Louise Nousratpour at City Hall
Tuesday December 11, 2007
The Morning Star
LONDON black community leaders vowed to mobilise support for Ken Livingstone's re-election on Tuesday after a "racist" smear campaign by a newspaper sympathetic to Tory mayoral candidate Boris Johnson.
The Evening Standard stood accused of racism and running a campaign designed to damage Mr Livingstone's mayoral bid in favour of Mr Johnson, who has made racially offensive remarks about black people in the past.
Last week, the right-wing paper carried a series of stories by Andrew Gilligan making serious allegations against the Greater London Authority (GLA) and London Development Agency (LDA) and their financial relations with various black groups across the capital.
Black politicians and community leaders, including Damilola Taylor's father Richard, joined Mr Livingstone (pictured) at City Hall on Tuesday to rebut what they called "unfounded and unjust" allegations.
The newspaper alleged, among other things, that the mayor's equality adviser Lee Jasper was under investigation for instructing the GLA to fund black organisations.
It also claimed that the LDA had been intimidated by threats of gang violence to give grants to black community groups that had become a "vibrant hub for criminals" in south London.
"These charges are entirely false," the mayor stormed.
In a statement last Thursday, GLA chief executive Anthony Mayer said: "I wish to make clear that no formal investigation of Lee Jasper by the GLA is taking place."
Mr Taylor warned: "Smearing the work of organisations that work with some of London's most deprived and excluded communities only reinforces prejudices and stereotypes and helps to legitimise racist views."
London pastor and Peace Alliance chief executive Nims Obunge said that the smears had left some councils feeling "jittery" about funding or having anything to do with black organisations.
"These smears and vilification of black leaders have the potential of killing the hopes and dreams of our young people," he warned.
Karen Chouhan of black community group the 1990 Trust, which was mentioned in Mr Gilligan's stories, dismissed the allegations as "baseless."
She called on the Standard to give those whom it accused of wrongdoing "an equal amount of space to tell our side of the story."
She added: "Contrary to the Standard's allegations, our organisation is not motivated by money or a specific political agenda.
"We are about giving voice to the black community and hunting out the racists in our society and smoking them out - including the likes of Boris Johnson."
Ms Chouhn vowed to mobilise the black vote against Mr Johnson in the mayoral elections next May.
Attack Iran and we'll bring you down
Louise Nousratpour
Monday December 3, 2007
The Morning Star
THE international anti-war movement descended on London on Saturday to warn warmongers in the US and Britain that, if they attack Iran, "we will bring you down."
Over a thousand delegates from across Europe, the Middle East and the US packed into Westminster Central Hall for the one-day international peace conference organised by the Stop the War Coalition.
Conference heard from a rich panel of speakers representing Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and Egypt as well as South Korea, Greece, Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, France, Ireland, the US and Canada.
Hassan Juma of the Iraqi Oil Workers Union updated delegates on the latest struggles of his members and their continued fight against the US-led occupation and attempts to privatise the oil and gas industry.
"The Iraqi people want a referendum on the oil and gas law," said Mr Juma, who was arrested earlier this year for organising strikes against the legislation in the southern city of Basra.
Lebanese Communist Party general secretary Khaled Hadadah stressed the importance of an alliance between the left and Islamic groups in the face of imperialist wars, warning that anything less would only please the warmongers.
"The Communist Party lost many martyrs alongside Hezbollah in the war against Israel's invasion in summer 2006," he pointed out.
"The key question is not whether you are an Islamist or not, but whether you support the 'war on terror' or resist it."
Hezbollah newspaper al-Intiqab editor Ibrahim Mousawi echoed Mr Hadadah, adding: "What is happening in Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan is not about religion, it's about humanity."
In Iran, the Mothers Against War campaign is the latest addition to hundreds of democratic and progressive movements who are fighting their brutal government with one hand and defending their country against foreign invasion with the other.
Campaign speaker Marzieh Langroudi said that the harrowing memories of the US-instigated eight-year war between Iran and Iraq was still fresh in people's minds.
"We need your solidarity to stop Iran being destroyed by US 'democratic' bombs," she added.
Representatives from the Czech Republic, Poland and Italy told conference that public opinion in their countries is strongly against war and US plans to establish military bases on their soil.
French delegates warned that their neoliberal President Nicolas Sarkozy had declared France ready to support US in its future wars.
"In response, we are launching our own anti-war movement and will join the rest of you in the international demonstration on the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war next March," one activist said.
Koreans Against Intervention in Iraq speaker Hwan Young Kim vowed to "bring to their knees those in our country who support crazy US wars."
US Labour Against the War representative Nancy Romer brought greetings from 210 million members.
"The Middle East wars are unpopular among Americans and the US will have a big problem trying to start another one in Iran," she stormed.
Respect MP George Galloway mocked US President George Bush's attempt to relaunch the "roadmap to peace" at last week's Annapolis conference between Israel and Palestine.
"The democratically elected Palestinian government, Hamas, was not invited to the negotiations. This is Bush's idea of bringing peace and democracy," he said.
Hinting at the recent split in Respect, Mr Galloway urged the left in Britain to maintain unity in the face of a possible war against Iran.
His sentiments were echoed by StWC convener Lindsey German.
StWC chairman Andrew Murray had a clear message for the US, Britain and their allies.
"If you contemplate extending your imperialist wars to Iran, we will mobilise on the streets of every country and we will bring you down," he vowed.
Respect national secretary John Rees hailed the truly international nature of the conference as "proof that we can and must join forces if we are to stop any more wars."
Respect Conference
LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR reports from one side of the Respect divide.
Saturday November 18, 2007
The Morning Star
AROUND 350 Respect delegates from across Britain packed into a hall at the University of Westminster in London on Saturday to discuss the recent split in the coalition and the way forward.
Strong allegations of election-rigging, undemocratic practices and even physical abuse were levelled against people in the alternative Respect Renewal group, which held a separate conference on the same day.
Delegates dismissed this as “nothing but a splinter rally” and accused Renewal figures of a “witch-hunt” against socialists.
However, they maintained an overall focus on the importance of retaining unity within the anti-war movement and reorganising around “core values” to ensure that it remained a vibrant alternative to new Labour.
Student Respect chairwoman Noreen Fatima said: “The anti-war movement radicalised many in the Muslim community.
“Cuts and privatisation of public services have also mobilised Muslims, who are overwhelmingly working-class.
“They have the most to gain from left policies because it addresses the problems they face.”
Stop the War Coalition convener Lindsey German pressed the need for unity in the face of possible war against Iran.
She reminded delegates that Respect had been “born out of the anti-war movement and the consequent radicalisation of people which led to a break from new Labour.”
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka stressed the need for political unity as well as industrial unity to fight government attacks on workers.
He expressed regret at the split, warning that “Gordon Brown is rubbing his hands in glee as we fight amongst ourselves while he continues to attack workers’ pay and pensions.”
But he insisted that, while unity was important, “you cannot have unity in a party to the left of Labour based on those who attack and witch-hunt other socialists.”
Mr Serwotka revealed that he had declined an invitation to speak at the Respect Renewal conference.
Respect national secretary John Rees warned of an “enormous pressure” from Labour’s electoral machine to hollow out Respect by trying to bribe successful candidates over to its side.
He went on to accuse Respect MP George Galloway of “communalism,” claiming that there had been an “unhealthy” focus on certain communities at the expense of alienating others.
In a swipe at Respect Renewal, he added: “Pessimists in the movement believe that some communities are no-go areas for Respect.
“I don’t believe that. I think it’s time to go beyond the bridgeheads that has made Respect successful and reach out to the wider working-class communities.”
Tower Hamlet council group leader Abjol Miah was singled out for criticism by councillors Oliur Rahman, Lutfa Begum, Mehdi Hassan and Rania Khan, who resigned the whip in October.
They accused him of bypassing democratic procedures to make back-door deals with local businessmen and verbally and physically abusing staff.
Delegates later voted for constitutional amendments which will affect membership and recruitment as well as how national officers are elected.
The changes meant that the national council will now be comprised of 50 members, including a national secretary, national organiser and chair elected by a majority vote at annual conferences.
Delegates then went on to elect 45 new national council members and voted for Elaine Graham-Leigh as national organiser and Mr Rahman as national chairman.
Mr Rees was re-elected as national secretary.
'Stop sending us back to torture'
Louise Nousratpour
Thursday October 4, 2007
The Morning Star
DARFUR survivors marched on Parliament on Thursday demanding that the government stops sending them back to torture and persecution in Sudan.
