HUMAN rights campaigners have written to Stroud MP David Drew asking him to press Home Secretary John Reid to end asylum destitution.
The Mid-Gloucestershire branch of Amnesty International claims refused asylum seekers are being 'cast into the street' and cut off from all support including accommodation and financial help.
New research by the organisation has revealed that thousands of people from countries like Sudan, Iraq, Eritrea and Somalia are being left to fend for themselves.
The reports claim that the Government is deliberately using poverty in an attempt to drive asylum seekers out of the country.
Now Amnesty is calling for the Government to continue providing refused asylum seekers with financial help until they leave the UK.
"Nationwide, many vulnerable people are reduced to sleeping rough in parks, public toilets and phone boxes," said branch secretary Carole Oosthuysen.
"They are going without medicines even after suffering torture and are relying on the charity of friends or drop-in shelters to survive.
"An asylum policy that knowingly creates destitution should play no part in a civilised society."
Anyone who would like to know more about Amnesty's work should call Carole Oosthuysen on 01453 872446.
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