Template of letter to send to MP

Template of letter to send to MP

Add MP's name

House of Commons

London

SW1A 0AA

(don’t forget to put your full address on the letter

as MP's can only deal with people in their constituency)

Dear  ….

I am writing to bring to your attention the growing number of people seeking asylum who are being left homeless and starving in my local area/across Scotland/UK as a result of the removal of their support when their asylum claim is refused.

(Add in paragraph to explain any personal involvement with destitute asylum seekers or a quote from within this action pack)

I believe that it is inhuman and unacceptable to use destitution as a tool of policy in an attempt to encourage refused asylum seekers to return to the countries from which they have fled.  Vulnerable people including pregnant women, survivors of torture and people in poor mental health are left homeless, unable to work and unable to claim any support from the state. (add in details of what is happening locally if you know it)

Most of these people come from war torn countries or countries with terrible human rights records. They often feel that they have not had a fair hearing on their asylum claim and cannot access Section 4 support because they do not want to sign to say it is safe for them to return to their country of origin.

We are calling for:

1)  a form of temporary status to be granted to those fleeing warfare.  We call for grants of Humanitarian Protection to be made in those cases where there is a “serious and individual threat to a civilian’s life or person by reason of indiscriminate violence in situations of international or internal armed conflict” (from article 15c of the European Union Qualification Directive).  Last year, only 55 people were granted Humanitarian Protection because of the very narrow criteria applied. 

2)  the Government to consider a system of ongoing support and contact with refused asylum seekers which would:

·               Help asylum seekers understand why their asylum claim has been refused

·               Give them time to think, prepare and plan ahead 

·               Ensure that they have fully explored all legal and migration options

·               Where no other options are available, help them to engage in humane, dignified and supported voluntary return, avoiding the need for detention or forced removal.

This would result in:

·               More engagement in and understanding of the asylum process by asylum seekers

·               Less refused asylum seekers becoming destitute, ‘disappearing’ from the returns process or engaging in illegal working

·               More voluntary returns, meaning a reduction in the costs associated with detention and forced removal.

Please raise this matter with the Home Secretary and join me in campaigning for a change in the law.