asylum seekers all support and >> refusing them the right to work manages to be both immoral and pointless." >> >> Volunteer worker Christine Majid, of support group Positive Action for >> >> Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Leeds, said the problem was becoming worse. >> >> "We are looking back now at 200 years since slavery was abolished but I >> wonder how we will look back at leaving people destitute like this," she >> said. >> >> "People should be given the chance to help themselves through work. Just to >> throw them on the street with nothing is inhumane." >> >> Last night the Home Office rejected criticisms in the report, which will be >> launched today in the House of Commons. >> >> Minister Joan Ryan said: "Our asylum system is a fair one. It ensures that >> support is available to someone claiming asylum from the time they arrive in >> the UK until the outcome of their claim is determined. >> >> "But it is not right to ask the UK taxpayer to fund - potentially >> indefinitely - those who choose to remain when it is open to them to return >> to a home country that has been found safe for them to live in." >> >> Last Updated: 28 March 2007 >> >> >> >> >> >> Tough talk masks flaws >> >> >> THIS Government has achieved a rare feat in managing to devise a system for >> dealing with failed asylum seekers that satisfies neither those who demand a >> hard line is taken nor those with a more liberal outlook on the issue. >> >> A process which has left as many as 5,000 people, including some who are >> seriously ill, on the streets of Yorkshire with no means of return home, >> meagre benefits and no legal opportunity to earn a living is manifestly >> failing both the individuals involved and the British public. >> >> As the new research from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust acknowledges, >> it is desirable that those who seek asylum receive a swift and fair decision >> and that those whose applications are rejected should be returned to their >> country of origin as quickly as possible. >> >> With that aim in mind, the Government's policy of limited support is >> designed to discourage failed asylum seekers from staying here. However, it >> is based on the flawed assumption that it is always possible for them to >> return home straight away when for a host of practical reasons it is >> sometimes not. >> >> As a result, Ministers have only succeeded in creating a group of people in >> administrative >> >> limbo who have nowhere to go and cannot be productive members of society >> while they remain here. >> >> There should be no let-up in efforts to promptly repatriate failed asylum >> seekers but subjecting those with no means of immediate return to enforced >> destitution does nothing to help. In fact, it may even be making the problem >> worse by discouraging failed asylum seekers from engaging with the >> authorities. >> >> Politicians are fond of sounding tough on asylum issues, knowing such >> sentiments will meet with approval from the bulk of voters. But a system >> that leaves pregnant women penniless is not tough, it is just hopelessly >> flawed. >> >> Ministers must separate the issue of the treatment of failed asylum seekers >> while they are here from efforts to have them removed. Only by making the >> former more humane and expediting the latter will they secure long- term >> public confidence in the asylum system. >> >> Last Updated: 28 March 2007 >> >> Life in limbo for Iranian forced to rely on church >> >> >> By Mike Waites <mailto:[log in to unmask]> >> >> The 'appalling and inhumane' conditions faced by failed asylum seekers are >> highlighted today in a damning report. Mike Waites spoke to three people >> forced to flee their homes but reduced to living in destitution on the >> streets of Yorkshire. >> >> Main report: Plight of the refugees left to rot in Yorkshire ğ >> <http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2183845%26SectionI >> D=55> >> >> CASE STUDY 1 >> >> CIVIL servant Yadullah Nahwi had never considered leaving Iran. >> University-educated, he had worked for the Home Office in the Kurdish area >> of the country. >> >> >> His position gave him access to information about human rights abuses in the >> region which he says caused him increasing concern and he secretly joined an >> outlawed political party. >> >> Eighteen months ago he was forced to flee, fearing he could be imprisoned >> after his activities were discovered. >> >> He was smuggled across the border into Turkey, travelling in a separate >> vehicle to his brother Moshtaba, 23. >> >> His brother was discovered in a search and returned to Iran where he was >> imprisoned. >> >> Months later his family were told they could collect his body from where he >> had been held. >> >> Speaking through an interpreter, Mr Nahwi, 28, said there was evidence his >> brother had been tortured before his death. >> >> He journeyed overland through Europe until he was smuggled into Britain - he >> did not know his final destination. >> >> He claimed asylum and was later dispersed to Halifax. But his application >> was denied. >> >> He