----- Original Message ----- From: Jonathan Knight <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2000 10:12 AM Subject: [STOPNATO] FW: Massacre at Dover - 58 "Sans Papiers" found dead STOP NATO: NO PASARAN! - HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.COM > -----Original Message----- > From: John O [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: 19 June 2000 17:47 > To: Recipient List Suppressed > Subject: Massacre at Dover - 58 "Sans Papiers" found dead > > National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns (NCADC) > 110 Hamstead Road > Birmingham B20 2QS > Phone: 0121-554-6947 Fax: 0870-055-4570 > E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Web site: http://www.ncadc.demon.co.uk/ > > > > Massacre at Dover - 58 "Sans Papiers" found dead > > Fortress Europe's Draconian anti-immigration policy underlying > cause of tragedy at Dover > > A lorry became a mass grave for 54 men and 4 women entering the > United Kingdom "Sans Papiers". They penetrated far into Fortress > Europe - but the price they paid was their lives. > Who were these unfortunate passengers? Their stories will probably > never be told, even in death, they have been labelled criminals. > > Applying for asylum in the UK has deteriorated to the point where > asylum seekers are left without basic human rights forced into > dispersal and detention, and discriminated against with vouchers. > Political asylum has been so restricted by legislation that there is > hardly any way of claiming political asylum in the UK. > > People fleeing war are not considered to be genuine refugees - > they are 'just' fleeing 'general violence'. Those fleeing state > persecution (like China with a recognised appalling human rights > record, where these 58 people may have come from) have to overcome > extensive pre-entry controls, and once they manage to get a visa or a > false document to escape they can be detained and then refused asylum > for travelling through other countries or like Roma asylum seekers, > rejected because Skinheads are not considered to be 'agents of > persecution'. > > The death of 58 passengers "Sans Papiers" discovered this morning > was something that could have been prevented with humane and ethical > immigration policy, which is of national interest for every > civilised, multicultural society. > > It is essential to keep the asylum issue in perspective and to > seek solutions that promote human rights of asylum seekers instead > of restricting them. It is also important to recognise that migration > is not a new phenomenon and accept that it is not only a fact but > also desirable and essential for development of every society. > > How we treat people in need is a reflection of the true state of > democracy and freedom. This tragedy must not be forgotten, not only > as a dire reminder of restrictive policies which forces people to > leave their country of origin and in this case into the most horrific > death, and 58 untold life stories, which abruptly ended. > > NCADC condemns UK and European anti-immigration policy which > forces those who are persecuted or experiencing any other hardship > into underground routes which should lead to a better life but in > this case lead to a mass grave. > > It is with great sadness that NCADC noted the death of 58 people > in the back of a lorry at Dover. Throughout the day the media > speculated whether the 54 men and 4 women were "illegal immigrants". > Their humanity was lost. They had no identity other than being "Sans > Papiers" in the UK. > > Our press release, mirrors the sombreness of the mood felt by > NCADC staff. Yet our sadness turns to anger as we reflect: "Was it > wanting to have a better life that caused these deaths, or the evil > immigration laws that force people to take such desperate risks?" > > We would ask supporters to write to the Home Secretary Jack Straw > MP to condemn the immigration policies which caused this appalling > loss of human life. > > In this case NCADC feels it inappropriate to produce a standard > letter we would ask you to express your own feelings to the Home > Secretary. > > Jack Straw MP > 50 Queen Anne's Gate > London SW1H 9AT > > Or you can fax the Home Secretary on : 020-7273-3965 > From outside the UK: +44-20-7273-3965 > > > Please fax copies of any letters to: > NCADC 0807-055-4570 ______________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Start Your Own FREE Email List at http://www.listbot.com/links/joinlb
