News in 2006

21st April 2006

Asylum family still held despite U-turn

Members of an Albanian family whose deportation was halted after a U-turn by the Home Office were still in detention last night, amid wrangling over their release.

Merita Hazizi, 21, and her family were seized from their home in Glasgow on Tuesday, after an application for asylum was rejected, but were told they could stay after Strathclyde University offered to pay her accommodation and living expenses so she could finish her studies.

However, the family were yesterday refusing to sign release papers prepared by the Home Office.

Sources close to the Hazizis said the documents required them to "sign away their rights" by agreeing to return voluntarily once Ms Hazizi's studies were complete. However, a friend of the family said the Home Office had only agreed for Ms Hazizi to remain in Scotland until June.

Rosie Kane, the Scottish Socialist MSP, said: "They've been subjected to absolutely horrendous treatment. They first told the family they were going to be released on Wednesday, then that they wouldn't be able to leave unless they sign away their rights."

Source: The Herald