The Scottish Executive has been urged to do more for asylum seekers as Glasgow hosted a multi-cultural festival.

An estimated 10,000 people took party in a colourful celebration of different cultures in the Sighthill area of the city.

First Minister Jack McConnell opened the event, which was designed to ease racial tensions on the estate and promote integration.

The Scottish Parliament has done nothing or very little for asylum seekers in Scotland

Mohammed Asif

He praised the way that asylum seekers were being welcomed into the community.

But he was challenged on the government's action by Mohammed Asif, spokesman for the 6,000 asylum seekers living in the Sighthill area.

He presented the first minister with a three-page letter which accused the Scottish Executive of not providing enough access to English lessons to help asylum seekers integrate.

It also outlined concerns over the Dungavel immigration detention centre in Lanarkshire, which has faced controversy over conditions and the length of time people are being held.

He also called for the Scottish Executive to take a greater role in matters concerning refugees.

Jack McConnell opened the Sighthill festival

"We do not accept the argument that Dungavel is a Westminster issue. It is an issue of basic human rights and we demand action from the Scottish Parliament.

"The Scottish Parliament has done nothing or very little for asylum seekers in Scotland.

"In the past year there has been four changes of social justice minister with responsibility for asylum seekers but nothing has changed or improved," he said.

He also called for more lawyers to be given specialist training in asylum law.

"The general public in Scotland have been very generous and sympathetic to the cause of asylum seekers in Scotland," he wrote.

Dungavel concerns

"Scotland is known for its kindness and hospitality but we want the Scottish Parliament to come forward to help the most vulnerable."

A spokeswoman for the executive said concerns over Dungavel would be raised with the Scottish Office.

"As far as English lessons goes, we provided an extra �1.7m in 2001 for further education colleges to support work in providing courses in basic English for asylum seekers and others.

"The funding, which was channelled through the Scottish Further Education Funding Council, will continue in subsequent years."

Mohammed Asif handed over a letter

She said executive funding had also enabled three pilot projects to be launched offering expert legal advice and representation to asylum seekers in Castlemilk, the Gorbals and Sighthill.

Mr McConnell said: "Obviously there are a number of programmes being introduced to ensure that asylum seekers and those who achieve refugee status can learn English.

"It is important that we continue to deliver these services, but it is also important that we celebrate what is going on in Scotland today.

"People are being welcomed into our country and the communities where that is happening are stronger as a result."

Saturday's festival included music and dance from more than 70 different cultures, along with a mini world cup where each team consisted of players from a mixture of 11 countries.