Speak Out - Defend Asylum Seekers

Broad Left Newsletter
Autumn 2000


Speak Out Against Racism - Defend Asylum Seekers

The wave of racist anti-refugee rhetoric promoted by the main political parties for electoral gain since the local elections last May has shifted the debate on Asylum to the right - further endangering asylum seekers and the black community in Britain.

The predicted consequences of implementing the racist asylum and immigration legislation are now manifesting themselves. Asylum seekers have been forced onto an insufficient and stigmatizing voucher scheme and are being incarcerated in ever greater numbers in detention centres. The dispersal of asylum seekers from community structures has occurred with devastating consequences with asylum seekers becoming the targets of local racial violence. These effects were clearly demonstrated in Hull recently where there was a spate of attacks on asylum seekers; one man was stabbed with a spanner and another lost an eye after being attacked by a racist using a catapult.

Unfortunately the rightward shift in the debate on asylum seekers shows no sign of relenting, with Straw and Hague both attempting to exploit the debate for electoral gain. The government has accelerated its assault on asylum seekers.

In July £400m was allocated to speed up decisions on asylums seekers to "remove those with unfounded claims" and plans were released for three new detention centres to be built with a capacity to incarcerate 4000 asylum seekers. Further, Jack Straw recently proposed that the 1951 Geneva Convention on Asylum Rights - that enshrines basic human rights - should be re-written

Speak Out Against Racism

It is in this climate of racism and xenophobia that the 'Speak Out Against Racism - Defend Asylum Seekers' campaign has been launched, by a coalition of organisations including the National Assembly Against Racism, Jubilee 2000, Refugee Council and Oxfam. A series of local and national actions have been planned, starting with a 'Hands Around the Home Office' demonstration on 4th November.

The Student Assembly Against Racism will be organising actions and briefings in support of the 'Speak Out Against Racism' campaign. On 11th November, SAAR is a holding a student Speak Out conference at South Bank University to launch the campaign.

Student Broad Left has consistently supported SAAR in its fight against all manifestations of racism. Students, such as Ricky Reel and Stephen Lawrence, are often fatal victims and students must be at the forefront of the fight against racism. This conference should be seen as a priority for everyone who wants to fight against all forms of bigotry and discrimination.



Newsletter Contents

Broad Left's Aims and objectives      Broad Left's NEC Report 30.6.2000      Education Funding      Fighting Racism

Students and the Peace Movement      Environment and Ethics      Links

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