Said Kasim's Statement on his ongoing Hunger Strike

The latest from Hands off Somalia! on Said's struggle for justice. 
First published: http://handsoffsomalia.co.uk/2013/02/27/said-still-on-hunger-strike-releases-statement-letter/

Said still on hunger strike - releases statement letter

Said Kasim has informed us that he is still on hunger strike in Colnbrook IRC, now for 7 days since 20 February.

Said sent Hands off Somalia (HOS) the following letter asking for it to be publicised and forwarded to all press and political groups. On the second page, the letter has been signed by prisoners that support Said and believe his fight is just and in the favour of all prisoners held in immigration detention centres across Britain.

HOS was asked by Said to publicise his statement letter. Its co-signed by supporting prisoners

Supporting prisoners co-signed Said's statement

Yesterday Said went for bail in court but his hearing was not a success. The ruling judge denied bail on the reasoning that he deemed Said was at risk of absconding (going underground). UKBA are desperate to bury Said's case and quickly deport him to Tanzania, a country Said has no connection with.

We suspect this is because Said has a pending application for judicial review against UKBA, the Home Office and security firm Reliance (Tascor) for his brutal treatment on 30 September when UKBA failed to remove Said because he resisted.

Said told HOS he remarked to the bail court judge that he thought he was a racist and only backs UKBA's lies about his identity because he has no understanding of how it must be to be a black African fleeing civil war and fighting to survive in Britain.

Meanwhile in Colnbrook IRC news has spread that on Monday 25 February a Nigerian man was killed inside the prison after a botched charter flight to Nigeria, although this is yet to be verified fully and UKBA deny any death has occurred.

Hands off Somalia supports Said and his actions against racist UKBA.

Victory to Said!

No to the criminalisation of Somali people!

Imperialist Hands off Somalia!

Somali refugee Said Kasim begins a hunger strike in Colnbrook IRC

  The struggle of Somali refugee Said Kasim is intensifying and in the post below the brutal reality of Britain's immigration detention is exposed. Originally published on Hands off Somalia! blog - HOS! - Said Kasim begins hunger strike in Colnbrook IRC

 Said Kasim begins a hunger strike in Colnbrook IRC

Said Kasim has informed supporters of Hands off Somalia that he has begun a hunger strike inside Colnbrook immigration prison, in protest to his extensive unlawful detention – which is now over one year – and increasingly oppressive treatment inside the prison.

Said went for a further Judicial Review last Friday, only to find that the courts and contracted translation services CAPTIA had once again failed to provide Said with a Kibajuni translator. The judge adjourned his case but with no set date and ruled that Said’s removal can still take place.
British courts are scrambling after paying translation service CAPITA millions, only to find out CAPTIA can not provide a proper service and constantly don’t turn up to court. MPs have even described the deal as ‘nothing short of shambolic’.

Said forwarded HOS the fax below which emotionally explains his reasoning behind the protest and that he is prepared to risk his health and  life in order to get his freedom. Said also sent this fax to SERCO and the medical unit in Colnbrook IRC to inform them of his protest.

Said sent this fax to UKBA, SERCO and the medical unit in Colnbrook IRC to inform them of his protest

Doctors at Colnbrook IRC have rushed to advise Said to postpone his action as he currently takes a cocktail of medicines to help with his heart condition and depression, which were only caused by his detention. Doctors told Said that a hunger strike could prove seriously detrimental to his health as consuming the drugs he normally takes without food could damage his liver and kidneys.

Said told Hands off Somalia that he is determined to continue to fight for his freedom despite the serious risks involved.

He told UKBA’s doctors “I’m not scared about my problems for a long time, you are a doctor and this is part of your job so ask UKBA questions and tell them I want to be free. I am not a terrorist and I’m not a danger to the public. In short, I’m not going to stop my hunger strike until I die”

Hands off Somalia support Said in this protest and plan solidarity actions to support him

You can support Said:

• Call Colnbrook IRC to complain. Tel: 020 8607 5200 PRESS OPTION 1 THEN PRESS 303
• Ring the Home Office to report his protest and demand his freedom. Telephone:  020 7035 4848 or Fax: 020 7035 4745 or Email: public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.ukpublic.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
• Contact local MP John Mcdonnell to inform him about Said’s hunger strike and ask why someone like Said would have to take to such measures to get justice. Email: mcdonnellj@parliament.uk or Twitter https://twitter.com/johnmcdonnellMP
• Send us a message on Facebook of any action you want to take

Hands Off Somalia - Video of Speech from 'Against Racism'

Kyronne from London based campaign Hands Off Somalia (HOS) speaking about Somalia, British Imperialism and racism. HOS has been involved in a campaign to stop the deportation of a Somali refugee - see Said Kasim - fighting onwards for justice for the most recent update.

Check out their blog for other articles, campaigns, and events: HOS blog

Raul Ally - Video of Speech from 'Against Racism'

The second of the filmed speeches from the TCAR public meeting, 'Against Racism'. Raul Ally, a refugee from Somalia, talks about his experience of the British immigration system and the Morton Hall Immigration Removal Centre, in Lincolnshire.

 

Frances Webber from IRR speaking at 'Against Racism'

On 26th January, TCAR held a successful public meeting with a variety of speakers addressing different aspects of state racism in Britain. Most of the speeches were recorded, and they will all be posted on this blog in the next few weeks. Please watch and share this invaluable information!

The first video is the speech given by Frances Webber, retired immigration barrister, activist, and long-standing member of the Institute for Race Relations (IRR). She has recently published 'Borderline Justice' and more of her writings can be found at: http://www.irr.org.uk/about/people/frances-webber/

Click this link for the full video:

http://vimeo.com/58618032

TCAR Protest Against Hassanat's Deportation - Report

On Friday 1^st February, the date set for the deportation of Hassanat Omeneke Aliyu and her three daughters, TCAR members and supporters demonstrated against their removal, and in solidarity with the family. The protest took place outside of Northumbria House, the immigration reporting centre for the North East, and attracted other asylum seekers who described their experiences of imprisonment and poverty at the hands of the racist system. The protest demanded an end to Hassanat's deportation and to all detention and deportations.

Hassanat fled Nigeria in 2006 with her one year old daughter, who was threatened with Female Genital Cutting (FGC). They were trafficked to Britain and have been living here for 6 and a half years, and are currently living in Newcastle. Hassanat now has three young daughters who have grown up here and become part of the community, attending Byker Primary School. 

Demonstrators spoke on a megaphone about the racism at the heart of the immigration system. The government claims to support victims of trafficking and girls at risk of FGC yet they are directly contradicting this with their actions; they are knowingly putting Hassanat and her daughters in danger. The UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) and other agencies of the United Nations have stated that refugee and asylum status should be granted to women and girls fleeing their country to escape genital cutting. The British government committed to opt into the EU’s directive on human trafficking in July 2011. The directive is focused on 'prevention and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims'. We demand that the government live up to their promises on human trafficking and comply with the UNHCR's statement on FGC. Protesters also described how asylum seekers are criminalised for seeking safety and refuge, often fleeing from countries which have been exploited and plundered by Britain.

The situation for Hassanat is still urgent, and continuing the campaign vital. The Head Teacher of the children's school, Linda Bradley, said in a letter to the Home Office: ‘Since Ms Aliyu’s daughters...joined our school... they have made many friends and have formed good relationships with adults...They not only attend school eagerly but also attend many of the after school clubs...As they no longer know their home language and think of themselves as British, I would urge you to reconsider your decision.’

Justice for Hassanat and her daughters! Justice for all!