Naseh Ghafor has now been on 'Hunger Strike' for 41
mark mozaz wallis | 17.08.2004 11:03
on thurday 12 aug 2004 i was introduced to Naseh
Ghafor.. along with meny others on a rota i have been
sat with Naseh Ghafor holding his hand talking with
him.. i have got to know a very brave young man..
it angers me to my very being to sit and watch a man
die (be killed) due to the racist blunkett..
i have no respect time for blunket anymore..
there are meny thousands of Naseh Ghafor,s here in the
uk..
forgive me i,m tired full of tears and rage at seeing
another human being die in front of me (being
killed)..
i simply ask you to act
Meet 5pm Tuesday 16th August on Ellesmere Green (top
of Spital Hill sheffield) for a protest/vigil for Naseh Ghafor's
right to live, stay and work in this country.
Same time each day.
more
http://naseh.burngreave.net
e list
defend-naseh@lists.aktivix.org
back ground info.
http://www.ncadc.org.uk/newszine49/naseh.html
http://www.noii.org.uk/
http://www.noborder.org/news_index.php
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/sheffield/
Naseh Ghafor has now been on 'Hunger Strike' for 41
days -
Naseh Ghafor Must Stay
Naseh's family were wiped out in northern Iraq. During
the process of "Arabization", Naseh says his father
was killed and his Mother and two sisters disappeared
-presumed dead. Terrified, Naseh fled.
Naseh's asylum claim has been refused -
He was evicted from his NASS accommodation, his
financial support cut, and has no right to work - he
was destitute and homeless, and subject to removal.
Confused and frightened
Frightened by a situation whereby he could be sent
back to Iraq anytime, Naseh sewed his lips up and has
been on hunger-strike since the 8th July. Doctors have
said that Naseh could loose consciousness at any time.
Naseh is refusing treatment. He is basically dying.
Campaigners have at all times desperately tried every
possible means to persuade Naseh to end his
hunger-strike, un-stitch his lips and accept medical
treatment. Sue Taylor of the Sheffield Committee to
Defend Asylum Seekers explains how she believes Naseh
feels : "Naseh is dying 'under duress' - he is stuck
in a space of fear and no hope - family members were
killed in Iraq and Naseh had no security there, and
now he is given no security in the UK. He doesn't want
to die, he didn't commit suicide. He wants to live but
it seems he is prepared to die if he can't have a life
without fear"
Having no official protection
Means Naseh's life is filled with fear. Naseh says he
is deeply traumatised by the killing of his father and
disappearance of his Mother and two sisters. He is
terrified to be returned to what is similar to the
situation he fled - daily conflicts, insecurity, no
protection, no control. Returning Naseh would
retraumatise him and exacerbate his acute mental
distress.
Monday 16 August 2004 - Supporters of Naseh Ghafor
demonstrate outside the Milton House Home Office
Immigration and Nationality Directorate offices in
Pond Street, Sheffield.
The crisis of displacement and conflict in northern
Iraq Tension over unresolved property disputes in
northern Iraq between returning Kurds and Arab
settlers "Is potentially one of massive proportions"
say Human Rights Watch and "could soon explode into
open violence". The Australian describe the regions as
"a simmering armed camp, with the Kurdish military
policing the lion's share of town, while other ethnic
groups maintain their own enclaves. Roadblocks are
everywhere, while at the heart of Kirkuk lies a large
US air base. .The city is shelled and mortared every
night. Explosions light up the sky - but no one knows
precisely who's behind the violence.
UNHCR is requesting a continued ban on forced returns
-including rejected cases - to all parts of Iraq until
further notice, recommending that all Iraqi asylum
seekers continue to be granted some form of temporary
protection. The Home Office is ignoring UNHCR's
request.
The Home Office play a game of"smoke and mirrors"
about Iraqi returns.They are quick to insist that they
do not intend to remove Naseh, but slow to add the
word "yet".
