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Reply-To: John O <johno@.demon.co.uk> (by way of marc@info.unicaen.fr (Marc Chemillier))
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Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 17:06:56 +0100 (MET)
From: John O <johno@.demon.co.uk> (by way of marc@info.unicaen.fr (Marc Chemillier))
To: Multiple recipients of <zpajol@london.monde-diplomatique.fr>
Subject: [ZPAJOL] Rochester 48eme jour

NATIONAL COALITION OF ANTI-DEPORTATION CAMPAIGNS
22 BERNERS STREET, BIRMINGHAM B19 2DR ENGLAND
VOICE 0121-554-6947 +44-121-554-6947
FAX 0121-507-1567 +44-121-507-1567
E-MAIL johno@ncadc.demon.co.uk

DAY 48 ROCHESTER PRISON ASYLUM SEEKERS HUNGER STRIKE

The condition of two of the hunger strikers became critical towards the end
of last week. We are attempting to find out more about what has happened to
one hunger striker who is said to have now suffered kidney failure while in
the prison hospital wing and another who has become partially paralysed
possibly following a stroke. The seriousness of the state of health of all
those on hunger strike must now be of paramount Concern.

What has also become clear is that one by one they are also achieving their
goal - their freedom - even if the cost has been high for the individuals.
On Friday, the High Court granted bail to the Hunger Striker at the centre
of controversy . Ann Wlddecombe had cited this individual in the House of
Commons as somehow' typical' of the kind of asylum seeker the Home Office
was locking up thus creating a climate of hostility towards . What emerged
during this mans hearings was that on return to this country in 1995 he
declared hlmself to the Home Office and kept in touch with them when he
moved address. He was detained some eighteen months later after being
accused of shoplifting. The High Court made it quite clear that the only
legal reason for detaining an asylum seeker was if it was thought likely
that he would abscond - and there was no evidence for that in this case (in
fact. the contrary). When the case comes for full Judicial Review in two
weeks time it is expected that the arbitrary and punitive way in which the
Immigration Service, supported by Ann Widdicobme, use detention will be
exposed. If the ruling goes in the hunger strikers favour. it may in the
future become much more difficult for the immigration Service to lock
asylum seekers up on spurious grounds and easier for the courts to release
them.

In a separate judgement on Thursday, Mr Care, a senior adjudicator sitting
at Gravesend, in releasing on bail an Angolan who had been on Hunger strike
made the reasons for his decision very clear: "Asylum Seekers are not
Criminals - this is close to administrative detention". For such comments
to come from a senior adjudicator is a severe rebuke to the Home Office. It
also exposes the arbitrary nature of decision making in the courts. it is
certain that Mr Disley, the regional Adjudicator who has been hearing most
of the applications for ball at Gravesend, would not have taken this view
nor expressed such criticism of immigration Services practices. At least
five hunger strikers have now been released on bail showing that the
decision to detain them should never have been made. In the case quoted
above the Home Office, in opposing bail, cited as one of their reasons that
the asylum seeker was on hunger-strike. The adjudicator made it clear that
this is not a factor that he would hold against him in reaching his
decision and indeed that it was wrong in law for the Home Office to do so.

Meanwhile, in the prison itself we hear that the two remaining Nigerians on
hunger strike have been isolated from the others in the Infamous basement
wing of the hospital where their only human contact is with prison and
Immigration staff. One is being taunted with the exposure of part of his
claim as being fraudulent. The high profile his case has received means
that if he is now returned to Nigeria, there is a strong likelihood that,
like other Nigerian returnees whose cases have received publicly, he will
disappear into what the Nigerian High Commission in London have called (in
reference to his case), the "strong arms of Nigerian Justice', .

A middle-aged Tunisian Hunger striker has been sent an air ticket and
papers to go to Italy where his brother has refugee status. Despite this,
the Home Office are insisting that he be returned to Tunisia where he faces
persecution. We also hear that in a very well documented Algerian case, the
Home Office is now "reconsidering" his claim. Why couldn't they have done
this at an earlier stage before the possibility of him doing permanent
physical damage.

What has truly been exposed during the hunger strike is the lie told by Ann
Widdicombe to the House of Commons that "14 out of the 16" at that time on
Hunger strike had "exhausted all their appeal rights" and were simply
awaiting deportation. The Arbitrary, punitive and politically motivated
system of detention will become increasingly obvious to the world as more
of the facts emerge over the forthcoming weeks.

The front-bench of the Labour Party has remained silent over the Hunger
Strike. We were however pleased to learn that Jack Straws' office has
invited various interested groups to go and discuss with him such questions
as "What steps could be taken to reduce the number of detainees and the
length of their detention?" and their Views on "the main shortcomings of
the present procedures, especially causes of delay." Perhaps Jack Straw
should be inviting some of the Hunger strikers who by their action have
placed these questions on the national agenda?

KEEP FAXING THE HOME OFFICE AND ATTENDING THE DEMONSTRATIONS

We expect you know these numbers by heart now but just in case....

Secretary of State, Michael Howard 0171-273-3965 +44-171-273-3965
Ann Wlddecombe 0171 -273-3094 +44-171 -273-3094

Messages of Support c/o National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns,
ADDRESS AT TOP OF PAGE

SUPPORT FOR THE HUNGER STRIKE HAS BEEN POURING IN FROM AROUND THE WORLD,
KEEP UP THE PRESSURE, FORCE THE GOVERNMENT TO RETREAT FREE THE DETAINEES!
NEXT PICKET OF THE HOME OFFICE, ON WEDNESDAY 26 FEBRUARY.
( Queen Anne~s Gate nearest Tube: St James' Park)
NEXT PICKET OF ROCHESTER PRISON SATURDAY 1 MARCH 2.00PM TO 3.30 PM

PLEASE SEND COPIES OF ANY PROTEST LETTERS TO NCADC

YOURS IN SOLIDARITY JOHN O,

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