A VIEW FROM THE EDGE DONCASTER CONVERSATION CLUB NEWSLETTER Issue 15

A view from the edge

Doncaster Conversation

Club Newsletter

04 February 2016

STANDING ALONGSIDE REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS IN DONCASTER IN THIS ISSUE

This latest report on destitution produced by the Red Cross uses the experiences of asylum seekers across South Yorkshire as a case study. Interviews took place in Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley – and at the Doncaster Conversation Club. The topics covered in the research included the period of time without government support, health and wellbeing, family responsibilities and access to and usage of non-governmental resources such as friends, family, acquaintances and charities.

The findings are likely to be echoed throughout the UK – and they paint a bleak picture. As a group, these are people characterized by vulnerability, inability to satisfy essential needs, and poor health and wellbeing:

Two-thirds of asylum seekers

report regular hunger – and a

quarter are going hungry every

day

More than half have no fixed

address. In the experience of

the Red Cross, this adds to the

risk of serious – including sexual

– exploitation

More than half said their health

had worsened.

This research is highly pertinent, since the publication of the government’s Immigration Bill in 2015 will include changes to asylum support. The Red Cross fears that these legislative changes, if left unaltered, could plunge thousands more people into destitution. They will add to the struggles of those who have exhausted their appeal rights, but cannot leave the UK through no fault of their own. Families with children will be hit especially hard.

The Red Cross believes these families should be helped out of destitution until they receive refugee status or can leave the country.

Developments in EAL

Page 5,6

Football trip to Barnsley

Page 5

Poor health, No wealth, No home Destitute Asylum Seekers in South Yorkshire

The Red Cross Report

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When I retired from General Practice, I had anticipated a quiet life – filled with gentle gardening, holidays, making chutney and hopefully, in the fullness of time, enjoying being with grandchildren. It really hasn’t worked out like that!

While I was still doing GP locum work, Denise introduced me to Gill Newman from the charity Freedom from Torture. The charity is always on the look out for doctors, retired or not, who are able to commit some time to doing medicals for them on a voluntary basis. I had been finding locum work for former colleagues unsatisfactory – not the sort of general practice I had enjoyed doing for the previous 30 years. Also, my family didn’t seem in a rush to produce grandchildren any time soon. So I found myself thinking about it.

I had known of the charity for some time, but had been reluctant to get involved as I thought it would be so depressing to hear of man’s inhumanity to man at such close quarters. My experiences of consultations with those with limited English had also been negative – 10 minutes isn’t even enough time to sort out a problem with a fluent speaker of English!

However, once started at the Manchester Freedom from Torture office, my negative thoughts became positive. The opportunity to have the time to talk, through a skilled interpreter, to a fellow human being in depth about the problems they have faced and to have the time to do a proper medical examination, was really rewarding. I am so impressed at how some of these

individuals have coped with horrific ill treatment and can, against all odds, tell me about what has happened to them. Some have been captured as they have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Others have made a very brave stand refusing to renounce their political or religious beliefs. Others have had no choice - human beings cannot change their ethnicity or sexual orientation.

Medico-legal reports are requested from Freedom from Torture by solicitors when an asylum seeker has alleged ill treatment but this part of their account is disbelieved by the Home Office. The medical side of the report is to establish whether there are physical or psychological symptoms and signs which support the history given by the individual. The report writer has to be objective – if there are inconsistencies these must be highlighted. The doctor writing the report does not provide any medical treatment personally – but should be able to direct the individual towards sources of support such as the counselling service provided by Freedom from Torture or support from the NHS in their locality.

Medical reports are collated anonymously by FFT. The organisation has been able to produce authoritative accounts of abuses in Sri Lanka and the Democratic Republic of Congo by looking at patterns of behaviour within these countries gleaned from many medical reports done painstakingly by doctors working with individual clients.

Working with asylum seekers at FFT has left me with a profound belief that the work done locally by Doncaster Conversation Club is important. Some of the asylum seekers I have met at FFT are from towns and cities without a support group like ours. They are left very isolated and often feeling unwelcome. I prefer the situation here where there is a place in the week where people can at least acknowledge stresses – and start to build a relationship with the country which may be their home in the future. Even if someone’s application fails, I hope they will always carry some positive images of the UK with them. And rumour has it, that very soon, this will include an image of me with a grandchild!

