Denise McNeill freed from prison, out on bail

Image by jonycunha via Flickr

The asylum seeker Denise McNeill was today given bail after nearly a year's detention in Holloway Prison, according to No One Is Illegal.

McNeill led a hunger strike last year in protests at conditions at Yarl's Wood detention centre, which was allegedly violently broken up by guards. She has been held at Holloway Prison since.

"I think they moved me from Yarl's Wood to cover up what they'd done: to stop my ability to talk out," she has said.

Source: NCADC

Yesterday, one of the Yarl’s Wood 3, Denise McNeil, was granted bail at an immigration court in Hatton Cross. Her supporters in the courtroom clapped as the judge made his decision.

Denise was released from Holloway prison this evening. She said

‘After 28 months, 1 week and 5 days I am finally reunited with my family and supporters. We’re going to keep campaigning for Sheree and Aminata and all the people in Yarl’s Wood until it’s closed’

In February 2010, refugees and migrants held at the Yarl’s Wood immigration prison organised a hunger strike, demanding an end to indefinite imprisonment and abuse. Their courageous protest lasted five weeks, despite violent attacks by Serco’s private security guards, who manage the detention centre. Their action was ‘for everyone in detention.’

Over 70 women of colour participated in the hunger strike which forced the authorities to release many of them. In retribution, several people involved in the hunger strike were singled out and moved to prisons. The effect of this is also to intimidate other detainees from speaking out about their experience of the immigration system.

After Denise was released today two women targeted in this way are still behind bars: Sheree Wilson and Aminata Camara. They are being held without charge and a court order. They have been away from their families, friends and communities for far too long. Today supporters said that the campaign to free them would continue.

‘We are delighted that Denise has been released from prison today’ one of her supporters said. ‘We will continue to fight for Sheree and Aminata to be granted bail and for Denise to stay in Britain with her children. When they try to silence people by putting them in prison we will fight back’

Supporters packed the court today to show solidarity with Denise. A letter from Denise’s youngest son was also given to the Judge. Denise said ‘Tre’s letter touched the heart of the Judge’. Several groups were represented including No One is Illegal, No Borders, Crossroads Women’s Centre, Communities of Resistance, Stop Deportation Network and members of the RMT.

1. For more information, contact George Lavender 07783322752 or email freedenisenow@gmail.com

2. On New Year’s Eve, friends, family and supporters of the Yarl’s Wood 3 came together outside Holloway Prison for a noisy demonstration of solidarity. Messages of support came from organisations and individuals in Britain, and around the world. In Sweden, a giant banner was hung in central Malmo, calling for ‘ Asylum for all in 2011′. indymedia

3. A Facebook page for the campaign has been created

4. Nick Clegg was widely criticized for ‘rebranding detention’

5. For more information about Denise McNeil’s campaign, visit her NCADC campaign page

6. Asylum seekers win new strength to fight after Yarl’s Wood hunger strike’

Twitter feed: @freedenisenow

Related articles

• Action Alert: Free Denise McNeil (madikazemi.blogspot.com)
• Denise McNeil jailed for a year 'to silence her' (madikazemi.blogspot.com)

Denise McNeil jailed for a year 'to silence her'

Source: Observer

By Mark Townsend

A woman who went on hunger strike in protest at her detention in the Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre claims she has been silenced by the state after being held in a prison without charge for almost a year.

Denise McNeil, a 35-year-old Jamaican, was transferred from the centre in Bedfordshire to Holloway prison in London last February after her hunger strike ended in violence when she was allegedly assaulted by Yarl's Wood staff. Her lawyer said her imprisonment was highly unusual as McNeil, a mother, could not be classified as a risk to the public and so be legally detained in prison.

Hani Zubeidi, of London-based solicitors Fadiga and Co, believes his client was singled out to deter other detainees from speaking out. Campaigners say that McNeil was hurt in scuffles with immigration staff on 8 February 2010 and that she has not received adequate medical attention for her injuries and now finds it painful to lie down. The Observer reported allegations that asylum seekers were beaten by guards later that month.

