World Workers' Movements Newswire Archive

#349 | “Will the Public Power Corporation’s syndicalists win or lose?” – some thoughts on the upcoming struggle over electricity in Greeece

Frontex Charter Flights first 6 months 2010

Frontex coordinate charter flights from all countries in the European Union

Total number of persons removed January to June this year: 1,261 on 27 flights

Total provisional costs: of all 27 flights *£6,398,000 

- £5,073 per person / £236,962 average cost per flight

10 flights to Nigeria
6 flights to Kosovo
5 flights to Georgia
2 flights to Iraq
Other destinations: Gambia, Cameroon, Albania, Armenia, Columbia, Ecuador, Burundi.

There were 27 flights in the first 6 months of 2010. Compared to 32 flights in the whole of 2009, removing 1,622 persons, main destination was Nigeria 17 flights involving 849 persons approximate

*(Please not these figures are only provisional, final costs will be known only after last reimbursement claim from the participating countries is processed)

Download breakdown of flights: Joint Returns 2010.doc



Download breakdown of costs: Joint Returns 2010_costs.doc



Joint Return Flights coordinated by Frontex January /December 2009
 http://www.freemovement.org.uk/Resources/Frontex4.html


Frontex in a nutshell
Border management within the European Union has undergone an evolution starting from nationally focused systems to operational cooperation at the external borders. National border security systems are nowadays being complemented by a unified set of effective tools to man-age potential risks at the external borders. Frontex - the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union - was created particularly to integrate national border security systems of Member States against all kind of threats that could happen on or through the external borders of the EU.
 http://www.freemovement.org.uk/Resources/Frontex3.html

GMB TO BALLOT FOR STRIKE ACTION AT SOUTH LONDON HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST OVER AWARD OF PATIENT TRANSPORT CONTRACT TO DIRECTOR WITH RECORD OF SERIAL INSOLVENCY

This summer's scorcher...

Families with all legal rights exhausted to be given two weeks to leave the UK voluntarily

If they don't

Children/parents will be forcibly removed from their homes and taken directly to the airport to board the plane.

UKBA will likely ask for a heavy police presence should the family try and build up any form of community protest on the day of removal. UKBA concerned that if they fail to remove family on the day,  significant public order problems may occur at any future attempts.

In the event of parents of family resisting on the day, family could be separated, children possibly taken into care, whilst police/immigration officials deal with parents.

Any last minute legal challenges processed through the legal system expediently.

The document at many points, stresses the strength of community resistance, from people in the street, teachers, NGOs, MPs, voluntary groups, faith groups, charitable organisations and the media

( The briefing paper reprinted below has been leaked to the media)

Iraq civilian death toll almost doubles in July
Alert Net 01/08/10

UNHCR concerned about deportations to Mogadishu as fighting continues
UNHCR 30/07/10

Thousands flee Congo clashes, security worsens
IRIN 30/07/10

Nine die in Kashmir protest clashes
BBC News 02/08/10]

Two actual or potential conflict situations around the world deteriorated and one improved in July 2010, according to the new issue of the International Crisis Group’s monthly bulletin CrisisWatch

Deteriorated Situations: Rwanda, Somalia

Download the full report: cw84.pdf

Somalia, militant Islamist group al-Shabaab demonstrated for the first time its capability to spread conflict and bloodshed more widely across the region by launching suicide bomb attacks on Kampala, Uganda that killed at least 85 people. The bombings came after explicit warnings by al-Shabaab that they would take revenge on Uganda and Burundi for their troop contribution to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which supports the transitional government against the Islamist group. Despite threats by al-Shabaab leader Sheikh Abu-Zubeyr of further strikes on Kampala and in Burundi, the two countries maintained their resolve to take on the insurgency and committed to send more troops to AMISOM. In Somalia itself scores of civilians were killed as renewed fighting broke out between al-Shabaab and government forces to the north of Mogadishu.

