Borde rl ine s

Birm ingh am asyl um se e k e rs and re f uge e s

June 2005

Th is w ork is l ice nse d unde r a Cre at iv e Com m ons At t ribut ion-NonCom m e rcial -Sh are Al ik e 2. 5L ice nse Front cov e r il l ust rat ion (Just ice f or Re f uge e s) by Iranian art ist M oj t aba Abe dini

l i

Ne w sl et t e r Cont e nt s
Edit orial Th e Asyl um Proce ss: " In, O ut , Of f You Go!" D iary: A w e e k of an Asyl um Se e k e r' sl if e in t h e UK Re ce ipt s: il l ust rat ion F orgot t e n Que st ions ab out Asyl um and Im m igrat ion Re f uge e s f or Re f uge e s W ork ing it O ut - Asyl um Se e k e rs and W ork Re sist ance in Exil e M y Grandf at h e r' s St ory 5 7 11 13 14 20 24 27 33

l i

re sist ance & ce l e b rat ion

l i

Edit orial
Borde rl ine s, div isions, t he pl ace s w h e re w e ch oose t o draw t h em , t h e m anne r in w h ich w e ch oose t o e re ct t h em , t h e y are pe rh aps now , as t h ey h av e al w ays be e n, of crucial im port t o t h e socie t y in w h ich we f ind ourse l v e s. Th e de cisions w e m ak e , se e m ingl y w it h out t h ough t , as if by de f aul t , t h e ir im pact re sonat ing f ar be yond t h e spe cif ic l ocal it ie s in w h ich t h e y originat e . And ye t , in our h ast t o buil d such f ront ie rs and boundarie s, w e of t en f orge t t h at at t im e s, in pl ace s, w e pol ice t h e m w it h such a se v e rit y and crue l t y, w h il e at ot h er t im e s, in ot h er pl ace s, w h e re it is conv e nie nt , w e adopt a m ore l e nie nt , f l e xibl e , at t it ude . In raising such ide as, it is pe rh aps appropriat e t o conside r h ow such borde r post s, such cont rol point s, sh ape t he socie t y in w h ich w e l iv e . Th e y are t h e pl ace s w h e re h um an socie t y at t e m pt s t o re gul at e t he f l ow s t h at t rav e rse it : f l ow s of inf orm at ion, f l ow s of goods, of m one y and m e gabyt e s, t he m ov e m e nt of f ood st uf f s, of w ork e rs, oil , w e apons, l anguage s. Ye t , t h e se f l ow s are v ast ;t h e y go be yond us, t h ey e scape us at t he v e ry sam e t im e as w e at t e m pt t o cont rolt h em . And giv en t h is, it se e m s pe rt ine nt t o ask : t o w h at e xt e nt are t h e se div isions w ort h t he ef f ort and t h e sacrif ice t h at w e inv e st in t h em ? In an at t e m pt t o e rode such arbit rary barrie rs, Borde rl ine s h as grow n f rom a se rie s of w ork sh ops w it h asyl um se e k e rs and re f uge e s. Th e aim of t h e se w ork sh ops h as be e n t o sh are t h e sk il l s ne e de d t o produce such a publ icat ion w it h in an ope n e nv ironm e nt , w h e re al l h av e an e q ual v oice . An e sse nt ial part of t h is approach h as be e n t he f act t h at t he com put e r sof t w are w e h av e ut il ise d is ' ope n source ' sof t w are , w h ich can be dow nl oade d and inst al l ed f rom t h e Int e rne t ,f re e l y and l e gal l y. O pe n source sof t w are is de v el ope d by com m unit ie s of program m e rs w h o f re e l y sh are t h e com put e r code t h at t h ey w ork w it h . Th e e t h os t h at l ie s be h ind ope n source sof t w are is one of com m unit y and a be l ie f t h at if inf orm at ion and re source s are f re e l y sh are d it is t o t h e be ne f it of al l . W h e re as com panie s such as M icrosof t

l i

k eep t h e ir com put e r code se cre t , as t h is is t h e e sse nce of t he ' product 't h e y se l l , t h e ope n source com m unit y f re e l y giv es it s code aw ay in a m anne r t h at is count e r-int uit iv e t o t he l ogic of t h e m ark e t . Th e t w o ope n source sof t w are pack age s use d in t he const ruct ion of t h is publ icat ion w e re Scribus and Th e Gim p. Scribus is a prof e ssionalq ual it y de sk t op publ ish ing pack age w h ich is st art ing t o m ak e inroads w it h in t h e publ ish ing indust ry (w w w . scribus. org. uk ). Th e Gim p is a pie ce of im age e dit ing sof t w are , w h ich e nabl es use rs t o digit al l y m anipul at e ph ot ograph s and t o produce h igh q ual it y graph ics (w w w . gim p. org).

de bunk ing t he st e re ot ypical cl ich e s propagat ed by pol it icians and t h e m e dia al ik e . To ach ie v e t h is doubl e t ask , t he w ork h e re in range s f rom j ournal ist ic inv e st igat ion and anal ysis t o sim pl e il l ust rat ions of t h e probl e m s of e v e ryday l if e, f rom v isual im age s, sk e t ch e s and ph ot ograph y, t o graph ic de sign.

Giv e n such a range of issue s, a publ icat ion of t h is size is ce rt ainl y not e nough ; t h e re is m uch m ore t h at one coul d, and sh oul d, t al k about . H ow e v e r, w e h ope t h at , t o som e e xt e nt , and on som e l ev el , Bord e rl ine s w il l cont ribut e and inspire t he e rasure , t h e cont inual and gradual dissol ut ion of t he div isions t h at pre se nt l y k e e p us se parat ed f rom e ach ot h e r, f rom Th e col l aborat iv e m ode l ourse l v e s, and f rom a f ut ure prov ide d by ope n source w h e re m ov e m e nt , t h e ne v e rsof t w are h as al so prov e d e nding rush of l if e is abl e t o inst ruct iv e f or t h e m anne r in e v ade and ov e rrun t h e paranoid w h ich Bord e rl ine s it se l f w as l e gisl at ure of our div ide d de v el ope d. Th e m aj orit y of socie t ie s. art icl e s w e re w rit t en t h rough col l aborat iv e proce sse s, Borde rl ine s Edit orial Col l e ct iv e t ypical l y inv ol v ing t h e m e rging of ide nt it ie s and t h e e rasure of borde rs. In t h is se nse , t h e aim of Bord e rl ine s h as be e n t o prov ide a pl at f orm f or asyl um se e k e rs and re f uge e s t o e xpre ss t h e ir e xpe rie nce s, w h il e al so

l i

Th e Asyl um Proce ss: " In, O ut , Of f You Go!"

O n 4 April 2005, ne w asyl um proce dure s w e re int roduce d. Am ong ot h e rs, w e int e rv ie w e d Accre dit ed Supe rv isor and Sol icit or Gazal a R ash id f rom Sul t an L l oyd Sol icit ors in Birm ingh am , w h o spe cial ise s in asyl um and im m igrat ion case s, t ot el l us ab out t h e se ne w proce dure s.
re port e dl y be e n l ef t on t h e ir ow n t o ge t t o t h e Im m igrat ion O f f ice , ne v e r m ind t h e y don' t spe ak t he l anguage or don' t h av e any m one y. W e ' re not a t axi se rv ice , a pol ice of f ice r t ol d an asyl um se e k e r in one case . Af t er t ak ing t h e ir ph ot os, f inge r print s and t he l ik e , pe opl e w oul d be scre e ne d about t h e w ay t h ey cam e and e nt e re d t h e count ry. Base d on h ow conv incing t h ey are , e m e rge ncy accom m odat ion is prov ide d. P e opl e are t h e n giv en e xt e nsiv e f orm s (cal l ed Se l f Ev ide nce F orm ) t o f il lin w it h t he h el p of a sol icit or. SEF f orm s are al so be ing ph ase d out and appl icant s are dire ct l y be ing int e rv ie w e d by t h e H om e O f f ice . H av ing com pl et e d and se nt of ft he F orm t o t h e H om e O f f ice , an appoint m e nt is m ade f or t h e m ain Asyl um Int e rv ie w , usual l y in L iv e rpool or Croydon. It is

Asyl um int e rv ie w (s)

Th e f irst st age of t h e asyl um proce ss is w h e n pe opl e pre se nt t h e m se l v es t o an Im m igrat ion Of f ice cl aim ing asyl um . Unaw are t h at t h is is t h e proce dure , m any asyl um se e k e rs e nd up re port ing t o t h e pol ice , w h o se e m t o be incre asingl y ' f rust rat e d' by asyl um se e k e rs j ust arriv ing in t he count ry. M any of t h e m h av e

l i

basical l y a scre e ning proce ss t h rough w h ich an im m igrat ion of f ice r goe s, in de t ail ,t h rough t he cl aim ant ' s st ory so as t o de t e rm ine w h et h e r h e or sh e is q ual if ie d f or asyl um (f ail ing w h ich conside rat ion is giv en t o t he possibl e grant ing of h um anit arian prot e ct ion or discre t ionary l e av e ).

h ouse k e e ping, pre v iousl y m ore or l e ss de al t w it h by w ay of w rit t en corre sponde nce unde r t h e ol d First h e arings, a re pre se nt at iv e m ust now at t e nd. Th is is se e n by som e as a w ast e of t im e .