"The issue is: why she is being kept in criminal detention?" said Zubeidi. "It is not warranted and obviously more costly. She was identified as a ringleader at Yarl's Wood, so they do not want her. But is she a risk to the public? No."

McNeil's youngest son, eight-year-old Tre-Anri, is said to be traumatised by his mother being locked up in prison and is receiving psychiatric care. Inmates are not allowed mobile phones and McNeil, in a letter she wrote from prison, said she found it difficult to keep in touch with her son, who is a British national. "This country says it puts children first, but it's clear it doesn't," she wrote. "How can you separate a mother from her child for so long? I should be released to look after my children – that's every mother's right. I think they moved me from Yarl's Wood to cover up what they'd done: to stop my ability to talk out."

Read more »

100 demonstrate in support of Denise McNeill

By Paul Canning

100 people joined a demonstration last night in support of Jamaican asylum seeker Denise McNeill.

After gathering outside the prison entrance with banners and noise-makers, supporters moved to the back of the prison where they could be seen and heard by the people locked inside.

Messages of support were received from groups and individuals in Britain and around the world.

Denise is one of three detainees still jailed - without charge or trial - since a hunger strike at Yarl's Wood last February in protest against the conditions.

Her supporters have organised a demonstration for her next bail hearing, Tuesday 4th January at Richmond Magistrates Court, Parkshot, Richmond TW9 2RF. The nearest train station is Richmond, which is the final station on the District and Overground lines.

There's a Facebook page for the bail hearing demo.

• Action Alert: Free Denise McNeil

Action Alert: Free Denise McNeil

Photo of Denise's 8 year old son

Source: Free Denise McNeil campaign

Denise McNeil has been held in Holloway Prison since she was accused of being a key organiser in the five-week Yarl's Wood Hunger Strike in February 2010. After having lived in the UK for more than ten years, Denise currently faces the continued threat of forced deportation to Jamaica despite the fact that she fears for her life and that this would leave her two children, aged 8 and 17, behind in the UK.

Denise was arrested in September 2008 for possession of cannabis for personal use. She served a six month prison sentence and was taken into detention on the day of her release. It is now over two years since she has been able to care for her sons, who have suffered immense disruption and trauma due to her prolonged detention.

Denise had removal directions for September 2010, but her flight got cancelled on the day of her scheduled deportation. Since then her future is uncertain, and she is still waiting for the outcome of the judicial review of her case.

Denise’s life is in danger should she return to Jamaica. Her brother was killed in March 2010 following his forced removal from the UK. Denise has also lost a sister and cousin to gang violence in the last few years. Denise knows she would be a target if she returned to Jamaica and does not want to put her sons' lives at risk either.

In February, Denise joined a five-week hunger strike by prisoners at Yarl's Wood immigration prison to end to indefinite and abusive imprisonment. She was among the hunger strikers who were locked in a corridor for more than six hours without access to any facilities by guards attempting to force an end to the protests. She was beaten by guards, put in isolation for four weeks and moved to Holloway prison.

Denise was brave enough to speak about this incidence to the media (see below for Denise's comments in the Guardian) on several occasions and believes that this is why she was isolated and moved to prison where there is no access to a mobile phone.

Denise and two other women remain in prison as retribution for taking part in the hunger strike. Ten months on and Denise has still not received adequate medical treatment for the injuries she sustained from guards during the hunger strike.

Denise:

“I’ve suffered enough. It’s been 21 months since I’ve been detained by immigration. I’d just like to be released to be with my children to make up for this time lost and to try and fit back into society which I know is going to be hard. To be a mother like I was before this happened - that’s all I want.”