The Lonely Dinner By Alfred Thananchayan

Every seconds of my life becoming pain full moments heal my Stigmata soul With your lips I am breathing air around me mixed with my evaporated tears From my cheeks tears falling inside my Food plate I am eating Lonely dinner

Working with Freedom From Torture By Julia Burne [DCC volunteer]

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16. A man from Sudan

On one occasion he spent more than 20 days in detention. He was beaten until he lost consciousness and developed a fever. He was given food sometimes. Then they took him to hospital where he ‘laid for one month’. After he recovered, he found a chance to escape from the hospital. He found old friends who helped him and sent him away to Libya. He crossed the desert from Sudan to Egypt and Egypt to Libya. It took two years. He faced a ‘big problem’ when he entered Libya. Some people took him from the car to the big farm in the area. They made him work there because he couldn’t pay money. He worked for them ‘as animal’, a slave. He eventually collected money and was released, but had no passport to continue his journey so he had to look for another job. 17. A man from Sri Lanka ‘My father was boat driver. My father helped in government opposition, LDT. So government killed my father. That’s why I can’t go to India.

Mother also dead and brother and sister dead in war in 2009.

When I was 5 years, my father took me to India. Leave me there with my uncle. Then government people are coming ask me where is your father? They say your father has a lot of guns. We didn’t have anything.

They broke my legs. They broke my legs with axe. They burn my left leg with lighter.

My uncle friend help me to England. To France and then England.

18. A man from Sudan Tomorrow when I want to close my

place, when I close they came to me.

Four person. They catch me and put

me in the car and they close my eyes

(mimed blindfold). They took me to a

small place. I don’t know. I am there

three days. No work, and they ask me

who came for fix his barrel. They told

me this person from opposition. Also

you bring for him his barrel before

and you supply the opposition by

bringing barrels.

I told them I really don’t know. They

told me I am a liar. They told me all

the black people they lie. Always told

me I have to confess and they bring a

list that has a lot of names. They told

me I know them. I do not. They put

me in prison 38 days. Always they

beating me. Sometimes they just give

me small sandwich. Also they took

me to the places to fix the windows

and doors without giving me.

After they say for me bad things, that

I am no in light. I must be dead.

The United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT)

The UN Convention, whose full title is The United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment, was drafted in December 1984 and came into effect in June 1987. Article 1 defines torture much more specifically as any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him, or a third person, information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by, or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. Article 1 goes on to say that torture does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in, or incidental to, lawful sanctions. These words are broad and vague, and are widely debated, although the most widely accepted interpretation of this clause is that it refers to international law. Article 16 of the Convention refers to other acts of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment which do not amount to torture as defined in article 1. Because it is recognised as difficult to draw the line in such matters, The UN's Committee Against Torture, which monitors compliance, regards the prohibition on such acts as equally absolute to that on torture. This definition is essentially based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), effective 1948, which in Article 5 states that No one shall be subject to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Hearing accounts from Doncaster

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FORTHCOMING DATES

07 February Church Action

on Poverty Sunday and

launch of food justice campaign.

08 February Join SYMAAG and Regional Asylum

Activism to hear about the

Department of Health’s proposals to charge overseas

visitors and migrants for their use of primary and

emergency healthcare and how you can feed in to the

consultation. Quaker

Meeting House Sheffield 6.30-8.30.

08 February Doncaster Central Development Trust

6pm.

09 February Healthy Eating From Around the World:

South Indian Curry Day. Share and learn how to cook

a South Indian curry.

Meeting House 11.00

15 February Refugee

Week: free planning conference in London

15 February Refugee Open Day Advice Sessions: Access

to Legal Aid, Queen Mary

University of London

16 February Refugee Open

Day Advice Sessions: Access to Education & Recognition

of Qualifications, Queen

Mary University of London

18 February 12.00 – 14.00

Interested in volunteering with ASSIST? Drop in and

check it out

25 February Amnesty

meeting Doncaster Meeting

House 7pm

Freedom from Torture: A Reflection

By Denise Cann

Freedom from Torture does exactly what it says - it works to heal the many and various wounds suffered by victims of torture. To free them from its bonds as far as is possible. It aims to rehabilitate lives damaged physically and psychologically, to heal and work through the traumas suffered and to enable grieving for the many losses, so that life can be lived again.