was evicted from his accommodation in the town and now relies on help >> from a support centre at St Augustine's Church in Halifax where he carries >> out voluntary work. He moves from place to place, staying where he can. >> >> He eats irregularly and relies on charity clothing. >> >> He says he cannot register with a GP because he has no papers. >> >> He will not be returned to Iran because Britain has no arrangements with the >> authorities there - leaving him in limbo. >> >> "I never thought that one day I would leave Iran," he said. >> >> "Here I cannot live - sometimes I feel like I've had enough. Anyone would >> want to better their situation in life but I can't do anything. >> >> "I would like to use what I know, the skills I have, to help other people - >> but my situation makes me feel depressed because I've no right to do >> anything. >> >> "I hope one day I can get to a place where I can help people. >> >> "I know so many others in the same situation as me. If they have an >> opportunity they can be good people to be helpful for Britain. >> >> "I didn't leave Iran to get money or to get a job. I ran away to live as a >> human and with freedom - freedom of what I want to say and do." >> >> He said he had seen Britain as a place which supported human rights and >> people in need but he added: "I have seen something different. I didn't >> think it would be like it is. >> >> "I would just like to live comfortably and in peace." >> >> >> CASE STUDY 2 >> 'Madness' of raising baby with no home >> >> OMAR fled his home in the East African state of Burundi in 2002. >> >> He farmed with his father but one day his village was attacked and returned >> home to find his father unconscious, walls spattered with blood, and no >> sign of his wife and two children. >> >> Fearing for his life, he made his way to the South African port of Durban >> and stowed away on a ship. After three days he went looking for food. >> Fortunately he was treated well by the crew who sailed on to Britain. >> >> He claimed asylum in London and was dispersed to Wakefield, learning English >> at college. >> >> He lived here for two years but discovered his Somali partner Fatima, who he >> had met in London, was expecting. They married but it was then that his >> application for asylum, like his partner's, was turned down. >> >> As a result they were forced to leave Wakefield and moved to Leeds where >> Tahir was born in November 2005. They had no problems with medical care, but >> the same has not been true of accessing help with childcare. He cannot work >> and is not entitled to a home despite the baby. >> >> Only recently have they been given benefits of just £30 a week for Tahir. >> They have moved more than 10 times, sleeping wherever they can. Living from >> hand to mouth with a baby has taken its toll and his wife, 38, has become >> depressed. >> >> Omar, 35, who does not want to give his full name for fear of the >> authorities, said he does not know what will happen. He cannot take his son >> to Burundi because it is not safe and his wife cannot return to Somalia. >> >> "I'm stuck," he said. "They should give us the chance to work so we can help >> ourselves. If I have a job or some money I can go to another country but I >> can't do that if I don't have a job or any papers. How they expect people to >> live with no home and no job is absolute madness." >> >> >> CASE STUDY 3 >> 'I want to live, survive, work ... but it's like being in a cage' >> >> ADAM fled torture and religious persecution in Ethiopia and Eritrea to seek >> asylum in Britain. >> >> But he feels he has swapped imprisonment in Africa only to discover a >> different kind of confinement as a failed asylum seeker. >> >> He has been living without money, food or accommodation in Leeds for >> two-and-a-half years, fearing he will be killed if he returns to Ethiopia. >> >> Instead he faces a hand-to-mouth existence, eating when he can and >> sometimes sleeping rough. >> >> Now 24, Adam - not his real name - was born in Eritrea but left for >> Ethiopia as a child. With parents from both countries, he says he was >> treated by the Ethiopian authorities as a spy. >> >> He was imprisoned, tortured and finally dumped on the Eritrean border. He >> went to live with an uncle, his only remaining close relative, but he was >> warned to leave amid fears of persecution for his religious beliefs - he is >> a Jehovah's Witness. >> >> "I am a civilian, I don't know about politics," he said. "I told them I was >> not a spy, just a normal person." >> >> He flew to Britain and initially lived in Ipswich before being dispersed to >> Leeds. He had to quickly put together an asylum application despite not >> having any English and blames a poor translation for being turned down and >> the failure of an appeal. >> >> "Everyone likes their own country because you can speak your own language, >> you can work or you can learn. But when I go back to my country I know they >> will kill me and I prefer to stay alive here," he said. >> >> "But staying here in England, I am a prisoner. They threw me out of my >> accommodation and the money stopped. There