Angry protesters, dressed in T-shirts emblazed with "Rejected Darfur Survivor," chanted slogans like "Sudan Kills Blacks, Don't Send Us Back" and "No Deportation."
They accused ministers of "colluding" with the "genocidal and criminal" government of Sudan through their asylum policy.
The rally, organised by human rights group Aegis Trust, coincided with a Home Office appeal in the House of Lords against a legal victory for Darfuri asylum seekers earlier this year.
If the government wins this test case, hundreds of Darfuris could be sent back to Sudan's capital Khartoum.
Ministers have now promised to review policy guidance on Darfuri asylum claims in the light of Aegis's report detailing evidence of "shocking torture" of Darfuris who were deported from Britain to Khartoum.
Aegis Trust speaker David Brown dismissed this as "not good enough" and demanded an "immediate moratorium on the deportation of all Darfuri asylum seekers while there is war in Sudan."
Darfur Union president Khatir Mohammed told the rally: "There are only 300 Darfuri refugees in the UK. They are in detention centres or on the streets and their lives are in limbo.
"If Chad, one of the poorest countries in the world, can take in 300,000 Darfuri survivors why cannot Britain, one of the richest, take in just 300 until there is peace in Darfur?"
Ibrahim Haroun, who fled Darfur in 2004, said that he had been left homeless and destitute after his asylum claim was rejected last year. "I have to rely on friends and charity hand outs to survive," he added.
Mr Haroun, who has worked as a volunteer for the Red Cross in Leicester, said that over 90 per cent of all asylum claims in Britain were rejected.
"This figure is even higher among Darfuri asylum-seekers," he warned.
Sadiq Abakar, who has been waiting nine years for Britain to give him asylum, rejected government claims that it is "safe" to relocate Darfuris in other parts of Sudan. "Do they think we are stupid?" he asked.
Refugee Council chief executive Maeve Sherlock condemned the Home Office for "wasting taxpayers' money as its lawyers scuttle off to court to argue for the deportation of vulnerable Darfuris.
"This shows the hypocrisy of this government as Brown demands international action to stop the genocide, while sending refugees back to face torture and possible death."
Fighting repression
LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR reports on ongoing internal resistance to Iran's repressive regime against an increasingly heated international backdrop.
Monday October 1, 2007
The Morning Star
I FIRST got in touch with Aram Nikbakht on July 9. She was just leaving a protest outside Tehran's Amir Kabir University commemorating the eighth anniversary of the pro-democracy student uprising known as the 18 Tir movement.
She had travelled from the ancient city of Esfahan, where she studies computer science, to take part in the demo.
"We were violently dispersed by police and militiamen in plain clothes almost as soon as we had gathered," she reports. "Some 19 of us were arrested, but this intimidation will not deter us from voicing our discontent."
This simple statement captures the defiant mood of the rising generation of Iranian youth, who make up two-thirds of the country's 70-million-strong population.
"We are under immense pressure from the government, which is watching our every move," says Nikbakht, who is a founding member of student group Pejvak Daneshjoo - Student Tribune.
"We are constantly harassed about the way we dress and what we say. University publications are frequently shut down and students arrested on trumped-up charges.
"In short, we are being deprived of freedom of movement, freedom of speech and political freedom. All this has contributed to a new wave of political activity on university campuses across the country," she explains.
The student movement did enjoy a short honeymoon period soon after reformist Mohammad Reza Khatami took power in 1997.
Khatami won the presidential election largely on the strength of the female and youth vote, having promised them more rights and a greater input in the decision-making process.
But it all turned sour in July 1999 when Khatami back-stabbed the very people who had helped him to power.
He denounced a student uprising in Tehran against the closure of reformist newspaper Salam and stood aside as militiamen attacked the crowd, killing at least one person and inuring many more.
The so-called 18 Tir movement spelt the end of the short-lived reformist movement of the late 1990s, which, in hindsight, was stillborn.
"Khatami sought to save the Islamic republic through half-baked reforms," Nikbakht says wryly. "But his efforts backfired as people realised that nothing short of a complete overhaul of Iran's political system will give us what we want."
Nikbakht lists the more aware student movement's revised demands, which she describes as "simple - we want a secular democratic government, which respects freedom of speech and human rights."
But, despite the grievances and the daunting task that lies ahead, she is quick to affirm the movement's fierce opposition to any military intervention by US neoconservatives and their allies in Whitehall to bring them Iraq-style "freedom and democracy."
Indeed, she blames US aggression and its "psychological war" against Iran for the renewed wave of government repression and crackdown on free press.
"We have discussed this issue at length and we don't believe that the US wants or can attack Iran, because Iran is not like Iraq," she insists, pointing to Iran's strong economic and military structure in comparison to Iraq's crumbling society under pressure of 12-year-long sanction sprior to the 2003 invasion.
"But the US threats have given the Ahmadinejad administration an excuse to further crush progressive movements in the country and make our struggle for change more difficult."
Nikbakht's concerns are echoed in an open letter to UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon, which coincided with Ahmadinejad's visit to New York for the UN general assembly conference last week.
The letter, which was issued by former Iranian political prisoner Akbar Ganji and endorsed by over 300 eminent intellectuals and writers such as Noam Chomsky, warns: "Even speaking about 'the possibility' of a military attack makes things extremely difficult for human rights and pro-democracy activists in Iran."
Ganji blames US policy of the past 50 years for the "detriment of the proponents of freedom and democracy" in Iran, adding: "No Iranian wants to see what happened to Iraq or Afghanistan repeated in Iran."
There are still serious concerns about the Bush administration's determination to attack Iran before the 2008 US presidential election.
Former CIA counter-terrorism chief Vincent Cannistraro recently said: "The decision to attack (Iran) was made some time ago. Bush has been lining up some Sunni countries for tacit support for his actions."
This is bad news for activists like Nikbakht and an Iranian labour movement that is determined to fight its own battles.
Iran's trade unions have experienced a renaissance in recent years, with widespread strikes and attempts to celebrate May Day and International Women's Day despite aggressive, occasionally deadly, responses from the government.
The country was awash with workplace disputes in 2005 as an estimated 260 strikes took place during October and November alone. The unrest has since escalated further, with over 670 strikes and demonstrations recorded in May, up 10 per cent from May last year. This compares with just 87 strikes between 1998 and 2000.
Workers are up in arms over unpaid wages and job insecurity, as permanent contracts are fast becoming a thing of the past. Iran's official figures for 2005 showed that over 50 per cent of its workforce are on temporary or so-called "blank" contracts, with few or no employment rights.
Their struggle for independent trade union rights has received high-profile international attention.
In August, British trade unions gathered outside the Iranian embassy in London as part of an international day of action to highlight the recent reimprisonment and mistreatment of prominent union leaders Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi.
"We are keen to support workers' demands and we have participated in May Day demonstrations to show solidarity with their struggle for basic labour rights such as forming independent trade unions and a decent living wage," Nikbakht declares.
She emphasises the need to link arms with workers and other progressive social forces, adding: "Pejvak Daneshjoo is a young organisation, which aims to work with more experienced groups and, ultimately, form a united front to push our agenda forward.
"We can only achieve our objectives if we all work together."
Nikbakht is especially enthusiastic about the women's rights movement, which has also flourished in recent years. This year's International Women's Day saw thousands on the streets across Iran, demanding an end to gender apartheid and the compulsory Islamic dress code.
Their peaceful protests were met with police brutality and mass arrests.
"The women's rights movement is very strong and positive at the moment . It is a great source of strength in the struggle and a thorn in the side of the authorities," Nikbakht says proudly.
She insists that, "despite a common perception, Ahmadinejad is not the popular choice. He is incapable of answering popular demands and this is why the country is experiencing such large-scale social and political upheavals.
"However, we are not concerned with Ahmadinejad as an individual, but as the representative of an ideology which the majority in Iran reject."
Nikbakht urges progressive movements in Britain and around the world to "help by raising awareness about our struggles and demands in your locality and through your organisations."
People in Iran are emerging from a long, dark period of silence and mass depression, into a brave new era of pre-revolutionary activity.
The once demoralised working-class movement is waking up to the power of strikes, while women march for equal rights and students no longer settle for feeble promises of government reform.
The one thing that could derail this delicate progress towards change would be a US-led invasion.
