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Chatsworth Demo for Naseh Ghafor

anti-imperialist | 11.08.2004 17:22 | Sheffield

Protest for Naseh

As the 4 carloads of protesters arrived at Chatsworth they were immediately stopped by the police who were waiting our arrival. We held up our banners etc by the big ornate gates of Chatsworth where we were chucked out. There was no way blunkett was going to have his day at the stately home ruined by us...meanwhile Naseh lies suffering.

Sheffield Star had excellent coverage on Monday: front page of Monday's District edition, P5 of final with a good photo that is knocking about - will try and get it and post.

 http://www.sheffieldtoday.net
type 'Naseh Ghafor'in the search thing

Well Done Sheffield Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers.

There is also an article here:
 http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/article.php4?article_id=1643

anti-imperialist

Comments

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Urgent Naseh Ghafor protest

11.08.2004 17:29

Protest for Naseh Ghafor - Thursday 12th August 12.30pm
Burngreave Street (off Burngreave Road)
Please pass this on.

Stu

Stu


Sheffield Star articles

12.08.2004 00:25

The two article from the Sheffield Star are here:

Asylum hunger striker 'close to death'
 http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/viewarticle2.aspx?ArticleID=832685&SectionID=58

We can't save Naseh
 http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/viewarticle2.aspx?ArticleID=833259&SectionID=58

Chris


Socialist Worker article

18.08.2004 11:52

Here's the Socialist Worker article just in case anyone was wondering what this is all about and why Chatsworth House was picked...

POLICE INTERVENED to block an appeal to home secretary David Blunkett last weekend.

The appeal was on behalf of a Kurdish asylum seeker on hunger strike.

Supporters of Naseh Ghafor, an Iraqi Kurd who stitched his lips together a month ago, were prevented from handing over a letter to Blunkett. They were then escorted away from stately home Chatsworth House—where the home secretary was opening a sensory garden.

“The freedom and democracy we hear so much about British troops fighting for in Iraq doesn’t apply to Britain,” said a member of the Sheffield Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers.

“The Home Secretary is refusing to save the life of a man who would rather die than be sent back to Iraq where his family was persecuted.”

Campaigners have been asking Mr Blunkett to intervene to save the life of Naseh, a victim of Saddam Hussein’s regime. Naseh has been refusing food, liquid and medical attention since early July.

Naseh was refused asylum in Britain and his support was withdrawn. Denied the right to work, he has been made destitute and homeless.

Naseh is sleeping on the floor at the Refugee Support Accommodation Unit in Sheffield.

He could die if Blunkett does not use his discretion to help this desperate man. A lobby was held outside Sheffield’s Labour council, but leaders have also refused to intervene.

KATE ROBERTS

steve