Looking back at the Home Office's changing policy on
returns to Iraq, it's not surprising the many people
in Naseh's position feel insecure and criminalised in
this country. The Observer reported that "Britain was
the first country to say it would start forcibly
removing Iraqis who had sought asylum while Saddam was
still in power". They also report that "Controversial
plans by Britain to 'enforceably repatriate' hundreds
of Iraqis who fled persecution by Saddam Hussein have
been suspended following warnings that the policy
could see people being sent back to their deaths"
Asylum seekers see the Home Office removing people to
war-torn places like Somalia and Sudan, so they have
little faith when the Home Office says they won't be
returned "until it's safe". The prelude could be
detention pending removal - last month saw two
desperate asylum seekers commit suicide in UK Removal
Centres.
Our requests
" That the Home Office carefully considers a new
application on behalf of Naseh by his solicitor for
protection
" That the Home Office complies with the UNHCR request
that all Iraqi asylum seekers are given some minimum
form of official protection in the UK
" That all "failed" asylum seekers " in limbo"
who cannot return, be given the right to work
How you can help
1) Fax/write to the Minister for Immigration Des
Browne - requesting that Naseh Ghafor be given
official protection. You can use the model letter
attached. Copy/amend/write your own version, feel free
to add your own comments.
You can fax Des Browne on 020 7273 2043, from outside
the UK + 44 20 7273 2043.
Or write direct to:
Des Browne
Minister for Immigration
Home Office
50 Queen Annes Gate
London, SW1H 9AT
Please notify the campaign of any letters and faxes
sent - NasehGhaforMustStay@ncadc.org.uk
Preferably sending the campaign a hard copy:
Sheffield Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers
c/o Sheffield TUC
Sheffield Trades and Labour Club
Talbot Street Entrance
Sheffield S2 2TG
07787 146690
2) Download the petition (NasehGhaforPetition.doc)
Sign it, and get others to sign too. When the form is
complete with signatures, please post it to Sheffield
Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers, c/o Sheffield TUC,
Sheffield Trades and Labour Club, Talbot Street
Entrance, Sheffield S2 2TG
3) Download and distribute the Leaflet
(NasehLeaflet.ppt)- to as many people as you can.
Thank You! Your support can make a difference!
Messages of support/solidarity to be read to Naseh,
please email to NasehGhaforMustStay@ncadc.org.uk
in rage
mark mozaz wallis
Ghafor.. along with meny others on a rota i have been
sat with Naseh Ghafor holding his hand talking with
him.. i have got to know a very brave young man..
it angers me to my very being to sit and watch a man
die (be killed) due to the racist blunkett..
i have no respect time for blunket anymore..
there are meny thousands of Naseh Ghafor,s here in the
uk..
forgive me i,m tired full of tears and rage at seeing
another human being die in front of me (being
killed)..
i simply ask you to act
Meet 5pm Tuesday 16th August on Ellesmere Green (top
of Spital Hill sheffield) for a protest/vigil for Naseh Ghafor's
right to live, stay and work in this country.
Same time each day.
more
http://naseh.burngreave.net e list
defend-naseh@lists.aktivix.org back ground info.
http://www.ncadc.org.uk/newszine49/naseh.html http://www.noii.org.uk/ http://www.noborder.org/news_index.php http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/sheffield/ Naseh Ghafor has now been on 'Hunger Strike' for 41
days -
Naseh Ghafor Must Stay
Naseh's family were wiped out in northern Iraq. During
the process of "Arabization", Naseh says his father
was killed and his Mother and two sisters disappeared
-presumed dead. Terrified, Naseh fled.
Naseh's asylum claim has been refused -
He was evicted from his NASS accommodation, his
financial support cut, and has no right to work - he
was destitute and homeless, and subject to removal.
Confused and frightened
Frightened by a situation whereby he could be sent
back to Iraq anytime, Naseh sewed his lips up and has
been on hunger-strike since the 8th July. Doctors have
said that Naseh could loose consciousness at any time.
Naseh is refusing treatment. He is basically dying.
