14 Oct 05: Kupeli Family - another dawn raid in Glasgow
On Monday 14, October 2005, a 12 strong immigration snatch squad carried out a dawn raid in Norfolk Court, Gorbals, the home of the Kupeli family - Mr Sinan Kupeli (38), wife Songul (37) and daughters Suna (9) and Yagmur (6½) - from their home and community in the Gorbals, where they have lived for the past 5 years.
Immigration officers forced Mr & Mrs Kupeli into the living room, handcuffed Mr Kupeli, and dragged their sleeping children from their beds. Mrs Kupeli is still grieving for her four month old baby Helin who is buried at Linn Cemetery, Glasgow. She begged immigration officers to let her mak e a final visit to her daughter's burial site. The officers refused and instead handcuffed her. Her daughters Suna and Yagmur were kept in their bedroom by other officers and could only hear their mother's cries. It was left to a tearful Suna to comfort her terrified 6½ year old sister. They said they wanted their mum and dad but the immigration officers said no.
The parents and children were then taken in separate vans to Brand Street immigration office. At 9 am, the family were taken to Yarls Wood Removal Centre, Bedfordshire for removal to Turkey. Blackfriars primary school pupils were shocked when they realised that the two sisters were not off sick but had disappeared overnight. Likewise the staff and volunteers at Bridging the Gap who provided constant support.
The Kupeli family's treatment echoes that of the Vucaj family when they were dragged from their beds at dawn on September 13, 2005. Despite the First Minister's assurances on September 23, dawn raids have not stopped. The criminalisation and dehumanisation of Scottish asylum families continues.
We are calling for an end to Scotland's shame and a restoration of dignity.
