Scottish Greens call for urgent action to protect refugees from far-right attacks
Everyone seeking sanctuary in Scotland should be housed safely in the community, not unsuitable accommodation, say the Scottish Greens.
Over recent weeks there have been a series of far-right protests outside hotels that are housing people seeking asylum. Earlier this week the Scottish Refugee Council called for the Home Office to take action against those seeking to stir up hate and cause division in our communities.
The Scottish Greens justice spokesperson, Maggie Chapman MSP, said:
“Having somewhere safe to live is an absolute necessity for all refugees who are rebuilding their lives here in Scotland - free from war, persecution and violence.
“It’s absolutely appalling that people seeking asylum here are being subjected to vicious, racist, far-right attacks. The protests we have seen in Erskine and across the UK have caused a great deal of distress and whipped up the worst kind of hatred and prejudice.
“The inaction of the Home Office is putting people at risk of serious harm.
“Over the last 10 years successive Home Secretaries have fanned the flames of prejudice and imposed a brutal and hostile environment against migrant communities.
“They have followed a racist and divisive agenda, stoking anti-immigrant feeling, and putting political gain ahead of the rights and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
“In many ways, the appalling protests that we have seen over the last few weeks are a direct consequence of the Home Secretary’s hostile language and divisive policies. It is long past time for them to take responsibility for their actions.”