| Events |
Read more about upcoming events on the
Events page.
Demonstration at Harmondsworth and Colnbrook
2006-04-08 -
London
Scotland International Day of Action
2006-04-08 -
Glasgow
Communications House Demonstration
2006-04-10 -
London
Demonstration and March in Manchester
2006-04-15 -
Manchester
Demonstration at Campsfield House
2006-04-29 -
Oxford
Convergence on Villawood Detention Centre
2006-04-14 -
Australia
Solidarity Vigil at Perth Detention Centre
2006-04-?? -
Australia
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...something needs to be done...
I'm from Uganda. I arrived in the UK in 1990 seeking asylum. After seven years my asylum was turned down. I went for appeal, through all the procedures. In 1998 I ended up in detention. So, I thought it would take me two to three months to get out. It was horrid. It took 17 months.
I managed to contact people from outside organisations: the Crossroad's Women's Centre, Payday Men's Network, Anti Deportation Campaign, other organisations. Some of them I didn't call, I just received their calls.
So I managed to hold on for 17 months. It wasn't easy. You see a lot of people dragged out, people deported, people screaming. You wake up early in the morning to see other people's fears. You wake up: several people's faces don't exist any more.
I really appreciated people supporting. When you see people try for you, you have to show...Because this detention business is really difficult. Before you get in there you just don't know what's happening inside, especially to women. The women have been separated from their kids. I believe some of you don't like to be separated from your cats, or other animals, when they're lost. I believe that to separate mothers from their kids is hard.
I don't know what happens in prison. I've never been in a prison. But in detention, we have men's wings, where the women don't go, and women's wings without the men going in. But when they come, the security, they walk in any time they want into the women's section. They come and go as they like.
You know, things happen in detention that make people's health not good. There was one man taken out for an operation. After it, he needed two people to support him going to the toilet. But the same day, they deported him.
I think these things...I don't know. ...At least something needs to be done.
One lady from Nigeria, her operation was denied. They realised that something could go wrong. They managed to rush to deport her. She was really sick. She collapsed a couple of times.
I know something needs to be done about the situation in detention.
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Read more |
Escape?
2003-01-26 -
A prisoner in HMP Bullingdon writes.
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Campsfield House is hell fire on Earth.
2003-01-26 -
The account that follows is from someone who was forced to flee from Nigeria. He is certain that if he returned his life would be in extreme danger. If he were to succeed in his request for asylum, he would enrich the UK with his many working skills. All he is asking for is a chance to work and get on with his life, while coming to terms with the trauma he has experienced. This trauma has been intensified by experience in detention.
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...something needs to be done...
2003-01-26 -
The following account was given at a conference to end detention in Europe, in September 2000 in Oxford. HK is a Ugandan refugee, who spent 17 months in Harmondsworth and Tinsley House. He is still waiting for refugee status.
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Appeal for Urgent Intervention
2003-01-29 -
Gabriel Nkwelle had been held in detention in six institutions in England since 2001. The accounts that follow are excerpts from his letters from Rochester, Haslar and Belmarsh. The full letters can be found on the website for the Close Campsfield Campaign at http://www.closecampsfield.org.uk. He has finally been granted refugee status.
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"I can't go back to my country and I'm asking for political asylum"
2003-01-29 -
This account describes arrival in the UK, experiences of the immigration service and detention in Campsfield. It comes from a man from a European country who, after two years of being subjected to immigration bail restrictions, has finally won his case on appeal. He has been recognised as a refugee under the 1931 Geneva Convention. Since his arrival in the UK he has helped numerous other asylum seekers including detainees.
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Campsfield Monitor 1998
2003-01-29 -
Highlights from the Campsfield Monitor 1998. Conditions are shown to be deteriorating.
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I have been five months in detention. I have had no antenatal care.
2003-01-29 -
This short piece is the only one from a woman who has been detained.
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...when you are in the minority yours will be a test of courage.
2003-01-29 -
A speech given at the Conference to Defend Asylum Seekers, held at Cross Street Chapel, Manchester, Saturday March 23rd 2002.
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