Furt h e r, approxi m at el y Up t o 9 9 % of asyl um cl aim s are 10 al m ost aut om at ical l y dism isse d at w ork ing t h is st age . In som e case s, re asons days f or re f usalare q uit e arbit rary and af t er cont radict ory. F or, e xam pl e, t wo t he pe opl e f rom t h e sam e count ry CRM H , cl aim e d, se parat el y, t h e y w e re t h e re is m e m be rs of a banne d pol it ical t he f ul l h e aring be f ore an organisat ion back h om e . Bot h got im m igrat ion j udge (w h at use d t o re f use d, one f or f ail ing t o prov e he be cal l e d Adj udicat or). Th is w as a m e m be r (producing som e m e ans sol icit ors h av e onl y 3 appl icat ion f orm ), t h e ot h e r, w h o w e e k s t o com pil e t h e case af t e r an did produce a m e m be rsh ip appe alh as be e n l odge d, e xpl ains appl icat ion f orm , be cause it w as M s Rash id. M uch of t h e w ork suspe ct e d a banne d organisat ion, t h at ne e ds t o be done incl ude s ope rat ing in se cre t , w oul d be abl e gat h e ring m e dical re port s, t o produce such f orm s! (f urt h e r) w it ne ss st at e m e nt s and possibl e e xpe rt re port s. It use d t o Appe al (s) be 2 m ont h s or so be f ore case s ist e d, w h ich al l ow e d us t o If an asyl um cl aim is re f use d by w e re l pre pare case s prope rl y. It is so t h e H om e Se cre t ary, t h e cl aim ant ast now . Th e re is v e ry l it t l e room is giv e n 10 w ork ing days t o appe al f f or m anoe uv re in t h e ne w syst em . against t h e de cision t ot h e Asyl um Th e syst e m is be ing push e d t o a and Im m igrat ion Tribunal (AIT). h al t . Approxim at el y 10 w ork ing days af t er t h e appe alis l odge d, t h e re is h e adj udicat or dism isse d t he t h e n a Case Re v ie w M anage m e nt If t case , t h e re w oul d be 5 w ork ing H e aring (CRM H ). Al t h ough t h is o re q ue st a re v ie w h e aring is a m at t e r of basic days in w h ich t

l i

(by se nior im m igrat ion j udge s) at t h e AIT it se l f . H ow e v e r, unde r t h e se ne w rul e s sol icit ors can onl y re cov er t h e ir cost s if t h e y w in or w e re cl ose t o w inning. O t h e rw ise , if t h e case is l ost , sol icit ors don' t ge t paid f or t h e ir w ork . If t h e re v ie w is re f use d, a f urt h er appl icat ion t o t h e H igh Court coul d be l odge d, but w it h a 400 f e e . So, asyl um se e k e rs are de t e rre d f rom pursuing t h is av e nue as, in pract ice , t h e y are unabl e t o pay t h is f e e , giv en asyl um se e k e rs are proh ibit ed f rom w ork ing. Th is f e e can onl y be w aiv e d if t h e sol icit or is doing t he appe alon a ' no w in no f e e ' basis, or f or f re e . Th e ne w syst e m is t rying t o t ak e sol icit ors cost s aw ay, t rying t o dissuade sol icit ors f rom t ak ing case s on or, at l e ast , m ak ing it v e ry dif f icul tt o do so, said M s Rash id. Th e num be r of appe al s h ad dram at ical l y re duce d as com pare d t o t h e ol d syst e m . I' m sorry t o say t h at but it se e m s t h e prim ary m ot iv e is t o discourage pe opl e f rom com ing h e re .

onl y be cause of be ing unabl e t o ach ie v e accre dit at ion but be cause cont inuing w it h t h e pract ice of asyl um is sim pl y not cost e f f e ct iv e. L e galaid f irm s w h o w e re al re ady Qual it y m ark e d (f ranch ise d f irm s) are re gul arl y audit e d at l e ast once a ye ar. It is l ik e re gul at ing t he re gul at e d, M s Rash id adds. If t he aim of accre dit at ion proce ss w as t o e nsure q ual it y adv ice , I be l ie v e t h is coul d h av e be e n ach ie v ed dif f e re nt l y as m any q ual it y adv isors are unabl e t o pass t he e xam s, not f or l ack of k now l e dge , but due t o t he f act t h at m any pract it ione rs h av e be com e unf am il iar w it h sit t ing e xam s.

Funding
In April2004 f unding w as se v e re l y re duce d f or im m igrat ion and asyl um w ork . Be f ore t h is, in asyl um case s, f or e xam pl e, t he cost s l im it unde r L e gal H e l p w as 2000, and 1500 f or Cont rol l ed L e gal Re pre se nt at ion (CL R). Af t er 4 April 2004, t he l im it f or L e gal H el p w as re duce d t o 262. 75, e q uat ing t o 5 h ours' w ork in Birm ingh am , w it h an e xt ra 250 f or dispe rse m e nt s, w h il e t h e CL R l im it w as re duce d t o 1200 (t h is l im it curre nt l y st ands at 1600). Any e xt e nsions t o t h e se l im it s w oul d ne e d prior approv alby t he L SC. Th is, again, incre ase d t he burde n of adm inist rat iv e w ork f or m any sol icit ors, de t e rring m any

Accre dit at ion

Unde r t h e ne w syst e m , sol icit ors now ne e d t o be accre dit e d in orde r t o w ork w it h in im m igrat ion. Th is h as l ed t o m any f irm s be ing f orce d t o cl ose t h e ir de part m e nt s, not

l i

pract it ione rs f rom cont inuing w it h t h is are a of l aw as it is sim pl y not cost e f f e ct iv e.

W e sh al lh av e t o w ait and se e w h at t he f ut ure h ol ds f or us al l .

Conv e nt ions
It appe ars t h at t h e signif icant ch ange s t h at h av e be e n m ade t ot he im m igrat ion and asyl um syst em h av e t arge t ed t h e m ost v ul ne rabl e. Th ose w h o m anage t o re ach our borde rs, m any of w h om h av e f l ed t h e ir count rie s f or f e ar of pe rse cut ion and de at h , h ope t o f ind a saf e h av e n in t h e UK. Th e re al it y, h ow e v e r, is t h at pe opl e are incre asingl y de t e rre d f rom e nt e ring t h e UK t o cl aim asyl um . It se e m s f air t o ask w h e t h er t h e UK is in bre ach of it s obl igat ions unde r t h e 19 51 Re f uge e Conv e nt ion and t h e 19 50 Europe an Conv e nt ion. Th e num be r of asyl um appl icat ions cont inue s t o f al l ,t h ank s t o t h e ne w proce dure s int roduce d by t he L abour gov e rnm e nt , such as Brit ish im m igrat ion of f ice rs ope rat ing, in a pre v e nt at iv e m anne r, on Fre nch soil . It re al l y m ak e s you w onde r w h at t he f ut ure h ol ds f or asyl um , says M s Rash id. Al t h ough t he UK gov e rnm e nt h as not pul l e d out of t he Ge ne v a Conv e nt ion, t he dram at ic cut s, re gul at ions and ch ange s t o t h e syst e m are t h e ne xt be st t h ing. Im m igrat ion and asyl um , it se e m s, are unde r const ant at t ack com pare d t o any ot h e r are a of l aw .

L at e st Asyl um St at ist ics

* Th e re w e re 7,015 appl icat ions in Q1 2005, 17 pe r ce nt l ow e r t h an in Q4 2004 (8,465) and 22 pe r ce nt l ow e r t h an t h e corre sponding Q1 2004 (8,9 40). * Th e t op nat ional it ie s w e re Iran (850), Iraq (525) and Som al ia (49 5). *8,045 init ial de cisions w e re in f irst q uart e r. * 4 out of e v e ry 5 ne w cl aim s are de cide d in t w o m ont h s. * Th e num be r of case s aw ait ing an init ial de cision h as cont inue d t of al l 8,700 case s at t h e e nd of M arch 2005, com pare d t o 17,500 at t he e nd of M arch 2004, and t he l ow e st l ev el f or a de cade . * Six pe r ce nt of init ialde cisions in Q1 w e re grant e d asyl um , sl igh t l y h igh e r t h an Q4 2004 (f our pe r ce nt ). Th e proport ion grant ed h um anit arian prot e ct ion or discre t ionary l e av e de cre ase d f rom t w el v e pe r ce nt t o t e n pe r ce nt . Eigh t y f our pe r ce nt of init ial de cisions w e re re f usal s, sl igh t l y l ow e r t h an in Q4 2004 (85 pe r ce nt ). * 3,000 principalasyl um appl icant s w e re re m ov e d in t he l ast q uart e r, f our pe r ce nt m ore t h an t he pre v ious q uart e r (289 5), t e n pe r ce nt l e ss t h an in Q1 2004.

10

l i

D iary: A w e e k of an asyl um se e k e rs l if e in t h e UK
Al aa is a l aw ye r f rom a M iddl e East e rn count ry. H e f l e d h is count ry a coupl e of m ont h s ago f e aring f or h is l if e and saf et yf rom a re pre ssiv e re gim e . H e appl ie d f or asyl um in t he UK and is st il l w ait ing f or h is f at e t o b e de t e rm ine d by t h e H om e O f f ice . H e re are som e page s f rom h is diary, t ransl at ed f rom Arab ic.
e xact l y w h at t o buy and w h at you coul d ge t f or 30 q uid. It s not e nough f or s* * t !

T ue sday, 17 M ay
I h ad an appoint m e nt w it h m y GP at 10 AM t oday. I got in at al m ost 11, t h ough . Ev e ryt h ing in t h is count ry se e m s t o re q uire e ndl e ss w ait ing. W h e re did t h at Engl ish punct ual it y m yt h com e f rom ? I com pl aine d about m y st om ach probl em and t he doct or, unsurprisingl y, adv ise d t h at I sh oul d st op sm ok ing. I h av e, inde e d, cut dow n since I got h e re , but not f or h e al t h conside rat ions, of course . I got t o k now t o a ne w ne igh bour on t h e w ay back . W e h ad a l it t l e ch at about l anguage s and cul t ure s and st uf f l ik e t h at . I dont re al l y k now h ow w e unde rst ood e ach ot h e r, giv e n m y bril l iant Engl ish . A v e ry nice guy!

M onday, 16 M ay, 2005

I got up e arl y t h is m orning. It is, af t e r al l ,t h e m ost im port ant day of t h e w eek , t h e day on w h ich I usual l y col l e ct m y gre at w e e k l y al l ow ance . As usual , I w al k e d al l t h e w ay f rom Brie rl y H il l t o St ourbridge [w h e re h e col l e ct s h is m one y at t h e post of f ice ] , f or it w oul d be an unne ce ssary l uxury t o cat ch t h e bus. Th ank Goodne ss t he w e at h e r w as nice . I spe nt m ost of t h e day doing t he w eek l y sh opping, t ouring around t h is sh op and t h at .W el l , it w as j ust t o k il lt im e , re al l y, be cause I k now

W e dne sday, 18 M ay
It is t he L ibrarys h ol iday t oday, so no Int e rne t or ne w s. I w e nt f or a w al k and re -discov e re d, f or t he t h ousand t im e , t h e sm al lt ow n and m ark e t s, w h e re t h e re isnt anyt h ing t o discov e r, re al l y.

11

l i

Som e t im e s I t h ink t h at proh ibit ing asyl um se e k e rs f rom w ork isnt al l about m one y and e conom ics;it is probabl y m e ant t o be som e sort of psych ol ogical t ort ure . O nce you are f e d up w it h w orrying about your case , t h e re is not h ing t h e re but e m pt ine ss.

Th ursday, 19 M ay
Th e l andl ady paid us a v isit t oday. I coul dnt h e l p w onde ring, w h il e sh e w as ch e ck ing t he f l at , h ow m uch m one y t h e y m ak e f rom us. NASS pe opl e h av e nt paid us a v isit f or q uit e a t im e . Not t h at I w ish t h em t o do so, of course . Can you im agine an appoint m e nt f rom 9 AM t o 5 PM ? Som e Iraq i f rie nds al so cal l e d in t h e ev e ning. L ot s of pe opl e f or one day! Iv e com e t o sort of h at e t h e ir v isit s, t h ough . Al lt h ey t al k about is asyl um and asyl um se e k e rs.

