<
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/07/legal-reprieve-asylum-seekers-bibby-stockholm-dorset-barge>
"People seeking refuge who were ordered to live on a controversial giant barge
have been reprieved after legal challenges claimed the vessel was unsafe and
unsuitable for traumatised people.
As the first tranche of 15 people were moved on to the
Bibby Stockholm in
Portland, Dorset, lawyers say they are intervening to halt the transfer of
dozens more on to the 220-bedroom vessel.
The developments come as the Home Office fulfilled Rishi Sunak’s promise to use
barges and former military bases to accommodate some asylum seekers after the
cost of housing them in hotels rose to £1.9bn pounds last year.
But their use has been condemned by refugee organisations for being costly,
cruel and inhumane. The Fire Brigades Union has described the barge as “a
deathtrap” because of overcrowding and narrow corridors and exits.
The Home Office faces a new wave of legal action if it resists formal appeals
to remove asylum seekers from consideration because of mental health issues,
physical conditions and other vulnerabilities.
The refugee charity Care4Calais said it had stopped 20 people from being forced
to board the barge so far, with dozens more referrals coming in “by the hour”
from other refugees staying in hotels.
“None of the asylum seekers we are supporting have gone to the Bibby Stockholm
today as legal representatives have had their transfers cancelled,” said Steve
Smith, the charity’s chief executive.
“Among our clients are people who are disabled, who have survived torture and
modern slavery and who have had traumatic experiences at sea. To house any
human being in a ‘quasi floating prison’ like the
Bibby Stockholm is
inhumane. To try to do so to this group of people is unbelievably cruel.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
