Stop The Detention Of Asylum Seekers In Cardiff Prison
Demonstration And Rally
11.00 am, Saturday 19 May 2001
outside Cardiff prison,
corner of
Fitzalan Rd and Adam St.
Cardiff

Speakers from:
Refugee community organisations, church groups, legal representatives, Wales Assembly Against Racism and others

Organised by:
Wales Assembly Against Racism (WAAR)
Supported by:
Speak Out Against Racism
Defend Asylum Seekers Campaign
National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns
Close Down Harmondsworth
Campaign to Close Campsfield
Barbed Wire Britain Network

Welsh National Assembly Condemn Britain's Imprisonment of Asylum Seekers “I think the judgements that are made about asylum seekers are sometimes incorrect and I don't think it is appropriate that they are housed in prisons. That is the view of the administration within the National Assembly.”
Edwina Hart, Minister for Finance, Local Government & Communities: More

A Home Office decision has allocated fifty places in Cardiff prison for the detention of asylum seekers. It is a decision'not made in Wales'. The National Assembly of Wales has opposed the detention of asylum seekers in Cardiff prison and registered its concern that it was not consulted.

Handcuffing of Asylum Seekers held in Cardiff Prison Condemned

Human rights of asylum seekers are being denied by their imprisonment -

They hae committed no crime nor been charged with any. Contrary to Home Office statements they hae not "reachedthe end of the immigration process". Many are pursuing their legitimate right to lodge an appeal following refusal of their initial application for asylum
A massie increase last year in the number of initial applications refused on grounds of non-compliance, such as failure to complete the application form in full and in English, highlights the importance of the right to appeal
The prison regime for asylum seekers inoles limited association periods and requires them to be handcuffed when attending hospital for routine tests. Arrangements for dietary needs and a prayer room are lacking. There are difficulties of legal representation and no extra resources for medical support Such treatment of people who hae experienced torture, iolence and trauma is unacceptable and should end.
The 1951 Genea Conention on Refugees recommends that refugees should be held in detention only in exceptional circumstances. The conention was the practical answer to lessons learnt during the Nazi Holocaust. It proisions should be upheld.

There is ery broad opposition in Wales to this Home Office policy. Join the demonstration to call for an end to th detention of asylum seekers in Cardiff prison.

More info:
WAAR
c/o Coptic House
Mt Stuart Sq
Cardiff
CF10 5EE
Tel. 07855 884292