UK Migration Feature Archive
Immigrant Struggles Climax in 11.000 Strong Demonstration in Belgium
05-03-2006 18:51
A 11.000 strong demonstration took place in Brussels on Feb 25, 2006, to demand the legalisation of the 150.000 illegal migrants living in Belgium, and an end to mass arrests, detentions, and deportations [More: 1|Photos: 1|2|3|4].
The demonstration is the climax of years of struggle (since 1970) and migrant self-organisation to reclaim their rights: in early 2005 the Church of Minimes was occupied, and in October 2005 started the occupation of the Church of St Boniface in Brussels, that continues today [More: 1, 2| Video: 1]. After months of failed negotiations with the Belgian state, and under the threat of imminent deportations, about 10 members of the occupation started a hunger strike to support their demands. In early February 3000 people demonstrated in Antwerpen for legalisation and 2500 in January demanded the end of children being in detention outside the Vottem detention center. In September 2005, about 2500 people gathered to commemorate the death of Semira Adamou, killed by police during her deportation.
Activists gather for peace conference
03-03-2006 19:18
Hundreds of people gathered on Sunday for a day of talks, information, discussion and workshops on the theme of peace.
The Nottingham Students Peace Movement's conference welcomed Sam Azad (International Federation of Iranian Refugees), author Milan Rai and Alan Simpson MP to lead a discussion on "justice not vengeance." They were followed by lecturers Richard Keeble and Beryl Aldridge and Notts Indymedia's Wietse talking about combating media bias. Both sessions welcomed extensive audience contributions. Various workshops were later held on alternative media, creative campaigning, civil rights and black activism.
Event photos
Listen to media bias debate
See full timetable
Anti-Deportation Protest at Nottingham Magistrates Court
03-03-2006 02:16
Update: Ali has been temporarily released pending judicial review of his case. Read article.
Ali was being held in Campshill House detention centre in Oxford. He now has his medication. He has been released and soon the battle starts to sort out his case and find enough evidence to keep him in Britain.
Around 30 people protested the illegal deportation of 20-year-old Afghani refugee Ali Noori at Nottingham Magistrates Court on the morning of March 2. He has been told about the demo and could not believe it at first, but wants to send his thanks and gratitude to everyone who came out on such a cold day.
>> Event photos
Full article | 1 addition | 2 comments
Fury grows over suspicious death during police raid
12-02-2006 16:50
On January 10th West Yorkshire Police raided a house in Plumstead, South East London, looking for a suspect in connection with the shooting of Pc Sharon Beshenivsky. Allegedly the robbers who shot the Pc have links to the Somali community in the Woolwich/Plumstead area. When the police raided the house, alone inside was Nuur Saeed who was unconnected to the accused but later found outside seriously injured. It seems he fell head first from a second story balcony. He died on January 22nd from a massive brain injury.
Back in August another young black man died In Bradford in unclear circumstances. Paul Coker died on the floor of a cell in Plumstead nick. His mother and sister attended a large demonstration at the police station where several hundred people gathered to express their anger over Nuur Saeed's death. "They are experiencing the same unaccountable wall of silence that the de Menezes family are so angry about. The family of Nuur Saeed have all this to come." Right now they are still coming to terms with the death of a loved one. His friends and the local community are furious.
Article with photos and report of the demonstration
Links: Police network tracks vehicles [in Beshenivsky case] | Justice for Nuur Saeed | Family wants truth about how Nuur Saeed died | Justice for Nuur Saeed Campaign launched
Other Media: Somalis protest over death during police raid | Somali community demands justice for Nuur Saeed | Scores protest at police station | Protesters demand truth after fatal fall
Related events: Pig Brother Live Show UK Tour - a survey of police violence, weapons, their effects and why they usually get away with it. Live multimedia show pus speakers Ken Fero and Brenda Weinberg, Chris Alexander of the Azelle Rodney Campaign and people from the Jean Charles Campaign. 1st date: 17th Feb 7.30pm 15 rampart street E1 2LA
World Social Forum Bamako
10-02-2006 20:00
The first Social Forum on African soil took place in January in Bamako, Mali [Photos | Video]. Around 10,000 activists from Africa and Europe mainly discussed issues of global trade justice, migration and neo-colonialism during the four-day get-together. A large-scale demonstration marked the opening the WSF. The Youth Camp and some media activists participated with a soundsystem bus. Slight troubles were caused by clashes between Moroccan and Western Saharian nationalists at the end of the ceremony [Video].
Before this the stadium witnessed the opening talks of Malian associations, remembering the quest of WSF to tackle the poverty in the world and create solidarity among the people.