is no education and we're not >> allowed to work. It's like being in a cage. >> >> "I want to live, I want to survive but I can't. I don't have a house, >> clothes or food." >> >> Adam, who worked in farming back home, goes from place to place looking for >> a roof over his head but sometimes ends up sleeping rough. >> >> He goes to a twice-weekly drop-in centre where he can get hot meals but he >> cannot take food parcels >> >> because he has nowhere to put them and relies on friends for other meals and >> accommodation. >> >> "If they have a good heart they will give you something but sometimes you >> get nothing. You can be helped for one day or one week but you cannot get >> help all your life," he said. >> >> He said he was suffering increasing stress from the constant pressure as >> well as the memories from being beaten and horribly tortured. Prior to >> losing his appeal, he had access to drug treatments for his condition but >> this has been withdrawn. >> >> "I wish I could be given some peaceful days but I will not get them," he >> said. >> >> "Here the torture is mental. Sometimes I am in town when it's crowded and I >> look at all the people and what they are doing but I don't have anything in >> my life. >> >> "There are rights for animals in England but there are no rights for human >> beings. All I can do is pray to God to give me something." >> >> Last Updated: 28 March 2007 >> >> By Mike Waites <mailto:[log in to unmask]> >> >> Call for change to deal with plight of destitute >> >> THE HIGHLY-critical report calls for major changes in Government policy to >> address the plight of half a million failed asylum seekers living in >> destitution. >> >> Asylum seekers become destitute with no income or accommodation after their >> claim for asylum is refused. They cannot work and can only access urgent NHS >> care. >> >> They can apply for vouchers worth £35 a week as well as accommodation but >> only if they agree to return to their home country. Most do not because they >> are frightened of returning. The majority simply disappear. >> >> The study, commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, calls for >> failed asylum seekers to be given the chance to work and for reasonable help >> such as basic food, shelter and healthcare to be given. >> >> It argues this would help the authorities keep track of people as well as >> helping failed asylum seekers, the economy and local communities. It said: >> >> · Asylum seekers should be encouraged to make a contribution to >> society rather than relying on handouts; >> · The authorities should always know where asylum seekers are to >> prevent them disappearing; >> · The asylum process should be swift, determined by historic British >> values as well as international conventions; >> · Dealing with asylum should cost the taxpayer as little as is >> consistent with fairness; >> · Support should be available for all people in areas where asylum >> seekers are living - the host population should not have their quality of >> life diminished; >> >> · Policy should be based on British values. It should be creditable >> and a benefit to the country and avoid creating need and instability; >> >> >> Inquiry chairman Kate Adie said: "Hungry and homeless people who lack any >> sense of purpose in their lives, who cannot, will not or fear to return to >> their country of origin ought not to disappear into a murky twilight on the >> fringe of society. >> >> "It benefits no one. It has a negative impact on the economy, on public >> health, on community relations. >> >> The report said a work licence would be conditional on maintaining contact >> with the authorities and keeping a clean criminal record. Otherwise failed >> asylum seekers would maintain an underground black economy. >> >> It said there was a culture of "denial" at the Home Office in which asylum >> applications were refused if there were any reasonable grounds to do so. It >> calls for decision making to be removed from the Home Office to free it from >> political interference. >> >> "Politicians need to make it clear that adopting more efficient, humane >> policies towards asylum seekers is not a soft option. The truth is the exact >> opposite, the changes we propose will allow for more efficient repatriation, >> decrease the burden asylum seekers place on society and reduce criminality" >> >> >> Thousands caught in poverty trap with little help on offer >> >> THE report examines the plight of destitute asylum seekers in Leeds. No one >> knows how many there are in the city but estimates suggest at least 3,500. >> >> The Yorkshire Post has already exposed cases of a pregnant woman sleeping >> rough in a telephone box and women refused chemotherapy for cancer amid >> evidence of malnutrition, infectious diseases and worsening mental health. >> Of 101 destitute asylum seekers surveyed in Leeds by the report team, eight >> had families. >> >> A total of 38 had been destitute for more than a year and one for up to four >> years. They came from 21 countries - a quarter from Eritrea, 14 per cent >> from Sudan and 12 per cent from Iran. Twenty nine