Read Denise's comments in the Guardian:

Fears for health of Yarl's Wood women in third week of hunger strike
About 20 detainees are protesting over indefinite detention and alleged racial and physical abuseAsylum seekers win new strength to fight after Yarl's Wood hunger strike
'We are determined to win justice for the violent and vicious way we were treated,' says mother in family detention centre protest
Could this woman's fight change the way Britain treats asylum seekers?
Most of the desperate mothers who are held at Yarl's Wood are quickly deported: now four of them are taking the Home Office to court, citing violations of their human rights amid nightmarish conditions. Mark Townsend reports
Immigration bosses to be quizzed after asylum seekers were 'beaten' by guards
MPs to investigate claims that women in Yarl's Wood detention centre were physically abused by officers during hunger strike
Why I am on hunger strike at Yarl's Wood
Denise McNeil, one of the detainees at Yarl's Wood, explains why she has been on hunger strike for the last two weeks

What can you do to help?

Denise took action with other women “for everyone in detention” in the hunger strike. Now we need to support her. Help Denise fight for her release and the right to remain with her sons in safety in the UK. Please refer to her Home Office Reference number which is W1015678/8

1) Stay in touch!

Email freedenisenow@gmail.com to let us know you want to be kept up to date and to get details of demonstrations and further actions.

• Facebook page

2) Write to the Jamaican High Commission asking them not to facilitate Denise's deportation

• Use the Sample model letter (Word)
• Edit online in Google Docs

His Excellency Anthony S Johnson
Jamaican High Commission
1-2 Prince Consort Road
London
SW7 2BZ

Fax: 020 7589 5154
Email: jamhigh@jhcuk.com

3) Write to the Home Secretary

Rt. Hon Theresa May, MP
Secretary of State for the Home Office,
2 Marsham St
London SW1 4DF

Fax: 020 7035 4745

emails:

mayt@parliament.uk
UKBApublicenquiries@UKBA.gsi.gov.uk
CITTO@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Privateoffice.external@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

4) Show your solidarity by writing to Denise in Holloway Prison:

Denise McNeil, WT4009
HMP Holloway
Parkhurst Road
London
N7 0NU

NEW YEAR'S EVE NOISE DEMONSTRATION OUTSIDE HOLLOWAY PRISON
Friday at 4:00pm
HMP Holloway, Parkhurst Rd, London N7 ONU

See also:

• MPs to investigate Yarl's Wood removal centre abuse claims; Interview with a hunger striker 
• Legal challenge over Yarl's Wood protest 
• Lesbian asylum seeker amongst Yarl's Wood hunger strikers

Asylum seekers win new strength to fight after Yarl's Wood hunger strike

Source: guardian.co.uk

By Karen McVeigh

The government's recent announcement that it would close the family section of the Yarl's Wood immigration centre as part of its plan to end child detention was universally welcomed; MPs, children's groups and human rights groups had long condemned the "moral outrage" of locking them up. But it gave scant comfort to the women detained in the complex's remaining three wings, many of whom have spent long periods separated from their children.

Six months after the start of a hunger strike by up to 70 women at Yarl's Wood, to highlight what they say was unfair and degrading treatment, the Guardian has spoken to several of those who took part.

They are fighting a legal battle to gain official recognition that the protest even took place – something the Home Office and the private security firm which runs the Bedfordshire facility dispute – and to secure an inquiry into their allegations of violence and racial abuse by guards.

Behind the locked doors of the prettily named Avocet, Bunting and Dove wings in Yarl's Wood are many extremely vulnerable women, among them victims of torture and rape, and those who have fled domestic violence, destitution or both.

Seven people spoke to the Guardian, all but one of them mothers, whose children were mainly either British-born or had spent most of their lives here.

Read more »

Legal challenge over Yarl's Wood protest

Image by Gareth Harper via Flickr

Source: BBC

It has been five weeks since a group of about 40 women at Yarl's Wood immigration centre began a hunger strike.

The Bedfordshire institution hit the headlines once again last month following the protest by the women, who were unhappy with their treatment.

Some women are still striking, but are taking fluids.

Now human rights lawyers have mounted a legal challenge in the High Court on behalf of some former residents.

They claim that a few days into the hunger strike in early February there was a peaceful protest in the centre but it resulted in some women being locked in a corridor.