W el l , I didnt re al l y unde rst and ev e ryt h ing, but it w as v e ry m ov ing. I w ish I k ne w Engl ish be t t e r. Th e re w oul dnt be any f * * * ing course s av ail abl e be f ore ne xt Se pt e m be r, and I cant , appare nt l y, af f ord going t o Birm ingh am e v e ryday. I h e ard som e col l e ge s prov ide st ude nt s w it h bus passe s, but h av e nt m anage d t of ind one ye t .

Sat urday, 21 M ay
Cl e aning up and h ouse w ork . In t h e ev e ning, I w e nt out f or a w al k . It w as nice w at ch ing pe opl e cl ubbing and h av ing f un. I dont drink m yse l f , but it w oul d be nice t o go out som e t im e in t h e ne ar f ut ure .

Sunday, 22 M ay
I h ad a bad dre am ye st e rday. Cant re m e m be r it , but it w as de f init el y h orribl e. I h at e Sundays. Th e y re m ind m e of our Fridays [t h e Isl am ic w e e k e nd] : not h ingne ss. W e l l , days are nt t h at dif f e re nt now /h e re , but st il l
P . S. Ev e ry w e e k , al m ost t h e sam e e v e nt s and w ords are re pe at e d. Th e re isnt t h at m uch , re al l y, f or an asyl um se e k e r t o e xpe ct unt il (s)h e is e it h e r grant e d asyl um or, God f orbid, de port e d back h om e .

Friday, 20 M ay
I t rie d a ne w re cipe of m y ow n inv e nt ion t oday. I scre w e d up ev e ryt h ing -- a com pl et e w ast e of m one y.

Friday, e v e ning
Just f inish e d w at ch ing a nice f il m.

12

l i

Figure 2 - A t ypical asyl um se e k e r' s sh opping re ce ipt .

Figure 3 - Th e am ount of m one y a t ypical asyl um se e k e r re ce iv e s pe r w eek . Figure 1 - A t ypical sh opping re ce ipt .

13

l i

F orgot t e n Que st ions ab out Asyl um and Im m igrat ion

It is unf ort unat e t h at al l t al k conce rning im m igrat ion and asyl um in t he t ab l oid m e dia t e nds t o f ocus onl y upon t axpaye rs' m one y and conce pt ions of ' l e gal ' and ' il l e gal ' asyl um se e k e rs, ignoring or conce al ing t h e de e pe r and m ore im port ant q ue st ions b e h ind t h e se h ist orical ph e nom e na.
A m ore ' h um ane ' approach w oul d, pe rh aps, ask w h y ' t h e se pe opl e com e h e re ' in t he f irst pl ace . F or it m ust , inde e d, be com pe l l ing re asons t h at w oul d driv e som e one t ol e av ing t h e ir h om e , f am il y and com m unit y, in sh ort of al lt he social and e conom ic ne t w ork s upon w h ich pe opl e ge ne ral l y de pe nd f or surv iv ing. It se e m s f air t o sugge st t h at such com pe l l ing re asons are , at root , inv ol v e d w it h a l ack of h um an se curit y, w h ich , in e sse nce , m e ans saf et yf or pe opl e f rom bot h v iol e nt and non-v iol e nt t h re at s. It is an al t e rnat iv e w ay of se e ing t he w orl d, t ak ing pe opl e as it s point of re f e re nce , rat h er t h an f ocusing e xcl usiv el y on t e rrit orial or gov e rnm e nt se curit y. Th e range of pot e nt ialt h re at s t o h um an se curit y sh oul d not be narrow l y conce iv e d. W h il e t he saf et y of pe opl e is obv iousl y at grav e risk in sit uat ions of arm e d conf l ict , a h um an se curit y approach is not sim pl y synonym ous w it h h um anit arian act ion. It h igh l igh t s t h e ne e d t o addre ss t he root cause s of inse curit y and t o h el p e nsure pe opl e' s f ut ure saf et y. It w oul d t h e n be re asonabl e t o ask w h o is re sponsibl e f or t h e se inse cure sit uat ions pe opl e are f orce d int o.

Pov e rt y/gl ob al e conom y

A m yt h of t e n propagat e d w it h re gard t o gl obal isat ion, is t h at it is ine v it abl e and uncont rol l abl e, t h at t h e be st w e can h ope t o do is pl ay by it ' s rul e s. Giv en t h e ne t w ork of int e rnat ional t re at ie s t h at gov e rn t h e w ork ings of t h e gl obal e conom y, as w e l las t h e act iv it ie s of t h e G8, t h e IM F , t h e W TO and t h e ir corporat e l obby groups, w it h t he cont inual re w rit ing and re w ork ing of t h e se t re at ie s, t he

14

l i

im pre ssion t h at our e conom ic syst em is, in som e w ay, aut onom ous and se l f -m anaging is absurd. It is, h ow e v e r, an absurdit y t h at w ork s t o t he adv ant age of t h ose w h o are h e l d by t h e draw of pow e r. Anot h e r m yt h t h at h as l ong surrounde d gl obal isat ion goe s t h at it is uniq ue in it s abil it y t o raise t he l iv ing st andard of e v e ryone on e art h . H ow e v e r, in re al it y, t he e xt e nt of pov e rt y, in rich and poor count rie s al ik e , is on t h e rise , and so is t h e gap be t w een t h ose count rie s at t he t op of t h e w e al t h l adde r and t h ose at t h e bot t om . M ore ov e r, t h e ch ance s t h at t h is e xt e nsiv e pov e rt y coul d be el im inat e d se e m t o be v e ry l ow , giv en t h at t h is pov e rt y coincide s w it h l arge and grow ing ine q ual it y of bot h incom e and w e al t h, ine q ual it ie s ingraine d in t he l aw s of m ot ion of capit al ism . Al t h ough t h e re is gre at pov e rt y and ine q ual it y in t h e rich e st count ry, t h is cannot com pare t o t he l ev el s of bot h of t h e se t o be f ound in t he v ast m aj orit y of t he w orl ds e conom ie s, w h ich are bot h capit al ist and poor. Th e W orl d Bank e st im at es t h e num be r of pe rsons in dif f e re nt count rie s and in t h e w orl d as a w h ol e who subsist on l e ss t h an $ 1 and $ 2 pe r day. In Nige ria, f or e xam pl e , in t he

e arl y 19 9 0s, 9 0. 8% of t he popul at ion l iv e d on $ 2 pe r day or l e ss;in India t he f igure w as 86. 2% in 19 9 7. In a w orl d popul at ion of som e 6 bil l ion pe rsons, t h e W orl d Bank e st im at es t h at 2. 8 bil l ion surv iv e on $ 2 pe r day or l e ss (about 45% );1. 2 bil l ion l iv e d on $ 1 (about 20% ) pe r day or l e ss. M ainst re am e conom ist s h av e argue d t h at t h e poor nat ions are sim pl y on a l ow rung of a de v el opm e nt l adde r, and t h at ov er t im e , e spe cial l y if t h e y adopt ' f re e m ark e t ' principl e s (basical l y t h e el im inat ion of al l barrie rs t o t he f re e dom of e m pl oye rs t ot ry t o m ak e m one y, such as prot e ct iv e t rade barrie rs, prot e ct iv e l abour l aw s, subsidie s t o t h e poor, publ ic e nt e rprise s, and l im it at ions on t he sal e of l and), t h e y w il l be com e rich count rie s t oo. Th is h ypot h e sis is dif f icul tt o de m onst rat e . W h il e a v e ry f ew f orm e rl y poor nat ions, m ost l y in Asia, h av e be com e re l at iv el y rich one s (Sout h Kore a, f or e xam pl e ), m ost h av e re m aine d poor. Giv e n al lof t h is, it is dif f icul t not t o concl ude t h at ine q ual it y, bot h w it h in and am ong nat ions, m ust be e nde m ic t o capit al ism . It is not v e ry h ard t o se e w h y. W e al t h in a capit al ist e conom y is une v e nl y div ide d by de f init ion: Capit al ism is an e conom ic syst e m in w h ich

15

l i

t he non-h um an m e ans of product ion (w h at m ainst re am e conom ist s cal l ' capit al ' ) are ow ne d by a sm al lm inorit y of al l pe rsons. W e al t h ine q ual it y in a m ark e t e conom y m ust , again as a conse q ue nce of t h e nat ure of t he syst em , ge ne rat e incom e ine q ual it y.

Arm e d conf l ict s/arm s indust ry

It is a w e l l k now n f act t h at t h e socal l e d First W orl d count rie s are re sponsibl e f or t he m aj orit y of w e apons product ion a h igh l y prof it abl e , h e av il y subsidise d and unde r-re gul at e d busine ss. Th e G8 (US, UK, France , Ge rm any, It al y, Japan, Canada & Russia) account f or around 85% of t h e gl obal arm s t rade and, be t w e e n 19 9 7 and 2001, at l e ast t wo t h irds of t he w orl d' s arm s de al s cam e f rom j ust f iv e G8 count rie s. Ye t , t h e se count rie s are t he l e ast af f e ct e d by t h e use of arm s. O f t h e 150 w ars f ough t be t w e e n 19 45 and t h e m id 19 9 0s, m ore t h an 9 out of 10 w e re in t he ' de v el oping' w orl d. Th e ov e rw h e l m ing m aj orit y of pe opl e k il l e d or inj ure d by w e apons are poor. Unl ik e al m ost e v e ry ot h er indust ry, t h e arm s t rade is not subj e ct t o any inde pe nde nt m onit oring scarce l y be l ie v abl e

giv en t h e h e av y re gul at ions on f ood and m e dicaldrugs. Th at is, basical l y, be cause w e apons product ion and gov e rnm e nt are of t e n de e pl y int e rm e sh e d. In m any G8 count rie s, t h e re is a ' m il it ary-indust rialcom pl e x' w h e re st at e subsidie s support arm s com panie s and arm s com panie s e xe rcise e xce ssiv e pol it ical inf l ue nce . In t h e UK, 600 civ il se rv ant s w ork f or t h e arm s t rade , paid f or by t h e gov e rnm e nt , t h rough t he De f e nce Export Se rv ice s O rganisat ion (D ESO ), a se ct or of t h e M oD w h ose obj e ct iv e is t o h el p t h e arm s indust ry se l l ov e rse as. O ne of t h e bigge st corporat ions in t h e UK is BAE Syst e m s pl c, a gl obal arm s com pany w it h int e re st s al so in civ il ian av ionics and e ngine e ring. Th e com pany, dire ct l y e m pl oying ov e r 100,000 pe opl e , is pre se nt in f iv e cont ine nt s, w it h cust om e rs in 129 count rie s, and it s orde r book at t h e e nd of t h e ye ar 2000 t ot al l ed 41 bil l ion. It s bigge st riv al s are t he US com panie s L ock h e e d M art in and Boe ing, as w e l las t he Europe an syndicat e EAD S Inc, w h ich f orm e d w h e n BAE acq uire d GEC. BAE Syst e m s h as com m it t e d an im pre ssiv e am ount of corporat e crim e s (f or de t ail s se e

