Asylum detainees at Harmondsworth immigration removal centre have been punished for protesting against conditions there after the suicide of an Eritrean asylum seeker. On 19 January 2006, Bereket Yohannes, a 26-year-old Eritrean asylum seeker was found hanged in a shower block at Harmondsworth – the first death of a detained asylum seeker this year. According
Theme: Alternative voices on integration
Racial violence round-up
We record below incidents of racial violence and harassment that have taken place in the last months of 2005 and also note the results of court proceedings against perpetrators of attacks that took place after 7 July 2005. 9 January 2006: Cambridge Evening News reports that Michelle Whittaker, 20, who racially abused a young schoolboy
Orwell revisited: a film on asylum detention
The organisations No Borders, the National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns and the Manchester Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers have joined forces to produce a very evocative short film exploring the experience of ‘failed’ asylum seekers in detainment. The promotional video was filmed on location at Dallas Court Enforcement Unit, Salford and involves a group of
A Dickensian classic set in Bedfordshire
In true Dickensian fashion, a new report reveals the appalling treatment of society’s forgotten victims, namely female rape survivors and torture victims held at Yarl’s Wood Removal Centre. 15 December saw the launch of the findings of an investigation into the conditions provided for women detained at Bedfordshire’s Yarl’s Wood Removal Centre and the neglect
Racial violence in October
Incidents of racial violence and harassment in October. 2 November 2005: Three more people are charged in connection with the murder of Anthony Walker in Huyton, Merseyside; Paul John Morson, 25, is charged with perverting the course of justice and Robert William, 31, and Tracy Ann Garner, 34, are charged with conspiracy to assist an
Gladiator Games
An important play about racism in British prisons opens tonight in London. Gladiator Games is playwright Tanika Gupta’s dramatic investigation of the murder of 19-year-old Feltham inmate Zahid Mubarek by his racist white cellmate Robert Stewart in March 2000. Based on testimony given at the Mubarek inquiry, as well as Gupta’s own interviews, it is
Holding the state to account for the deaths of vulnerable asylum seekers
A recent meeting on deaths in immigration detention centres called for the state to be held accountable for the deaths of vulnerable asylum seekers. The meeting, which was organised by Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID) after the death of Manuel Bravo in Yarl’s Wood was addressed by campaigners on deaths in custody and those working
Racial violence after 7 July – week 13
Incidents of racial violence and harassment over the last two weeks 4 October 2005: Police arrest three people on suspicion of perverting the course of justice in connection with the murder of Black teenager Anthony Walker in Huyton, Merseyside. (BBC News 4.10.05) 30 September 2005: The Inquiry into the racist murder of Zahid Mubarek at
‘Scandalous’ UK immigration practices claim another family
The deportation, this morning, of the Vucaj family to Kosovo has been condemned by supporters who have led a vociferous campaign to keep them in Scotland. The Kosovan family were fighting deportation following a dawn raid on their family home in Scotstoun, Glasgow on 13 September. The Vucajs, who have been living in Scotland since
Racial violence after 7 July – week 11
Incidents of racial violence and harassment in this, the eleventh week since the London bombings. 21 September 2005: 31-year-old Gareth Lukey admits racially aggravated disorderly conduct after forcing an Asian businessman staying at the same hotel as Lukey to empty out his luggage, while accusing him of hiding a bomb, just days after the London