had slept outdoors or at >> the city's bus station, including three women. >> >> Researchers found they relied on friends, voluntary groups and churches for >> basics. Some worked illegally but all means of support were "highly >> precarious". >> >> One woman had exchanged household chores for shelter. Another had a >> miscarriage and sought alternative medicine through friends, fearing she >> would be deported if she accessed NHS care. >> >> Many lived in destitution which had an "acute impact" on their lives leading >> to self-harm and suicidal thoughts. >> >> The report added: "Some spoke of how they had >> >> thought that the UK was a fair, democratic country that respected human >> rights but that their experiences reversed this view." >> >> It found voluntary sector support was "hugely impressive" but the work was >> essentially "firefighting - an attempt to ameliorate the damage done by >> national policy" and hampered by a lack of resources, reliance on donations >> and restrictions on asylum seekers. >> >> Giving asylum seekers the right to work was overwhelmingly the favoured >> solution. Council chiefs and business leaders said the new workers would >> benefit Yorkshire and could easily be absorbed. >> >> Christine Majid, one of two staff at the support group Positive Action for >> Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Leeds, said this month had been its busiest >> ever with 340 people receiving a range of support. For the first time it had >> run out of food. >> >> Since February last year, it had helped more than 2,500 people. >> >> >> Yorkshire Evening post >> >> Give them a working chance >> >> >> >> By Peter Lazenby <mailto:[log in to unmask]> >> >> AN INQUIRY into the "appalling and inhumane conditions" faced by refused >> asylum seekers in Leeds today calls for changes in Government policy - >> including the right of asylum seekers to work. >> >> Commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, the inquiry was >> chaired by BBC journalist Kate Adie who visited Leeds to investigate >> conditions faced by refused asylum seekers in the city. Conservative vice- >> chair Sayeeda Warsi and writer Julian Baggini helped to lead the >> investigation. >> >> The report is entitled Moving on - from destitution to contribution. >> >> Destitute >> >> Leeds was chosen because of its importance as a regional centre and asylum >> seeker dispersal city. >> >> Researchers found one in four, including women, had slept rough and a third >> had been destitute for a year or more. Many were suffering grave social and >> health problems and some were wrestling with thoughts of suicide. >> >> Asylum seekers refused refuge in this country lose rights to benefits and >> accommodation if they do not leave voluntarily within 21 days. >> >> The report calls for the victims to be rescued "from the stark reality of >> being homeless, hungry and hidden." >> >> It says current approaches on refused asylum seekers leave the Government >> with an "invisible" population of up to half a million destitute people who >> can neither go home nor contribute to British society." >> >> The report urgently calls for Government to: >> >> l Provide a revocable licence to work, pending asylum decision and up to the >> point where people refused asylum can realistically return home; >> >> l Provide reasonable assistance such as basic food, shelter and care; >> >> l Establish a body independent of the Home Office to rule on claims; >> >> l Provide better administration, swifter decision-making and guaranteed >> access to legal support. >> >> Kate Adie said: "The current UK asylum system fails by the standards both of >> human decency and of those who want to 'get tough' on asylum. >> >> "For the benefit of everyone, there has got to be urgent and pragmatic >> reform which brings these people in from the shadows so that they can be >> treated humanely, contribute to the community and remain inside the system. >> We are proposing practical, workable solutions which will benefit local >> communities as well as government." >> >> The report was being launched today in the House of Commons and in Leeds. >> >> Home Office Minister Joan Ryan said: "Our asylum system is a fair one. It >> ensures support is available to someone claiming asylum from the time they >> arrive in the UK until the outcome of their claim is determined. >> >> Safe >> >> "But it is not right to ask the UK taxpayer to fund - potentially >> indefinitely - those who choose to remain when it is open to them to return >> to a safe home country." >> >> In January, 2005, local agencies estimated there were between 2,000 and >> 3,000 destitute asylum seekers living in Leeds. >> >> The survey was conducted between September and December, 2006. >> >> >> >> 'Sometimes I feel like I've had enough' >> >> CASE STUDY >> UNIVERSITY-educated civil servant Yadullah Nahwi ran way from Kurdish Iran, >> having seen evidence of human rights abuses. >> >> His brother also fled, but was caught and imprisoned in Iran. His family was >> later told where the body could be collected. Yadullah, pictured, escaped >> through Turkey to