Human rights lawyers describe the practice as being "kettled" and that some of the women were then subjected to physical and racial abuse.

These allegations are strenuously denied by centre staff and the authorities.

Lawyers acting on behalf of four women and three children say they have corroborative statements and photographic evidence, including pictures of alleged injuries to the legs and arms of 35-year-old Jamaican Denise McNeil.

'Flawed system'

She has now been removed from the centre and is currently in prison.

She spoke to Look East soon after the alleged incident, saying: "Since I've been here [in the UK] I have suffered a lot and I just can't think about it at times."

Jim Duffy, a solicitor from Public Interest Lawyers, based in Birmingham, is acting on behalf of Ms McNeil and the others.

He told the BBC: "The many many stories coming out of Yarl's Wood point to a system that is deeply flawed.

"We want to ensure that Yarl's Wood does not detain children for indefinite periods of time and that the people that are held there are treated with the requisite respect.

"Our challenge challenges the system - a system of indefinite detention of some of the most vulnerable groups in our society including very young children.

"It's a system that accords very little respect to the physical and emotional well being of these individuals and scant respect for their human dignity and it's a system that we say has to end."

Independent monitors

But not everyone is critical of Yarl's Wood. Petronella Mahachi, 29, from Zimbabwe was recently released on temporary admission.

She believes her decision not to join the hunger strike helped progress her release.

She said of the staff: "They are not in control of the immigration status of anybody, so they try and just keep you happy and they are friendly and not racist towards anybody. I would not call them racist at all."

Last week, the chief executive of the UK Border Agency was questioned about the allegations during a Home Affairs select committee meeting.

Lin Homer said: "We are keeping a very careful eye on this.

"It's completely understandable that many of the people we remove don't want to go but I'm absolutely confident that this incident was handled with care, was watched by police and independent monitors."

The government has until 15 March to provide its defence to the High Court before a hearing date is settled.

Related articles by Zemanta

• The real distress at Yarl's Wood | Diane Abbott (guardian.co.uk)
• Yarl's Wood inmates were 'beaten' (guardian.co.uk)
• Yarl's Wood: a disgrace | Phil Shiner and Daniel Carey (guardian.co.uk)
• Why I am on hunger strike at Yarl's Wood (guardian.co.uk)

MPs to investigate Yarl's Wood removal centre abuse claims; Interview with a hunger striker

Denise McNeil's leg showing marks she claims were made during an incident involving Yarl's Wood staff

Source: The Observer - 28 Feb

By Mark Townsend

Senior Home Office officials will be questioned this week over allegations that women inside Yarl's Wood immigration detention centre were assaulted by staff using riot shields.

The Observer has gathered a series of testimonies from detainees inside the Bedfordshire centre who claimed they had witnessed women being beaten and injured during a disturbance this month.

One image, taken inside Yarl's Wood on a mobile phone, reveals extensive bruising to a woman's shoulder and legs allegedly caused by staff during the incident on 8 February, days after dozens of asylum seekers instigated a hunger strike over the length of their detention. Another image shows injuries to a detainee's finger after a guard had allegedly slammed a window on her hand.

On Tuesday, Lin Homer, chief executive of the UK Border Agency, and John Vine, the agency's chief inspector, are expected to be questioned by the home affairs select committee over the claims, which are denied by staff.

Keith Vaz, chairman of the committee, said: "This evidence is extremely concerning. If the allegations are correct, then it may be appropriate for a police investigation. We are eager to establish what exactly is going on in Yarl's Wood."

The hunger strike will enter its fourth week tomorrow. The allegations of abuse are being examined by London law firms Birnberg Peirce and Fisher Meredith.

Jacqui McKenzie of Birnberg Peirce said: "I have spoken to a client of mine in Yarl's Wood and she has seen the bruising herself from the incident on 8 February. There is an atmosphere of real tension there."

