Sarah Update

Sarah has been released on bail and is receiving pro bono legal representation.

Notice - Ugandan Refugee Sarah of Previous Post Not Deported Today

Unpack later. Still unclear why. I can confirm that a number of concerned citizens, journalists and activist support groups have actively pursued her case. The cancellation of her deportation today however, may relate to new EU legislation which we shall definitely be writing about. Details will follow once clear of the facts.

Sarah will meet two pro bono lawyers tomorrow from two different support organisations. There is no guarantee she will not be deported in due course, nor yet any reason to assume she can present a compelling case for asylum, but at least she may this way be granted the right to have her case heard.

Ugandan Woman's Deportation - Her Version

"Their version" to come. Her side of the story seemed more urgent

31 year-old Ugandan detainee at Beford's Yarl's Wood Sarah, will remember the 5th of November 2007.  If all goes according to schedule, 5/11 will be her last day in the UK before being sent back to Uganda. Trafficked to the UK now over a year ago by a female acquaintance and group of unknown traffickers, unwittingly Sarah had become another victim of the UK sex trade.  While being forced to live and work in a brothel in London, Sarah became infected with HIV and suffered severe sexual abuse which left her with constant bleeding.  A customer helped her escape from the brothel but kept her in his own home, using her for sex until her condition deteriorated to the point of demanding immediate surgical intervention.  After taking Sarah to the hospital her captor vacated his residence - nothing has been heard of him since.  At the hospital, Sarah received massive blood infusions to replace lost blood, and underwent surgery in her pelvic region. She still does not know, despite repeated inquiries, the nature of the surgery she underwent.

Within two weeks of her admission to hospital, Sarah was detained at the Yarl's Wood detention centre where she has remained. During this detention period, Sarah received her asylum interview - this despite her state of demoralisation and despair following her ordeal  - trafficking, frequent rape over an extended period, contracting HIV and losing - Sarah herself says she supposes - her uterus. In  this state of shock, unrepresented, and inhibited from volunteering much of her here related story by her own culture's attitudes to rape and HIV, Sarah felt she had been left unable to properly present her case as a result of which she has found herself unable to qualify for an asylum application, and on her way back to Uganda. Because however, one of Sarah's traffickers is connected to her own village community, if deported to Uganda, Sarah and her family face, she says, the threat of violent retribution.  Furthermore even if Sarah were to escaped the traffickers' retribution, a lack of access to ARVs would shorten her life expectancy dramatically.

Sarah's only legal council since her detention was provided briefly by the private firm that runs Yarl's Wood centre.  Instead of representing Sarah's needs however, the solicitor reportedly advised Sarah to go back to Uganda.  When Sarah stressed why that would endanger her life, the solicitor replied that she had no other options since she would be unable to afford a lawyer's fees. She was unaware of pro bono legal services until November 4th 2007, 36 hours before her scheduled deportation.  Despite repeated requests she has also not been granted a single consultation with a gynecologist since her operation in February,  meaning her clinical condition also remains unclear. Despite the extent of her ordeals, Sarah has also only been granted two visits with a psychiatrist in the last year.

On Monday evening Sarah will be handcuffed and bound at her ankles, sedated, and moved to the airport by van by a team of professional escorts not connected to the detention centre or the government but an outsourced operation.  This company itself has come under scrutiny in the past, in an earlier deportation case, failed asylum-seekers are said to have arrived in Cameroon so badly beaten by this professional escort company that the Cameroonian gaol would not accept custody of the victims for fear they would not survive in custody.

Sarah is by no means the first to fall foul of an asylum system that is often arbitrary and unfair in its decision making, nor yet is her story among the most compelling. Many are caught in the cross hairs of hardening public attitudes and policy initiatives towards asylum seekers.

The home office has quotas of number of people it deports, and the private company which runs the centre was recently hired after tendering a contract bid promising to cut costs by one third.  One of the cost-savings made has been on limiting the psychological therapy available to the detainees - people who have often been through considerable ordeals and who's needs are clearly often far more than purely clinical.

