KURDISH ASYLUM SEEKERS ON HUNGER STRIKE IN PLYMOUTH
NCRM South West | 07.06.2002 12:57
Four Kurdish asylum seekers have began an indefinite hunger strike in protest against the Home Office and NASS treatment of Kurdish people trapped in the asylum system. They are camped on the pavement outside the IND offices in Plymouth and have been there since 10.00am yesterday.
KURDISH ASYLUM SEEKERS ON HUNGER STRIKE IN PLYMOUTH
A brief report.
At 10.00am on Thursday 6th June, four Kurdish asylum seekers commenced a hunger strike in protest against the Home Office and delays in processing their applications. The four are staging a sit down protest on the pavement outside the IND offices at Ballard House in Plymouth. They have all been waiting 18 months - none have had a first interview yet!
They appear determined and are saying that they will only come off hunger strike when their applications have been processed and Kurds are treated the same as other asylum seekers in Plymouth. Any discussion on a symbolic action to apply pressure was rejected - they intend to continue for as long as it takes. They are giving a clear message that they have made a decision and will stick to it!.
Last night (in the pouring rain) around 40 other Kurdish asylum seekers and members of NCRM and Refugees First (a Plymouth based independent self-organised asylum support group) attended to protest in support and solidarity. Many more are Kurds are considering joining the hunger strike. Blankets, sleeping bags, sheets of polythene were organised as a temporary night-shelter.
Some issues last night with drunks and local youths in passing cars hurling racist abuse. Police requested to attend and carry out 'community safety risk assessment'. Good response by the police (so far). They recognise legitimacy of peaceful protest and responded to concerns by ensuring regular 'drive-bys' to check on wellbeing of protesters. They also met with Ballard House security guards and advised them to keep cctv cameras on the site all night, with instructions to phone police immediately if any locals started any nonsense.
This morning, Refugees First and NCRM reps established contact with Plymouth IND officials to explain the situation. IND fobbed them off saying it's a Home Office problem - ring the Home Office!
More to follow later today. In the meantime please publicise this development elsewhere and consider how you can support this action.
Messages of support and solidarity to this email address:
ncrmsouthwest@aol.com
Jon Mckenzie
A brief report.
At 10.00am on Thursday 6th June, four Kurdish asylum seekers commenced a hunger strike in protest against the Home Office and delays in processing their applications. The four are staging a sit down protest on the pavement outside the IND offices at Ballard House in Plymouth. They have all been waiting 18 months - none have had a first interview yet!
They appear determined and are saying that they will only come off hunger strike when their applications have been processed and Kurds are treated the same as other asylum seekers in Plymouth. Any discussion on a symbolic action to apply pressure was rejected - they intend to continue for as long as it takes. They are giving a clear message that they have made a decision and will stick to it!.
Last night (in the pouring rain) around 40 other Kurdish asylum seekers and members of NCRM and Refugees First (a Plymouth based independent self-organised asylum support group) attended to protest in support and solidarity. Many more are Kurds are considering joining the hunger strike. Blankets, sleeping bags, sheets of polythene were organised as a temporary night-shelter.
Some issues last night with drunks and local youths in passing cars hurling racist abuse. Police requested to attend and carry out 'community safety risk assessment'. Good response by the police (so far). They recognise legitimacy of peaceful protest and responded to concerns by ensuring regular 'drive-bys' to check on wellbeing of protesters. They also met with Ballard House security guards and advised them to keep cctv cameras on the site all night, with instructions to phone police immediately if any locals started any nonsense.
This morning, Refugees First and NCRM reps established contact with Plymouth IND officials to explain the situation. IND fobbed them off saying it's a Home Office problem - ring the Home Office!
More to follow later today. In the meantime please publicise this development elsewhere and consider how you can support this action.
Messages of support and solidarity to this email address:
ncrmsouthwest@aol.com Jon Mckenzie
NCRM South West
e-mail:
ncrmsouthwest@aol.com