Monday October 1, 2007
The Morning Star
I FIRST got in touch with Aram Nikbakht on July 9. She was just leaving a protest outside Tehran's Amir Kabir University commemorating the eighth anniversary of the pro-democracy student uprising known as the 18 Tir movement.
She had travelled from the ancient city of Esfahan, where she studies computer science, to take part in the demo.
"We were violently dispersed by police and militiamen in plain clothes almost as soon as we had gathered," she reports. "Some 19 of us were arrested, but this intimidation will not deter us from voicing our discontent."
This simple statement captures the defiant mood of the rising generation of Iranian youth, who make up two-thirds of the country's 70-million-strong population.
"We are under immense pressure from the government, which is watching our every move," says Nikbakht, who is a founding member of student group Pejvak Daneshjoo - Student Tribune.
"We are constantly harassed about the way we dress and what we say. University publications are frequently shut down and students arrested on trumped-up charges.
"In short, we are being deprived of freedom of movement, freedom of speech and political freedom. All this has contributed to a new wave of political activity on university campuses across the country," she explains.
The student movement did enjoy a short honeymoon period soon after reformist Mohammad Reza Khatami took power in 1997.
Khatami won the presidential election largely on the strength of the female and youth vote, having promised them more rights and a greater input in the decision-making process.
But it all turned sour in July 1999 when Khatami back-stabbed the very people who had helped him to power.
He denounced a student uprising in Tehran against the closure of reformist newspaper Salam and stood aside as militiamen attacked the crowd, killing at least one person and inuring many more.
The so-called 18 Tir movement spelt the end of the short-lived reformist movement of the late 1990s, which, in hindsight, was stillborn.
"Khatami sought to save the Islamic republic through half-baked reforms," Nikbakht says wryly. "But his efforts backfired as people realised that nothing short of a complete overhaul of Iran's political system will give us what we want."
Nikbakht lists the more aware student movement's revised demands, which she describes as "simple - we want a secular democratic government, which respects freedom of speech and human rights."
But, despite the grievances and the daunting task that lies ahead, she is quick to affirm the movement's fierce opposition to any military intervention by US neoconservatives and their allies in Whitehall to bring them Iraq-style "freedom and democracy."
Indeed, she blames US aggression and its "psychological war" against Iran for the renewed wave of government repression and crackdown on free press.
"We have discussed this issue at length and we don't believe that the US wants or can attack Iran, because Iran is not like Iraq," she insists, pointing to Iran's strong economic and military structure in comparison to Iraq's crumbling society under pressure of 12-year-long sanction sprior to the 2003 invasion.
"But the US threats have given the Ahmadinejad administration an excuse to further crush progressive movements in the country and make our struggle for change more difficult."
Nikbakht's concerns are echoed in an open letter to UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon, which coincided with Ahmadinejad's visit to New York for the UN general assembly conference last week.
The letter, which was issued by former Iranian political prisoner Akbar Ganji and endorsed by over 300 eminent intellectuals and writers such as Noam Chomsky, warns: "Even speaking about 'the possibility' of a military attack makes things extremely difficult for human rights and pro-democracy activists in Iran."
Ganji blames US policy of the past 50 years for the "detriment of the proponents of freedom and democracy" in Iran, adding: "No Iranian wants to see what happened to Iraq or Afghanistan repeated in Iran."
There are still serious concerns about the Bush administration's determination to attack Iran before the 2008 US presidential election.
Former CIA counter-terrorism chief Vincent Cannistraro recently said: "The decision to attack (Iran) was made some time ago. Bush has been lining up some Sunni countries for tacit support for his actions."
This is bad news for activists like Nikbakht and an Iranian labour movement that is determined to fight its own battles.
Iran's trade unions have experienced a renaissance in recent years, with widespread strikes and attempts to celebrate May Day and International Women's Day despite aggressive, occasionally deadly, responses from the government.
The country was awash with workplace disputes in 2005 as an estimated 260 strikes took place during October and November alone. The unrest has since escalated further, with over 670 strikes and demonstrations recorded in May, up 10 per cent from May last year. This compares with just 87 strikes between 1998 and 2000.
Workers are up in arms over unpaid wages and job insecurity, as permanent contracts are fast becoming a thing of the past. Iran's official figures for 2005 showed that over 50 per cent of its workforce are on temporary or so-called "blank" contracts, with few or no employment rights.
Their struggle for independent trade union rights has received high-profile international attention.
In August, British trade unions gathered outside the Iranian embassy in London as part of an international day of action to highlight the recent reimprisonment and mistreatment of prominent union leaders Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi.
"We are keen to support workers' demands and we have participated in May Day demonstrations to show solidarity with their struggle for basic labour rights such as forming independent trade unions and a decent living wage," Nikbakht declares.
She emphasises the need to link arms with workers and other progressive social forces, adding: "Pejvak Daneshjoo is a young organisation, which aims to work with more experienced groups and, ultimately, form a united front to push our agenda forward.
"We can only achieve our objectives if we all work together."
Nikbakht is especially enthusiastic about the women's rights movement, which has also flourished in recent years. This year's International Women's Day saw thousands on the streets across Iran, demanding an end to gender apartheid and the compulsory Islamic dress code.
Their peaceful protests were met with police brutality and mass arrests.
"The women's rights movement is very strong and positive at the moment . It is a great source of strength in the struggle and a thorn in the side of the authorities," Nikbakht says proudly.
She insists that, "despite a common perception, Ahmadinejad is not the popular choice. He is incapable of answering popular demands and this is why the country is experiencing such large-scale social and political upheavals.
"However, we are not concerned with Ahmadinejad as an individual, but as the representative of an ideology which the majority in Iran reject."
Nikbakht urges progressive movements in Britain and around the world to "help by raising awareness about our struggles and demands in your locality and through your organisations."
People in Iran are emerging from a long, dark period of silence and mass depression, into a brave new era of pre-revolutionary activity.
The once demoralised working-class movement is waking up to the power of strikes, while women march for equal rights and students no longer settle for feeble promises of government reform.
The one thing that could derail this delicate progress towards change would be a US-led invasion.
Tories line up alongside BNP
Louise Nousratpour
Sunday September 30, 2007
Morning Star
ANTI-RACISM campaigners accused the Tories of appealing to the "fascist vote" on Sunday after a shadow minister claimed that the far-right BNP had "some very legitimate views" on immigration and crime.
Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, who is a close ally of beleaguered Tory leader David Cameron, risked igniting a race row on the first day of the party's crucial annual conference in Blackpool.
In a Sunday paper interview, she urged her party to "listen to BNP voters. They have some very legitimate views."
Her remarks were regarded as the clearest sign yet that the Tories are shifting further to the right as Mr Cameron seeks to appease traditionalists.
Campaigners attacked Lady Warsi's comments as proof that the Tories are the same old "nasty party" now seeking to embrace "fascist BNP" views.
Unite Against Fascism joint secretary Denis Fernando said that, in the light of a possible snap election, mainstream parties would be "foolish, irresponsible and dangerous to add a chorus to the call of fascists."
He warned that the Tory frontbencher's remarks were an endorsement of the "racist lies of a group with the sole aim of causing division and hatred and the declared aim of an all-white Britain, which would only be possible by violence.
"By attempting to accommodate their extremist positions on immigration and Islam, mainstream politicians legitimised fascist parties at the ballot box," Mr Fernando said.
A spokesman for the Unite union, which represents thousands of migrant workers, said: "The Tories defending the odious views of the BNP reveals that they have not changed, they will not change under Cameron and all decent-thinking trade unionists must vote against both the Tories and the BNP."
Lady Warsi's comments were also slammed by anti-racist group Operation Black Vote, for which she used to work.
"Pandering to the racist views peddled by the BNP and bought by the BNP voters is wrong," spokesman Simon Woolley stormed.
"The fact of the matter is that this country would collapse if it wasn't for migrant workers."
Mr Cameron defended Lady Warsi's views, adding: "What I have said before and I'm happy to say again, if you have very high immigration, it does put huge pressure on housing and on health and on education."
National Assembly Against Racism co-ordinator Milena Buyum countered the Tory chief's tired claims, stressing: "This country has been built upon waves of migrants from around the world, contributing to British society, its economy and culture.
"Each wave of migrants has faced hostility and racism and, despite this, went on to be part of this society."
A TUC report published in June concluded that the overall economic impact of immigration was positive.