This is done in many ways, responding to the many facets of what it is to be human. There is painstaking assessment of physical and psychological wounds, but also the psychological physical and therapies. There is bread making, writing, and gardening. There is movement therapy helps to readjust, to feel comfortable again in a body which has been the channel for unspeakable pain. Each is healing, nurturing, in its own way, answering our humanity.

On visiting the centre in Islington some years ago, not long after it relocated into its new building, I found compassion, strength and respect. The building is inspired, a statement without words. Corridors gently curve. The building is light and airy. No small, cell-like rooms. Nothing to remind people of the experiences which brought them there. This metaphor is continued into the garden, where there is a gently winding “river” which ends in a small, round pool, surrounded by a curving wall of green mosaic. A sanctuary, but with no hint of enclosure. The river represents the gradual journey through the

Foundation’s services, each person’s own, individual process.

It was made clear that this caring extended between staff and their care for each other. There is also, of course, a formal system of supervision.

In the afternoon, I moved from an environment where a human being is respected, where brokenness of body and mind is slowly and painstakingly repaired, to a set of circumstances intended to shatter the wholeness of individual and community, where people are not seen as people, but used as tools. It was the day of the second London bombing, a day where I had touched two ends of the spectrum of human potential.

A reflection on compassion:

‘Compassion is hard because it requires the inner disposition to go with others to the place where they are weak, vulnerable, lonely and broken. But it is not our spontaneous response to suffering. What we desire most is to do away with suffering by fleeing from it or finding a quick cure for it’. Henri Nouwen

It is important to note that other FFT centres differ in what they can provide.

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Football trip to Barnsley

On Saturday 16 January, Unite the

Union organised a Trade Union

and Community Football

Tournament to celebrate diversity

in Barnsley as a City of Sanctuary.

16 5-a-side football teams

participated, from around the

country. One of the requests

afterwards was for more training,

so that we could develop greater

positional understanding in order

to be a more effective team. But

we did uncover a good goalkeeper

in Abebayehu.

By Ibrahim Hassan Abdullah

It was a very amazing journey to

Barnsley that we had on Saturday

16th January 2016 to share in the

tournament between the refugees

and asylum seekers and some

other local teams.

So our journey started from

Doncaster while we met at the

Meeting House as we had

informed two weeks ago and just

we have taken two training games

in order to prepare ourselves for

the tournament.

As we went by bus it took about

45 minutes to arrive, then from the

bus station we went on foot to the

stadium though it was not too far

away from the bus station.

Maureen and Rob travelled on the

bus with us.

Our team coach was Paul, he was

very caring about it. So we went

in and our icon was the orange

tee-shirts which had written on

them ‘DCC United’.

We were welcomed by the staff

who were arranging the event.

We had 20 minutes break when

the organizers provided food and

drinks to all people in the stadium.

We came in shouting in one voice

of ‘DCC United’ and we were

very happy to see many different

teams from different parts of

Yorkshire and beyond.

The competition started and it was

for each team to face seven teams,

because there are many teams

which are in the competition – 16

teams divided into two groups of

eight teams. After three games it

was out turn to play. We won that

game by 1-0. The second game

we lost. The third game we won

by 2-0. Goals were scored by our

friends Aslu, Imad and Badr. The

fourth game we lost. We did not

face all the other teams because

there were some changes made to

the organisation, because it took

much longer to actually play the

matches than anticipated.

We were not ready enough to play

hard but we tried somehow,

because we have a lot of time that

we didn’t train, and besides that

we had not full fitness.

It was a golden chance to see

many people, to talk to them and

to get to know each other. Some

programmes like this are very

good and create the co-operation

between people and make strong

harmony. I hope to hear and share

again and again in such

programmes like this.

Visiting Doncaster Minster

A group of 49 of us enjoyed the hospitality of Doncaster Minster on Saturday 23 January. We learned something of the history of the building (designed by George Gilbert Scott who also designed the Grand Hotel at St Pancras Station in London) and of the local area (including the Roman settlement). We were impressed by the height of the building, the organ (including an impromptu recital) and the tiles.

