In the run-up to the election, immigration is already one of the main topics and part of the debate involves the NHS being abused by so-called ‘treatment tourists’. In an attempt to tackle this supposed threat, the government has been restricting the availability of free HIV treatment to asylum seekers and other migrants. In February
Theme: Sport
Deportation of dedicated community worker opposed
Earlier this week, a campaign was launched in Manchester town hall to support the right to stay in the UK of Perparim Demaj, a Kosovan asylum seeker. Perparim arrived in the UK in 1998 after fleeing persecution in Kosovo and was granted temporary leave to remain. He came to Manchester, where he learned English and
Campaign to reduce risk of prostate cancer in Black men
Macmillan Cancer Relief aims to provide information to target prostate cancer awareness within the Black male community. A new Toolkit for health and social care professionals is intended to implement cultural sensitivity and encourage more Black men to seek help. A new manual has been launched by the cancer charity to combat the high prevalence
Campaign launched for full access to HIV services for migrants
The Terrence Higgins Trust has launched a campaign to highlight the needs of migrant HIV sufferers who are being denied public healthcare under current NHS regulations. In April 2004, new NHS charging regulations were introduced to limit HIV treatment. The new regulations were a response to allegations of ‘treatment tourism’ – the idea that people
‘How can I leave? I have no legs’ – a Greek campaign for mine survivors
At least sixty overland would-be migrants to Europe have lost their lives to the landmines on Greece’s borders. A campaigner against the mines writes of one small victory in the long struggle for the rights of maimed mine survivors. As representative of a Greek campaign of the Nobel Peace Prize award-winning International Campaign to Ban
Significant deterioration to detainees’ mental health
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has stated that the ‘sense of powerlessness’ experienced by the Belmarsh detainees ‘is likely to cause significant deterioration to [their] mental health’. The College is asking the government to consider these findings when the government ponders its response to the recent House of Lords ruling that the detention of the
Caring for Minority Ethnic elders in Europe
The rapid ageing of Europe’s population has become Europe’s number one issue according to an MEP speaking, on 9 December 2004, at the launch of the Summary Findings from the Minority Elderly Care (MEC) project. The research revealed some shocking facts, including: Thirty-five per cent of elders surveyed in the UK are in poor, or
A matter of fear or death
David Blunkett has blamed campaigners for encouraging an Iraqi asylum seeker to sew up his lips. Naseh Ghafor is a 20-year-old Iraqi man who has been on hunger strike since 8 July. Naseh, who has sewn up his lips, is seriously ill but is refusing treatment because, according to a member of the Sheffield Committee
Scandal of coerced sterilisation of Romani women
As evidence emerges of gross violations of Roma rights – women are being sterilised without their informed consent – Roma leaders like Rudko Kawczynski of the Roma National Congress are asking why Brussels did not make better conditions for the Roma a condition for the accession of the ten central and eastern European countries to
Roger Sylvester – police condemned for black death
It has taken the Sylvester family four years to get an inquest into Roger’s death. A verdict of unlawful killing has been returned. But the last successful prosecution of a police officer involved in a black death was in 1971, despite numerous inquest verdicts of unlawful killing since then. Clapping and shouts of joy, mingled