"Host countries gain from migration, overall levels of employment and wages are slightly higher as a result of immigration and migrant workers pay more in taxes than the value of the public services they receive," it said.
"The old accusations of the extreme right, that immigrants take native workers' jobs or are a drain on the welfare state, are as false as they have ever been."
A study for the Department for Work and Pensions last year found "no discernible statistical evidence to suggest that migration has been a contributor to the rise in claimant unemployment in the UK."
Mr Cameron's crisis deepened on Sunday as a new poll showed him lagging behind Prime Minister Gordon Brown on nearly every indicator.
A survey by a Sunday paper found that 41 per cent would vote Labour, compared with just 34 per cent backing the Tories.
Sunday September 30, 2007
Morning Star
ANTI-RACISM campaigners accused the Tories of appealing to the "fascist vote" on Sunday after a shadow minister claimed that the far-right BNP had "some very legitimate views" on immigration and crime.
Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, who is a close ally of beleaguered Tory leader David Cameron, risked igniting a race row on the first day of the party's crucial annual conference in Blackpool.
In a Sunday paper interview, she urged her party to "listen to BNP voters. They have some very legitimate views."
Her remarks were regarded as the clearest sign yet that the Tories are shifting further to the right as Mr Cameron seeks to appease traditionalists.
Campaigners attacked Lady Warsi's comments as proof that the Tories are the same old "nasty party" now seeking to embrace "fascist BNP" views.
Unite Against Fascism joint secretary Denis Fernando said that, in the light of a possible snap election, mainstream parties would be "foolish, irresponsible and dangerous to add a chorus to the call of fascists."
He warned that the Tory frontbencher's remarks were an endorsement of the "racist lies of a group with the sole aim of causing division and hatred and the declared aim of an all-white Britain, which would only be possible by violence.
"By attempting to accommodate their extremist positions on immigration and Islam, mainstream politicians legitimised fascist parties at the ballot box," Mr Fernando said.
A spokesman for the Unite union, which represents thousands of migrant workers, said: "The Tories defending the odious views of the BNP reveals that they have not changed, they will not change under Cameron and all decent-thinking trade unionists must vote against both the Tories and the BNP."
Lady Warsi's comments were also slammed by anti-racist group Operation Black Vote, for which she used to work.
"Pandering to the racist views peddled by the BNP and bought by the BNP voters is wrong," spokesman Simon Woolley stormed.
"The fact of the matter is that this country would collapse if it wasn't for migrant workers."
Mr Cameron defended Lady Warsi's views, adding: "What I have said before and I'm happy to say again, if you have very high immigration, it does put huge pressure on housing and on health and on education."
National Assembly Against Racism co-ordinator Milena Buyum countered the Tory chief's tired claims, stressing: "This country has been built upon waves of migrants from around the world, contributing to British society, its economy and culture.
"Each wave of migrants has faced hostility and racism and, despite this, went on to be part of this society."
A TUC report published in June concluded that the overall economic impact of immigration was positive.
"Host countries gain from migration, overall levels of employment and wages are slightly higher as a result of immigration and migrant workers pay more in taxes than the value of the public services they receive," it said.
"The old accusations of the extreme right, that immigrants take native workers' jobs or are a drain on the welfare state, are as false as they have ever been."
A study for the Department for Work and Pensions last year found "no discernible statistical evidence to suggest that migration has been a contributor to the rise in claimant unemployment in the UK."
Mr Cameron's crisis deepened on Sunday as a new poll showed him lagging behind Prime Minister Gordon Brown on nearly every indicator.
A survey by a Sunday paper found that 41 per cent would vote Labour, compared with just 34 per cent backing the Tories.
'Assaults on women must be tackled'
Louise Nousratpour
Friday September 14, 2007
The Morning Star
THE TUC Congress called for a coherent national strategy across government departments to tackle violence against women on Thursday.
Congress condemned the government for avoiding its UN obligation to develop a national policy at a time when two women a week are being murdered by a past or present partner.
Britain has also become the destination for trafficked women, who often suffer sexual and other violence and forced into prostitution.
Delegates celebrated the trade union movement's recent successes through workplace policies that address violence against women, but they stressed that more was needed.
Finance union Accord delegate Tom Harrison argued that further action could be taken through workplace bargaining as well as by mobilising international solidarity to tackle trafficking.
PCS delegate Rachel Edwards demanded improvement on the "woefully inadequate" funding resources for government equality offices.
She condemned planned job cuts in public services and so-called back-office staff, who she said were the very people responsible for developing strategies to address the problem.
Congress noted that a coalition launched last year between the TUC, Amnesty International UK and End Violence Against Women had raised awareness about so-called honour killings.
An estimated 13 women a year are slain in Britain for refusing arranged marriages, having relations outside wedlock or even for being raped.
The latest case involved Kurdish woman Banaz Mahmod, whose mutilated body was found in a suitcase buried in a garden in Birmingham last year.
Her father and uncle were convicted of murder in June after vigorous campaigning by the Iranian and Kurdish Women's Rights Organisation and Amnesty.
Musicians Union delegate Barbara White condemned the "patriarchal" act, adding: "Violence in the name of culture must not be tolerated. Murder in the name of honour must be punished."
According to Home Office figures, domestic violence accounts for 16 per cent of all violent crime in England and Wales and has more repeat victims than any other crime.
On average, there will be 35 assaults before a victim calls the police.
It claims the lives of two women a week and 30 men a year and will affect one in four women and one in six men in their lifetime.
Friday September 14, 2007
The Morning Star
THE TUC Congress called for a coherent national strategy across government departments to tackle violence against women on Thursday.
Congress condemned the government for avoiding its UN obligation to develop a national policy at a time when two women a week are being murdered by a past or present partner.
Britain has also become the destination for trafficked women, who often suffer sexual and other violence and forced into prostitution.
Delegates celebrated the trade union movement's recent successes through workplace policies that address violence against women, but they stressed that more was needed.
Finance union Accord delegate Tom Harrison argued that further action could be taken through workplace bargaining as well as by mobilising international solidarity to tackle trafficking.
PCS delegate Rachel Edwards demanded improvement on the "woefully inadequate" funding resources for government equality offices.
She condemned planned job cuts in public services and so-called back-office staff, who she said were the very people responsible for developing strategies to address the problem.
Congress noted that a coalition launched last year between the TUC, Amnesty International UK and End Violence Against Women had raised awareness about so-called honour killings.
An estimated 13 women a year are slain in Britain for refusing arranged marriages, having relations outside wedlock or even for being raped.
The latest case involved Kurdish woman Banaz Mahmod, whose mutilated body was found in a suitcase buried in a garden in Birmingham last year.
Her father and uncle were convicted of murder in June after vigorous campaigning by the Iranian and Kurdish Women's Rights Organisation and Amnesty.
Musicians Union delegate Barbara White condemned the "patriarchal" act, adding: "Violence in the name of culture must not be tolerated. Murder in the name of honour must be punished."
According to Home Office figures, domestic violence accounts for 16 per cent of all violent crime in England and Wales and has more repeat victims than any other crime.
On average, there will be 35 assaults before a victim calls the police.
It claims the lives of two women a week and 30 men a year and will affect one in four women and one in six men in their lifetime.
TUC weighs in to prison pay fight
Louise Nousratpour
Friday September 14, 2007
The Morning Star
THE TUC Congress expressed its “disgust and dismay” at the government’s treatment of prison officers yesterday after 20,000 of them walked out last month in anger over unfair pay and conditions.
Congress heard that prison officers faced court action and were threatened with jail and huge fines if they took further action over pay.
Prison Officers Association president Colin Moses, who has been in the Prison Service for over 22 years, said: “I’ve been threatened with imprisonment more than twice in the last two years.
“And, last week, we were told that we would face fines of up to £500,000 if they take us to court.”
He argued that the threats of imprisonment were a “conspiracy to get the our executives sacked and destroy our union.”
He explained that any member who spent even one hour in a cell would get the sack, as the law requires prison officers to have no criminal record.
Mr Moses went on to thank Congress’s united support for POA members’ struggle for fair pay and full trade union rights, which were stolen from them by the Tories in 1993.
GMB delegate Andy Worth slammed ministers for refusing to pay prison officers properly.
“It costs just £3 million to implement the pay review body’s recommendation of a 2.5 per cent increase,” he pointed out.
“If just one private equity boss was taxed in the same way as prison officers are, it would pay for the wage increases in full.”
