23 June 2004 - [www.asylumpolicy.info] - 'Home Office...''Wastes millions'

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:: UK
:: World
:: Miscellaneous
:: Events
:: EU Constitution agreed by the EU
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:: UK ::

Asylum backlog 'wastes millions'
23 June 2004
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,11026,1245485,00.html


Watchdog criticises asylum decisions
"The most significant cause of delay is poor initial decision-making on asylum claims - too often the Home Office is refusing people who are later found to be refugees.
23 June 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3831163.stm

About:
National Audit Office report: Improving the Speed and Quality of Asylum Decisions
Full Report (828 KB) PDF file
http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_reports/03-04/0304535.pdf

Executive Summary (152 KB) PDF file
http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_reports/03-04/0304535es.pdf

Press Notice are available
http://www.nao.org.uk/pn/03-04/0304535.htm


Home Office response to National Audit Office report:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/n_story.asp?item_id=982

Background:
Amnesty International Report 'Get It Right: How Home Office Decision Making Fails Refugees'
"Government figures show that the Home Office gets the initial decision wrong on nearly 14,000 asylum cases in the last reported calendar year (2002), meaning around 1in 5 cases are overturned after costly appeals.
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/action/camp/refugees/getitright.shtml

and
Home Office Accused of Failing Torture Victims
http://www.torturecare.org.uk/news/newsRelease02-19-04.htm


Former hostage John McCarthy opens MF's new London treatment centre
"Torture is intended to cause shame, degradation, humiliation, and guilt. With the new centre, the Medical Foundation is better placed both to assist the rehabilitation of those on whom torture is perpetrated, and attack the silence and complicity on which it thrives."
http://www.torturecare.org.uk/news/newsRelease06-18-04.htm


Call to Expose Asylum Myths by Ex-Hostage
"Former Beirut hostage John McCarthy tonight called on the Government to expose the myths about asylum seekers as he opened a new purpose-built treatment centre for survivors of torture.
22 June 2004
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3102412


Accommodation centres for asylum seekers - your questions answered
"Up to 3000 places will eventually be provided to support new asylum seekers at a number of new accommodation centres.
22 June 2004
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/news.asp?NewsID=416


Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID): New June 2004 updated Notebook on Bail Part 2
PDF file
http://www.biduk.org/pdf/bail_notebook/notebook_part_2_june_2004.pdf

BID: New June 2004 Bail Information Sheet- explaining your right to a bail application
PDF file
http://www.biduk.org/pdf/bail_notebook/bail_information_sheet_june_2004.pdf


Blair Challenged on Immigration Abuses
23 June 2004
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3105145


UNHCR urges Glasto-goers to spare a thought for real refugees
21 June 2004
http://www.unhcr.org.uk/press/press_releases2004/pr21June04.htm


Asylum family can stay in Britain
A Croatian family, which has lived on Tyneside for more than five years, is given permission remain in the UK indefinitely.
22 June 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/3829783.stm


MP asks for return of ‘Barnet Two’
23 June 2004
http://www.edgwaretimes.co.uk/news/headlines/display.var.502476.0.mp_asks_for_return_of_barnet_two.php


Anger over immigrants' aid 'cut'
23 June 2004
http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/tm_objectid=14358147%26method=full%26siteid=50002%26headline=anger%2dover%2dimmigrants%2d%2daid%2d%2dcut%2d-name_page.html


Writers tell Welsh asylum stories
"An award-winning Algerian journalist is one of many contributors to a new book penned by refugees and asylum seekers now living in south Wales.
22 June 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_west/3830271.stm

About book: 'Nobody's Perfect: Refugees Writing in Wales 2'
"...free to people who are supported by NASS or who have been denied support by NASS.
http://www.hafan.org/2004booklaunch.htm


Homeless project up for award
23 June 2004
http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/news/s/121/121941_homeless_project_up_for_award.html


Cockle pickers 'drowned'
22 June 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/3827623.stm


Facing up to 'death of portrait'
23 June 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/3829857.stm

Inquest into Morecambe Bay cocklepicker tragedy begins
22 June 2004
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-2-1154222,00.html


Opposition parties scent upset in Leicester
"Iraq war and asylum have Labour on the back foot in 'safe' seat
23 June 2004
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/byelections/story/0,11043,1245108,00.html


The skills immigrants bring to Boston are in danger of being ignored, a leading councillor fears.
23 June 2004
http://www.bostontoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=756&ArticleID=810655


Twelve 'illegal immigrants' held
"from either Afghanistan, Iran or Iraq.
23 June 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/3832713.stm


U.K. Investigating Alleged "Ethnic Cleansing" Plot In Zimbabwe
20 June 2004
http://www.unwire.org/News/328_426_25132.asp


:: World ::

Zimbabwe/South Africa: President Mbeki should be more publicly active in resolving the Zimbabwean crisis
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAFR460192004


Rumblings of war in heart of Africa
http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/9ca65951ee22658ec125663300408599/e9a024d0c2f7961985256ebc000630c7?OpenDocument


Ingushetia: Russian Federation coordinated attacks – life far from normal
http://news.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGEUR460372004


Ingushetia: UN staffer killed in crossfire in Russian republic
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=11119&Cr=ingushetia&Cr1=


Chechnya: More than 90 dead in Russia rebel attacks-agencies
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L23368386.htm


Russians hunt southern attackers
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3829361.stm


Russian Federation: Brutal killing of human rights defender Nikolai Girenko
http://news.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGEUR460382004