16

l i

w w w. corporat e w at ch . org. uk ). It s arm s sal es t o Indone sia, w h ich w as rul e d by t he v icious US-back e d Suh art o re gim e and is st il l gov e rne d by a corrupt and unde m ocrat ic syst e m , in w h ich t he m il it ary re t ains a l arge port ion of pow e r. Th e se arm s -part icul arl y H aw k j et s- h av e be e n re pe at e dl y use d in int e rnal re pre ssion since 19 78, e spe cial l y in East Tim or. Th e UK sol d 84 m il l ion w ort h of arm s t o T urk e y in 19 9 8, m ost of w h ich cam e dire ct l y f rom t h e BAE Syst e m s. Th e orde rs f or t h at ye ar, w h ich w as l arge l y t ypical , incl ude d t ank t urre t s, m il it ary com pone nt s and t orpe doe s. Th e probl e m , of course , is t h at T urk e y is an oppre ssiv e re gim e w it h an appal l ing h um an righ t s re cord. It rout ine l y use s it s m il it ary e q uipm e nt t o oppre ss and k il l Kurds and ot h er et h nic m inorit ie s. Brit ain and Russia are bot h accuse d of suppl ying w e aponry and t e ch nol ogy t o Sudan during t h e re ce nt conf l ict in t h e sout h e rn part of t h e count ry. France h as be e n suppl ying, t h rough t he Fre nch oil giant El f , w e apons t o bot h m ain part ie s in t h e conf l ict in t h e Congo. Arm s purch ase s do not m e re l y w ast e scarce re source s, but al so aggrav at e int e rnat ional t e nsions, ge ne rat ing m ut ual suspicion and

h ost il it y. Th e e sse nce of t h is t raf f ic is t h e al l iance be t w e e n W e st e rn arm s com panie s and l ocalm il it ary int e re st s, w h ich re pe at e dl y sh ow t h at t h e y can m anipul at e ev en de m ocrat ic pol it icians int o ne e dl e ss e xt rav agance s.

Re pre ssiv e re gim e s/t he W e st ' s int e re st s

Tony Bl air cl aim s t o be priorit ising Af rica' s probl e m s and cl im at e ch ange at t h e upcom ing G8 sum m it in Scot l and. It is h ard t o se e h ow h e , and h is f el l ow l e ade rs, can do t h is w it h out addre ssing t he signif icant l ink s in m any Af rican count rie s be t w een t h e de m and f or nat uralre source s, such as oiland gas, and t h e suppl y of w e apons. As w e said, al lG8 count rie s are guil t y of suppl ying w e apons, sm al larm s or t ort ure e q uipm e nt t ot h e Af rican count rie s t h e y de pe nd on f or suppl ie s of f ossil f ue l s and ot h er raw m at e rial s. Brit ish P et rol e um (BP) is one of t h e barom e t e r com panie s of t he Brit ish e conom y. M ore t h an 70% of t he com pany' s prof it s are ge ne rat e d in Europe and t he Unit e d St at e s, but t h e com pany is al so pre ssing ah e ad w it h ne w e xpl orat ion and product ion ope rat ions in Af rica, Sout h Am e rica, Asia and t h e Caspian se a.

17

l i

BP h as int e re st s in Ch ina as w e l l , w it h bot h it s oil and ch e m ical s div isions ope rat ing in t h e count ry. Ke e n t o capt ure a sl ice of t he grow ing Ch ine se e ne rgy m ark e t , it h as inv e st ed $ 580 m il l ion in P et roch ina, Ch ina' s l arge st oil com pany, a subsidiary of t h e st at eow ne d Ch ina Nat ional P et rol e um Corporat ion. P et roch ina is accuse d of prof it ing f rom h um an righ t s abuse s in Tibe t and Sudan. Since 19 9 8, Ch ina h as be e n t he l arge st suppl ie r of w e apons t o t he Sudane se Re gim e in Kh art oum . Th e w ar against t he l ocal popul at ions of Sout h e rn Sudan h as be e n f ough t w it h t h e goalof de popul at ing t h e oil re gions. Innum e rabl e pe opl e h av e al re ady be e n k il l e d and t e ns of t h ousands h av e f l e d or are f l e e ing be cause of t he ' burnt -e art h pol it ics' pract ise d by t h e gov e rnm e nt .

Al lof a sudde n, al lt h at pre v ious rh e t oric about h um an righ t s v iol at ions and support ing t e rrorism w as f orgot t e n, and L ibyan asyl um se e k e rs are now m ore l ik e l y t o be re f use d and de port e d back h om e as t h e re gim e is not ' rogue ' any m ore ! L ibya h as ev e n be e n com m issione d by t he EU t o proce ss asyl um appl icat ions, f rom ot h e r Af rican count rie s, on it s soilinst e ad of bot h e ring w it h t h e m h e re , ne v e r m ind t h e grav e conce rns int e rnat ional h um an righ t s organisat ions h av e raise d.

It is k now n t h at as t h e Prim e M inist e r and t h e Col one l sh ook h ands, it w as announce d t h at Angl o-D ut ch oil giant Sh e l l h ad signe d a de alw ort h up t o 550m f or gas e xpl orat ion righ t s of ft he L ibyan coast . In addit ion t o Sh e l l , ot h e r Brit ish f irm s h av e al re ady be gun t apping t h e opport unit ie s in Anot h e r good e xam pl e is L ibya. L ibya, incl uding de f e nce Af t e r Tony Bl airs h ist oric v isit t o cont ract or BAE Syst e m s, w h ich t h e pre v iousl y ' rogue ' count ry on de cl are d it w as in t al k s ov er 25 M arch , 2004, L ibya w as av iat ion proj e ct s. Ne e dl e ss t o say, w el com e d back int o t he L ibya' s f irst auct ion of oiland gas int e rnat ional com m unit y af t e r e xpl orat ion l ice nce s, in January l ong ye ars of int e rnat ional 2005, h e ral de d t h e re t urn of US isol at ion. Th e UN Se curit y Council e ne rgy com panie s f or t he f irst h ad v ot e d in Se pt e m be r, 2003, t o t im e in m ore t h an 20 ye ars. l if tt h e e conom ic sanct ions, w h ich w e re im pose d in 19 9 2 in an e f f ort Asyl um Pol it ics t o f orce L ibya t o h and ov er t he f am ous L ock e rbie bom bing O n 22 Jul y 2004, t h e m ost re ce nt suspe ct s. pie ce of Brit ish asyl um and

18

l i

im m igrat ion l e gisl at ion re ce iv ed royalasse nt , f urt h e r e xt e nding t he l e gal f ram e w ork t h at re gul at es im m igrant s and asyl um se e k e rs in t h e UK. As an are a of Brit ish l aw , im m igrat ion and asyl um h as re ce iv e d an al m ost unpre ce de nt ed am ount of l e gisl at ion re ce nt l y, t he l at e st Act be ing t he f if t h in onl y el ev e n ye ars. Th is ' l e gisl at iv e incont ine nce ' re f l e ct s t h e gre at int e re st and pol it ical im port ance m ade of t h e im m igrat ion and asyl um issue . It is an are a t h at h as se e n not onl y incre dibl e dom e st ic f ocus but al so m uch at t e nt ion at EU l ev e l w h e re t h e re are m ov es t ow ards incre ase d Europe an coope rat ion and m anage m e nt . Gov e rnm e nt s h av e incre asingl y t igh t e ne d borde r cont rol s and, w it h in a cont e xt of h igh l y pol it icise d and m e dia-f ue l l e d m oral panic and f e ar, de signe d incre asingl y punit iv e and draconian re gul at ions against m igrant s. And de spit e t h e se incre asingl y t igh t im m igrat ion cont rol s, t h e num be rs of m igrant s, incl uding asyl um se e k e rs and re f uge e s, h as re m aine d rough l y const ant ov er t h e past 20 ye ars. Th e gl obale conom ic and pol it ical syst e m w it h in w h ich w e l iv e is a syst em t h at conce nt rat e s e conom ic pow e r in t h e h ands of sm al le l it e s, w h o are conv e rse l y, bound t o re l y,

t o a gre at e r or l e sse r e xt e nt , upon t he e xpl oit at ion and im pov e rish m e nt of t h e m aj orit y of pe opl e . It is a syst em t h at is int rinsical l y caugh t up in and de pe nde nt upon m il it arisat ion. As a re sul t , pe opl e are syst e m at ical l y de nie d t h e abil it y t o support t h e m se l v e s, and are pl ace d int o posit ions of inse curit y, w h e re t h ey are unabl e t o e nj oy t h e condit ions unde r w h ich t h e y are f re e f rom f e ar and w ant . Is it m e re l y an irony t h at t h e corporat e m e dia pre f er t o t urn on t h e se al re ady disposse sse d pe opl e, t o scape goat , st e re ot ype and bl am e t h em f or t h e probl em s t h at t h is sam e e conom ic and pol it ical syst e m cause s?

BU ILD ING A S AFE , JU S T AND TO L ERANT SO CIETY?

19

l i

Re f uge e s f or Re f uge e s
Th is art icl e f ocuse s on t he inv al uab l e w ork of v ol unt ary re f uge e and asyl um se e k e r groups. Th e ne e d f or t h e se groups h igh l igh t s gaping are as w h e re support f rom t he al re ady ov e rw ork e d f unde d organisat ions is not av ail ab l e.
L ik e m any ot h e r com m unit y organisat ions, Cit e Ce l e st e w as se t up t o pick up t h e pie ce s l ef tf rom t h e gov e rnm e nt ' s asyl um pol icy and h e l p prov ide int e grat ion and support f or t h e Fre nch -spe ak ing com m unit y. H e re is t h e h ist ory and m ot iv at ions of Cit e Ce l e st e in t h e ir w ords: Be f ore it w as se t up, w e did a surv e y about t h e ne e ds of t he Francoph one com m unit y, be cause l anguage is a big barrie r f or pe opl e t h at spe ak Fre nch t o int e grat e int o Brit ish socie t y. Af t er t h e surv e y it be cam e cl e ar t h at it w as ne ce ssary t o cre at e an organisat ion t o h el p t h e Francoph one com m unit y, and so Cit e Ce l e st e w as f orm e d on 4t h O ct obe r 2001, w it h t h e aim is t o prov ide adv ice and raise aw are ne ss of issue s f acing ne w arriv al s in t h e UK. Cit e Ce l e st e prov ide s adv ice on im m igrat ion, h e al t h , h ousing, e m pl oym e nt , e ducat ion and t raining. W e al so organise cul t ure ev e nt s and prom ot ing busine ss f or our com m unit y. Th e l ogo is a but t e rf l y, be cause a but t e rf l y ch ange s st at e f rom be ing a Cat e rpil l ar. A Cat e rpil l ar is f ragil e ;it is v une rabl e , m uch l ik e w h e n a pe rson f irst arriv es f rom af ar and f ace s probl e m s appl ying f or asyl um . W e h e l p pe opl e be com e f re e , t o be com e but t e rf l ie s.