Congress unanimously agreed to press the government to recognise the POA as a free and independent trade union and to demand that the 2.5 per cent recommendation be implemented for all public-sector workers.
Civil servants, health workers, school staff and council employees could stage simultaneous strike action this year unless the government scraps plans to impose a 2 per cent pay cap.
On Tuesday, Congress overwhelmingly backed calls for coordinated action, including industrial action, to defend public-sector workers’ pay.
And POA leader Brian Caton warned on Wednesday that prison officers were ready to strike again if the government continued to ignore their demands.
Mr Caton said he could not understand why a Labour government was refusing to give the POA the right to take legitimate strike action.
“We are not saying we want to go on strike, but we want the right to do that if we are being abused.
“We want mutual understanding, respect and trust,” he told delegates.
The unions maintain that public-sector workers are the victims rather than — as the government claims — the cause of inflation.
Their position has now been backed by a report from independent pay experts IDS.
Friday September 14, 2007
The Morning Star
THE TUC Congress expressed its “disgust and dismay” at the government’s treatment of prison officers yesterday after 20,000 of them walked out last month in anger over unfair pay and conditions.
Congress heard that prison officers faced court action and were threatened with jail and huge fines if they took further action over pay.
Prison Officers Association president Colin Moses, who has been in the Prison Service for over 22 years, said: “I’ve been threatened with imprisonment more than twice in the last two years.
“And, last week, we were told that we would face fines of up to £500,000 if they take us to court.”
He argued that the threats of imprisonment were a “conspiracy to get the our executives sacked and destroy our union.”
He explained that any member who spent even one hour in a cell would get the sack, as the law requires prison officers to have no criminal record.
Mr Moses went on to thank Congress’s united support for POA members’ struggle for fair pay and full trade union rights, which were stolen from them by the Tories in 1993.
GMB delegate Andy Worth slammed ministers for refusing to pay prison officers properly.
“It costs just £3 million to implement the pay review body’s recommendation of a 2.5 per cent increase,” he pointed out.
“If just one private equity boss was taxed in the same way as prison officers are, it would pay for the wage increases in full.”
Congress unanimously agreed to press the government to recognise the POA as a free and independent trade union and to demand that the 2.5 per cent recommendation be implemented for all public-sector workers.
Civil servants, health workers, school staff and council employees could stage simultaneous strike action this year unless the government scraps plans to impose a 2 per cent pay cap.
On Tuesday, Congress overwhelmingly backed calls for coordinated action, including industrial action, to defend public-sector workers’ pay.
And POA leader Brian Caton warned on Wednesday that prison officers were ready to strike again if the government continued to ignore their demands.
Mr Caton said he could not understand why a Labour government was refusing to give the POA the right to take legitimate strike action.
“We are not saying we want to go on strike, but we want the right to do that if we are being abused.
“We want mutual understanding, respect and trust,” he told delegates.
The unions maintain that public-sector workers are the victims rather than — as the government claims — the cause of inflation.
Their position has now been backed by a report from independent pay experts IDS.
Saying no to US militarism
LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR looks at a major international initiative against US plans for new missiles in Europe.
Sunday September 2, 2007
The Morning Star
PEACE campaigners from Poland and the Czech Republic gave an inspiring account of the growing resistance to US foreign policy in eastern Europe at a CND conference in London on Saturday.
They declared solidarity with their British counterparts in an international campaign to stop plans to site US military bases in Czech Republic, Poland and Britain as part of the Pentagon's so-called National Missile Defence system.
Delegates heard that whole towns and villages in the Czech Republic were up in arms against government plans to allow a US radar base in the Trokavec village, with just 87 inhabitants.
Trokavec mayor Jan Neoral has led a strong grass-roots campaign, which has seen 85 mayors joining his Association Againt Radar.
"The government is lying to people about the dangers of radiation and playing dirty politics to win over town authorities," he told the meeting.
"Despite all this, nearly 70 per cent of the Czech population are now against the base. But the government has ignored public opinion."
The Czech Communist Party is the only party in that country opposing the US radar construction.
Ivona Novomestska of the Czech No Bases campaign noted: "This is the first time since the so-called 1989 revolution that so many people have been- politically active.
"Before, they thought anything Western was great. Today we are organising thousands-strong demonstrations against US foreign policy."
Poland's No Wars Initiative representative Filip Ilkowski said that, even in his traditionally pro-US and anti-communist country, people were questioning US conduct.
"Despite huge government and media propaganda, some 56 per cent of Poles are against US bases being sited in Poland and 80 per cent want all Polish troops withdrawn from Iraq," he reported.
CND chairwoman Kate Hudson welcomed the growing grass-roots movements in both countries as a boost to British opposition to US radar bases at Menwith Hill and Flyingdales in Yorkshire.
She said that the system was "provocative" and would enable the US to launch first-strike attacks without fear of retaliation.
"This will lead to a new cold war and ensuing arms race, which will threaten world peace," she warned.
"Britain's increasing involvement in the US military expansion will put the UK on the front line in future wars. It has already increased tensions with Russia."
The Bush administration has insisted that its missile defence is aimed at Iran, but speakers contended that it was part of a strategy to maintain the crumbling US hegemonic status in the face of emerging powers in Russia, India and China.
Campaign Iran speaker Dr Elaheh Rostami-Povey warned conference against complacency over US plans to attack Iran.
"There is talk of US President George Bush's determination to attack Iran before leaving office. The possibility of Israel attacking Iran is also very real," he warned.
Other speakers representing Sweden, Germany, Belgium and Austrialia also shared their experiences and vowed to stand up and be counted.
But there was a strong consensus about a lack of democratic process on the crucial issue of US militarisation and an arrogant disregard for public opinion by politicians.
Stop the War Coalition chairman Andrew Murray urged Britain not to "surrender to any sense of complacency because we have a new Prime Minister.
"Gordon Brown is under pressure from US to play second fiddle and we must match that pressure to force a change in foreign policy," he argued.
Sunday September 2, 2007
The Morning Star
PEACE campaigners from Poland and the Czech Republic gave an inspiring account of the growing resistance to US foreign policy in eastern Europe at a CND conference in London on Saturday.
They declared solidarity with their British counterparts in an international campaign to stop plans to site US military bases in Czech Republic, Poland and Britain as part of the Pentagon's so-called National Missile Defence system.
Delegates heard that whole towns and villages in the Czech Republic were up in arms against government plans to allow a US radar base in the Trokavec village, with just 87 inhabitants.
Trokavec mayor Jan Neoral has led a strong grass-roots campaign, which has seen 85 mayors joining his Association Againt Radar.
"The government is lying to people about the dangers of radiation and playing dirty politics to win over town authorities," he told the meeting.
"Despite all this, nearly 70 per cent of the Czech population are now against the base. But the government has ignored public opinion."
The Czech Communist Party is the only party in that country opposing the US radar construction.
Ivona Novomestska of the Czech No Bases campaign noted: "This is the first time since the so-called 1989 revolution that so many people have been- politically active.
"Before, they thought anything Western was great. Today we are organising thousands-strong demonstrations against US foreign policy."
Poland's No Wars Initiative representative Filip Ilkowski said that, even in his traditionally pro-US and anti-communist country, people were questioning US conduct.
"Despite huge government and media propaganda, some 56 per cent of Poles are against US bases being sited in Poland and 80 per cent want all Polish troops withdrawn from Iraq," he reported.
CND chairwoman Kate Hudson welcomed the growing grass-roots movements in both countries as a boost to British opposition to US radar bases at Menwith Hill and Flyingdales in Yorkshire.
She said that the system was "provocative" and would enable the US to launch first-strike attacks without fear of retaliation.
"This will lead to a new cold war and ensuing arms race, which will threaten world peace," she warned.
"Britain's increasing involvement in the US military expansion will put the UK on the front line in future wars. It has already increased tensions with Russia."
The Bush administration has insisted that its missile defence is aimed at Iran, but speakers contended that it was part of a strategy to maintain the crumbling US hegemonic status in the face of emerging powers in Russia, India and China.
Campaign Iran speaker Dr Elaheh Rostami-Povey warned conference against complacency over US plans to attack Iran.
"There is talk of US President George Bush's determination to attack Iran before leaving office. The possibility of Israel attacking Iran is also very real," he warned.
Other speakers representing Sweden, Germany, Belgium and Austrialia also shared their experiences and vowed to stand up and be counted.
But there was a strong consensus about a lack of democratic process on the crucial issue of US militarisation and an arrogant disregard for public opinion by politicians.