Britain. He made a home in Halifax, where he carries out >> voluntary work. >> >> He was refused asylum, and now lives a hand-to-mouth existence, moving from >> place to place. He is denied the right to any income, either earned or >> through benefits. He cannot be returned to Iran because there is no >> agreement with the authorities there. >> >> He relies for help on a support centre at a local church. >> >> "Sometimes I feel like I've had enough," he said. >> >> >> >> Adam has been living without money, food or accomodation in Leeds for >> two-and-a-half years. >> >> He fled torture and persecution which he suffered in Ethiopia and Eritrea. >> >> He was denied asylum in Britain, and as a result was evicted and denied >> benefits. He is not allowed to work. >> >> He still suffers from the effects of torture but cannot get drugs or >> treatment. >> >> "There are rights >> >> for animals in Britain but no rights for human beings," he said. >> >> >> >> IN 2002 farmer Omar returned to his home in Burundi in eastern Africa to >> find his father beaten, the walls spattered with blood, and his wife and two >> children gone. His village had been attacked. He fled. >> >> He escaped via South Africa and reached Britain where he sought asylum and >> was dispersed to Wakefield. >> >> He re-married and his wife was expecting a child. He and his wife, a >> Somalian, were refused asylum. As a result they have no home and are denied >> the right to work. The family now moves from place to place in Leeds, >> getting shelter where they can. >> >> The plight of Omar and hundreds of others is placing enormous pressure on >> churches and other religious centres in Leeds. Denied state help, or even >> the right to help themselves through work, they rely on charities and faith >> organisations for their very existence. >> >> Last Updated: 28 March 2007 >> >> Page 1 of 1 >> >> >> >> >> Last Updated: 28 March 2007 >> >> >> Hidden victims >> >> THE myth that asylum seekers get an easy ride has been exploded once and for >> all by a shocking survey. >> >> A report by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust found that one in four >> asylum seekers in Leeds has slept rough and a third have been destitute for >> at least a year. >> >> Many are suffering huge social and health problems and some are even >> considering suicide. >> >> Our city is home to an invisible population of destitute asylum seekers who >> cannot go home or >> >> contribute to British society. >> >> They live in appalling and inhumane conditions. They are hungry, homeless >> and hidden. >> >> For their benefit and for ours, it is essential that the Government quickly >> gets to grips with this problem. >> >> Urgent reform is needed to bring these people in from the shadows so that >> they can be treated humanely, contribute to the community and remain inside >> the system. >> >> Such a solution would not only benefit them, it would also benefit us. >> >> >> Regional Media Officer >> >> Refugee Council >> >> 0113 386 2235/ 07776 203404 >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> __._,_.___ >> Messages in this topic >> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/YorksRAM/message/653;_ylc=X3oDMTMzZ2pub2NzBF9T >> Azk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzEyNjc1ODI1BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTQ0NDU4OQRtc2dJZAM2NTMEc2VjA >> 2Z0cgRzbGsDdnRwYwRzdGltZQMxMTc1MDkwOTY5BHRwY0lkAzY1Mw--> (1) Reply (via web >> post) >> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/YorksRAM/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJwZm92ZnRnBF9TAzk3MzU >> 5NzE0BGdycElkAzEyNjc1ODI1BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTQ0NDU4OQRtc2dJZAM2NTMEc2VjA2Z0cgRz >> bGsDcnBseQRzdGltZQMxMTc1MDkwOTY5?act=reply&messageNum=653> | Start a new >> topic >> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/YorksRAM/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJmamVzMDJwBF9TAzk3MzU >> 5NzE0BGdycElkAzEyNjc1ODI1BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTQ0NDU4OQRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNudHBjBHN0 >> aW1lAzExNzUwOTA5Njk-> >> Messages >> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/YorksRAM/messages;_ylc=X3oDMTJmbXM0aG11BF9TAzk >> 3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzEyNjc1ODI1BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTQ0NDU4OQRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNtc2dz >> BHN0aW1lAzExNzUwOTA5Njk-> >> >> <http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJla2E5ZXRmBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzEyNj >> c1ODI1BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTQ0NDU4OQRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNnZnAEc3RpbWUDMTE3NTA5MDk2OQ- >> -> >> Change settings via the Web >> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/YorksRAM/join;_ylc=X3oDMTJnYTlidTBsBF9TAzk3MzU >> 5NzE0BGdycElkAzEyNjc1ODI1BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTQ0NDU4OQRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNzdG5ncwRz >> dGltZQMxMTc1MDkwOTY5> (Yahoo! 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