When Statewatch published the pamphlet Crimes of arrival in 1995, the ‘crimes’ were a metaphorical reference to the way in which the government viewed the arrival on British soil of migrants and asylum seekers. Over a decade later, a recent publication by the same author documents how the metaphor has become a literal truth. ‘Border
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The hounding of David Oluwale
An important book investigating one of the first known Black deaths in custody – that of David Oluwale – has been written. Thirty-eight years ago to the day, on 4 May 1969, the body of David Oluwale was pulled from the River Aire in Leeds. Two years later, in November 1971, two police officers –
The fight over ESOL continues
The Save ESOL Campaign comprising, over 50 organisations, marches on 28 April against the recent cuts to English classes for immigrants and asylum seekers. The march is to highlight the fact that many migrant workers and refugees need these English classes in order to play a full part in society. The campaigners want the ESOL
Scotland’s BME resource library
Edinburgh-based voluntary organisation Minority Ethnic Carers of People Project (MECOPP) has launched a national resource library for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME ) communities, supported by the Big Lottery Fund, which holds information on a variety of health and social care issues. While MECOPP works specifically to support BME carers in the Lothians, the new
Still human still here
The Refugee Council has launched a campaign to help end the destitution suffered by refused asylum seekers. The campaign argues that using poverty as a means of getting people to leave the country is both ineffective and inhumane. It is calling on the government to: end the threat and use of destitution as a tool
National continence charity tackles under-representation
Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence (ERIC), the national charity providing information and support on childhood problems of bedwetting, daytime wetting, constipation and soiling, is anxious to extend its work within Black and minority ethnic (BME) communities. Around one in twelve young people in the UK are affected, but it has become apparent that
Germany: intelligence services target Muslims
As the UK government publishes new proposals to combat violent Muslim extremism, we examine two reports critical of the German approach. Since September 11, European security services have been given unprecedented powers to define which Muslim organisations are ‘legitimate’ and which ‘illegitimate’. Two new publications from internationally-respected bodies are critical of the crude way in
Rights for women seeking asylum
A new CD for women seeking asylum contains a large amount of information on women’s rights and valuable tips for getting through the process. ‘Are you a woman seeking asylum in the UK?’ was produced by Asylum Aid as part of its campaign to bring greater awareness of the Home Office’s Gender Guidance Policy adopted
Theatre: representations of slavery and the Black Character
How fitting for a book on racism on the Victorian stage to be published in the week Britain tries to commemorate the bicentenary of outlawing the Atlantic slave trade! Freedom Day, with our classic national blend of self-congratulation and self-recrimination, gives a good entry point into the world of popular theatre in those next few
A passionate campaigner against racism and injustice
Gilly Singh Mundy, who has died suddenly aged 36, managed to cram so much into his own life and touch the lives of many in a positive, life-affirming way. For the last nine years he had been senior caseworker for Inquest, the charity that advises relatives of those who have died in custody. Born to