Stop the War Coalition chairman Andrew Murray urged Britain not to "surrender to any sense of complacency because we have a new Prime Minister.
"Gordon Brown is under pressure from US to play second fiddle and we must match that pressure to force a change in foreign policy," he argued.
Barber sends election warning to Labour
Louise Nousratpour
Thursday September 6, 2007
The Morning Star
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber warned the government on Thursday that it could lose the next general election because of "real tensions" over the way that it has treated millions of public-sector workers.
Mr Barber warned that the government was "paying a political as well as an industrial price" for trying to force through "unjustified" pay limits well below inflation.
Speaking before next week's TUC conference in Brighton, he insisted that there had been a "new tone" in the government's relations with unions since Mr Brown became Prime Minister.
But Mr Barber stressed that the improved relations should not disguise the areas where there are real tensions.
He warned that millions of public-sector workers felt "real anger and resentment" over their pay this year.
"I have pressed Prime Minister Gordon Brown very strongly that his absolute rigid position on pay is neither acceptable nor economically viable," Mr Barber said.
He warned that constant reforms, coupled with below-inflation pay deals, had a "negative" impact on workers, who passed their concerns on to family and public service users.
"I hope the government reflects very carefully on the political consequences as well as the industrial consequences," said the TUC leader.
Mr Brown has cited inflation as a reason for his decision to stage a 2.5 per cent public-sector pay award recommended by independent review bodies, which reduces the value to a mere 1.9 per cent.
The measure has led to a growing desire for action among public-sector unions.
Last week, over 20,000 prison officers walked out in anger.
"We don't know anyone who thinks that cutting the take-home pay of vital workers such as nurses and prison officers will make much of an impact on inflation - especially when no action is taken on billions of pounds worth of City bonuses and boardroom excess that do feed straight into house prices," Mr Barber said.
He went on to outline the agenda for what will be his fifth conference as TUC leader.
There will be an emphasis on improving pay and conditions for migrant workers and agency staff, he revealed.
"Ministers accept that too many people at work - particularly migrant workers - face real exploitation.
"I even detect a growing recognition that agency working has become a byword for abuse."
He expressed hope that "this is the beginning of real change, with genuine opportunities for unions to be properly consulted rather than being dictated at from above."
Thursday September 6, 2007
The Morning Star
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber warned the government on Thursday that it could lose the next general election because of "real tensions" over the way that it has treated millions of public-sector workers.
Mr Barber warned that the government was "paying a political as well as an industrial price" for trying to force through "unjustified" pay limits well below inflation.
Speaking before next week's TUC conference in Brighton, he insisted that there had been a "new tone" in the government's relations with unions since Mr Brown became Prime Minister.
But Mr Barber stressed that the improved relations should not disguise the areas where there are real tensions.
He warned that millions of public-sector workers felt "real anger and resentment" over their pay this year.
"I have pressed Prime Minister Gordon Brown very strongly that his absolute rigid position on pay is neither acceptable nor economically viable," Mr Barber said.
He warned that constant reforms, coupled with below-inflation pay deals, had a "negative" impact on workers, who passed their concerns on to family and public service users.
"I hope the government reflects very carefully on the political consequences as well as the industrial consequences," said the TUC leader.
Mr Brown has cited inflation as a reason for his decision to stage a 2.5 per cent public-sector pay award recommended by independent review bodies, which reduces the value to a mere 1.9 per cent.
The measure has led to a growing desire for action among public-sector unions.
Last week, over 20,000 prison officers walked out in anger.
"We don't know anyone who thinks that cutting the take-home pay of vital workers such as nurses and prison officers will make much of an impact on inflation - especially when no action is taken on billions of pounds worth of City bonuses and boardroom excess that do feed straight into house prices," Mr Barber said.
He went on to outline the agenda for what will be his fifth conference as TUC leader.
There will be an emphasis on improving pay and conditions for migrant workers and agency staff, he revealed.
"Ministers accept that too many people at work - particularly migrant workers - face real exploitation.
"I even detect a growing recognition that agency working has become a byword for abuse."
He expressed hope that "this is the beginning of real change, with genuine opportunities for unions to be properly consulted rather than being dictated at from above."
Stand up and be counted
'Peace mom' Cindy Sheehan returns from Jordan with a vital message, writes LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR.
Wednesday August 22, 2007
The Morning Star
US anti-war campaigner Cindy Sheehan issued an urgent clarion call on Tuesday for the British and US public to defy their warmongering leaders.
Speaking at a conference in London, Ms Sheehan said that Iraqi refugees whom she met on her recent visit to Jordan "want people in Britain and the US to rise up against their government and force an end to the occupation."
The high-profile "peace mom," whose son Casey was killed in Iraq in 2004, stopped off in Britain on her return journey to the US from Jordan, where she met Iraqis dealing with the massive refugee crisis that has seen over 4.2 million people displaced by the war.
"They told us that what will help them the most is when the occupying forces leave and their country is stable enough for them to go back to," Ms Sheehan told the meeting organised by the Stop the War Coalition.
She urged Britain to join an international solidarity coalition with Iraqis, which was launched at the event to raise awareness about the crisis and to gather emergency aid.
"There is a humanitarian crisis in the Middle East that is destabilising the entire region," Ms Sheehan said.
"It started in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's spread to especially Syria and Jordan, who have taken the brunt of the refugees who are displaced outside the country.
"Iraqi refugees have no prospect of employment. Mothers and young girls are forced to prostitute themselves to feed their families, while millions are left without a home and children can't go to school."
A joint report by Oxfam and NGOs in Iraq found last month that a third of all Iraqis needed emergency aid because of the humanitarian crisis caused by war.
Around 43 per cent are living in absolute poverty and there has been a sharp increase in the number of children being born underweight or suffer malnutrition, the report warned.
US-based community group Hip Hop Caucus president Rev Lennox Yearwood, who accompanied Ms Sheehan on her humanitarian visit to Jordan, said: "This is not a cause. This is an emergency.
"Countries like Syria and Jordan are at a breaking point and desperately need more resources and international aid to cope with the crisis."
Ms Sheehan demanded that Britain and the US help with the emergency aid operation and take on more refugees from the area.
Britain approves a pathetic 12 per cent of Iraqi asylum claims, while the US has only accepted 250 of the 7,000 Iraqi refugees there. By comparison, Sweden has a 91 per cent refugee approval rate and has suspended forcible returns.
The solidarity coalition's first major event will be co-ordinated mass marches in the US and Iraq on September 15 - the week that US commander of the multinational force General David Petraeus is to give his "progress" report on the situation in Iraq.
"Our message on that day will be to end the war, not only to save the lives of our soldiers but to save the lives of those living in Iraq," Ms Sheehan said.
General Petaeus's report will be followed by a statement from Prime Minister Gordon Brown about the future of British troops in Iraq.
Stop the War Coalition convener Lindsey German, who chaired the meeting, said: "We want to hear Mr Brown announce that Britain will be withdrawing all troops from there."
Ms Sheehan went on to express US citizens' "disgust" at the Democrat Party, saying: "They were elected to Congress House to bring political change. Instead, they are co-operating with the much-hated Bush administration.
"Some 75 per cent of the US public are against the war, but the Democrats have failed to reflect this."
Asked if she was serious about her intention to stand against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, she replied: "I'm a very serious candidate for Congress and I believe I have a very good chance of beating her."
Ms Sheehan announced her candidacy last month, after Ms Pelosi rejected a one million-strong petition calling for the impeachment of US President George Bush for war crimes.
Army general calls for more troops in Iraq
Louise Nousratpour
Wednesday August 22, 2007
The Morning Star
US general Jack Keane prompted a chorus of condemnation on Wednesday when he called for more British troops in Iraq.
Gen Keane, who was behind the failed US "surge" policy which saw over 30,000 troops deployed to Iraq, moaned that Britain's "disengagement" from the southern city of Basra was a source of frustration for US military commanders.
During a BBC radio interview, he insisted that Britain had never had enough forces to "truly protect" civilians, who were increasingly becoming prey to "gangland warfare."
Asked about the consequences of Britain withdrawing its remaining contingent of around 5,500 troops, he threatened: "The situation will continue to deteriorate."
Gen Keane's remarks were the latest in a series of critical comments made by US officials amid fears over British plans to pull out of Iraq.
He insisted that the answer to the soaring violence in Iraq was more US and British troops on the ground.
