AM raises George William asylum case in Senedd
23 Mehefin 2009
Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales West, Bethan Jenkins has today pressed for action from the Assembly Government on the case of Swansea-based asylum seeker, George William who she has supported throughout the family’s campaign to seek asylum in Wales.Mr William and his family are applying for asylum in the UK for fear of persecution if they return to Pakistan. Last night, Mr William and his family were detained at Yarl’s Wood detention centre for a second time.
Speaking from the Senedd today, Ms Jenkins said:
“Unfortunately our National Assembly has no powers over immigration or asylum policy and today I asked for intervention from the Assembly Government specifically in relation to the welfare of Mr William’s children who have been receiving education during their time here. Their detention in clearly detrimental to their education and I have written to the Assembly’s Minister for Social Justice asking him to assert pressure on the Home Office so that Mr William’s children can be released and return to their studies.”
Ms Jenkins reiterated the importance for the UK Government to change its policy of detaining asylum seekers, including children:
“The act of effectively imprisoning vulnerable people is appalling and I urge the UK Government to abandon this disgraceful practice. Under international law the UK Government has a responsibility to grant asylum to those fleeing persecution, and that asylum must protect people’s dignity and human rights.”
