Cardinal attacks asylum policies

A number of asylum seekers have been attacked

The leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland has condemned the treatment of asylum seekers.

Cardinal Thomas Winning criticised a lack of official support for them and said he was almost "ashamed" that some had been subject to intimidation and bullying by residents.

The cardinal also launched a scathing attack on the government's voucher system for food and clothing and the ban on asylum seekers gaining employment.

Cardinal Winning: Condemned policies

His comments have come amid growing concern over the asylum seeker issue in Glasgow.

The city houses the majority of Scotland's asylum seekers - mostly in the Sighthill area - but there have been signs of growing tension, with a number of attacks in recent weeks.

Cardinal Winning told The Herald newspaper: "The church condemns not only the intimidation but also the institutionalised discrimination suffered by asylum seekers."

He then went on to condemn the restrictions which prevent refugees and asylum seekers - some of whom were highly skilled - from working.

He said: "Such sanctions are an affront to the human dignity of the individuals concerned and an incoming government should review them as soon as possible.

"As a Christian I cannot approve of such blatant discrimination."

'Fellow citizens'

He pointed out that some of those who had shown antagonism towards asylum seekers had also suffered deprivation.

However, he added: "It would take a lot to make me ashamed to say that I live and work in Glasgow.

"But the treatment meted out to asylum seekers in recent weeks by some of our fellow citizens comes close to forcing those words to be uttered.

"The face of our city has been disfigured by a series of ugly and brutal acts of aggression against people whose only crime is to flee persecution and seek refuge in a foreign country.

Tensions have risen in recent weeks

"As Archbishop of Glasgow I feel duty bound to denounce, in the strongest possible terms, the violence, intimidation and bullying of asylum seekers in our midst."

The cardinal paid tribute to organisations which have been helping asylum seekers and said he would "resist the temptation" to be ashamed of his city because he knew it could do better.

He added: "I would ask all involved in public life to be especially careful not to play on the fears of host communities.

"Politicians have a special responsibility to give a lead in offering reassurance and support to all involved in the hosting of asylum seekers in our city.

"They should reject the temptation to outdo each other in recommending even more draconian methods to deal with some of the most hurt and vulnerable people in our country.

"It is essential that the traditional image of Glasgow as a welcoming and caring city should not be besmirched by inhumane bullying, xenophobic taunts or acts of violence.

"It is essential too, that the UK should not impose living conditions on asylum-seekers which demean our claim to be a civilised society."