(See also statement posted on 26 Aug.)
Positive Action in Housing is indebted to the people of Glasgow, Scotland and across the world who raised £75K for the future education and welfare of Mercy’s baby son Adriel. Funds totalling £8,190 from this appeal were used to pay for repatriation and funeral costs in Uganda. It is of immense relief to those who truly loved her that Mercy can finally been laid to rest. Baby Adriel is still affected by the trauma he suffered since August 18. Mercy’s partner, Eric wishes to take the time to care for Adriel and process the family’s grief in private.
The results of the Post Mortem remain pending.
The asylum crisis in Glasgow has been an ongoing concern for our charity since 2001, and especially since Covid restrictions came into effect. This being the third tragedy in Glasgow’s refugee community in less than 4 months, we reiterate our call for a public inquiry. This is supported by Scottish MPs, the First Minister of Scotland and over 3,250 organisations and individuals from all of civic society.
We agree with the statement made by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that ‘the UK asylum system is not just broken, it is deeply inhumane’.
We look forward to helping to resolve the family’s asylum situation and are grateful to PM Boris Johnson for agreeing to intervene in Eric and Adriel’s asylum case with the Home Secretary, Priti Patel.
Eric would like to assure everyone who truly loved and cared for Mercy that Adriel is well looked after and that Eric and his baby son are well supported right in Glasgow.
Finally, Positive Action in Housing has never made a statement or supported the position that Mercy died of hunger. That statement did not emanate from ourselves. We have never commented on the reason for Mercy’s death. A post-mortem remains pending. We issued a statement to this effect, however distortions continued to go viral on social media. Yet the first rule of journalism is check your source.
All media enquiries to home@positiveactionh.org
Donate to Adriel’s Fund which will solely benefit Baby Adriel’s future education and welfare. A trust is in the process of being set up. Remember to “Gift Aid” your donation.
Give a donation to Positive Action in Housing’s Mothers & Babies Fund (which provides single grants of up to £250 for refugee and migrant mothers and their children left without income or benefits in Glasgow).
Alternatively, donate to our Winter Appeal (for destitute asylum seekers and their dependents).
https://www.facebook.com/383328015152643/videos/648925129067328/?vh=e&extid=HksDUoFOEQYbqvKR