Rwanda, July saw growing political violence, shrinking of democratic space ahead of 9 August presidential election. Democratic Green Party VP and ex- RPF -turned-critic Andre Kagwa Rwisereka found dead 14 July; Rwisereka’s business partner arrested same day for murder; Green Party, rights groups calling for independent inquiry. Editor of independent newspaper Umurabyo and 2 journalists arrested 13 July for article likening President Kagame to Hitler. Tanzanian ICTR defence lawyer Mwaikusa killed 13 July in Dar-Es-Salaam. Electoral campaign for 9 Aug presidential polls started 20 July; only 4 parties admitted: ruling RPF, PL, SDP and PPC. FDU and Democratic Green Party candidates remained barred. Close to 2,000 Rwandan Hutu refugees forcefully repatriated out of Uganda 14 July with Rwandan police participation

MANILA - The new administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III begins with an extremely high trust rating of 88 percent – higher than any of the post-dictatorship presidents. This is a measure of people’s belief in the commitment of the Aquino administration to reverse the anti-poor policies implemented during the regime of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Harmondsworth IRC, managed by GEO Group UK, is now back to full capacity after being partially made uninhabitable by frustrated detainees in November 2006.

(Formally known as 'Wackenhut Corrections Corporation'. GEO Group has been accused of gross civil rights violations relating to adequate access to food and medical care, especially at its USA Northwest Detention Center, including unlawful interrogations and coercing inmates to sign paperwork they would otherwise not be inclined to. Source 'Wikipedia'. GEO's worldwide operations include the management/ownership of 63 prisons/Immigration Removal Centres and residential treatment facilities with a capacity of 61,500 beds)

As of today there are a total of 3,436 bed spaces, in Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs) and Short Term Holding Facilities (STHFs).

A sizable number of prison bed spaces are occupied by persons off the end of criminal sentences (have reached their release date) and continue to be detained as immigration offenders, awaiting deportation or transfer to a detention centre. UKBA no longer release the numbers of those held in prison as immigration offenders.

Eight IRCs and 4 STHFs are owned/managed or managed by private corporations, three IRCs managed by the Prison Service.

Campsfield House IRC GEO Group Bed spaces: 216 male detainees

Harmondsworth IRC GEO Group Bed spaces 615 male detainees

Yarl's Wood IRC Serco Bed spaces 405 Female detainees

Colnbrook IRC Serco Bed spaces 383 male detainees ( STHC 40 beds male/female)

Brook House IRC G4S Bed spaces 426 male detainees

Oakington IRC G4S Bed spaces 408 male detainees

Dungavel House G4S Bed spaces 190 Mixed, male, female

Tinsley House G4S Bed spaces 146 Male Detainees

Dover IRC HM Prison Service Bed spaces 316 male detainees

Haslar IRC HM Prison Service Bed spaces 160 male detainees

Lindholme IRC HM Prison Service Bed spaces 112 male detainees

Manchester STHF G4S Bed spaces 32

Queens Buildings (Heathrow) STHF G4S Bed spaces 15

Harwich STHF Abbey Security Ltd Bed spaces 12

Dover Harbour STHF Dover Harbour Board Bed spaces 20

Addresses/phone/fax/visiting times for all the above can be found here:
 http://www.freemovement.org.uk/Resources/addresses.html

(Editors note, data has been taken from UKBA/Private management web sites)

The prominent Iranian labour activist Mansour Osanloo has been serving time in Prison under poor health conditions for a long time

Human rights activists have begun a campaign to raise awareness about the situation of Mansour Ossanlou, and, by extension, all political prisoners in Iran.
Join our campaign at Iran Solidarity.

You can now ask UKBA for your case to be reviewed in light of the judgement of the Supreme Court in HJ (Iran) & HJ (Cameroon).

