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When an asylum claim is refused, claimants are
given just 21 days until their support is cut off and they must leave their accommodation. Many are from places which are too dangerous to return to, such as Zimbabwe and Darfur, and are caught between either returning
toa place where they face
persecution and possibly death, or living destitute
in the UK.
Case study
Rose is from Zimbabwe where her family were members of the Movement for Democratic Change.
She and her family were arrested by Zanu-PF militia and held at a secret location for questioning, accused of supporting the opposition party. During their interrogation they were tortured, stripped and denied water, told instead to drink their own urine.
Upon release, fearing for her life, Rose fled to the UK and claimed asylum. Since her claim was refused four years ago, Rose has been destitute and has had to resort to prostitution to support herself. She is too scared to return to Zimbabwe.
“At the moment I’m still trying to fight. I’m still crying for help… because I don’t want to be in this situation. Living as a prostitute is not what I was expecting of my life.”
Please email your MP and ask them to raise the issue of destitution with the Home Secretary; and in particular to ask that the government maintain support and accommodation from the time an asylum claim is made until the claimant is either granted status or is able to safely return home.
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