Campaigners have at all times desperately tried every
possible means to persuade Naseh to end his
hunger-strike, un-stitch his lips and accept medical
treatment. Sue Taylor of the Sheffield Committee to
Defend Asylum Seekers explains how she believes Naseh
feels : "Naseh is dying 'under duress' - he is stuck
in a space of fear and no hope - family members were
killed in Iraq and Naseh had no security there, and
now he is given no security in the UK. He doesn't want
to die, he didn't commit suicide. He wants to live but
it seems he is prepared to die if he can't have a life
without fear"
Having no official protection
Means Naseh's life is filled with fear. Naseh says he
is deeply traumatised by the killing of his father and
disappearance of his Mother and two sisters. He is
terrified to be returned to what is similar to the
situation he fled - daily conflicts, insecurity, no
protection, no control. Returning Naseh would
retraumatise him and exacerbate his acute mental
distress.
Monday 16 August 2004 - Supporters of Naseh Ghafor
demonstrate outside the Milton House Home Office
Immigration and Nationality Directorate offices in
Pond Street, Sheffield.
The crisis of displacement and conflict in northern
Iraq Tension over unresolved property disputes in
northern Iraq between returning Kurds and Arab
settlers "Is potentially one of massive proportions"
say Human Rights Watch and "could soon explode into
open violence". The Australian describe the regions as
"a simmering armed camp, with the Kurdish military
policing the lion's share of town, while other ethnic
groups maintain their own enclaves. Roadblocks are
everywhere, while at the heart of Kirkuk lies a large
US air base. .The city is shelled and mortared every
night. Explosions light up the sky - but no one knows
precisely who's behind the violence.
UNHCR is requesting a continued ban on forced returns
-including rejected cases - to all parts of Iraq until
further notice, recommending that all Iraqi asylum
seekers continue to be granted some form of temporary
protection. The Home Office is ignoring UNHCR's
request.
The Home Office play a game of"smoke and mirrors"
about Iraqi returns.They are quick to insist that they
do not intend to remove Naseh, but slow to add the
word "yet".
Looking back at the Home Office's changing policy on
returns to Iraq, it's not surprising the many people
in Naseh's position feel insecure and criminalised in
this country. The Observer reported that "Britain was
the first country to say it would start forcibly
removing Iraqis who had sought asylum while Saddam was
still in power". They also report that "Controversial
plans by Britain to 'enforceably repatriate' hundreds
of Iraqis who fled persecution by Saddam Hussein have
been suspended following warnings that the policy
could see people being sent back to their deaths"
Asylum seekers see the Home Office removing people to
war-torn places like Somalia and Sudan, so they have
little faith when the Home Office says they won't be
returned "until it's safe". The prelude could be
detention pending removal - last month saw two
desperate asylum seekers commit suicide in UK Removal
Centres.
Our requests
" That the Home Office carefully considers a new
application on behalf of Naseh by his solicitor for
protection
" That the Home Office complies with the UNHCR request
that all Iraqi asylum seekers are given some minimum
form of official protection in the UK
" That all "failed" asylum seekers " in limbo"
who cannot return, be given the right to work
How you can help
1) Fax/write to the Minister for Immigration Des
Browne - requesting that Naseh Ghafor be given
official protection. You can use the model letter
attached. Copy/amend/write your own version, feel free
to add your own comments.
You can fax Des Browne on 020 7273 2043, from outside
the UK + 44 20 7273 2043.
Or write direct to:
Des Browne
Minister for Immigration
Home Office
50 Queen Annes Gate
London, SW1H 9AT
Please notify the campaign of any letters and faxes
sent -
NasehGhaforMustStay@ncadc.org.uk Preferably sending the campaign a hard copy:
Sheffield Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers
c/o Sheffield TUC
Sheffield Trades and Labour Club
Talbot Street Entrance
Sheffield S2 2TG
07787 146690
2) Download the petition (NasehGhaforPetition.doc)
Sign it, and get others to sign too. When the form is
complete with signatures, please post it to Sheffield
Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers, c/o Sheffield TUC,
Sheffield Trades and Labour Club, Talbot Street
Entrance, Sheffield S2 2TG
3) Download and distribute the Leaflet
(NasehLeaflet.ppt)- to as many people as you can.
Thank You! Your support can make a difference!
Messages of support/solidarity to be read to Naseh,
please email to
NasehGhaforMustStay@ncadc.org.uk in rage
mark mozaz wallis
mark mozaz wallis