E-Petition: Recognition of Genocide Against the Kurds in Iraq
We urge the Government to recognise formally the Genocide against the people of Iraqi Kurdistan and to encourage the EU and UN to do likewise. This will enable Kurdish people, many in the UK, to achieve justice for their considerable loss. It would also enable Britain, the home of democracy and freedom, to send out a message of support for international conventions and human rights. The Genocide perpetrated over decades, known collectively as the Anfal, began with the arabisation of villages around Kirkuk in 1963. It involved the deportation and disappearances of Faylee Kurds in the 1970s-80s, the murder of 8,000 male Barzanis in 1983, the use of chemical weapons in the late 1980s, most notably against Halabja, and finally the Anfal campaign of 1987-88. Hundreds of thousands of innocent people perished, families were torn apart, with continuing health problems, and 4,500 villages were destroyed between 1976 and 1988 undermining the potential of Iraqi Kurdistan's agricultural resources.
Created by: Nadhim Zahawi MP, You can sign here . . . .

EDM 597: Rwandan Proxy Wars In Congo
That this House is outraged by reports by the United Nations that Rwanda's Defence Chief, James Kabarebe, is effectively commanding a militia gang, M23, in the Democratic Republic of Congo; recalls that in July 2012 the Netherlands, Germany, US and UK governments suspended direct budget support to the Kagame regime over similar allegations; notes that this is not the first time that Rwanda or Uganda have supported militia gangs in Congo; supports Save the Congo's call on the UK Government to help ensure that those responsible are placed on the UN sanction list; and urges the Government to fully revoke all direct budget support to any government involved in the killing, raping and looting engulfing the Congo.

Sponsors: Hancock, Mike / George, Andrew

House of Commons Date tabled: 17/10/2012

Anti-Slavery Day - 18 October 2012
Established in 2010 Anti-Slavery Day provides a focal point for raising awareness about the many people in the UK and around the world who continue to be trapped in modern slavery, and to promote the need for many individuals and organisations across society to play a part in ending it.

It is championed by Anti-Slavery International which, founded in 1839, is the world's oldest international human rights organisation and the only charity in the United Kingdom to work exclusively against slavery.

Slavery exists today despite the fact that it is banned in most of the countries where it is practised. Although this exploitation of millions of people, including children, is often not called slavery, the conditions are the same. People are sold like objects, forced to work for little or no pay and are at the mercy of their 'employers'.
More informationhere . . . .

No Evictions No Destitution  First Court Hearings Wednesday 17 Oct

Glasgow Sheriff Court 1 Carlton Place, Glasgow G5 9DA.

Assemble 1:30pm  /  Support the Evictees
The campaign is calling for as many people as possible to attend the first of the court eviction hearings this Wednesday 17 October at the Sheriff Court. We will assemble at 1:30pm outside the court for a short information meeting and join the queue to attend the hearings beginning at 2:00pm. A large presence inside the courtroom will be a supportive demonstration in itself. This is only the beginning of the court process and there will be future campaigning events.  Refugees are welcome here!

From: Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees <glascamref@gmail.com>

Garden Court Chambers - Immigration Law Bulletin - Issue 296

Foreign National Prisoners do Not Deserve Blanket Judgments

As of April next year and the introduction of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act, it will be impossible for foreign national prisoners who wish to challenge deportation proceedings to get legal advice from a solicitor unless they are able to pay for it themselves
Jon Robins, guardian.co.uk, Friday 12 October 2012

Nigeria: Gunmen Kill 20 in Dawn Attack at Mosque
A gang armed with rifles and machetes attacked a rural village in Nigeria yesterday, killing 20 people Ð including worshippers leaving a mosque just before dawn. The attack happened in Dogon Dawa, a village deep in the pasturelands of Kaduna state in northern Nigeria, where police and security forces maintain only a light presence. A rescue official, who lives nearby, told the Associated Press news agency that the attacks began in the early morning under cover of darkness, with up to 50 gunmen surrounding the village and its neighbouring farmlands.
Indpendent, Monday 15 October 2012

Glasgow Evictions - Stay of Execution - More Battles to Come

Refugees and campaigners who attended today's first court hearings in Court 14 in Glasgow Sheriff Court brought by the YMCA to evict the remaining refused refugees, witnessed a remarkable event. While a number of undefended cases went through on the nod, 8 of the cases were defended and the case for eviction challenged. The first effect was to extend the cases into December, giving the refugees at least a stay of execution, the longer and more significant outcome could be to develop a group of test cases which will challenge the legality of the use of absolute destitution as an arm of government policy. Some of the cases were defended by an advocate, an unusual enough event in the eviction courtroom, but an indication of how seriously the refugees' lawyers intend to pursue these cases.

As one of the legal firms involved put it, in more measured terms:

Latta and Co. Solicitors represented several clients who were faced with eviction at Glasgow Sheriff Court today. The cases were successfully continued to consider challenges raised to the lawfulness of the eviction proceedings. Additional challenges were also raised in respect of potential human rights breaches involving destitution issues. These will be considered at an evidential hearing which has been set for December. The clients are allowed to remain in the accommodation until the matters are fully considered.

Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees and numerous other organisations will continue to campaign until our society is rid of this barbarity. Not only out of sympathy with refugees but for ourselves too for what governments can get away with doing to demonised refugees today they can do to the demonised "undeserving poor' tomorrow.

Jock Morris

Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees <glascamref@gmail.com>

Rwanda and Uganda Supplying Congo Rebels with Weapons
Two of the biggest recipients of British aid in Africa have broken a United Nations arms embargo by supplying rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo with weapons and ammunition, a Security Council investigation found last night.

Rwanda and Uganda, which will receive £75 million and £101.5 million of British aid respectively this year, are giving "direct military support" to the "M23" guerrillas in Congo, according to a UN "Group of Experts".
Read more: Telegraph 17/12/10

Inquest Opens Into Suicide of Ianos Dragutan in Campsfield IRC
Mr Dragutan (AKA John Yohona) had served three months at London's Wandsworth Prison for possessing false documentation before arriving at Campsfield on 31st July 2011, the court heard. Two days later officers told Mr Dragutan to collect his belongings for release, although it is believed that he was also due to face questioning in connection with a rape case. When police arrived Mr Dragutan left the waiting room, entered the shower block and hung himself, the court heard.
Read more here . . . .

[Syria] Immigration Rules (Temporary Concessions)

The Minister for Immigration (Mr Mark Harper): I am today announcing the introduction of concessions to the immigration rules for Syrian nationals lawfully in the UK.

In the light of the ongoing violent conflict occurring in Syria I have decided that the UK Border Agency should operate some discretion to enable Syrians legally in the UK to extend their stay here.

Syrians in the UK with valid leave (or leave which has expired within the last 28 days) will be able to apply to extend their stay, or switch into a different category from within the UK (with some restrictions) rather than being required to return home first. Those applying would need to meet the requirements of the relevant visa category, pay the appropriate fee, and adhere to the normal conditions of that category—no access to public funds, for example. If a required document is not accessible due to the civil unrest in Syria UKBA may apply its discretion and the requirement to provide that document may be waived where appropriate.

These concessions will remain in force for five months from today. The Government continue to monitor the situation in Syria closely in order to ensure our response is appropriate and that any emerging risks are addressed.
House of Commons / 15 Oct 2012 : Column 6WS