Th e nam e Cit e Ce l e st e m e ans ' h e av e nl y cit y' or Ce l e st e cit y. W e h ope t h at pe opl e w h o se e k re f uge w oul d f ind a pl e nt y of l ov e and com passion f rom t h ose w h o ' h ost ' t h e m , be cause if w h at such pe opl e ne e d m ost is t o be conside re d as h um an be ings and h av e t h e ir h um an righ t s re spe ct e d.

20

l i

re f use d. H e r f irst sol icit or w as unw il l ing t o carry on w it h h er M arie h ad j ust arriv e d in t he appe al . A se cond sol icit or w as count ry f rom t he D e m ocrat ic f ound and sh e w as e v e nt ual l y Re publ ic of Congo (D RC) w it h out grat ed l e av e t o st ay. P aradoxiacal l y, k now ing anyone . W e f ound h e r at a succe ssf ulcl aim coul d som e t im e s D igbe t h Coach St at ion in t he re sul t in a v ul ne rabl e sit uat ion. F or ev e ning. Sh e w as l uck y w e spok e e xam pl e , sh e w as giv e n onl y 14 Fre nch . days t o ev acuat e t h e NASS accom odat ion and f ind anot h er We f ound h e r a be d f or t h e nigh t . room . In t h e m orning w e t ook h e r t o t he M arie h ad a f rie nd w h o w as abl e Im m igrat ion O f f ice in Sol ih ul land t o assist h e r in t h is dif f icul tt im e . h el pe d e xpl ain h e r sit uat ion t o t he Ot h e r asyl um se e k e rs are not so Im m igrat ion O f f ice r. O t h e r asyl um l uck y. Som e pe opl e can be st uck as se e k e rs h av e t o do t h is w it h out a cat e rpil l ar f or 3 ye ars be f ore support , of t e n w al k ing t o Sol ih ul l be com ing but t e rf l ie s. f rom Birm ingh am if t h e y don' t h av e m one y f or t h e bus.

M arie ' s st ory

W e gav e h e r our ph one num be r and, af t e r 2 days, sh e ph one d us saying sh e ' d be e n se nt t o a h ost el in Edgbast on. W e v isit ed h er t h e re t o f ind h e r e v e n m ore scare d. Sh e sh ow e d us h e r Se l f Ev ide nce F orm and ot h e r asyl um pape rs. W e t h en t ook h e r t o t h e Cit e Ce l e st e of f ice t e m e m b e rs of Cit e Ce l e st e and prov ide d h e l p f inding a Com m it at Re fuge e W e e k 2004 sol icit or and an int e rpre t e r. H e r case w as be ing proce sse d and w oul d t ak e q uit e a w h il e . So, m e anw h il e , w e prov ide d support by h e l ping h e r e nrol at Cit y Col l e ge t o l e arn Engl ish . Sh e al so be cam e part of our com m unit y, L a Gl oire , w h ich is a ch urch group. Af t e r 6 m ont h s, h e r cl aim w as

H e nri' s St ory
I cam e t ot h is count ry in D e ce m be r 2002, f l e e ing t h e pol it ical re gim e in D RC. I cl aim e d asyl um once I arriv e d in Birm ingh am , and w as h el pe d by Cit e Ce l e st e . Th e y f ound m e a sol icit or and t ook m e t o Sol ih ul l t ot h e Im m igrat ion O f f ice .

21

l i

O n 8 January 2003, a ne w l aw cam e int o f orce re m ov ing support f rom asyl um se e k e rs w h o don' t cl aim asyl um im m e diat el y upon arriv al . I w e nt t ot h e sol icit ors, but t h e y w e re f ul l y book e d and t ol d me t o com e back in January. I w e nt t o t h e Re f uge e Counciland w as accom adat e d in a h ost e l in M ose l e y. Th e y didn' t giv e us any cash but f ood w as prov ide d. I h ad no pape rs e it h e r so coul dn' t e nrol w it h col l e ge . O n 7t h January I h ad an appoint m e nt w it h t h e sol icit or and m y asyl um pape rs h ad not be e n se nt of f ye t . Th e y w e re se nt on 8t h January, j ust in t im e . I w as v e ry l uck y, one of t he l ast one s be f ore t h e ne w l aw cam e int o f orce . Af t e r 4 m ont h s I w as se nt t o L iv e rpool f or t h e int e rv ie w . Th e ow ne r of t h e h ost elt ook m e . I didn' t h av e an int e rpre t e r but back in m y count ry I l e arne d basic Engl ish so w as abl e t o ge t t h rough t h e int e rv ie w . Af t e r a m ont h or so, I re cie v ed a l et t e r at t h e h ost el .My cl aim w as re f use d. I h ad be e n arre st e d and de t aine d in D RC, so m y case w as pre t t y st rong. M y sol icit or w as suprise d t h at it w as re f use d and l odge d an appe alon m y be h al f . Today, in June 2005, I am st il l' h oping' t o h e ar back w h et h e r m y appe alw as acce pt ed or not . I h av e n' t be e n se nt any l et t e r or re cie v e d a ph one cal l .I

cal l ed t h e H om e O f f ice and t h ey said t h e appe al is st il l pe nding. W h at if t h e y say I h av e no righ t t o st ay in t h is count ry?M y f am il y are dispe rse d. e v e n if I w e nt back , w h e re w oul d I go? You w oul d e xpe ct a de cision w it h in 2 ye ars, w oul dn' t you?It is al ong t im e t o be l ef t in t h e dark . I st il l l iv e on NASS e m e rge ncy support . To giv e an e xam pl e of t h e inse curit y w e asyl um se e k e rs f ace , I got a l et t er f rom NASS in M ay 2004 saying t h at I sh oul d go and l iv e in St ok e -on-Tre nt . I' v e be e n l iv ing in Birm ingh am f or t wo ye ars and a h al f . I got m arrie d in 2003 and h ad ch il dre n, and w as st udying M usic Te ch nol ogy. Th e re w as no w ay I w as going t o l e av e al lt h is be h ind so I t ol d t h em " Ne v e r!" Th e y said t h at if I don' t m ov e t h en I w il l h av e now h e re t o l iv e. I prot e st e d about t h is t ot h e Re f uge e Council and t h e y e ncourage d m e t o m ov e t o St ok e . I w as conce rne d t h at m y st udie s w oul d be af f e ct ed if t h is h appe ne d, but t h ey sugge st ed t h at I st art m y course again in St ok e . I prot e st e d at bot h t h e h ost el w h e re I w as l iv ing and at t he Re f uge e Council . M y col l e ge support e d m e w it h l et t e rs point ing

22

l i

out t h e disrupt ion t h at m ov ing w oul d cause . Th e pre ssure paid of f and NASS re l e nt e d. In t h e m e ant im e , I v ol unt e e re d w it h Cit e Ce l e st e, h el ping ne w arriv al s. I now t ak e pe opl e t o L iv e rpool , w h e re I once ne e de d h el p, int e rpre t ing f or t h e m and of f e ring h e l p and adv ice Picnic organise d b y Cit e Ce l e st e in sum m e r 2002 Af t e r com pl et ing m y course , I gaine d a D ipl om a in M usic Te ch nol ogy and, w it h t h e sk il l s gaine d, I h av e m ade a Gospe l m usic CD , w h ich I am h oping t o re l e ase soon.

V ol unt ary groups: v it al se rv ice , no re cognit ion

W e re ce iv e no support f rom t he H om e O f f ice or Council s. W e prov ide a v it al se rv ice sim il ar t o Cit ize ns Adv ice Bure au (CAB), e xce pt t h at w e don' t ge t any f unding. W e do it be cause w e w ant t o h el p pe opl e. W h en t h e y arriv e t h e y are on t h e ir ow n Isl and e v en w it h in a com m unit y. (Cit e Ce l e st e addre ss and cont act num be rs: W ardl ow Road Ce nt re , W ardl ow Road, Ne ch e l l s, Birm ingh am B7 4JH , Em ail : cit e ce l e st e @ h ot m ail . com , Te l : 0121 464 3557/3558, F ax: 0121 464 29 9 8)

23

l i

W ork ing it O ut : Asyl um Se e k e rs and W ork

It is w ide l y acce pt ed t h at e conom ic m igrat ion occurs in re sponse t o l ab our de m and in rich e r count rie s. Europe and Nort h Am e rica do ne e d f ore ign l ab our t o do j ob s t h at t h e nat iv e s h av e ce ase d t o b e w il l ing t o do.
Th e m yt h t h at im m igrant s " st e al our j obs" is t ot al l y unf ounde d. In f act , im m igrant s and re f uge e s t o Brit ain h av e h ist orical l y sh ore d up crum bl ing and unde r-st af f ed inf rast ruct ure , part icul arl y t he t ransport and h e al t h se ct ors. On t h e ot h e r h and, im m igrant s' re m it t ance s (m one y se nt t o h om e count ry) f orm one of t he l arge st f l ow s of re source s in t h e w orl d t oday. Th e am ount s inv ol v e d are dif f icul t t o e st im at e be cause re m it t ance s are of t en m ade t h rough unof f icial ch anne l s and not re corde d in t h e st at ist ics. H ow e v e r, t h e W orl d Bank of f icial f igure f or re m it t ance s is h igh e r t h an t he f igure s f or f ore ign aid. Al t h ough not pe rf e ct , re m it t ance s h av e se v e ralbe ne f it s. Th e y are not t h e re sul t of any ' ch arit y' f rom rich count rie s, but are t h e product of t h e m igrant s t h e m se l v e s. Th e y are uncondit ional , unl ik e aid f rom t he W orl d Bank and IM F , and do not h av e t o be re paid. In t h e curre nt une q ual st at e of t h e w orl d, re m it t ance s are possibl y one of t he be st m e ch anism s curre nt l y av ail abl e f or re dist ribut ing t he w orl d' s incom e in f av our of poore r count rie s. Since Jul y 2002, h ow e v e r, asyl um se e k e rs com ing int o Brit ain are not al l ow e d t o w ork . Asyl um se e k e rs re ce iv e t h e e q uiv al e nt of j ust 70% of t h e basic Incom e Support rat e s, re garde d by t h e Gov e rnm e nt it se l f as t h e m inim um re q uire d t o l iv e on. Th at m e ans t h e y are f orce d t o l iv e up t o 30% be l ow t h e pov e rt y l ine . Giv e n al lt h is, is it so st range t h at m any asyl um se e k e rs se e k t o w ork in t h e bl ack m ark e t t o f eed t h e m se l v e s? P aul , 33, cam e f rom t h e Iv ory Coast 3 ye ars ago, f l e e ing pe rse cut ion and il l -t re at m e nt at t he h ands of t h e aut h orit ie s. Al lt h is t im e , h e w asn' t cal l ed f or an asyl um int e rv ie w unt il re ce nt l y. Af t e r 3 ye ars, h ow e v e r, h e h ad h is int e rv ie w but h is asyl um cl aim w as re f use d. H is sol icit or t h e n re f use d t o t ak e on t h e case as " it w as t oo ol d and t h e re w as no e v ide nce . "

