TW: Violence, racism, human rights abuses This is the brutality, the systematically racist torture, of detention centres Stories like these are rampant, but not often exposed - share this everywhere, but know that it is not an isolated incident. This violence, this torment, this abuse of power, is routine: it is a symptom of a broader malady which commodifies and dehumanizes the lives of the vulnerable, which brands them resources from which to be extracted and exploited with no regard for their welfare. Detainees are often referred to by their number and not by their name, as if statistics to be processed and codified until their inevitable forced ejection. They are often impelled to participate in menial, onerous labour with negligible remuneration, in conditions tantamount to slavery. The same company who owns this and many other detention centres is manufacturing arms and military equipment, operating private prisons and, insidiously, many schools. This is racism and capitalism, compounded in their most virulent forms. It is the same violence that killed Jimmy Mubenga, that rends families apart and incarcerates children, that further brutalizes those who have fled from horrors we as an imperial power have engineered. No borders, no nations - free movement for all. Press Release For Immediate Release: 30/11/2014 Protests in Campsfield IRC after detainee is beaten up by Mitie security guards A detainee with mental health issues is in a critical condition after being beaten up by Mitie security guards at Campsfield IRC in Oxfordshire. Between 60 and 100 detainees have occupied the courtyard to protest against the violence and the inhuman living conditions they suffer during detention. Around 4pm on 29th November 2014 a male detainee with mental health issues has been left in ‘a critical condition’ after he was beaten by guards at Campsfield House IRC, as numerous detainees reported. This marks the second assault by guards against the detainee. Two other detainees were hurt by guards in the ensuing struggle and sustained minor injuries. Between 60 and 100 detainees have occupied the courtyard to protest against the violent treatment of the detainee and the inhuman living conditions they suffer during detention. The protesters in the courtyard were joined by numerous demonstrators outside of the fences and barbed wire surrounding the detention centre who fully support the demands of the detainees. The demands of the 60-100 protesting detainees are: Permission to see their friend in order to see what happened to him Release of the (at least 3-4) people forced into solitary confinement Punishment for the guards who beat up the detainee End to inhuman treatment, deprivation of freedom and separation from families The protesting detainees emphasise that they are ‘being treated like animals’ in the racist system of immigration detention. Specific problems are inadequate medical care, low quality nutrition, and separation from their families in the UK. The protestors ask to be treated like humans. Instead of responding to the demands, the management of Campsfield IRC ordered to put at least three or four detainees who tried to make contact with their injured friend into solitary confinement and confiscated their phones. A visitor who was trying to see one of them was threatened with arrest by the police. Many more detainees were put under lockdown and not allowed to leave the areas where they were being monitored. Afterwards, several detainees were moved to different detention centres. The incident followed the demonstration ’21 years too long’ outside the detention centre on Saturday morning. Local, national and international groups have come again and again to protest against Campsfield IRC during the 21 years of its existence. Background: Campsfield House is one of 13 Immigration Removal Centres in the UK used to detain over 30,000 people per year. Non-citizen migrants and asylum-seekers are detained indefinitely, meaning that many are detained for months and even years because there is no time limit on detention. Detention is authorised for administrative convenience, implying that non-citizens are deprived of their freedom without having committed any crime. Despite numerous protests against immigration detention, including repeated hunger strikes by detainees, the practice of immigration detention is increasing. Currently, planning permission is being sought by the government to double the size of Campsfield IRC, which would more than double the number of people subjected to detention in Campsfield from 276 to 556. Further Resources: Video footage: bit.ly/29Nov2014 Detainee testimonies (anonymised for safety reasons): bit.ly/29Nov2014audio Pictures: bit.ly/29Nov2014photos
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:42:02 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015