Two new events have been organised as part of a campaign to defend Iranian asylum seekers in the UK and prevent their deportation to a country they deem unsafe. As part of the ‘Life Without Fear’ campaign launched in January, the UK branch of the International Federation of Iranian Refugees (IFIR) is organising a public
Protest against deportation ‘to torture’
On Friday 10 March 2006, a small group of campaigners gathered outside the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) in London to mark the start of hearings to decide whether men can be deported to Algeria. The government has been trying to obtain a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ (MOU), with countries like Algeria and Tunisia, that will
What future for unaccompanied children?
The government is considering returning unaccompanied children, whose asylum claims have failed, to Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. But what can be learnt from existing initiatives in countries such as the Netherlands and Spain? It could be that the UK government is seeking to emulate the lead set by other European governments which
‘The Fleeing Garden’: new anthology published
The organisation Exiled Writers Ink has published a collection of poems and stories by Kurdish writers living in England. The anthology, entitled The Fleeing Garden: Kurdish Exiled Voices brings together writers from a variety of Kurdish backgrounds, and platforms the work of both established and aspiring poets. The variety of subjects explored in the anthology,
Racial violence round-up
We record below incidents of racial violence and harassment that have taken place in the first few months of 2006 and note the results of court proceedings against perpetrators of attacks that took place after 7 July 2005. 3 March 2006: BBC News reports that Greg Louden, a Scottish police officer, appears in a Glasgow
Statement calls for no deportations to Iraq
The Coalition Against Deportations to Iraq has issued a statement calling for no deportations to Iraq and for protection for Iraqi asylum seekers. The statement, which is being supported by MPs, including Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell and organisations, such as the Campaign Against Racism and Fascism (CARF), is concerned with the fact that: ‘The
Begum X must stay
Over three years ago, Begum X fled India from the horrors of a forced marriage and rape. Today she faces deportation following a failed asylum claim. In July 2005, Begum X failed in her final asylum appeal to remain in the UK as a victim of rape and the repercussions of fleeing a forced marriage
Overcoming Racism – Why Europe is important in the South West
A conference to discuss the use of European developments in ‘race equality’ to tackle racism in South West England. Tuesday 2 March 2006 from 2 – 5pm Black Development Agency, 5 Russell Town Square, Redfield, Bristol, BS5 9LT Speakers include: Sarah Isal – UK Race and Europe Network co-ordinator Prof Tariq Modood – Centre for
John La Rose 1927-2006
A stalwart of Black struggle in Britain, John La Rose, has died. As a writer, publisher and political organiser, his contribution to the development of Black cultural expression in the UK cannot be rivalled. It is with great sadness that the staff of the Institute of Race Relations heard the news of John’s death on
Fortress Europe – effects and consequences of labour migration
Below we reproduce extracts of a speech given by Liz Fekete, the deputy director of the Institute of Race Relations, on ‘Fortress Europe – effects and consequences of labour migration’, for the Heinrich Boell Foundation in Germany. The terms differ – ‘Selective Migration’ in France, ‘Managed Migration’ in the UK, ‘Labour Migration’ in Germany –