Our guide to the Minster, Louise O’Brien, thought it was very enjoyable and a brilliant opportunity to meet some of our new learners who will be joining the English class hosted by the Minster. She loved all the questions. Especially the man who wanted to know about what the church bells meant. When she told him about it, he commented 'so there's a language of bells. I have always wondered what they meant'.

‘It's exciting to see so much enthusiasm for learning and sad to see that people's desire to improve their English is being hampered by lack of funding.... but what's new? The frustration is tangible!’

So, to meet this need….

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FREE English classes for those seeking asylum

There are now classes available on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Wednesday:

DERMP continues to provide free 4 hour Conversational English Language sessions (up to 40 refugees & Asylum seekers) every Wednesday starting at 10.00am prompt

At the Minster: 13.15 – 14.45

Thursday:

At DCC: 12.30 – 14.00

Friday:

At Doncaster Central Children’s Centre: 10.00 – 14.00

Thanks We gratefully acknowledge a donation of £250 from popular STAND, an unofficial football fanzine made by and for fans of Doncaster Rovers. The publication has been going since 1998, is wholly independent and is run as a not-for-profit. So any money made above costs is given away to local good causes, or football related projects.

Notes on the news

1. SYMAAG and the Immigration Bill

Over 70 people attended the 14 January public meeting on the latest Immigration Bill. It was addressed by Sheffield MP Paul Bloomfield, who had earlier written “To call the suggested measures dangerous would be an understatement. They vilify the exploited and, even worse, strengthen the hand of unscrupulous employers. The steps contained in the Immigration Bill not only risk forcing undocumented workers into exploitative employment relationships—supposedly outlawed by the Modern Slavery Act—but potentially give abusive employers even more weapons with which to threaten employees”

2. Cartoon Kate on Calais

We have some copies of the new ‘comic book’ publication by Kate Ward called ‘Threads’. It’s an account of what she has seen in the migrant camps in and around Calais and France and it’s witty, angry, tragic and honest all in one. It’s got some bits in it which will make you laugh out loud because they were so realistic but it is also predictably very sad.

3. Rosie Winterton MP on the Government’s approach to refugee children

‘I do not believe that the Government can continue to draw the false distinction between refugees in the region and refugees in Europe. As this crisis develops, that distinction is becoming harder to maintain. Both are desperate and both need our help, and the Government should consider children who are here in

Europe, as well as those who are in the camps in the region’.

4. Guidance on Eritrea

The British Refugee Council publicised a new independent report by Dr. John Campbell which reviews the Country of Origin Information guidelines on Eritrea used by the Home Office to adjudicate asylum claims. The report, commissioned by the Advisory Group on Country of Origin Information (IAGCI), denounces vehemently the Home Office for the use - selective and misleading - of the evidence provided in the guidelines.

5. Judges rule that four Syrian refugees must be brought to UK from Calais

George Gabriel, of Citizens UK which had championed the case, said: “We are delighted with the judgment and look forward to being able to see these families, who have been so cruelly separated by war; reunited and safe. This judgment highlights that there are safe, legal routes to reconnect families using the Dublin III regulations, and we hope will allow other families to be reunited. “The judgment is also tinged with sadness. We know that Masud, who died just days ago, aged 15, suffocated in the back of a lorry, trying to reach his sister here in the UK could also have been granted asylum using this safe route. Now government and the French authorities must act to ensure no more children are driven into the hands of people smugglers or become so desperate they take terrible risks to reach the safety of the UK. “We know this is just the start of work to ensure the most vulnerable are protected and are pleased with this positive outcome; it will help us to continue to fight for justice for those who are in most need through no fault of their own”.

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Quakers respond to the Immigration Bill

by Jessica Metheringham (extracts)

1.1 Quakers in Britain and QARN are deeply concerned by the Immigration Bill currently in the House of Lords. It deliberately seeks to create a hostile climate for refugees.

1.2 Enforced destitution should not be used as an instrument of immigration control and is, in any case, ineffective. Punitive measures taken by successive governments over many years have not significantly reduced numbers seeking protection in the UK. Asylum seekers who are fearful of return will not be persuaded to go back by the removal of support.