Sarah needs to have time to talk to a legal counselor.  In the past, media attention and calls to the Home Office (020 7035 4848, Immigration 02087 456 900) have helped forestall deportations.  Please take a moment during your lunch hour to help by making a call to ask what the Home Office is doing to ensure Sarah's human rights are respected.

Take a look at Independent article featuring a fellow detainee Maude  who has been on a hunger strike for the past six weeks, and narrowly escaped, for now at least, a very debatable deportation order:
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article3098868.ece
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/legal/article3101930.ece

Also worth looking at Guardian articles - undercover journalist's report on time spent as a professional escort and the brutality he witnessed during this time:
www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1428473,00.html

Contact

Devon Knudsen
07788477042

SOAS Detainee Support:
Theresa
07716510148

Home Office - Immigration
02087 456 900

Us at InformationOtherwise

Other Useful Links

Anti Trafficking and Sex Slavery:

Helen Bamber Foundation
http://www.helenbamber.org/index.html

The Truth Isn't Sexy
http://www.thetruthisntsexy.com/

anti-slavery
http://www.antislavery.org/

Government & Agency:

The Border and Immigration Agency
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/

Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/immigrationremovalcentres/yarlswood

Photography by Andy Wang - Image of one of Sarah's immigration documents.

Event: Kansai Kouen - 関西公園

FILMS YOU WON'T SEE ANYWHERE ELSE

A documentry film about homelessness in Japan

Thursday the 25th of October at 20:00

"Kansai Kouen" is an ongoing project dedicated to informing and connecting people with interest in or concern for the struggle for dignity of existence by the "No-juku-sha" (野宿者) - the rough sleepers of Osaka and from all over Japan. "Public Blue" is a documentary short history and portrait of the homeless community in Japan.

When I went to Japan, besides the firework show of outdoor advertising and the trains that came on time, the Shibuya girls with their bleached hair and heavy tans, the suited salary men and the silent rush hour, something which quickly caught my attention were all the patches of blue tarpaulin which seemed to line rivers and canals, fill parks and occupy the back and waste spaces of the country's major cities. These blue tarpaulins are the trade mark of the homes of the Japanese urban homeless. Homes of the homeless? It struck me early on that homelessness in Japan was different. Three major points distinguished for me, homelessness in Japan from homelessness as I had known it on the streets of London: one was the fact that the vast majority of Japan's homeless in fact live in makeshift homes they have constructed for themselves. Another was how homeless and drug addiction do not go together the way they do here, and finally not only the fact that begging is as good as non-existent in Japan but also the fact that a large percentage of the Japanese homeless population do in fact work to survive and sustain themselves. The collecting of empty cans for sale is scrap is standard, co-operating to collect and re-sell dropped magazines and comics is common, some have even gone so far as to open shops selling salvage! I was also struck by how strong the sense of pride many homeless preserve.

Kansai Kouen's film,  gives an insight into this fascinating world, their hardships, the precarious nature of their existence and their collective mobilisation for resistance and cooperation for survival and dignity. This film was shown as part of the World Social Forum 2005 and is to be shown as part of the Yamagata Film Festival (http://www.yidff.jp/home.html) this month among other places - this is your chance to see it in the UK!

This is their site:
http://www.kansaikouen.org/

The film maker will be present to answer questions and additional short films will be shown about  homelessness and squatting in this country and others.