"We have to talk about why our young people dreams are all about leaving Africa, why do they want to go to Europe and prefer the risk to die?"
Migration related workshops played a major role in the WSF and several statements were published about the pressing issue.
World Social Forum 2006 opens in Bamako, Mali | World Social Forum 2006: Bamako (Mali) | Caracas (Venezuela) | Karachi (Pakistan)
Harmondsworth Detainees Protest after Death in Detention
27-01-2006 20:46
On 19 January, 2006, Bereket Yohannes, a 26-year-old from Eritrea, was found hanged in the showers of Harmondsworth detention center near Heathrow [see NCADC's original report].
The following day, distressed detainees refused to take food, held a meeting and demanded to meet with the United Kingdom Detention Services (UKDS) who run detention centres. 61 detainees signed a joint statement concerning the conditions at Harmondsworth and the treatment of detainees and presented it to UKDS. A member of the detainee support network said:
"I wish to underline the detainees' protest was thoroughly peaceful. The committee members had a key role in defusing tension and stopping other detainees from taking more drastic and desperate forms of action."
Nevertheless, UKDS and the Home Office responded by moving those involved to “secure cells” (solitary confimement) or transferring them to other detention centres as a punishment [report].
This was not the first time that miserable conditions at detention centres have lead to protests and people taking their lives [Harmondsworth protest 2004 | IRR report | Interview with detainee].
A vigil in memory of Bereket will be held on Sunday, 29 January, outside Harmondsworth detention center. Participants are ecouraged to visit detainees.
Mohammed Arrian wins the right to stay in the UK
13-01-2006 15:07
On 12th January 2006, after two well attended protests in Sheffield on the 7th [ photos: 1 | 2 ] and 11th January Mohammed Arrian was granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK with his family. It is expected that he will be released from Dover Immigration Removal Centre today (13th January) and return to his friends and family in Sheffield, he was scheduled to be deported to Afghanistan on 17th January.
Mohammed Arrian has been living in Sheffield for the last three years, he fled Afghanistan 12 years ago, he feared for his life in Afghanistan — his father was murdered there and the rest of his family who live in Sheffield had already been granted indefinite leave to remain.
Earlier coverage: Sheffield People Campaign Against the Deportation of Mohammad Arrian.
Sheffield People Campaign Against the Deportation of Mohammad Arrian
07-01-2006 21:53
Mohammad Arrian, who has been living in Sheffield for the last three years, is scheduled to be deported back to Afghanistan on 17th January despite concerns that his life is danger if he returns. Twelve years ago Mohammad fled from Afghanistan, initially to Iran. Prior to fleeing Afghanistan Mohammad had spoken out against the regime then in power and his father was murdered for working for a previous Government. Mohammad believes that the Warlords currently in power in Afghanistan would kill him if they knew he had returned. Mohammad is currently being detained in Dover Immigration Removal Centre awaiting deportation. However, while Afghanistan has been deemed safe for Mohammed's return, the rest of his close-knit family in Sheffield have been granted protection and indefinite leave to remain in the country because of safety concerns about returning.
On Saturday 7th January, family, friends, colleagues and supporters of Mohammad Arrian assembled outside Sheffield Town Hall to express their belief that Mohammad is in grave danger if he returns to Afghanistan and to demonstrate their support for his right to asylum and to stay with his family in Sheffield. [Photos: 1 | 2] Before this family and supporters had sent a petition of 400 signatures to the Home Office to demand a rethink on the decision. There are other demonstrations planned ahead of the rapidly-approaching deportation date.
Dawn Blockades at Glasgow Immigration Center
15-12-2005 21:04
In the early mornings of this week, a wide alliance of noborder people are blockading Glasgow's Brand Street Immigration Centre to prevent "dawn raids" against immigrants, starting on 14 Dec [pics]. Further direct action is being reported on the Openborders website.
This is part of a growing campaign against migration controls in the UK. On 17 Dec, protests are taking place in Glasgow, Sheffield [pics], Manchester and Yarlswood.
Wigan School Kids Demand Return of Class-mates
15-11-2005 20:34
Over 100 school children took part in a rally last Saturday 5th November 2005 to demand five of their class-mates are brought back from Uganda. Sarah Hata and her children - Dennis, Hope, Maureen, Peace and Moris - were taken from their home in Wigan, detained, forcefully taken to three planes within 48 hours and finally, without warning, removed to Uganda on the 26th October 2005.