The US is facing up to that "fact," the general declared, adding that the British army "needs to grow in size to help assist in maintaining security."
But Sami Ramadani of the British-based support group for Iraqi trade unions NAFTANA accused Gen Keane of wanting to "add more petrol to the fire."
"The US-led occupation forces are a magnet for most of the violence in Iraq. Their presence is socially and politically divisive within Iraqi society.
"So, rather than preventing sectarian violence, they are actually encouraging divisions.
"Their departure will be the first step towards healing the wounds of Iraq and bringing its people together to begin the huge task of rebuilding."
Mr Ramadani suggested that Gen Keane's call for more troop deployment could have a more sinister connotation, arguing: "The US may be using Iraq as a launching pad to possibly attack Iran and even Syria."
Stop the War Coalition convener Lindsey German said that Gen Keane "clearly doesn't recognise that the game is up for British troops in Iraq. It is only a matter of time before they withdraw all troops from that country.
"The United States army is not doing too well either and now US President George Bush is turning against the Iraqi government, demanding that Iraqi people elect a new one because the ministers are not doing what he wants them to do."
Ms German reiterated calls for an end to the occupation, arguing: "There is no military solution to the crisis in Iraq and a political solution can only come from Iraqi people themselves."
She advised Gen Keane to "worry about the problems engulfing his own country, rather than making decisions for others."
A Military Families Against the War spokesman added: "Hundreds of thousands of British and US troops have been deployed to Iraq in the past five years, yet the violence is getting worse.
"A peaceful future for Iraq lies in the total withdrawal of all troops from there, not sending more to their death."
In response to Gen Keane's comments, the Ministry of Defence insisted that the US and Britain were "united behind the same strategy" and dismissed his criticism as "one person's view."
Last week, top British commander General Sir Richard Dannatt admitted that his forces were "certainly stretched" in Afghanistan, adding to pressure on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to cut Britain's commitment in Iraq to allow more soldiers to be sent to Afghanistan.
The MoD is reportedly considering a major reinforcement of the NATO mission in Afghanistan, possibly sending up to 2,000 extra troops.
Protesters see off police raid
Louise Nousratpour
Wednesday August 15, 2007
The Morning Star
THE Metropolitan Police stood accused of breaching an agreement with local residents and representatives of the Heathrow Airport protest camp on Wednesday.
Angry protesters said that police tried to provoke a confrontation on Tuesday night when some 30 officers tried to raid the camp, wielding cans of what appeared to be tear gas.
The Climate Camp Action organisers said that the surprise invasion by police was successfully - and peacefully - repelled by more than 100 demonstrators, who raced to block the officers from advancing into the camp.
Spokesman Timothy Lever said: "A large number of police attempted to break into the camp and they were peacefully removed by a large crowd of protesters with their hands in the air who gradually moved the police away.
"The police gave us no warning and did not say why they were coming on the site.
"They did it after the media left and then blocked journalists from returning to cover the stand-off."
Police initially doubled their numbers at the site, with mounted officers, sniffer dogs and an automatic number plate recognition van working alongside vanloads of officers raking in the overtime.
A statement from Scotland Yard said on Wednesday that policing numbers were now back to the "normal patrolling officers."
But protesters vowed to remain vigilant, amid fears that the heavy-handed approach was part of an ongoing attempt to deter others from joining the camp.
Local MP John McDonnell condemned the aggressive attitude of police, which flew in the face of a guarantee from the Met last week that it would adopt a low-level, non-aggressive policing policy.
"What took place on Tuesday night was an invasion of the camp site by 30 to 40 officers and, since then, a fairly aggressive stop-and-search policy of people visiting the camp, including local residents," he stormed.
Mr McDonnell, along with representatives from local resident groups and the camp, met police leaders yesterday morning to discuss the situation.
"We sought to gain reassurance from police that there will be no further aggression policy and no further invasion of the camp site itself," he reported.
Asked whether he was confident that police would uphold the agreement this time, the MP revealed: "As soon as we left the negotiations, we were met with a team of stop-and-search officers," although Mr McDonnell was not himself searched.
"I continue to be extremely concerned about the scale of the policing and the aggressive attitude of some officers."
Veteran protester Penny Eastwood was being held in a west London police station on Wednesday after she superglued herself to a gate at the camp on Tuesday night.
Police used chemical debonder to remove her hand from the metal gate before arresting her on suspicion of criminal damage.
Ms Eastwood is a member of Plane Stupid, the organisation targeted by a limited High Court injunction obtained by airport operator BAA.
She is the third person to be arrested in connection with the Heathrow climate protest.
Green Party principal speaker Derek Wall announced that he will be joining the camp on Thursday "to discuss how to build a green economy - but I will be listening, not lecturing."
He praised the protesters, declaring: "Simply by occupying the proposed runway site, they have provided an inspiring example of how citizens can fight climate change.
"The camp is a scandal to the government because it sits on the very site of the proposed runway, a runway that will bulldoze a whole village," he added.
Mr Wall said that "the camp reminds Prime Minister Gordon Brown, his Cabinet and BAA of their complicity in devastating environmental destruction.
"Non-violent direct action to combat ecological destruction is the right thing and the Green Party explicitly supports it," he insisted, describing it as "shameful but hardly surprising" that anti-terror legislation is being used to "try to silence their voices."
He warned: "Air travel is the fastest-growing source of CO2.
"It is our children that will pick up the bill from this dangerous and ill-thought-out expansion," said Mr Wall.
Iranian students mark uprising anniversary
Louise Nousratpour
Monday July 9, 2007
The Morning Star
IRAN'S student activists gathered outside one of Tehran's most prestigious universities on Monday to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the pro-democracy student uprising known as the 18 Tir movement.
Student activists staged protests outside Amirkabir University of Technology to mark the 1999 uprising, which was sparked by the closure of reformist newspaper Salam.
Student group Pejvak Daneshjoo activist Zoha told how police and militiamen in plain clothes used violence to disperse the crowd almost as soon as it had gathered.
Speaking from Tehran shortly after the event, she told the Morning Star: "Around 19 students have been arrested. I witnessed at least seven being dragged away by the police."
But Zoha stressed that the students remained undaunted and that more protests had been organised for later.
In recent years, Tehran and other major cities have seen student protests against the Islamic regime's crackdown on freedom of speech and jailing of student activists.
Amirkabir University has recently been the focus of such unrest.
Last month, two protesters were very badly beaten by police and jailed at the notorious Evin prison, where most political prisoners are held.
When Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addressed students at the university last December, he was greeted with protests and saw his picture being burnt.
Students were angry at Mr Ahmadinejad's call for universities to be purged of secular and liberal ideas.
Time to make a stand
Politicians and rights activists lead the fight against government abuses, writes LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR.
Wednesday July 18, 2007
The Morning Star
AN influential panel of politicians, lawyers and rights activists joined militant women refugees on Tuesday to form a united front against an increasingly repressive and abusive government asylum policy.
The House of Commons meeting focused on the detention of asylum-seeking women and children at Yarl's Wood prison, which was the scene of a hunger strike in May against deteriorating conditions following private company Serco's takeover in April.
According to Legal Action for Women, over 70 per cent of the detainees are rape victims, some 15 per cent have suffered torture, more than 44 per cent are mothers and 5.5 per cent are pregnant.
This contradicts government guidelines that torture victims and vulnerable people should not be detained.
Black Women Against Rape Project spokeswoman Cristel Amiss stormed: "We will not allow this to pass as 'mistakes.'
"This is a deliberate strategy by an increasingly repressive government, which sees women and children as easy targets."
Chairing the Misjudging Asylum, Rape and Detention meeting Labour MP John McDonnell said: "We must lobby the government for change and recognise the strength we have got when we come together."
The positive outcome of the Yarl's Wood hunger strike is a sobering example of how strength in unity can force the authorites to retreat.
"As hundreds of individuals, politicians and organisations rallied to the detainees' cause, Serco management was forced to halt deportations, release 11 women and abandoned some of its most draconian policies."
Black Women Against Rape Project spokeswoman Cristel Amiss hailed the outcome as "a tremendous victory."
Security privateer Serco "has been awarded a £87 million government contract to effectively lock women and children up," she said, adding: "The detention of asylum-seekers has to stop. Full stop."
One of those released was a Jamaican woman refugee, known only as Ms W.
