As young refugees arrive at Lunar House in the face of suspicion and demands for dental tests,local churches have near together to offer a warmer welcomeLunar House is a brutal 20-storey office block in Croydon, named after the lunar landing of Apollo 11. This architectural monster is the frontline of Britain’s immigration administration – and the reason the children from the Calais refugee camp are being bussed to Croydon, and south London,to have their applications processed.
Bekele remembers his first encounter with Lunar House. The first day he waited 12 hours. It was so horrible he remembers the date: 3 March 2006. The next day he waited from 8am to midnight. Mostly, he waited outside. “I was brought up with stories of Britain and its respect for human rights. But I am sorry to say that during those early days I was robbed of my dignity.” There were no waiting facilities, and no baby changing and nowhere to pick up a cup of coffee. Lunar House security guards nicknamed the entrance the “cattle shed”. Related: Give child refugees dental tests to verify age,says David Davies Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com