Councillors and teachers joined pupils from St Thomas More RC High School and St. Cuthbert's Primary School as read they out letters they have written to Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and sang "Give Peace a Chance". They demanded that the Hata family are returned to their home in Wigan from Uganda whilst their solicitor continues to make representations on their behalf.
Oct 1st: Migrants and Supporters Protest Against Deportations
07-10-2005 16:00
In Bolton, Manchester a demonstration took place against Section 9 and in support of the Sukula family, who were forced to flee from Kinshasa in the Congo after being beaten and victimised. See Sheffield Feature | Sukula family call | Manchester NoBorder
At the same time 800 took part in a march and rally in Glasgow [pic], which came just days after the deportation of the Kosovan Vucaj family who were snatched in a dawn raid by immigration officials. Robina Qureshi, director of PAIH, said: "These are messages from ordinary Scottish people. And our message is clear - no more dawn raids in this city". [ Background: 1 | 2 | 3 | Photoblog ]
In London a protest was held at Communication House [pics] - the "reporting and enforcement centre" of the Immigration and Nationality Department - where refugees have to 'sign on' and where many have been detained before deportation.
Meanwhile police killed five migrants during a mass breach of the Moroccan / Spanish Border -See reports 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Indymedia Estrecho
More: Indymedia Migration Section | No One Is Illegal | NCADC | Make Borders History
Letter from Yarl's wood detention centre
Northern Communties Fight Against Fortress Europe
03-10-2005 13:45
Over 500 marched in Bolton on Saturday in solidarity with the Sukula family, against Section 9 of the 2004 Asylum & Immigration Act and for an end to all immigration controls.
The Sukula family is one among many who after the proposed introduction of Section 9 is threatened to be separated and have their children taken into care. Their pledge for asylum was rejected and they do not receive any benefits. Bolton City Council still refuses the implementation of Section 9, currently tested in a few northern councils which would oblige them to take the kids of the Sukula family into care on the grounds that their parents cannot support them. The council argues that this would violate Section 20 of the 1989 Children Act and the cost of it would be higher than continuing paying benefits to the family. The support of the Sukula family and the opposition against Section 9 brought together groups and unions from various northern cities and towns. Two unions decided in a consensus vote of their members to refuse to participate in implementing Section 9. Speakers reminded the crowd of the importance to build local and regional networks of solidarity and resistance aganist the racist policies of the British and EU governments.
UK Indymedia feature: Oct 1st: Migrants and Supporters Protest Against Deportations
Refugee artist project launches at festival day
26-09-2005 17:59
Saturday 8th October 11am - 5pm, at Nottingham Playhouse; A festival day celebrating the work of artists in exile across the region and the launch of an East Midlands refugee artist network: Long Journey Home. The day will include theatre, music, song, poetry, film, exhibitions, food, crafts and free workshops.
In '1001 Nights Now', a new play by Northern Stage, leading writers of Middle Eastern origin revisit the story of Sheherazade, exposing with insight, colour and with the lives of people who seek refuge. It's on at Nottingham Playhouse, Friday 30 September - Saturday 15 October, and meet some NNRF supporters in the foyer. Click here for details and check out the weblog to see how rehearsals are going.
Links: Long Journey Home | Nottingham Refugee Forum | Nottingham Playhouse
Yarlswood: Another Death in Detention
19-09-2005 11:10
Manuel Bravo from Angola, who lived in Leeds, was 'snatched' by immigration officials, along with his son, on the morning of September 14. In the early hours of September 15, Manuel was found hanging in a stairwell at Yarl's Wood Removal Centre. He was due to be deported the next day. Sady Campaign held a vigil in front of Yarl's Wood detention center on Saturday.
See reports from NCADC and on Imc UK: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
An activist reports: "The people detained with him got very upset. Most of them are women, many with children. Everybody was crying. I phoned them at the detention centre and I could hear it; a woman was so upset she could not even talk, just kept sobbing."
Several women from Uganda remain on hunger strike in Yarl's Wood, protesting against their deportation and the conditions in detention (see Legal Action For Women). Custody staff have tried to move hungerstrikers into solitary confinement and many women speak of the ongoing harassment.
Previous reports: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9. For more info see the full article
No Detentions, No Deportations
08-09-2005 22:08
The 28th August saw the Government's plans come into being that allows for the forced deportation of Iraqi Kurds to Iraq, based on the claim that it is now safe for return.
Following a meeting of local Kurdish and Yemeni communities, protests against this policy of forced deportations were organised in Sheffield by the Campaign Against Detention and Deportation of Iraqis.
It was agreed at the meeting to hold demonstrations every Saturday at 2pm in the Peace Gardens. Over 100 people turned out for the first demonstration on August 27th.
