Citizen's Enquiry Heads to Glasgow to Investigate Removal of Asylum Seekers

A national citizens' enquiry will hear evidence on the effectiveness and safety of the removal of refused asylum seekers from the UK at a public hearing in Glasgow on June 5th

• Posted on May 30, 2007

Independent Asylum Commission Public Hearing and Roadshow
5th June 2007 (Public hearing 14:30-17:30; Roadshow 18:45-20:30)
Scottish Trades Union Congress
333 Woodlands Road
Glasgow
G3 6NG

The Independent Asylum Commission (IAC) is conducting a nationwide review of the UK asylum system. The IAC is independent of government and the voluntary sector, and is accountable to citizens.

The Independent Asylum Commission is coming to Scotland to collect evidence on the effectiveness of UK removals policy and the impact of the removals on asylum seekers, refugee communities, and the local host community for an impartial citizens' enquiry into the UK asylum system. The Commission will produce a report in 2008 that will make recommendations for reform of the asylum system that are fair as well as forceful, and realistic as well as humane.

The Glasgow hearing is the fourth of seven hearings across the UK. An august team of Commissioners, including peers, a former judge, a bishop, and human rights experts, will hear first hand testimony from a range of local people who are concerned about the removal of refused asylum seekers. The Commissioners will also hear from NGOs and statutory bodies about the key issues relating to asylum in Scotland.

"Though asylum is one of the most contentious issues of our day, everyone we have met can agree on one thing: the system is not working. When we come to Glasgow we will be focusing on removals, but our job is to listen to the views from people across the country from a wide range of perspectives, and then make recommendations for reform that can be adopted by those who run the asylum system." Jonathan Cox, Co-ordinator of the Independent Asylum Commission

For information on the Commission's earlier Public Hearings and Roadshows ;
Please see the News and Media section at: www.independentasylumcommission.org.uk.

For more information about the Commission ;
Please contact chris@cof.org.uk

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