Launching her book Racism on the Victorian Stage at the Institute of Race Relations, Race & Class co-editor and historian Hazel Waters talked about the destructive impact of slavery on White British culture. This month we are being encouraged to celebrate the bicentennial of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. Speaking to an audience
Theme: Health
Security and Insecurity
A recent report assesses the impact of anti-terrorism measures on refugees and asylum seekers. The latest research report from the Refugee Council has found that refugees and asylum seekers also feel threatened by terrorist attacks. Also, they do support anti-terrorist measures but believe that the vast majority of such policies have had a negative impact
Help get Alphonsus out of detention
The deportation of Biafran activist Alphonsus Uche Okafor-Mefor to Nigeria has been halted after vigorous campaigning by several groups, including trade unions. Nevertheless, he remains detained at Tinsley House Removal Centre awaiting the outcome of a judicial review of his case. Prior to his detention in the UK, Alphonsus was due to speak at a
Children seeking asylum – problems and prejudices
A new report explores the world of children seeking asylum in the UK and the legislation, practices, misconceptions and injustices surrounding the application of the law towards this vulnerable group. At a time when asylum seekers are the objects of a politically-infused debate, this report about unaccompanied or separated children seeking asylum, is an eye-opener.
Community responses to the war on terror
The Institute of Race Relations publishes a briefing paper on the ways in which community organisations are combating the fall-out – in terms of racial violence, Islamophobia, anti-terror policing and human rights abuses – from the war on terror. Since September 11 2001 and, especially since the London attacks of 7/7, community organisations in the
In defence of multiculturalism
A briefing paper explaining and defending multiculturalism has been published today by the Institute of Race Relations. As the government’s commission on integration and cohesion questions the basis of multiculturalism, the independent charity, the Institute of Race Relations (IRR), publishes a short, practical guide to the concept, drawing on discussions at its ‘Racism, Liberty and
Racism on the Victorian stage
A new book examining the development of racism in English culture via the depiction of slavery and Black characters in Victorian popular theatre has just been published. Hazel Waters, an editor of the quarterly journal Race & Class and librarian at the Institute of Race Relations for over thirty-five years, has written a unique historical
Dangers of the UK Borders Bill
A leading immigration lawyer points out the dangers in the UK Borders Bill. The UK Borders Bill, which had its second reading on 5 February 2007, continues the trend of previous legislation, giving immigration officers further powers, decreasing the rights of those subject to immigration control and creating further duties and penalties for them. Its
New destitution network established
A new national network has been established to examine statutory responses to destitute people from abroad with no recourse to public funds (NRPF)*. The NRPF Network was developed in response to concerns about the complexity of the law governing practice in this area, the lack of statutory guidance for local authorities, the increasing costs of
The Independent Asylum Commission
Responding to concern about the UK asylum system, the Independent Asylum Commission is conducting an open investigation with a series of public hearings across the UK. The Independent Asylum Commission is made up of citizens’ groups of local churches, mosques, trade union branches, schools and community groups that are a part of London Citizens and