[ HJ (Iran) & HJ (Cameroon) may also be beneficial to religious minorities who have been refused asylum on the grounds that they could relocate. You will need to check with a reliable solicitor/case worker. ]


Asylum Seekers [ HJ (Iran) & HJ (Cameroon) ]

House of Lords / 21 July 2010 : Column WA216
 http://tinyurl.com/Column-WA215

Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will issue an asylum policy instruction following the judgment of the Supreme Court in HJ (Iran) (FC) v Secretary of State for the Home Department and HJ (Cameroon) (FC) v Secretary of State for the Home Department; and whether they will review decisions by the UK Border Agency which may be incompatible with that judgment.[HL1207]

Baroness Neville-Jones: Asylum decision-makers were instructed to apply the new test contained in the judgment immediately after the judgment was published. They have also been asked to review, in the light of the new test, cases in which a decision has already been made but in which appeal rights have not yet been exhausted.

There will not be an automatic review of cases where appeal rights have been exhausted but individuals are able to ask for their case to be reviewed in light of the new judgment.

An asylum policy instruction will be published within the next few months. This will reflect the judgment and we will develop better training to promote understanding of sexual orientation and identity issues in order to help decision-makers to decide on the basis of the best available information and knowledge.


Summery of the Judgement can be accessed below:
 http://www.freemovement.org.uk/Media-2/HJIranandHTCameroon.html

Important Information for Refugees granted leave to remain for 5 years in 2005

From 30 August 2010, those granted refugee leave or humanitarian protection in 2005 for 5 years will start to come to the end of their 5 years leave.

They will need as a matter of urgency to renew their application for indefinite leave to remain.

Someone who does not do so before his/her 5 years leave expires may suffer several problems - including losing any entitlement to work or receive benefits, or that any application for indefinite leave to remain is dealt with more restrictively, could also lead to their status being revoked and removal from the UK.

The UK Border Agency has published information about making applications for indefinite leave to remain for these people. See:
Refugees and those with humanitarian protection - route to settlement
 http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/asylum/outcomes/successfulapplications/leavetoremain/

Plus
For information on how to apply for indefinite leave to remain before your leave expires, you should go to:
Completing application form SET (Protection Route)
 http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/settlement/applicationtypes/completing_set_protection_route/

Vestas - Magic Roundabout Re-occupied on 1st Anniversary of the Workers Occuaption.

At around 4pm this afternoon, one year on from the beginning of the Vestas occupation,
15 ex-Vestas workers and campaign supporters re-occupied the 'Magic Roundabout' next to the Vestas factory. The roundabout was the home of the support campaign for over 4 months last year in solidarity with the 600 workers who lost their jobs when the wind turbine factory closed it's doors last August.

[ G4s Not Fit for Purpose: This is the second report in seven days by Anne Owers HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (HMCIP) severely critical of G4S managed establishments. Report on an announced inspection of HMP Wolds (disappointing decline) was published on Tuesday 6th July, copy available here . . . . HMCIP previous reports of G4s managed IRCS, Tinsley House report July 2009 severely critical, Oakington report June 2008, severely critical. Inspectors have made 190 recommendations for Brook House, all following text , extracted from inspectorate report/press release. ]

It is clear that the Communist Party of the Philippines’ theory and practice of due process is based on the assumption of innocence or diminished criminal culpability when cadres toe the official line, but becomes assumed guilt when cadres raise questions against the central leadership.

Learn from Ka Elliot, Cast away parliamentary illusions!

The Trail of Tears for Afghanistan peace walk from London to Colchester took place from Sunday, 27th June to Thursday, 1st July 2010. It was meant as an act of solidarity with British war resister Joe Glenton and others like him, and as a remembrance of the countless victims on all sides of the bloody (almost) nine-year war in Afghanistan, now spreading to Pakistan.

Video of upcoming 5th Congress of the African People's Socialist Party

For the first time since the 1960s, the liberation movement of black people in the U.S. is winning public recognition from international leaders. Representatives of the governments of Venezuela and Nicaragua, a leader of the Mexican/Indigenous rights movement, and African leaders from Colombia, the Caribbean, Congo and West Africa will come together at the 5th Congress of the African People’s Socialist Party – USA (APSP-USA), July 10-14 in Washington, D.C.

Unions urge Noynoy to prioritize ‘full employment,’ not to renege on his ‘people’s mandate’