The Sheffield No Borders group is hosting a film night and benefit gig on Friday 9th September. A film about the European joint efforts to create a system of detention centres and the resistance against it will be shown, along with clips from no border actions in Scotland at the G8 summit this summer. Funds raised will go to support the Magical Mystery Tour action which seeks to highlight to people in Sheffield the government agencies and private companies involved with (and profiteering from) asylum seekers and migrants, and their subsequent detention and deportation.
Links: Sheffield No Borders Group | Make Borders History campaign | No Border Network | European Network Against Detention Centres
Nottingham Protest against Deportations to Northern Iraq (Kurdistan) :: Pictures
22-08-2005 12:50
Desperate to reach his targets, the home secretary is abducting Iraqi asyslum seekers to detention centres for return to Iraq. This goes against UNHCR advice that "failed" asylum seekers should not be sent back to Iraq, either forceably or by inducement, because the country is unstable and dangerous. A protest in support of those who face deportation...
Current: Nottingham Refugee Forum | UNHCR Advice on Iraq | Twice a week, gathering at Point of Disappearance | Iraq Unravels, article by Ranjan Chaudhuri, Nottingham Friends of the Iraqi People (NFIP) | Electronic Iraq (non-corporate news service from Iraq) | Another protest is planned in Sheffield on 27th Sep
Previous: 'Noisy' Demo on the Market Square + Announcement | Occupation Regional Labour Party Offices
British Women That Marry Asylum Seekers
28-07-2005 23:22
In February 2005 The Home Office brought about new regulations forcing all non European Nationals to ask ‘permission’ before getting married.
Those non EU Nationals married in the United Kingdom before February of this year may classify themselves as being amongst ‘one of the lucky’ few who managed to marry the person they love, however it seems that even before these new laws were passed marriage to an non-EU member didn’t count for very much in Britain anyway.
The shocking reality of being married to an non-EU member in Britain today is a life of forced uncertainty, dominated by the imminent threat of your loved ones being deported and returned to a country where they most probably face certain death. Astonishingly the ’Right to Marry and found a family’ as outlined in Article 8 of The Human Rights Act is certainly not a right that exists for many British women today.
EU co-ordinated deportation of Afghani refugees
23-07-2005 23:00
On Monday July 25th or Tuesday 26th, young failed asylum seekers from Afghanistan will be put on a charter plane at one of the London airports. The charter will then travel to Paris, pick up more young failed asylum seekers from Afghanistan in France for onward transit to Kabul. At least 60 Afghans are expected to be on board.
Reports by Lille Indymedia tell of widespread repression in the form of mass arrests and detention of Afghani refugees since July 14th ahead of the chartered flight. According to Lille Indymedia, a significant number of Afghani refugees have attempted to flee France to seek sanctuary in England. There are also reports of a hunger strike by 51 detained Afghanis that has since been broken up by the French authorities.Expulsions to Kabul, be ashamed! | NCADC response and model letter | Deportation Alliance
YMCA withdraws from Ayslum Slavery Scheme
10-07-2005 17:05
This weeks protests against the G8 involved the make borders history walking tour of the border regime and it's asylum profiteers in Glasgow. [ pics 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 ][ video ].
One of the sites of interest to the border tour-ists in Glasgow was the YMCA because of it's partnership with the IOM (International Organisation of Migration) and its proposed involvement in the Home Office's forced labour scheme for some asylum seekers.
Back in May in a two pronged approach, voluntary sector workers, trade unionists, council workers, refugees and human rights protesters directly protested in Liverpool and Birmingham at Government plans to pilot a forced slave labour scheme for asylum seekers with the help of the voluntary sector's YMCA. As a result the YMCA has since withdrawn from the scheme, but other voluntary sector organisations have expressed an interest in running the scheme and the struggle against immigration slave labour continues.
No One is Illegal letter | Birmingham protests | Liverpool protests | Make Borders HistoryBorders at the G8
27-06-2005 09:06
G8 countries spearhead the world system of borders; a system which renders many people illegal and which leaves all of us divided. Restrictions on our movement, restrictions on our right to work, restrictions on our right to receive medical treatment or legal aid or any other social benefit are all standard. What's more these restrictions are largely based on the arbitrary notion of nationality and on its ugly twin: race.
[Groups opposing borders and/or campaigning on immigration issues: No Border Network | No one is Illegal | Make Borders History | Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers | National Coalition of Anti-Deporation Campaigns]
[Opposing borders at the G8: Make Borders History tour (July 3, Glasgow)]