The images of the bruising show the injuries allegedly sustained during the incident by Denise McNeil, a 35-year-old Jamaican, who claims she was hit by staff and, since the disturbance, has been moved to London's Holloway prison.

A Home Office spokesman said that observers from the centre's Independent Monitoring Board had been present during the incident and had seen no evidence to support the claims. He added that CCTV footage had revealed nothing. It is also understood that Bedfordshire police were called to the incident and monitored the situation without taking any action.

A spokesman for Serco, the private firm that runs Yarl's Wood, last night dismissed the allegations as "unfounded and untrue". He added: "The incident on 8 February occurred because our staff intervened to prevent four women from continuing to bully other residents into missing meals."

Participants in the hunger strike claim to have been held in a corridor for more than six hours. Several women claim to have fainted and one to have suffered an asthma attack before several detainees forced open an window and tried to escape before being confronted by guards. Meme Jallow, 26, from Gambia, who has been inside Yarl's Wood for seven months, said: "A girl called Denise was by the windows. One officer took her and hit her by the face."

Another hunger striker, a 37-year-old from Nigeria who asked to remain anonymous for fear of her asylum case being unfairly reviewed, said: "The security went outside and used shields like they do when there is a war. That is what they used to smash one of the women who was outside."

Adeola Omotosho, 44, from Nigeria, who was released from Yarl's Wood three days after the incident, yesterday described how she had been injured during the protest. "The officers closed the window against my finger. It was very painful and I was really bleeding heavily, but they still refused to open the window. So I called an ambulance, but it was not allowed to come in."

Serco sources said that ambulance staff had been allowed on site during the protest but paramedics were not required because the most significant injury was Omotosho's fingernail injury.

A spokesman denied shields had been used to hit or move women and said they had only been placed against the open window in order to "secure the area".

The damaged finger of Adeola Omotosho, a former Yarl's Wood detainee

Many detainees also complained they have suffered racist abuse, which the centre denies. Omotosho added: "Black monkeys is what they call us. They don't like us at all. They tell us to go back to our countries."

Cristal Amiss from Black Women's Rape Action Project, which is supporting the detainees, said: "We have spoken to over 50 women and have heard entirely consistent reports of racist abuse, threats and other violence."

Frances Swaine, head of the human rights department at London law firm Leigh Day, said: "The situation at Yarl's Wood has been getting progressively worse over the past few months, and shows no signs of improvement - and the hunger strike has brought to the fore the real issues."

A number of the detainees said they had been traumatised by the incident, with a letter from one stating that three other women detainees had been caught trying to kill themselves.


Yarl's Wood: A History Of Controversy

Yarl's Wood opened near Clapham on the outskirts of Bedford on 19 November 2001. It is currently the major removal centre for women and families. It has 405 beds of which 284 are for women and 121 for families. The centre has been dogged by problems.

• February 2002: The centre was devastated by fire after a riot by detainees protesting after a 55-year-old woman was physically restrained by staff. Five people were injured in the blaze.
• March 2004: The Prisons and Probations Ombudsman published a report into allegations of racism, abuse and violence, based on 19 claims made by an undercover reporter for the Daily Mirror. The report found evidence of a number of racist incidents.
• February 2006: The Chief Inspector of Prisons condemned the quality of health care for detainees at the centre.
• April 2007: Serco took over the complex.
• May 2007: Reports of hunger strike involving more than 100 women.
• April 2009: The Children's Commissioner for England published a report revealing that youngsters were being denied urgent medical treatment and were at risk of serious harm.

~~~~

On Feb 24 Home Office Minister Meg Hillier wrote a letter to all MPs saying:

“The current misreporting, based on inaccurate and fabricated statements by those who campaign against our policy, is irresponsible as it causes unnecessary distress to the women at Yarl’s Wood, their family and friends and those who work at the Centre to ensure the detainees are treated with respect.”

• Diane Abbott MP: The real distress at Yarl's Wood: Meg Hillier may deny the extent of the poor conditions at the asylum detention centre, but I have seen them for myself 

Interview with a hunger striker

Read more »