Up and down the country, taxi drivers are bearing the brunt of late-night drinking and aggressive racist behaviour – and are now turning to self-defence. On 5 October 2010, Daniel Miller was handed a twelve month community order from an Exeter court for racially abusing and physically assaulting Hackney carriage driver, Mohammed Numan. Miller had
The Abatans need funds for inquest
Next week, on 11 October, the inquest is due to begin into the death of Jay Abatan, who was murdered eleven years ago in January 1999. Jay’s family have had to fight for an inquest to be held at all. It was thought by the coroner that an inquest was not required as there had
A. Ragunathan 1931-2010
The IRR is very sad to announce the death of one its most stalwart of volunteers, A. Ragunathan, brother of IRR director A. Sivanandan. Until ill-health overtook him, this retired world-renowned marine engineer (who had given of his expertise to ports and docks in thirty-six countries, most of them in the Third World) beat a
Accelerated removals
Research from the Institute of Race Relations, including a review of 38 asylum- and immigration-related deaths in Europe over 18 months, shows the human cost of EU moves to slash budgets for refugee integration and accelerate the pace of removals – thereby undermining international conventions. In its report, Accelerated removals: a study of the human
Contempt of court threat for ‘terror’ filmmakers
Two British filmmakers, who highlighted the plight of a Jordanian ‘terror suspect’ being detained without trial in the UK, could face legal action. Fred Grace and Gemma Atkinson, of Fat Rat Films, have been told that the Attorney General, Dominic Grieve, may be considering contempt of court proceedings against them for interviewing a terror suspect
Domestic workers campaign for recognition and protection
IRR News reports on a recent meeting to organise migrant domestic workers. The RESPECT network, the European network supporting the rights of migrant domestic workers, recently held its annual conference in London and a forum to meet colleagues in the British trade union movement, migrant organisations and NGOs working to support migrants’ rights. RESPECT stands
Black History Month 2010
As Black History Month approaches, IRR News provides a round-up of forthcoming events. From Friday 1 October 2010 – Black Britannia: A free photography exhibition by John Ferguson of inspiring black men and women. At Open the Gate, 33-35 Stoke Newington Road, London N16 8BJ. From Friday 1 October 2010 – Ancestral words: Outstanding the
Immigration detainees failed by system
An important new report from Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID), A nice judge on a good day: immigration bail and the right to liberty, reveals the systemic failures within the Home Office and the legal system which consign detainees to oblivion for months or years. Liberty is regularly proclaimed as one of the most important
Racist attacks summer report
IRR News reveals how alcohol-related racist attacks and far-Right graffiti have increased over the summer months. During July and August, certain types of racial attacks have become very prevalent, with takeaway workers, those using public transport and those of a ‘Muslim’ appearance being especially vulnerable. Our research shows that these attacks often take place in
Macbeth goes to jail
The Educational Shakespeare Company, which worked with prisoners at Belfast’s Maghaberry prison, has finally released the DVD Mickey B, a powerful adaptation of Shakespeare’s play Macbeth which could prove an important resource for use with young people. Mickey B, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, shot in Belfast’s Maghaberry Prison (where adult male long-term prisoners provided