NEWS RELEASE
STUC CALLS DEMONSTRATION TO SHUT DOWN DUNGAVEL DETENTION CENTRE
The STUC today added their weight to concerns over Dungavel Detention Centre, and announced that it would be organising a demonstration outside Dungavel on Saturday 6 September 2003, calling for Dungavel's closure, on the second anniversary of its opening.
Rozanne Foyer, STUC Assistant Secretary, said:
"Dungavel Detention Centre represents a serious blight on Scotland's human rights record. Not only is the STUC opposed to the children of asylum seekers being removed from full-time education, we are also opposed to asylum seekers and their families being detained against their will at the whim of the Home Office, having committed no crime, with no charges made, and no release date given.
"We have repeatedly highlighted this issue to both the Scottish Executive and UK government calling for closer monitoring of the facilities and treatment of asylum seekers in Dungavel and ultimately for its closure. Like others, our concerns have fallen on deaf ears at the Home office and we would strongly welcome a more proactive approach from the Scottish Executive to the issues facing Asylum Seekers in Scotland.
"We will be calling on people across Scotland to show their strength of feeling against the detention of asylum seekers by joining us on Saturday 6 September 2003. Our message will be loud and clear SHUT DOWN DUNGAVEL NOW."
For further information and comment, please contact:
Rozanne Foyer, STUC Assistant Secretary