24

l i

H is NASS be ne f it s w e re cut of f and he h ad t o l e av e h is accom m odat ion. L uck il y, he m anage d t o f ind anot h e r sol icit or t o appe al f or h im but ne e de d t o pay t h e 800 f e e s. H av ing be e n h e re f or 3 ye ars, h e h as buil t up a ne t w ork of support and w as abl e t o obt ain f ak e pape rs t h at al l ow e d h im t o w ork . H e t ook a j ob in a f act ory w it h a good w age and w as soon abl e t o pay t h e sol icit or and l iv e a re asonabl y de ce nt l if e.

w el l , e spe cial l yP ak ist ani.

Th e w ork w oul d norm al l y st art at 6 or 7 in t h e m orning, t h e n non-st op t il lt h e sun se t s. Som e t im e s t h ey ge t l e ss t h an 3 pe r h our. W it h pe as, f or e xam pl e, e xpl ains M uh annad, you ge t 4 q uid pe r bask e t , w h ich coul d som e t im e s t ak e m ore t h an 2 h ours t o f il l , de pe nding on t h e size of t h e pe a. O ut of t h at 20 or 30 t h e y m ak e a day, t h e y h av e t o pay 5 e ach t o t he ' driv e r' , w h o is usual l y t he H ow e v e r, t h is is q uit e rare ; m ost pe rson w h o t ak e s t h em t o w ork in pe opl e are f orce d int o il l e gal h is v an and arrange s e v e ryt h ing unde rground e conom y, at t he w it h t h e e m pl oye r. m e rcy of unscrupul ous e m pl oye rs and e m pl oym e nt age ncie s. In f act , Th is ch e ap l abour in f arm s, as w e l l e nt ire se ct ors, such as f ruit pick ing as t h at in f ood proce ssing pl ant s, is and f ood pack ing, are com pl et el y one of t h e re asons w h y UK de pe nde nt on il l e gal w ork e rs. supe rm ark e t s are abl e t o of f e r such l ow f ood price s. Al l ov er t he M uh annad, an Iraq i f ail e d asyl um count ry, f ood com panie s are se e k e r, h as be e n w ork ing in f ruit e m pl oying il l e gal w ork e rs and v e ge t abl e pick ing in t he al ongside nat iv e w ork e rs. In f act , Birm ingh am are a f or al m ost a ye ar t h e m anage rs of t h e se com panie s now . I' v e w ork e d in m any m any pre f er t o h ire il l e gal w ork e rs as f arm s, h e says, appl e s, pe as, t h e se , be ing so de spe rat e f or w ork , onions. . ev e ryt h ing! It ' s pre t t y w oul d acce pt t o be paid m uch l e ss, h ard in w int e r, h e adds, And, of not t o m e nt ion t h e adv ant age of course , t h e re ' s no w ork on rainy ge t t ing aw ay w it h w el f are days. cont ribut ions and ot h e r non-w age cost s. W e ask h im if t h e e m pl oye rs k now t h e y are proh ibit ed f rom w ork , and H ush am , a Sudane se f ail e d asyl um h e says: of course t h e y do! M ost se e k e r, w ork s at a f ood proce ssing of t h e pe opl e w h o w ork in t h e se and pack ing age ncy in t he f arm s are asyl um se e k e rs. Th e re M idl ands are a. H e t rav el s 70-75 are a f e w w h o are im m igrant s as m il es ev e ry day t o ge t t h e re f rom

25

l i

w h e re h e l iv e s. H is j ob is t o carry t h e boxe s f rom t h e e nd of t he product ion l ine t o t h e pal l et s w h e re t h e boxe s are st ack e d. H e com pl ains of a sl igh t back pain, but st il lf inds t h e 30 h e ge t s pe r day w ort h t he suf f e ring. I w oul dn' t be abl e t o surv iv e ot h e rw ise , h e adds, now t h at m y asyl um cl aim h as be e n re f use d and m y be ne f it s cut of f . Anot h e r m ise rabl e ' prof e ssion' , w h ich is al m ost e xcl usiv e t o asyl um se e k e rs and re f uge e s, is h and car w ash . Ev e ryw h e re in t he count ry, car w ash e s are e m pl oying il l e galw ork e rs, of ft h e re cord, f or t he l ow e st w age s one coul d ge t (20-30 a day). M uh am m ad, a Kurdish asyl um se e k e r, com pl ains about t h e h ardsh ip of h is j ob, sh ow ing h is scare d h ands: it ' s not w ort h it . t h e y are e xpl oit ing us be cause t h e y k now w e ' re il l e gal and w oul d acce pt any pay. Al t h ough t h e y are m ak ing som e m one y, and are re l at iv el y be t t e r of f t h an t h e ir f el l ow asyl um se e k e rs w h o are n' t w ork ing, none of t he pe opl e w e m e t w as h appy w it h t h e ir sit uat ion. It se e m s t he adv ant age s of t h e unde rground e conom y are m ost l y on t h e side of t h e e m pl oye r and t h e nat ional e conom y. H e nce , it se e m s f air t o ask : w h y is such panic be ing f ue l ed w it h re gard t o ' il l e gal ' w ork e rs?

And f urt h e r, w h e re do t he Gov e rnm e nt ' s priorit ie s l ie , giv en t h at t h e se pol icie s, on t h e one h and, be ne f it t h e UK e conom y, but on t h e ot h e r, re sul t in e xpl oit at ion and m ise ry f or asyl um se e k e rs?

A Possib l e Sol ut ion: L ETS

L ocal Exch ange Trading Sch e m e s (L ETS) are non-prof it cl ubs, in w h ich l ocalpe opl e e xch ange goods and se rv ice s w it h e ach ot h er w it h out m one y be ing inv ol v e d. Th e re are groups al l around t he w orl d. Birm ingh am s group is cal l e d Brum L ETS. Se rv ice s are e xch ange d f or L ETS t ok e ns. In Birm ingh am t h e se are k now n as H e art s. In t h is w ay, one can obt ain se rv ice s, ranging f rom dog w al k ing t o paint ing and de corat ing, f rom any ot h er m e m be r w it h in t h e group. Brum L ETS e ncourage s re f uge e s and asyl um se e k e rs t o j oin, al t h ough , f or t he l at t e r, t h is, t oo, w oul d be il l e gal . According t o t he l aw , asyl um se e k e rs are proh ibit ed f rom paid and unpaid w ork al ik e ! Te l : 0121 685 1155 Brum L ETS 54 57 Al l ison St re e t , D igbe t h , Birm ingh am , B5 5TH Em ail : inf o@ brum l et s. org. uk W e bsit e: w w w. wml et s. org. uk

26

l i

Re sist ance in Exil e

L ondon f rom al lov e r Engl and t o de m onst rat e at t h e Syrian Em bassy in Be l grav e Sq uare . It w as t o com m e m orat e t he v ict im s of l ast ye ars Qam ish l i incide nt s and de m and t h e re l e ase of t h ose st il l de t aine d by t h e Syrian aut h orit ie s. According t o an Am ne st y Int e rnat ional re port , se v e ral pe opl e w e re k il l e d by Syrian Th e f act , h ow e v e r, is t h at m ost se curit y and pol ice f orce s during re f uge e s are h igh l y pol it icise d, not t h e 12 M arch 2004 dist urbance s l e ast be cause t h e y h av e v irt ual l y t h at f ol l ow e d a socce r m at ch f l ed t h e ir count rie s of origin t o be t w e e n Arabic and Kurdish e scape som e sort of pe rse cut ion, t e am s. Th e f ol l ow ing days of t e n of a pol it ical nat ure . Th e y w it ne sse d w ide spre ad riot s in t he ge ne ral l y t e nd t o k e e p st rong nort h e rn, Kurdish -popul at e d part s re l at ionsh ips w it h t h e ir h om e of t h e count ry, in w h at h as com e t o count rie s t h rough a w ide range of be k now n as t he Qam ish l i act iv it ie s, f rom socialand cul t ural Uprising, re sul t ing in t h e k il l ing of gat h e rings, w eb sit es and 36 pe opl e , m ost l y Kurds, and m ore publ icat ions, t o pure l y pol it ical t h an 100 w ounde d. According t o prot e st s conce rning h ot issue s back t h e sam e re port , m ore t h an 2,000 h om e . pe opl e w e re arre st e d. About 100 are st il l de t aine d t o dat e.

O ne of t h e m yt hs t he t ab l oid m e dia h av e m anage d t o cre at e ov er t he ye ars is t h at re f uge e s com e h e re f or m one y, t h e q uick concl usion b e ing t h ey dont h av e anyt h ing e l se t o w orry ab out .

Se e you at t h e e m b assy!

