Detainees in Harmondsworth and Yarl’s Wood removal centres have been taking action in the last month in protest against the conditions inside the centres and the ‘fast track’ processing of their asylum claims. In Harmondsworth on the morning of 1 May, a peaceful protest started with almost all of the detainees refusing food. They later
Race history made thirty-six years ago
A member of the Institute of Race Relations (IRR) recalls the events of 1972 which changed the terms of the race relations debate. On a balmy evening thirty-six years ago, a motley crew of suited businessmen, Black power activists, academics, journalists, community activists, members of the Lords and Commons and tellers from the Electoral Reform
Document on student extremism seriously flawed
New policies being recommended to prevent extremism on campuses are aimed at the wrong target and could promote division and fear within the student body. There are times in life – and politics – that you encounter a straightforward lie. Saddam Hussein has nuclear weapons. The local council is giving asylum seekers free mobile phones.
Campaigning victory for Sukula famliy
Three years after contacting IRR News and launching their anti-deportation campaign, the Sukula family have won indefinite leave to remain in the UK. Daniel Sukula, then aged 15 and living in Bolton, wrote to IRR News in 2005 telling of his fears of being deported. ‘I am writing this because me and my family face
Death in Pentonville prison
IRR News has learnt that, on 30 March 2008, a man detained under immigration powers was found hanged at Pentonville prison. Alfredo Castano-Fuentes, 24, was found hanged in his cell during a routine cell inspection. Attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead. Alfredo had served a one-year sentence for possessing a
Conference on sub-Saharan African migrants stranded in Morocco
The first conference to discuss what can be done to help Sub-Saharan migrants in transit in Morocco was held this week in London. The Moroccan NGO, Association Beni Znassen pour la culture (ABCDS), with support from the Migrants Rights Network, launched its European-wide campaign to raise awareness about the plight of sub-Saharan African migrants in
Demonstration with Zimbabweans in Nottingham
No Borders Nottingham and the Zimbabwean community will be demonstrating in favour of asylum rights and against the Mugabe regime on the day of the Zimbabwean election. Saturday 29 March 2008 Assemble at 2pm at Market Square, Nottingham Related links No Borders – Nottingham
Racial violence in Ireland
Despite a rise of serious racial attacks, authorities in Ireland are still in denial about racism. The events of the last month have been sobering for anti racism and social justice in Ireland. On 22 February two young Polish workers Marius Szwajkos and Pawel Kalite, who had been in Ireland for just a year, were
Flat Earth News
A telling new book on the methods of modern journalism. The business of reporting the truth has been slowly subverted by the mass production of ignorance. Award-winning Guardian journalist Nick Davies’ scintillating exposé of the corruption of much of what today passes as journalism begins with this stark warning. It continues at a rapid pace,
Conference on sub-Saharan migrants marooned in Morocco
A conference is to be held in London on 1 April to launch a campaign about sub-Saharan African migrants in a precarious state of limbo in Morocco, which acts as a border policeman for the EU. The organiser of the conference is Fatiha Hajjat who has a unique insight into what it is like to