Venue
RampART Social Centre:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RampART_Social_Centre

Address
15 Rampart Street, London E1 2LA (near Whitechapel, off Commercial Rd)
07050 618445
rampart@mutualaid.org

Map
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=534641&y=181230&z=0&sv=E1+2LA&st=2&pc=E1+2LA&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf


Images
I have posted with this article some of my own images of homelessness in Japan for people's interest. I have others if anyone is interested. Note the squat shop selling salvage and the vegetable and flower gardens







Links
Comming

ALL THOUGHTS, LINKS, EVENTS, COMMENTS RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS IN JAPAN AND AROUND THE WORLD AS WELL AS FEEDBACK FROM THOSE WHO HAVE SEEN THE FILM WELCOME

Event: BURMA - Prayers and Protest

Peaceful protests on the streets of London in sympathy and in support of the people of Burma's peaceful resistance

While I undoubtedly wear my politics on my sleeve, I none the less try to maintain the editorial distance of an observer and not a participator, on this occasion however, forgive me if I call for action, as my heart bleeds for Burma.

Recent events in Burma can hardly have escaped the attention of most. Twenty years after they last stood up (August 1988), only to be mown down by their own government (estimated 3,000 unarmed demonstrators killed), the people of Burma have stood up again. This is a big moment, a moment that those who payed attention knew was bound to come sooner or later, but what now? What will come of it? What will come of the current marches, what become of the marchers? And if the killings go on and if all ends in failure, when again will people next have the courage to stand up? What can be done to support the brave people who have stood up? Big questions and we are so short of time. Whatever can be done, must be done now!

Over the weekend I joined Burmese political asylum seekers and students, friends of Burma and sympathisers and others who joined along the way for protests which emulating those of the peaceful protesters on the streets of Rangoon. Various elements came together in organising this gathering, from Amnesty, to the UK Burmese Democratic Movement Association to Burmese Budhist clergy in London, to university groups. After an initial gathering in Trafalgar, while some went on to the Embassy of Myanmar - to doubtful effect - and others went on to the Chinese and Indian embassies calling on these countries to excerpt some of the influence they hold over Burma, many made there way to the pagoda in Batasea park for a vigil presided over by the presense of Burmese monks here in London.

Just as the flames of the candles lit at this vigil lit neighbours candle after neigbours candle, so this gathering had been lit from a flame burning on the streets of Rangoon and which has been kept alive secretly and has revived after all these years. This is a flame though being extinguished even as I write. Monks rounded up, derobed, shipped into holding pens outside of the city, murdered monks in the river, fleeing protesters shot in the back, a Japanese journalist shot deat at close range, internet and mobile links with the world severed, the monetaries that were the focus of these peaceful demonstrations now deserted and blood stained.

While many of the burmese souls I encountered over the weekend had fled attacks on their families and the destruction of their homes, and still others had familly out on the streets of Rangoon in protest despite the danger, there was a singularly impressive lack of anger in the croud. This spirit of gentlness and non-violence in the Burmese resistance of the military junta has long captivated the world, personified as it is in the carismatic and so often silent leader of the democratic oposition Aung San Suu Kyi.

Photos: Top - prayers for Burma made at pagoda in Batersea Park. Middle - gathering presided over by Burmese Budhist monks in Batersea Park. Bottom - member of Democratic oposition who fled to the UK via Thailand after his home was destroyed and his life put in danger by the junta stakes out Westminster.

To Develop:

Lots of attention and anger focused on China for not intervening, but is this not a  question of people being quicker to lay blame at the door of China because of it's record? Should we not in fact, expect more of democratic India?

The role that media and new media and communications technology has played in making recent demonstrations possible and the deep concern we should feel for the safety of the Burmese people now that the Junta have shut down mobile and Internet communications systems blinding the world and closing whatever windows we had on the country and events.

A friend said to me recently something along the lines of will the country not fall into caos if the junta are pushed out. One of the tragic things about Burma however has always been the existance of a compelling oposition making its case not at all like so many regiems which while brutal more often than not are holding a coutnry together against the odds. Now though, after so long in confinment, is the opposition up to establishing government up to coherant leadership even if given the opportunity?


Education, visas, ban on studying abroad but easy to get out for work etc. Remitences. Inflation. Foreign currency. (Seperate article).



