“Outsourcing Abuse” - a public discussion

Wednesday 10th December 2008, 11.00am - 1pm
Committee room 14, House of Commons.

Diane Abbott MP invites you to a public meeting to discuss the findings of the "Outsourcing Abuse” report published in July.

“Outsourcing Abuse” describes an alarming number of injuries sustained by asylum deportees at the hand of private "escorts" contracted by the Home Office.

The report reveals evidence of widespread and seemingly systemic abuse of vulnerable people who have fled their own countries seeking safety and refuge, and that assault claims have largely been brushed off by the Home Office. 

The Home Secretary has appointed Dame Nuala O’Loan to investigate allegations in the “Outsourcing Abuse” report. While her findings are awaited, alleged assaults continue.

The 10th December 2008 is the 60th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations calls for “Dignity and Justice for us all”.
 
* Are immigration detainees being removed from the UK treated with Dignity?

* Will those who claim to have been assaulted have access to Justice?

Speakers include ;
* Lord Avebury (chair)
* Diane Abbott MP
* Harriet Wistrich, Birnberg Peirce & Partners
* Dr. Frank Arnold, Medical Justice
* Sarah Maguire, international human rights lawyer
* Mafungasei Maikokera, alleged assault victim
* David Wood, Strategic Director, Criminality & Detention Services Group, UK Border Agency

Paintings contained in “Outsourcing Abuse” by Lucy Edkins will be exhibited. The media are invited to join alleged assault victims, independent doctors who go into detention centres, lawyers, and authors of the “Outsourcing Abuse” report for lunch which will be provided at Westminster Central Hall between 1pm and 2.30pm.

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” - Article 1, Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Photo left : handcuff injuries Mr RH (Burundi) sustained to his arms during the attempt to remove him from the UK, featured in the “Outsourcing Abuse” report.

“On 10 December 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was proclaimed and adopted by the General Assembly. … It has become a yardstick by which we measure respect for what we know, or should know, as right and wrong.  It is our duty to ensure that these rights are a living reality.” - Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General.

"Outsourcing Abuse – The use and misuse of state-sanctioned force during the detention and removal of asylum seekers” was written by Birnberg Peirce & Partners, Medical Justice and the National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns who have organised this public meeting.

Download the "Outsourcing Abuse" report 

Booking a place for the meeting - everyone is welcome : there is no booking of places requirement as such, but we would like to know if you would like to attend so that we may print you a name badge.

Invite your MP to attend the meeting - you can look up your MP by his/her name or your postcode by using the "Find your MP" facility on the Guardian's Politics website which will give your their email address and phone numbers. Please let us know if your MP can attend.

House of Commons security - please arrive at St. Stephen's Gate entrance to the House of Commons by 10.30am to allow time for the security check.  You will not be asked for ID, finger-prints etc. but your bags and coats will go through a scanner and you will be searched. 

Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it / 07904 778365

Please distribute the flyer for this event - download the flyer