I witness - In awareness of FGM

International Zero Tolerance to FGM day


Make a note in your diary for this event taking place on Sunday 6th February 
3.30pm to 6.30pm


Free entry


University of Manchester Student's Union
(South Campus)
Top Floor
Steve Biko Building
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PR


Speakers


Cath Holland: Midwife and anti-FGM activist speaking about her recent trip to Kenya as a part of an ongoing grassroots movement to change perceptions and create alternative rites in Pokat. Also showing previews of a forthcoming film made about her trip by Guardian films.


Peggy Mulongo: will be speaking about NESTAC; a BME community organisation based in Rochdale, who work on protecting the rights of BME people especially African refugees and asylum seekers. They will also be screening a film preview made by the youths involved in the organisation.


Plus!
Art work from FORWARD's "Woman; whose canvas" Exhibition.
"Think Again: The Film" a thought-provoking short that follows a 12-year-old's struggle between family honour and the facts about FGM.


And much much more.....!


Thank you to our supporters:
Saving Our Sisters
University of Manchester Student Union
NESTAC
FORWARD
and other partners


For more information please contact: iwitness2011@gmail.com

Refugee status and housing rights

Information on housing rights for refugees can be found on the following website.

                              Housing rights information

This information is also relevant for those who have leave to remain in the UK e.g. humanitarian protection,discretionary leave or exceptional leave to remain.

MP supports NESTAC

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk has written to the Home Secretary (Theresa May) calling for a comprehensive independent inquiry into circumstances surrounding the death of Jimmy Mubenga following a meeting with NESTAC last week. A copy of the letter is below.

MPs to investigate death of deportee

The Independent has reported that MPs are to investigate the case of Jimmy Mubenga. The chief executive of the UK Border Agency will appear before the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee

The full story can be found here

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/mps-to-investigate-death-of-deportee-2111348.html

Deportation death

Scotland Yard's homicide unit is to investigate Jimmy Mubenga's collapse during deportation to Angola.

Jimmy Mubenga collapsed and died after private security guards (employed by G4S) attempted to escort him on a British Airways commercial flight to Angola on Tuesday night. Several MPs are now calling for a "wide-ranging and independent inquiry" into the UK's deportation system. 

The full story can be read here 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/oct/15/mps-demand-inquiry-flight-death

Following this incident the former chief inspector of prisons has stated that the role private security firms in the detention and removal of asylum seekers from the UK should be investigated by an outside inspectorate.

In addition to this latest incident there has been a spate of recent allegations of assault made on behalf of failed asylum seekers sent back to their home countries by the Home Office.

The full story can be read here 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/private-security-firms-should-face-investigation-says-former-prisons-chief-2108205.html

Enforced returns of failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe to resume

Failed asylum seekers in the UK can now be returned to Zimbabwe, the government told parliament. According to a Home Office press release dated Tuesday 14th October 2010. 

Enforced returns to the country were suspended in September 2006 because the unstable political situation in the country meant that the safety of individuals could not be guaranteed. 

Since the formation of the Inclusive Government in 2009, the countryis now considered stable enough to receive returnees. This means that all Zimbabweans living in the UK illegally now face enforced removal. 

The full article can be read here 

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-centre/news/enforced-returns 

and additional information can be found here 

http://www.freemovement.org.uk/ 

Housing and benefits rights for refugees

Housing and benefits rights for refugees, migrants and other new arrivals to England
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has revamped a website for individuals and advisers designed to give clear guidance on the housing rights of new migrants. 

The Housing Rights site, www.housing-rights.info receives an average 3,000 visits each month, and it has been completely rewritten and re-launched.

The website has detailed information for different categories of new arrival. (Please note: a 'new arrival' may fall into more than one category so you may need to check different pages)