European day of action for the rights of asylum seekers, Sans-Papiers and immigrants: 31 January 2004

Dear sisters, brothers and friends,

For several months a number of organisations of immigrant people and supporters have been building a network against “Fortress Europe”. We recently met with some of these groups, on the initiative of the Paris-based Droits Devant, and we agreed with them to call for a joint Day of Action on 31 January 2004 to defend the human rights of all “Sans Papiers” (people without papers) – immigrants and asylum seekers who are denied rights to residence, housing, work permits, healthcare, benefits, etc.

So far, co-ordinated actions are planned in Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the UK – you may have heard from other UK-based groups already. The aim is to make visible the deprivation and destitution faced by those of us who are asylum seekers or immigrants and the struggle we are making for human rights.

In our network many of the women asylum seekers -- rape survivors, pregnant women, mothers with young children, women with serious health problems often as a result of torture, lesbian women, women who speak no English, and women who are vulnerable in other ways -- are homeless and destitute. Detention, forced dispersal, deportation and racist attacks are increasing. We may be forced into begging or prostitution to feed ourselves and our families, facing further criminalisation. We know that throughout Europe others are facing the same crises and organising against them.

At a time of increased wars and poverty in Third World countries caused by Western economic and military interests, and of immigration policies which reek more and more of Nazism, we are taking action together to show our unity across national borders against racism and all discrimination. As immigrants and asylum seekers and as Europeans we stand together to demand that the West pay its debt to the Third World. We defend and strengthen all our movements against the increasing threat to our most basic rights. We show how many of us in Europe are appalled by this return to Nazism – reinforced by Europe’s allegiance to Bush’s US – which millions everywhere died to defeat. We will not allow immigrants to be scapegoated for cuts in benefits, wages, pensions and healthcare imposed by market forces that don’t value any of our lives.

Our 31 January action will be the first action of the 2004 Global Women’s Strike. It will be an opportunity for us to highlight the situations and struggles of women asylum seekers, which are most neglected, making them visible internationally. The Strike demands that society Invests in Caring Not Killing – a complete change from the economic priorities of the market and the return of military budgets to the

community, beginning with women the first carers. Women, and men who support our goals, are building to take Strike action in over 60 countries on 8 March (International Women’s Day).(see http://globalwomenstrike.net for more info). A collective manifesto and demands are being drafted for 31 January (see below) and the final version will be circulated soon.

Demands

Unconditional regularisation (right to stay) for all Sans-Papiers, and freedom of movement and settlement. Capital travels freely, why not people?

Immediate closure of all detention camps in all European countries

An end to all deportations

The right to citizenship and permanent residency for all, in all European countries, including access to the same healthcare, benefits, education and other resources that everyone else needs

Implementation of a real right to asylum, including official recognition of rape as persecution and therefore grounds for asylum

Recognition of the specific needs of women asylum seekers, immigrants and refugees, as those who are most likely to have responsibility for the care of others, are most vulnerable to violence, and least able to escape persecution or get the resources to settle when we do

An end to exploitation and neo-slavery, and the right to work based on the same entitlements as the workers in the country where we settle

We will shortly be letting you know more about our exciting plans. Please let us know if you are interested in taking part.

Women of Colour (Global Women’s Strike)

Crossroads Women’s Centre, 230A Kentish Town Road, London NW5 2AB

Tel: 0207 482 2496 Fax: 0207 209 4761 email:womenofcolour@allwomencount.net

Payday

PO Box 287 London NW6 5QU, Tel 0207 209 4751

Email payday@paydaynet.org web: www.refusingtokill.net

9 Jan 2004

Last week the Liverpool Committee Against Destitution For Asylum Seekers (LCAD) called a nation-wide protest Stand Up for Asylum Seekers marking the first year of the hated Sections 55 & 57 of the Immigration & Nationality Act. For more info contact: Dee Coombes lcad@merseymail.com