O ccasional l y, ce rt ain q uie t , l uxurious are as in L ondon be com e crow de d w it h unusualt ourist s. It w oul dnt t ak e you a m inut e t o re al ise t h e re is som e sort of prot e st , al t h ough you m igh t not be abl e t o re cognise t h e st range f l ags or re ad t h e e xot ic signs. L ast M arch , Syrian Kurds t rav el l ed t w ice (on t h e 12t h and 14t h) t o

L ast ye ars de m onst rat ion w as, of course , m uch bigge r as t h e st uf f w as st il l h ot , says Be iw ar D e rik i, f rom t h e Kurdish Unit y P art y in Syria (Ye k it i). It w as a rat h er m ode st one , t h ough , com pare d t o t h ose organise d in Be rl in and Brusse l s, f or e xam pl e , w h e re l arge r Kurdish com m unit ie s e xist . L ik e m any of t h e prot e st e rs, M r D e rik i, w h o h as j ust be e n grant ed

27

l i

inde f init e l e av e t o st ay in t h e UK, use d t o be w h at is k now n as a st at el e ss Kurd. In 19 62, t he Syrian gov e rnm e nt carrie d out an e xce pt ionalce nsus in t h e H asak e h prov ince , w h e re m ost Syrian Kurds re side , w h e re by 120,000 pe opl e w e re st rippe d of ft h e ir nat ional it y. 300 v il l age s w e re e v acuat ed f rom t h e ir Kurdish inh abit ant s and re pl ace d by Arabs, in an organise d sch e m e t o arabise t he f e rt il e and oil -rich re gion. Ev e r since t h e n, Kurds h av e suf f e re d pe rsist e nt discrim inat ion and pe rse cut ion at t h e h ands of t h e Bat h re gim e . As re ce nt l y as 10 M ay, 2005, a prom ine nt Isl am ic f igure and out spok e n m e m be r of t h e Kurdish com m unit y w as abduct e d, al l e ge dl y by t h e Syrian m il it ary int el l ige nce , and subse q ue nt l y f ound de ad w it h appare nt t ort ure m ark s. Th e incide nt f ol l ow e d t he arre st of a num be r of act iv ist s in t h e capit al D am ascus, in w h at som e obse rv e rs de scribe d as a sudde n incre ase in t h e h arassm e nt and il l -t re at m e nt of h um an righ t s de f e nde rs.

brough t Pre side nt M uam m ar Gaddaf it o pow e r in 19 69 . Anot h er f am ous occasion is t h e annual anniv e rsary of t h e de cl arat ion of t he so-cal l ed P e opl e s P ow e r (e f f e ct iv el y m art ial l aw ) in 19 77, w h en t h e count ry' s of f icial nam e w as ch ange d t o t h e Gre at Social ist P e opl e' sL ibyan Arab Jam ah iriyah .

Kurd ish d e m onst rat ion at t he Syrian Em b assy, M arch 2004.

O n June 27, l ik e e v e ry ye ar since 19 9 6, L ibyan act iv ist s w il l be organising a st ay-in at t he L ibyan P e opl e' s Bure au (e m bassy) in L ondon t o com m e m orat e t he h orribl e Bu-Sl im m assacre , w h e re 1,200 prisone rs w e re e xe cut ed inside t h e Bu-Sl im prison, one of t h e w orst in t h e w orl d. Th is ye ar, L ik e t h e ir Syrian count e rpart s, t h e prot e st w il l be f ol l ow ing a L ibyans h av e l ong suf f e re d a ge ne ral m e e t ing of L ibyan re pre ssiv e , aut h orit arian re gim e opposit ion part ie s, t he f irst of it s t h at is f am ous f or it s poor h um an k ind in de cade s. God k now s righ t s re cord. Th e y, t oo, f ind t h e ir w h at l l h appe n, says Sul e im an e m bassy t h e onl y t arge t w h e re Barasi, a L ibyan inde pe nde nt t h e y coul d de m onst rat e on such act iv ist . Af t e r al l , it s t h e sam e occasions as t he annual pe opl e w h o ope ne d f ire at anniv e rsary of t h e coup t h at prot e st e rs in 19 84, onl y t o k il la

28

e
w as

l i

Brit ish pol ice w om an w h o pol icing t h e de m onst rat ion.

Th e sh ot t h at k il l e d W pc Yv onne Fl et ch e r w as f ire d f rom inside t he e m bassy, and Scot l and Yard h as l ong suspe ct ed t h at L ibya k now s t h e ide nt it y of t h e k il l e r, but h e is t h ough t t o h av e be e n sm uggl ed out of Brit ain af t er t h e sh oot ing, cl aim ing dipl om at ic im m unit y. Th e f am ous incide nt t h e n re sul t e d in t h e UKs bre ak ing of f dipl om at ic re l at ions w it h L ibya unt il t h ey w e re re st ore d in Jul y 19 9 9 , af t er L ibya acce pt ed ge ne ral re sponsibil it y f or W pc Fl et ch e rs m urde r.

P e opl e are st il l af raid, e v en t h is f araw ay, of t h e re pre ssiv e re gim e , h e adds. If not f or t h e m se l v e s, t h en t h e re is al w ays t he f e ar of j e opardising you f am il y back h om e . Th e re h av e be e n m any incide nt s in t h e past w h e re som e one h as be e n arre st e d and il l t re at ed f or h is sons or brot h e rs act iv it ie s abroad. O ne sh oul d not al so f orge t t h at m any pe opl e , be ing une m pl oye d re f uge e s and asyl um se e k e rs, cannot af f ord t rav el l ing t o L ondon ev e ry now and t h e n, on t h e ir ow n e xpe nse , onl y t o part icipat e in a prot e st , adds anot h er L ibyan guy w h o w as pre se nt at t h e m eet ing in Birm ingh am .

W h at s t h e point ?
It se e m s a re asonabl e q ue st ion since such re gim e s are of t e n not de m ocrat ical l y el e ct e d and w oul d not , t h e re f ore , w orry about t he el e ct orat e or publ ic opinion. Th e y w oul d not e v e n bot h e r se nding out an e m bassy of f icial t o w h om prot e st e rs coul d h and ov er t h e ir l et t e r or pe t it ion. Ye t , argue s M r D e rik i, t h is k ind of act iv it y h as h ist orical l y prov en t o be q uit e be ne f icialin t he l ong run. Th e Kurdish cause h as com e t o t he int e rnat ional com m unit ys at t e nt ion onl y t h rough t he re l e nt l e ss prot e st s of t h e Kurdish

L ib yan de m onst rat ion at L ib yan P e opl e' s Be re au, June 2004 M r Barasi com pl ains t h at onl y t e ns w oul d usual l y t urn up t o t he prot e st s w h il e t h e re are t h ousands of L ibyans l iv ing in t h e UK. H e at t ribut es t h at t o t h e Em bassys surv e il l ance cam e ras, not t o m e nt ion disguise d gov e rnm e nt age nt s am ong t h e prot e st e rs.

29

l i

com m unit y in Europe , h e adds. Th e n t h e pol it ical pre ssure on such re gim e s coul d, som e t im e s, bring about som e ch ange , as w as t h e case w it h re l e asing m any Syrian h igh -prof il e prisone rs upon t h e de m and of t h e Europe an P arl iam e nt . Th e re ce nt re f orm s by t h e Assad adm inist rat ion h av e ce rt ainl y som e t h ing t o do w it h t he incre asing pre ssure f rom t h e W e st , part icul arl yt h e US. L e ss t o t h e point , pe rh aps, Z ah e r Abdul -Karim , a Syrian f ail ed asyl um se e k e r, argue s t h at such prot e st s coul d al so raise aw are ne ss of t h e sit uat ion w it h in t h e asyl um syst e m , and h e nce bigge r ch ance s f or ge nuine asyl um se e k e rs t o be grant e d asyl um . P aradoxical l y, M r Abdul -Karim h im se l f h as be e n re f use d asyl um , al t h ough t he im m igrat ion j udge acce pt e d h e h as be e n q uit e pol it ical l y act iv e h e re and t h at t h e Syrian aut h orit ie s m ay w el lbe aw are of t h at , w h ich coul d appare nt l y put h im at risk if re t urne d t o Syria.

af t e r 8 m ont h s, t h e H O de cide d t o se nd t h e m back t o w h e re t h e y h ad original l y com e f rom in t h e UK. Af t er t he aut h orit ie s ignore d at t e m pt s t o use ot h e r av e nue s of ne got iat ion, t h ey de cide d t o occupy t h e Re f uge e Council in Birm ingh am . Th is l ast ed f or a coupl e of h ours and re sul t e d in t he P ol ice arre st ing 2 organise rs. W it h in days, 9 3 f am il ie s w e re al l ow e d t o st ay in Brum , w it h t he re st ch oosing t o re t urn v ol unt aril y.

Th e P ol it icalAssociat ion of Iranian Re f uge e s do st uf ff or re f uge e s and asyl um se e k e rs. In com binat ion w it h t h e Ant i-Racist Cam paign, t he Associat ion organise d an ov e rnigh t sl e e p-out on 14 June , 2004, t o h igh l igh t t he probl em s of de st it ut ion, h om e l e ssne ss, and l ack of acce ss t o l e gal support t h at asyl um se e k e rs f ace as a re sul t of t h e gov e rnm e nt s asyl um pol icy. P art icipant s spe nt t h e e nt ire nigh t in t h e grounds of Birm ingh am Cat h e dral ,t oge t h e r w it h support e rs and f rie nds, incl uding parish ione rs f rom t h e Cat h e dral . Th e re w il lbe a No e m b assy, no f uss sim il ar sl e e p-out t h is ye ar on t he 22nd June . Arash Sh ak ib f rom t he P ol it ical Associat ion of Iranian Re f uge e s, h e r m ain act iv it ie s f ocus on w h ich w as se t up 4 ye ars ago af t e r Th e ir ot count e ring pro-re gim e propaganda a succe ssf ul prot e st at t h e M idl ands e nt s. F or e xam pl e, t h e proRe f uge e Council . 104 Iranian and e v re gim e pe opl e (m ainl y w e al t h y or f am il ie s h ad be e n dispe rse d t o gov e rnm e nt sponsore d st ude nt s) Birm ingh am , unde r a H ack ne y ce l e brat e e v e ry 11 F e b as t h e Council (L ondon) sch e m e , t h en

30

l i

anniv e rsary of t he Isl am ic re v ol ut ion, w h ich Arash de scribe s as a ' count e r-re v ol ut ion' . In 19 79 , Iran be cam e t h e ce nt re of w orl d at t e nt ion w h en t he m onarch y w as ov e rt h row n, f ol l ow ing w ide spre ad riot s, st rik e s and m ass de m onst rat ions (since Se pt e m be r 19 78) in prot e st at t he W e st e rn-back e d Sh ah ' s pol icie s of aut h orit arian rul e and m art iall aw . F ol l ow ing t h is t rul y de m ocrat ic P e opl es Re v ol ut ion, re l igious cl e rics, h e ade d by Ayat ol l ah Kh om e ini, se ize d cont rol and de cl are d an Isl am ic Re publ ic. Th is ne w re gim e soon be gan t o el im inat e it s ow n pol it ical oppone nt s t h rough syst e m at ic re pre ssion (e xe cut ions, arbit rary arre st s et c. ) f orcing t h ose w h o e scape d t o se e k re f uge abroad, e spe cial l y in Canada, t h e US and UK.