Stop the Killing in Burma Petition:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_burma/u.php?cl=21778297

Amnesty Demo - Sat 6th Oct and ongoing:
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/events_details.asp?ID=547

Burmese Democratic Movement Association - UK
http://www.bdmauk.org/index.html

Burmese Societies at SOAS:

SOAS Students for a Democratic Burma
Guy Craft: guy.craft@soas.ac.uk

Myanmar / Burma Society
Nicola Han: nicolajanehan@hotmail.com

US Campaign for Burma web page well layed out:
http://uscampaignforburma.org/aboutuscb/mission-structure.html

New Media

On Flicker:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=burma

http://blog.flickr.com/en/2007/09/25/burma-protests/

Blogs

News Links:
BurmaNet
http://www.burmanet.org/news/

Irrawaddy - Covering Burma and South East Asia
http://www.irrawaddy.org/

Mizzima - Specialising in Burma Related News and Multimedia
http://www.mizzima.com/

Velib - Two Wheel Revolution Rolls Into Paris

Has anybody else noticed all those grey bicycles in Paris? Visitors to Paris fashion week this month will see a whole new Paris look - shiny, a chic grey, and with only two wheels, it is sure to impress?!




On a recent trip to Paris I was surprised and intrigued by all the identical grey bicycles that seemed to have taken over the city. It was only when I came upon a nest of these bicycles on a street corner that I realised they were in fact self-service rental bikes!

Bertrand Delanoë, the city’s mayor, and his green-minded gang are delighted with the initial popularity of these bicycles - "Freedom Bikes" or "Velib". Indeed, the scheme has caught the attention of many, including some who hope Paris may become a model for other major cities. Among those who have taken a keen interest in the project is Mr. Ken Livingston, Mayor of London who felt compelled to cross the channel so as he might witness the Velib phenomenon for him self (I only hope he took the train!). London has won a bit of socialist oil thanks to Chavez cozying up with Ken, we have won the Olympics, might we now get bicycles? With the Olympic rivalry now settled could we see London following the example of Paris's socialist administration? Could self service bikes be coming to a street near you!

The Parisian Velib system is run by J C Decaux, one of the worlds leading advertisers and the company responsible for most of the street furniture you ever used, things like bus stops etc. This makes Velib a whole different kettle of fish from the idealist dutch bike sharing schemes of the sixties etc. since J C Decaux will bring the the ruthlesness of self interest to bear on the legistical issues which are the practical upshot of this socialist dream. Interestingly, as the latest in street furniture, bicycles have become a point of intense competition for global advertising giants J C Decaux and major competitor Clear Channel (US company). Such competition has to be healthy for us, but ultimately it is how the deals are structured that will decide whether the schemes suceed or fail. The more risk is carried by municipal authorities, the more likely we are to see these giant advertising companies pocket cash while municipal governments foot the bill. The steeper the competition, the greater the temptation for companies to exagerate the achievable in a an attempt to better a rivals tendour. Success of existing schemes clearly demonstrates however, that Velib like schemes can really stand a chance.


Questions:

Structure of deals?

List of cities with similar schemes? Lyon etc.

List of cities developing such schemes? Vienna, Dublin etc.

How do such schemes impact on bicycle businesses? Do they risk putting pressure on bicycle shops, and bicyle hire and repair shops? Or is it a different market meaning that canibalisation will be minimal?

Links

Velib Web Site
http://www.velib.paris.fr/

Cycling.tv - City Bike Schemes
http://cycling.tv/extras/features/international-city-bike-schemes

Ken looks at radical new plans for cycling in London
http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=13253

Fellow Blogger: .everyday social democracy
http://everydaysocialdemocracy.blogspot.com/2007/08/campaign-to-bring-velib-to-paris.html



Advert

Bike hire and repair in Paris by my friend. See website for details.

Allovelo






http://www.allovelo.com/boutique/index.html