Russian Federation/Chechen Republic: The "normalization" of a human rights crisis
http://news.amnesty.org/mav/index/ENGEUR460362004


Russian Federation: Recommendations to second governments and the Council of Europe
http://news.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGEUR460312004


Russia: One religious policy fits all?
http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=346


Australia questioned over detaining children
"He says more than 2,000 children have been held in detention in Australia since 1999 and 93 per cent of them have been found to be genuine refugees.
http://www.abc.net.au/ra/newstories/RANewsStories_1138245.htm


Australia: Court blocks bid for deportation
http://www.thewest.com.au/20040623/news/general/tw-news-general-home-sto126978.html


Colombia: Probe finds army killed execution-style
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N22203538.htm


Ireland: Up to 40 children being trafficked annually
http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/topstories/3453492?view=Eircomnet


Canada: Gypsies claim Ottawa rigged refugee cases
http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=fc996c26-2805-4a04-8ca5-09dbfa27bbd9


Nauru 'needs asylum seekers'
http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,9929179%255E1702,00.html


Thailand: The Shan - A Case of Protection and Assistance Failure
http://www.refugeesinternational.org/cgi-bin/ri/bulletin?bc=00842&spotlight=1


Sudan: Annan seeks to evade blame
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3828313.stm


Sudan: Darfur crisis deepens
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/photoalbum/1087990488.htm


Sudan: Desperate times
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3830095.stm


Sudan: Polio Reaches Sudan's Conflict-Ridden Darfur
http://www.oneworld.net/article/view/88671/1/
DR Congo: Number of Congolese fleeing to Burundi jumps to 31,000, UN reports
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=11120&Cr=democratic&Cr1=congo


DR Congo: Keep out of Congo conflict, UN tells neighbors
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N22206048.htm


Cuba: Two boatloads of Cubans arrive in Florida
http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20040622-112025-3298r.htm


Honduras vows to block any mass arrival by Cuban rafters
http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040622/APN/406221064


Bosnia-Herzegovina: Serb leader acknowledges atrocities in Srebrenica
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L22473172.htm


Pakistan: US rules out aid curbs
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3832037.stm


U.S. amends plan to ensure war crimes immunity
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N23213330.htm


Switzerland : Asylum seekers to be offered voluntary HIV tests
http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/Swissinfo.html?siteSect=105&sid=5021999


:: Miscellaneous ::

Bad News from Israel
TV news and public understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
http://www.gla.ac.uk/departments/sociology/Israel.html


Significant International Statements on Migration
http://www.iom.int/iomwebsite/Publication/ServletSearchPublication?event=detail&id=3351


US releases 'torture' documents
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3831399.stm


The Department of Defense today released documents related to the development of interrogation procedures at Guantanamo.
http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/2004/nr20040622-0930.html


Women flee as police swoop in factory raid
http://www.kingstonguardian.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.469396.0.women_flee_as_police_swoop_in_factory_raid.php


:: Events ::

Challenging Perceptions Applying Citizenship resources in the classroom
Aegis Trust Training Day for LEA Officers and teachers
Date: 23rd July 2004
Venue: The Aegis Institute
Lound Hall, Bothamsall, Retford, Notts DN22 8DF
http://www.aegistrust.org/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=114&Itemid=143

Via: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/refed/


The world belongs to all of us - we have a right to be here
Strengthening the movement against repressive laws on asylum & immigration
Saturday 3 July, 10-5pm
Trinity United Reformed Church, Buck Street London NW1
(Kentish Town Road end, behind Sainsbury's)
Disabled access (Toilets nearby)
Entrance: institutions £30; high waged £10; waged £3-£5; unwaged £3
asylum seekers: free
Speakers include: Gareth Pierce and Ian macDonald QC
Crossroads Women's Centre, 230a Kentish Town Road, London NW5 2AB
Tel: 020 7482 2496
Fax: 020 7209 4761
law@crossroadswomen.net
http://www.crossroadswomen.net

Via: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/refed/


Amnesty International Book Launch: Sex, Love and Homophobia: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Lives
1 July 2004
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/lgbt/books/


'The Changing Contexts of Migration'
COMPAS Launch Conference
5th & 6th July 2004
St. Antony's College, University of Oxford
An international conference to launch the Economic and Social Research
Council's (ESRC) Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS)
ESRC Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS)
University of Oxford, 58 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 6QS
Tel.: +44 (0) 1865 274566 Fax.: +44 (0) 1865 274718
Email: info@compas.ox.ac.uk
http://www.compas.ox.ac.uk


UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group
Next London Meetings on July 17th., August 21st., Sept 18th
http://www.stonewall-immigration.org.uk/Index.htm


Conference: From policy to practice: making sense of the Asylum and Immigration Act 2004
Tuesday 14 September, London
Friday 17 September, Sheffield
For further information of the conferences and to book, download a conference flyer, (PDF).
Full rate £295 (central government/business)
Reduced rate £245 (public/educational body/local government)
Supported rate £100 (voluntary organisation)
http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/downloads/refugee_council/conference/ai_act_2004.pdf

More details:
http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/refugeecouncil/training/conferences.htm


:: EU Constitution agreed by the EU ::

Consolidated text of amendments to the EU Constitution agreed by the EU "Intergovernmental Conference":
Consolidated text (76 pages, pdf)
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2004/jun/constitution-amendments-june22.pdf

to be read with: The legally corrected base text (25.11.03) is: CIG 50 (pdf)
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2003/nov/cg00050.en03.pdf


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