Alternative suggestions for asylum seekers

Date: 11th June '01

Name: Lion Rampant

Country: Alba

Alternative suggestions for asylum seekers

CAMERON SIMPSON - The Herald - 11 June 2001

ONE of Scotland's leading experts on racism has called for asylum seekers to be moved into middle- class areas and has suggested a flat next to his own to set the example.

Alistair McIntosh, who reported to the Scottish Parliament last year on racism, also criticised the Home Office and Scottish councils for allegedly fuelling violence by "dumping" asylum seekers in deprived areas. His comments were backed by the Scottish Refugee Council which said asylum seekers must have access to "the housing options of any other citizen".

However, Scottish Tories said the only accommodation available for the large number of refugees was in areas like Sighthill in Glasgow, the scene of some of the worst recent race hate violence.

Mr McIntosh said placing the refugees in impoverished communities like Sighthill was bound to breed racist attacks.

He wants Scotland not only to take more refugees but to house them in better areas.

To set the example, Mr McIntosh has contacted Fife Council to suggest an empty flat below his own at Kinghorn for a family of asylum seekers.

He said the recent racist attacks in Scotland showed the country "in the worst possible light" but had also lifted the lid on the extent of social deprivation in Scotland.

"What is emerging is a Scotland of very affluent people and a Scotland of socially impoverished people, and a growing divide between them.

"Dumping asylum seekers in these areas of social deprivation is the wrong decision. These areas have enough problems of their own. Asylum seekers need to be spread throughout Scottish society into the more des res areas, and it needs more of us who live in des res areas to stand up against racism. That is why I contacted my council offering the empty flat next to us."

Meanwhile, Glasgow held a three-hour party at Cathcart Old Church yesterday for refugee families and their Scots neighbours.

Organisers of the event, including churches, charities, Strathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire Brigade, and Glasgow City Council, said they hoped it would help promote the city as one that encourages positive integration between cultures and banish the stigmatisation of refugees.

The Rev Neil Galbraith, minister of the host church, said: "This is about making a statement that this is not a terrible city. It will let these children see that lots of Scots kids are friendly."

The Herald - June 11th

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