M e anw h il e , Arash cont e nds t h at t he Brit ish gov e rnm e nt are t h e m se l v e s pl aying a dirt y gam e , at t e m pt ing t o accom m odat e t he Isl am ic re gim e , w h il e al so support ing t h e US' s f ancif ulaxis of ev il . Bot h of t h e se st rat e gie s ul t im at el y se rv e t o unde rm ine t he st rong and v ibrant m ov e m e nt s t h at are curre nt l y push ing f or de m ocracy f rom w it h in Iran it se l f . An ironic sit uat ion giv en t he com m it m e nt t h at t h e US and UK gov e rnm e nt s cl aim t o h ol d f or de m ocracy.

Fre e dom and D e m ocracy?

Th e m ainst re am m e dias cov e rage is al so com pl icit w it h such cont radict ory posit ions, as al l of t h e pe opl e w e int e rv ie w e d se e m e d t o agre e . M e dia cov e rage , if any, of such act iv it ie s is of t e n biase d and t e nds onl y t o ide nt if y w it h of f icial narrat iv e s. A sim pl e com parison w it h t h e gre at e f f ort s bot h t he gov e rnm e nt and t h e m ainst re am m e dia m ade t o se cure and cov er t h e part icipat ion of UKs 30,000 Iraq i com m unit y in t h e Iraq i el e ct ions, l ast January, sh oul d be q uit e t el l ing. It w oul d be v e ry naiv e, w e t h ink , t o assum e t h at t h is w as m e re l y out of caring f or t he de m ocrat ic proj e ct in Iraq . As such , bot h t h e UK Gov e rnm e nt and t he m ainst re am m e dia cont inue t o occupy cont radict ory

31

l i

posit ions; on t h e one h and, t h ey pl an and pande r f or w at e re d dow n v e rsions of de m ocracy, de l iv e re d on t h e back s of B-52 bom be rs, w h il e, on t h e ot h e r, t h e y ignore re algrass root s m ov e m e nt s, w h ich st ruggl e f or concre t e and t rul y de m ocrat ic social ch ange f rom w it h in re pre ssiv e re gim e s. Giv e n such cont radict ions, it is h ardl y surprising t h at asyl um se e k e rs and re f uge e s w h o h av e be e n f orce d t o f l ee f rom re pre ssiv e re gim e s cont inue t o organise de m onst rat ions, prot e st s and ce l e brat ions of of t e n pe rse cut ed cul t ural t radit ions. If , t h e re f ore , you h appe n t o f ind yourse l f in a l uxurious are a of L ondon, or pe rh aps in f ront of Birm ingh am CouncilH ouse , and are f ace d w it h such a de m onst rat ion, t h e m ost f it t ing re sponse m ay w e l l be t ot ak e a m inut e in w h ich t o conside r t he t e nacit y of t h e h um an spirit in t he f ace of st at e t e rrorism .

32

l i

M y Grandf at h e r' s St ory

In 19 39 , pe opl e in e ast e rn P ol and f ound t h e m se l v e s in a crisis pre cipit at ed by t he Ge rm an inv asion f rom t h e w e st . Th e Sov ie t Union t ook t h e opport unit y t o inv ade P ol and f rom t h e e ast , ost e nsibl y t o prot e ct t h e Union f rom t h e Ge rm an adv ance as w e l l as t o spre ad St al inism . Account s of t h e suf f e ring can be re ad on t he Int e rne t . M y grandf at h e r' s f am il y w e re am ongst t h ose w h o suf f e re d. I h ad al w ays k now n my grandf at h e r cam e t o Brit ain as a re f uge e , but h e w as a q uie t m an w h o ne v er t ol d m e h is st ory. H e ch ose t o ' int e grat e' , as t h e curre nt j argon h as it ;h e t rie d t o be com e Brit ish . It ' s onl y re ce nt l y t h at it h as re ach e d m y e ars, t ol d t o m e ov er a cup of t e a by t h e Engl ish w om an h e m arrie d, h is w idow , my grandm ot h e r. H e w as born W l adisw au L ongin M al aczynsk i in 19 19 . H is f am il y w e re q uit e priv il e ge d, h av ing be e n giv en a l arge pl ot of l and by t he P ol ish gov e rnm e nt as paym e nt f or h is f at h e r' s m il it ary se rv ice . 19 39 e nde d t h is re l at iv e w e al t h. D e port ed t o, and abandone d in Russia, m y grandf at h e r, h is brot h e r, t h re e sist e rs and m ot h e r w e re f orce d t o surv iv e t h rough raiding

By Jon Korv in

part ie s, cat t l e st e al ing, buil ding sh e l t e r and, e v e nt ual l y, f inding w ork l ogging and bak ing. As re f uge e s, ignore d by t he gov e rnm e nt , t h e y w e re abl e t o surv iv e in f re e zing, h arsh condit ions using t h e ir ow n inge nuit y, organisat ion and l abour. Unde r pre ssure f rom t he P ol ish e xil e d gov e rnm e nt , and t h e Brit ish gov e rnm e nt , t h e Sov ie t Union de cide d t o round up t he P ol es t h ey h ad displ ace d and conce nt rat e t h e m in re f uge e cam ps w it h av ie w t o bringing t h e m int o t h e w ar as f igh t e rs. Typh oid k il l ed Wl adisw au' s m ot h e r and one of h is sist e rs, t he t w o sist e rs be ing de port ed t o India, w h il e t he t wo brot h e rs t rav el l ed t o t h e M iddl e East t o j oin t h e al l ie s. Sh ippe d out f rom t h e re by t he Brit ish aut h orit ie s, w h o, of course , h ad a m aj or col onial pre se nce in t he re gion, W l adisw au h ad t he l im it ed f re e dom t o de cide w h ich part of t h e al l ie d w ar e f f ort h e w ish e d t o j oin. Init ial l y int e re st e d in t h e air f orce , h e ch ange d h is m ind at t he el ev e nt h h our and inst e ad j oine d t h e nav y. Th is de cision sav e d h is l if e as t he f irst f l igh t of displ ace d P ol e s, incl uding h is f rie nds w h o h ad j oine d t h e air f orce , a f l igh t h e w oul d h av e be e n on, w as l ost .

33

l i

Wl adisw au w as de m obil ise d in 19 46, and t h e 27-ye ar ol d re f uge e w as pl ace d in a re se t t l e m e nt cam p in D e v on, sout h -w e st Engl and. H e re h e w as abl e t ot ak e course s in el e ct ricale ngine e ring and, w it h no P ol ish h om e t o re t urn t o, h e ask e d t o st ay in Brit ain as a w ork e r. H e w as t ak e n on by t h e m anage r of a W e st M idl ands gas com pany w h o w as t ouring t h e re f uge e cam ps l ook ing f or l abour, and W l adisw au w as e m pl oye d st ok ing f urnace s. In t h e h e art of indust rialpost -w ar Brit ain, h is dail y f ood during t h is pe riod, prov ide d by h is l andl ady, consist e d of a t iny bot t l e of m il k, som e bre ad and som e f at . H e m arrie d and, soon, m y m ot h e r w as born. D uring t h e 19 60' s he f ound w ork at t he L ongbridge car f act ory, w h e re h e w ork e d unt il diagnose d w it h cance r in 19 84. H e die d a ye ar l at e r. L ook ing ov er t h e st ory now , it ' s st rik ing t h at , as a re f uge e , h is l if e w as sh ape d by t h e w h im s of v arious gov e rnm e nt s, w h et h er Ge rm an, Sov ie t , P ol ish or Brit ish . H is t im e in nort h e rn Russia af t er t he init ial displ ace m e nt w as possibl y t h e h arsh e st and m ost dange rous t im e . But , al t h ough risk ing inst ant e xe cut ion f rom t he indige nous pe opl e h e w as st e al ing f rom , h e w as good e nough and organise d e nough t o e scape t h at

f at e . Fre e t o l iv e of f t he l and, h av ing t h e k now l e dge t o av oid poison w h il e gat h e ring t he f ruit s of nat ure , f re e t o buil d and t o grow as a h um an be ing be yond w h at h e coul d h av e im agine d. It ' s onl y w h en gov e rnm e nt st e ps in, conce nt rat ing re f uge e s f or pol it ical be ne f it s, t h at t he condit ions be com e w orse . Ye t , at l e ast in De v on, w h il e pl ace d in a gov e rnm e nt cam p, h e h ad t he f re e dom of e ducat ion and w ork . P e rh aps t h at is w h y h e ch ose t o ' be com e Brit ish ' . Af t e r al l , no ot h er gov e rnm e nt h ad v al ue d h is pot e nt ial and l abour in t h e sam e w ay. As a car w ork e r, h e inspe ct ed and w ork e d in t he f act ory ch urning out M ini Coope rs (a w e l l -k now n sym bolof Brit ish ne ss) and did not se e k l ink s w it h t he P ol ish com m unit y in t h e W e st M idl ands of Engl and. H is act iv e t ie s w it h ce nt ral Europe w e re f am il ial , not nat ional . Th is w as h is ch oice . But it w as a ch oice onl y e nabl e d by t he opport unit yt o w ork . Th e com f ort abl e l if e he l iv e d unt il t h e age of 20 is pe rh aps a re m inde r t h at anyone can be com e a re f uge e , no m at t er w h o t h e y are . H um an be ings h av e al w ays be e n m igrant s and al w ays w il l . But be com ing a re f uge e onl y h appe ns t h ank s t ot he m e ddl ing int o our l iv e s of t h ose w h o se e k t o rul e.

34

Ce l e b rat ing Sanct uary Birm ingh am is a re gist e re d ch arit y w ork ing w it h re f uge e s and asyl um se e k e rs. W e be l ie v e t h at sanct uary is a h um an righ t . W e aim t o prov ide a pl at f orm f or re f uge e s and asyl um se e k e rs l iv ing in t h e W e st M idl ands t o sh are t h e ir dif f e re nt cul t uralide nt it ie s. W e at t e m pt t o ch al l e nge som e of t h e m isl e ading inf orm at ion f rom t he m e dia and som e pol it icians by prov iding opport unit ie s f or e v e ryone t o int e ract w it h re f uge e s and asyl um se e k e rs. W e prov ide a f ram e w ork f or l ocal organisat ions and sch ool s t o organise act iv it ie s aim e d at im prov ing publ ic aw are ne ss about re f uge e s and asyl um se e k e rs. Th e v ie w s e xpre sse d in t h is publ icat ion re pre se nt t h ose of t h e aut h ors and are not ne cce ssaril y re pre se nt at iv e of t he v ie w s of Ce l e brat ing Sanct uary