Asylum review

Following the successful launch of "child's welfare paramount?", a guide for members working with asylum seeker children, UNISON Scotland will give evidence to the Independent Asylum Commission review of asylum in the UK.

"We will tell the Commission of our serious concerns about the impact on children of dawn raids and locking them up in detention centres," said Kate Ramsden, co-author of the guide.

"We believe this breaches their rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as domestic law which says that the child's welfare is paramount. We hoped that in Scotland at least we would see an end to such practices and measures put in place to ensure that these children's needs are assessed and taken into account in decisions about removal. So far this hasn't happened."

The Commission is investigating the asylum system on behalf of a wide range of citizens - from those like UNISON, who believe that asylum seekers are not being treated with humanity, to those who think the asylum system is too generous.

As well as gathering written evidence, the Commission will conduct public hearings across the UK to hear direct testimony from all those concerned with the asylum system, including asylum seekers and refugees. It will report in April 2008.

The hearing in Scotland is on Tues 5 June in Glasgow and will focus on the issue of removals. For further information go to www.independentasylumcommission.org.uk

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