This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Easier access to legal help for asylum seekers
11/10/2001
Asylum seekers in Glasgow will find it much simpler to
get the speedy advice and assistance they need with their
cases, in a new move announced today.
The Scottish Legal Aid Board has announced that a
three-year pilot project offering expert advice and
representation to asylum-seekers in Castlemilk, the Gorbals
and Sighthill has secured funding. It is one of four
successful proposals to provide access to legal services
for vulnerable people or groups with particular needs.
The original proposal from the Castlemilk Law and Money
Advice Centre and the Ethnic Minorities Law Centre was that
a solicitor specialising in asylum law would cover
Castlemilk and the Gorbals.
However, after hearing first-hand from asylum seekers
about the need for a similar service in Sighthill, Deputy
First Minister Jim Wallace and Social Justice Minister
Jackie Baillie requested that the Legal Aid Board extend
this provision.
The solicitor will also provide asylum-seekers who get
permission to stay with advice and assistance in areas like
benefits, housing and employment to help them intergrate
into Scottish society and find a job.
Mr Wallace said:
"Scotland has a reputation of reaching out the hand of
friendship to people from overseas who need our help. Today
that compassion can be seen in the large number of
asylum-seekers we have welcomed here.
"But helping out asylum-seekers means more than a warm
welcome. We must remember that this country is a strange
land to them and many are not fluent in English. Our
services must respond to these special needs.
"This new service will create a fairer system for asylum
seekers, where the legal help they need is on their
doorsteps. It will also assist those who are allowed to
stay to build a productive future in Scottish society.
"When I visited Sighthill recently I heard from
asylum-seekers about the benefits this service could bring
to the area. That is why I asked the Scottish Legal Aid
Board to extend it. I am delighted that their reponse was
so positive and that we are delivering for Sighthill
today.
"Today's announcement comes at a time when very serious
world events are causing strains within the communities
where asylum-seekers stay. It is a signal - as was our
decision last week to introduce a new law against religious
hatred - that the Executive is determined to protect at all
times the rights of those from ethnic minorities and those
seeking asylum here."
The new service will mainly be carried out within the
communities and discussions will be held with local groups
to find the most suitable way. Local churches and community
centres are possible venues, with the solicitor using a
lap-top to look up details of individual cases.
The solicitor may in the future train local advisors,
community workers and, possibly, even asylum seekers
themselves in providing legal help.
Another proposal given the green light today was from
the Edinburgh Streetwork Project. Its success means a
solicitor will now provide advice and assistance to young
homeless people especially at risk in Edinburgh.
CAS's proposal for a solicitor, based in Inverness, to
help CAS offices throughout the Highland and Islands with
the problems particular to a widespread rural community has
also secured backing. The final successful proposal was
from the West Lothian Advice Partnership for a solicitor
who will deal with legal enquiries, mainly from people from
socially excluded backgrounds, on social welfare and civil
law.
Mr Wallace added:
"All the new services given the go-ahead today, form
part of our wide-ranging drive to improve access to civil
justice for the people of Scotland. We are also looking at
how a community legal service might be developed and I hope
to receive a report from the working group shortly."
Jackie Baillie who has responsibility for co-ordinating
devolved issues affecting asylum-seekers, also welcomed the
announcement.
Ms Baillie said:
"Today's move shows how devolved agencies and the
Executive can work together to improve the lives of
asylum-seekers in Scotland. It follows my recent
announcement of £700,000 to the Glasgow Alliance to
strengthen local communities, especially those host to
asylum-seekers.
"More parts of Scotland are now looking to welcome
asylum-seekers into their towns and cities. It is important
that we consider how we can help these communities too.
That is why I particularly welcome this project's potential
to be rolled-out to other areas if and when it is
needed."
The Glasgow project is being introduced under Part V of
the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act. This is the first time the
powers have been used.
BACKGROUND
- The total cost per annum of the service for
asylum-seekers in Glasgow is estimated at
£100,000.
2. Further details on the other successful proposals can
be found in a news release issued today by the Scottish
Legal Aid Board.