ONE YEAR ON: Campaigners mark anniversary of Glasgow hotel stabbings
A man was shot dead by police after the attack at the Park Inn Hotel last June in which six people were injured.
Last updated 26th Jun 2021
Campaigners will gather together one year after the stabbing attack they say occurred "as a direct result of the dysfunctional UK asylum support and accommodation system''. Badreddin Abadlla Adam, 28, from Sudan, was shot dead by police after his knife attack at the Park Inn Hotel in Glasgow last June, which injured six people including 42-year-old police constable David Whyte.
The hotel was being used to house asylum seekers at the time, which has been sharply criticised by campaign groups who compared the situation to a "humanitarian crisis''.
Why is the gathering being held?
Glasgow group Refugees For Justice called on people to gather in the city's George Square on Saturday afternoon to "remember our friends and what happened to all of us last year''.
It said on Twitter: "One year ago, our beautiful city Glasgow was wounded as a direct result of the dysfunctional UK asylum support and accommodation system.
"Join us in remembering our fellow Glaswegians, including people seeking asylum who were affected.''
It urged people to bring "flowers, candles and poems''.
Lawyer and the rector of the University of Edinburgh, Debora Kayembe, added on Twitter: "We remember the victims and call the UK government to improve the living conditions of Asylum seekers''.
What are the concerns raised over conditions faced by asylum seekers and refugees in the city?
Migrant charity Positive Action in Housing has previously raised concerns over conditions for refugees and asylum seekers in the city.
Robina Qureshi, the charity's director, last year said living conditions in hotels did not meet the needs of vulnerable refugees and amounted to a "humanitarian crisis''.
We spoke to Tim Lehurax from the group:
"We still have the same situation as a year ago, which is people in hotels and among them, some of them dealing with mental health issues, physical health issues like requiring specific diets that can't really accommodated in the hotels."
"People that are struggling with loneliness. That really is the same."
"Through the year you have had pressure on the Home Office from all these organisations that has for instance led to an allowance of £8 per week for asylum seekers in hotels."
"Which is at the same time an achievement and at the same time not nearly enough."
What is the Home Office saying?
A Home Office spokesperson said:
“We take the welfare of those in our care extremely seriously. All asylum seekers in hotels are provided with full board accommodation with three meals a day served as well as all other essentials.
“In the aftermath of the Glasgow incident, our accommodation provider offered trauma response services and had regular conversations with residents to ensure mental health needs were addressed.
“Our New Plan for Immigration will reform the broken asylum system; allowing us to welcome people through safe and legal routes, while preventing abuse and pressure on the system and the criminality associated with it.”The Home Office has also said it
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