3. Right to family life

3.1 We are concerned that this Bill erodes current immigration legislation on the right to family life, and that the increasingly hostile environment created by provisions in this Bill would cause more families to become destitute. We must recognise that the children of asylum seekers are children first and foremost, and make their welfare a priority. It cannot be right that a local authority could consider removing children from families seeking asylum on the basis that they are living in poverty rather than providing the family as a whole with support. Yet this is the logical conclusion of the policy to create a more hostile environment, in which asylum seekers and refugees are deliberately made destitute.

4. Right to rent

4.1 This Bill extends the “right to rent” measure of the Immigration Act 2014. It introduces new offences in order to prevent access to housing

by targeting landlords renting to those they know, or have reasonable cause to believe, are disqualified from renting as a result of their immigration status. We are concerned that this will lead to increased discrimination against refugees and asylum seekers, as well as those who may incorrectly be perceived as being refugees or asylum seekers. The likelihood is that this will increase homelessness and increase the risk of exploitation of refugees and asylum seekers.

5 Criminalisation of technical offences

5.1 We are deeply concerned that this Bill proposes that working or driving without permission becomes a criminal, rather than technical, offence. We consider that this further entrenches the existing policies of forced destitution.

5.2 Those seeking asylum do not have permission to work in the UK, or to drive. The support provided by the Home Office consists of accommodation given on a no-choice basis and £5.28 per day to cover food, clothing, toiletries, travel, communication and all other necessities. We believe this is too low to cover basic human needs. Furthermore, many of those seeking asylum are required to wait for long periods of time without this support, sometimes because they have been refused and are appealing against that decision, or because they have been denied the support in error, or because they have difficulty in accessing the support. The result is that many asylum seekers are forced into absolute poverty, often relying on support from charities and faith-based groups or living on the streets.

5.3 Any criminal sentence should have a positive purpose, and it is

more likely to be effective if the expected outcome is clearly identified. In these instances, there appears to be no purpose other than punishment. It is a false assumption that the repetition of the offence is prevented by imprisonment. We cannot see the benefit of imprisoning or fining those who are working without the right to do so.

5.4 Furthermore, we consider that allowing asylum seekers to work would be beneficial and enable them to contribute to society. Working is also a viable alternative to immigration detention, which is costly, inhumane, and unnecessary.

6.2 The Bill proposes to allow the removal of any person appealing against a refused human rights claim, provided that it would not cause them serious and irreversible harm. Any appeal would then need to be made after having been returned to the country of origin. We value the right of appeal and believe that applicants should be allowed to remain in the UK while they lodge an appeal. As a proportion of cases are won at appeal, a ‘deport first, appeal later’ policy is not only likely to be more costly and lengthy, but may also put lives at risk.

6.3 We remain deeply concerned about the ongoing use of immigration detention. We recommend that the provision of asylum support should enable the release from detention of those who do not need to be detained. We ask for a time limit of 28 days, with no re-detaining. We believe that immigration detention has no place in a just and fair system, and urge members of the House of Lords to consider alternatives that enable people to make a contribution to society.

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A view from the edge Doncaster

Conversation Club

Newsletter

Based at the

Quaker Meeting House

Off St James St

Doncaster DN1 3RH

To receive a copy of this newsletter by email, send a message to Paulfitzp@aol.com

Please send your contributions and suggestions to the same address.

Doncaster Conversation Club is part of a national structure of Conversation Clubs which offer opportunities for local people and people who have come to live in the UK to join together to share friendship, while offering support and practical help.

The Club seeks to create a relaxed, friendly and supportive environment, and works on the principles of

Ownership – everyone can get involved

Impartiality – it is not affiliated to any political or religious body

Confidentiality – what you say is private

Respect – for each other’s differences and individuality.

The Club is pleased to acknowledge the support of Doncaster Society of Friends (Quakers), The Red Cross, Migrant Help, The Foyle Foundation, DIAL Doncaster, The Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group, St Leger Homes, Club Doncaster Foundation, M25, Riverside Housing, DARTS, CAST, Fareshare and Doncaster Minster.

The Doncaster Conversation Club is run entirely by volunteers with the support of whatever grants they are successful in bidding for. Currently we have a grant from the Foyle Foundation.

The views expressed in this newsletter are those of the individual contributors.

Paul FitzPatrick Doncaster Conversation Club Doncaster

South Yorkshire

Issue 15

04 February 2016