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Community InfoSource is saddened and angry about the terrible loss of 27 precious human lives in the channel due to their boat sinking. Our thoughts go out to their families and friends who will be grieving and to those who tried to rescue them and face trauma dealing with their bodies.
The UK government’s inhuman and hostile immigration policy, which does not allow for legal routes for people to claim asylum, is driving people to take these risky routes and increasing the likelihood of such tragedies. There are many reasons why people around the globe flee their homes, including conflict, persecution, loss of livelihoods and poverty from climate change and many other factors. Those seeking safety do not make this decision to leave everything behind lightly and our country should be a safe place welcoming those in need. Our government’s focus on coastal safeguarding rather than rescuing desperate people is appalling and we have seen the public’s largely negative reaction to Nigel Farage’s campaign against those such as the RNLI and others who are working to rescue those in danger in the channel. CIS strongly opposes the proposals in the UK Government’s new Nationality and Borders Bill 2021 which, if implemented, will result in an even more hostile environment for those seeking asylum and safety in the UK. We are very sad to have to inform you that Shafiq Mohammed, Community InfoSource’s Women & Asylum Seeker Housing’s (W-ASH), Caseworker and Coordinator, passed away suddenly, on Wednesday September 8th 2021.
For more than 25 years, whether in paid or voluntary roles, in both the public and private housing sector, Shafiq has been a relentless promoter and protector of asylum seeker rights, dedicated to ensuring they are properly met. Most recently, Shafiq took Community InfoSource’s W-ASH service to newly arrived asylum seekers placed in hotels – a proactive role he personally developed, providing never before but much needed assistance to the most vulnerable. His death has been a shock to us all and his death will be felt acutely by all who knew him. He leaves a big gap in Community InfoSource and will be hugely missed. For all of us who have had the privilege of working with him, from colleagues to those in government organisations, he was well known as a force to be reckoned with, fearless in his approach. He has certainly contributed to Glasgow’s reputation as a place where ‘no-one is illegal’. Our heartfelt condolences are with his family, his friends and his work colleagues. Dr Duncan Sim, Vice Chair Sheila Arthur Board of Directors Chief Officer Community InfoSource Community InfoSource |
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Community InfoSource is a registered Scottish Charity
Scottish Charity No: SC049135 Albany Centre, 44 Ashley Street, Glasgow, G3 6DS Phone: 0141 258 2773 (not during Covid-19) Email: info@infosource.org.uk |