Legal support for asylum seekers

Today we have written a joint letter to the justice and home secretaries asking them to save the charity Refugee and Migrant Justice (RMJ) by paying promptly for its work with some of the most disadvantaged people in Britain. We are concerned that 10,000 asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants, including 900 lone children, will be left without access to justice without urgent intervention to save RMJ. Justice can't be delivered without good-quality legal representation, and it can make the difference between life and death. RMJ is the largest specialist provider of legal help to asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants. It carries out important, irreplaceable work across the country, including in 10 detention centres where families with children are still being kept and asylum seekers can be locked up indefinitely. The last government's changes resulted in providers waiting for payment for months, even years. This hurts charities like RMJ the most, because they take on the complex cases that others turn away. It's not surprising that other charities are also facing problems. Bank loans are not the answer for charities, so they need prompt payment or government loans. Unless the government takes action soon, justice on asylum will be at risk. Chris Cleave Novelist, Jamila Gavin Children's novelist, Ken Loach Film director, Frances O'Grady Deputy general secretary, TUC, Alexander McCall Smith Author, Michael Morpurgo Children's author, Gillian Slovo Novelist and playwright, Juliet Stevenson Actor • I am writing to express my serious concern following comments by Damian Green, the immigration minister, in your article ( Judges told: do not delay Iraq deportations , 9 June). The issue of immigration and asylum is a proper matter for politicians to debate. However, central to this debate must be the fact that those seeking asylum can do so in a legal system that operates under the rule of law. I do not agree with Mr Green's statement that "solicitors routinely use judicial reviews as last-minute attempts to delay removal despite having no legal basis on which to remain in the UK". Solicitors are officers of the court who are governed by a code of conduct built around a set of core duties, including integrity, independence and acting fearlessly in the best interests of their clients. They are required to play a central role in ensuring that the rule of law is upheld. It appears the minister is suggesting that using the judicial process is undermining the system. The law provides no reason why anyone should be denied access to justice on the basis that they are from another country and seeking asylum. I invite Mr Green to recognise and support the vital role solicitors' play in upholding the rule of law, and the provision of fearless legal representation to individuals within the asylum system. Robert Heslett President, Law Society • So much for David Cameron's Big Society and Nick Clegg's professed compassion for asylum seekers. The UK Border Agency's plan to forcibly return unaccompanied child asylum seekers from Afghanistan ( Letters , 10 June) makes me ashamed to be a British citizen. In stark contrast to the Border Agency's cynical approach, the Scottish government backed a scheme that will provide guardians for children who arrive in the country alone to seek asylum, or flee exploitation. The Scottish Separated Children's Guardianship Project will employ three specialist workers to help young people navigate the asylum and social work systems. Although these children will still be at risk of being returned should the proposed measures go ahead, they will at least be treated with dignity during their time here and benefit from practical, emotional and legal support. Alison Paterson Edinburgh • The chancellor seeks ideas from the public for cuts in government spending ( Report , 9 June). I ask him to cut expenditure on support for asylum seekers, by allowing those who wish and are able to take up employment so they can support themselves. Many appreciate the support they get from the UKBA, but I feel asylum seekers like me should be repaying through the tax system everything that has been given to us by the UK taxpayer. Jeremiah Musandipa Glasgow