She described how she had been detained and threatened with deportation in May while pursuing a complaint against Stoke Newington police in east London for allegedly raping her son during a stop-and-search operation.
"When I asked my MP, Diane Abbot, for help, she turned me away, saying that she could not believe police in Britain would do such a thing," she said, sobbing.
Rape victim Jenipher Maseko, whose breastfeeding children were torn from her while in Yarl's Wood, was also released after Home Office officials were bombarded with hundreds of angry letters from the public.
The 18-year-old Ugandan mother told her story of how she had been left destitute and homeless by the British authorities while pregnant with her second child.
Birth Crisis activist Tess Kitzinger condemned the detention of pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, warning that lack of appropriate facilities, food and access to social support was putting their lives at risk.
"The Prison Service has co-opted some in the medical profession, with midwives standing by as pregnant women are abused and shackled as doctors give pre-entry examinations to confirm that a child is 'fit' for imprisonment," she said.
"It is obvious that the system is inhumane and against the very vulnerable in society."
King's College London professor in midwifery Lesley Page said that she represented those in the profession, who are prepared to fight to "right a system that is so wrong.
"The government's social exclusion agenda and 'every child matters' programme doesn't seem to include asylum-seekers and their children," she added.
Garden Court Chambers barrister Louise Hooper condemned the government's decision to cut legal aid, pointing out: "People are being unlawfully removed and suffer abuse at the hands of the authorities because they don't have access to legal representation."
According to Legal Action for Women, a staggering 57 per cent of Yarl's Wood detainees have no legal representation and 20 per cent have lawyers who demand cash before taking action.
Mr McDonnell promised to ferociously fight in Parliament against the injustice.
Speakers also attacked some voluntary organistions for collaborating with the Home Office and doing its dirty work.
Ms Amiss urged voluntary organisations to "stop collaborating with the government on removals or they will be named and shamed."
India Comes to London
.JPG)
Louise Nousratpour
July 2007
LONDON mayor Ken Livingstone brought the might of Taj Mahal and the spice of India onto the Thames yesterday as he launched a summer of events celebrating the capital’s strengthening relationship with India.
The replica of Taj Mahal sailed up the Thames, pictured against some of London’s most famous landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, to mark the start of the India Now season.
Bollywood beauty and Big Brother celebrity winner Shilpa Shetty and Srinagar-born actress Joanna Lumley OBE joined the mayor on the London Bridge pier to promote the three-months rainbow celebrations dedicated to Indian culture and business.
Mr Livingstone said that the campaign aimed to highlight the strong economic and cultural links between London and India.
“I’ve been in talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown about removing all trade barriers between Britain and India,” he told a press briefing.
“We must resist temptations to see barriers raised against China and India, as the US is trying to do. It’s better to grow with these emerging economies.”
Mr Livingstone further called for a “business passport” to allow Indian businessmen “come and go without being hassled at airports.”
Asked if racism was still a problem in London following the Big Brother scandal last year, Mr Livingstone noted: “Yes, but they are an amazingly small minority and getting smaller by the year.
“Racism has no place in London’s future, because it’s simply not good for the capital’s health or wealth.”
Later that evening, the Taj Mahal replica floated in front of Big Ben with a backdrop of colours signifying the Indian flag to highlight the 60th anniversary of its independence from British rule.
London will be awash with India’s biggest Bollywood stars, art, film, food, theatre fashion and business between now and September.
For more details see the Time Out magazine, which, in partnership with the mayor, is producing a guide for the India Now season of over 1,500 events.
TUC denounces Iraqi strike-breaking
Louise Nousratpour
Wednesday June 6, 2007
The Morning Star
THE TUC condemned the Iraqi government on Wednesday for its military intervention to quash a strike by oil workers in southern city of Basra and demanded that troops be withdrawn from the oil fields.
The troops have been sent to the area following a walkout by members of the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions (IFOU) on Monday.
According to the IFOU, arrest warrants have been issued by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for its leader Hassan Juma'a Awad, along with three other senior union officials.
"The government is intimidating the union, but we are determined to gain our legitimate right," Mr Awad said, adding that the strike would continue as planned.
Responding to urgent appeals for solidarity from the IFOU, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber condemned the "threatening presence" of troops to the area.
"Military intervention is not the way to resolve industrial disputes," he said.
"This strike began only after weeks of negotiation had failed to produce a deal, but negotiation is the only way to end the strike peacefully."
The strike, which is over wages, bonuses, health and safety, use of temporary workers and the threats to privatise the oil industry, has suspended delivery of oil to Baghdad, including the green zone and the southern governates of Iraq.
Mr al-Maliki warned on Tuesday that he would meet threats to oil production "with an iron fist."
IFOU British-based support committee Naftana spokesman Sami Ramadani called the arrest warrants an "outrageous attack on trade union and democratic freedoms."
Mr Ramadani said that, although he could not confirm it, occupying British troops may be involved in this military intervention against the oil workers' strike.
He urged Britain's trade union movement to escalate pressure on the government to withdraw the troops and end the "divisive and poisonous" occupation.
Mr Ramadani suggested that the Iraqi government's heavy-handed approach was partly due to the IFOU opposition to the oil law, which would see the industry privatised and sold off to transnational oil tycoons.
He accused the US and Britain of putting "direct pressure" on the Iraqi government to pass the law.
"This is a very, very dangerous law for the future of the Iraqi people and the workers in the oil industry," Mr Ramadani warned.
Iraqi Democrats Against Occupation spokesman Sabah Jawad pleged his support for the IFOU, adding: "The intimidation of Iraqi trade unionists by the US-installed Iraqi government is a far cry from Mr Bush and Mr Blair's promise to bring democracy and human rights to to the country."
Wednesday June 6, 2007
The Morning Star
THE TUC condemned the Iraqi government on Wednesday for its military intervention to quash a strike by oil workers in southern city of Basra and demanded that troops be withdrawn from the oil fields.
The troops have been sent to the area following a walkout by members of the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions (IFOU) on Monday.
According to the IFOU, arrest warrants have been issued by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for its leader Hassan Juma'a Awad, along with three other senior union officials.
"The government is intimidating the union, but we are determined to gain our legitimate right," Mr Awad said, adding that the strike would continue as planned.
Responding to urgent appeals for solidarity from the IFOU, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber condemned the "threatening presence" of troops to the area.
"Military intervention is not the way to resolve industrial disputes," he said.
"This strike began only after weeks of negotiation had failed to produce a deal, but negotiation is the only way to end the strike peacefully."
The strike, which is over wages, bonuses, health and safety, use of temporary workers and the threats to privatise the oil industry, has suspended delivery of oil to Baghdad, including the green zone and the southern governates of Iraq.
Mr al-Maliki warned on Tuesday that he would meet threats to oil production "with an iron fist."
IFOU British-based support committee Naftana spokesman Sami Ramadani called the arrest warrants an "outrageous attack on trade union and democratic freedoms."
Mr Ramadani said that, although he could not confirm it, occupying British troops may be involved in this military intervention against the oil workers' strike.
He urged Britain's trade union movement to escalate pressure on the government to withdraw the troops and end the "divisive and poisonous" occupation.
Mr Ramadani suggested that the Iraqi government's heavy-handed approach was partly due to the IFOU opposition to the oil law, which would see the industry privatised and sold off to transnational oil tycoons.
He accused the US and Britain of putting "direct pressure" on the Iraqi government to pass the law.
"This is a very, very dangerous law for the future of the Iraqi people and the workers in the oil industry," Mr Ramadani warned.
Iraqi Democrats Against Occupation spokesman Sabah Jawad pleged his support for the IFOU, adding: "The intimidation of Iraqi trade unionists by the US-installed Iraqi government is a far cry from Mr Bush and Mr Blair's promise to bring democracy and human rights to to the country."
Humanising the victims
LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR hears how attitudes towards rape must change.
Monday June 4, 2007
The Morning Star
"I WAS gang-raped by three boys last June and left half-naked in a park," Suswati Basu told a one-day conference on Rape, Media and the Criminal Justice System in London's City Hall on Friday.
"When I called the police, a female officer came to the scene and, as soon as she smelt alcohol on me, she judged me," Ms Basu reported, adding: "She was extremely rude and unsympathetic."
She recalled how she was made to feel suicidal by police and the prosection, who treated her case with little sympathy and later cautioned her for "crying rape" while her perpetrators still roamed free.
Ms Basu's lawyer Harriet Wistrich explained that she had to convince the court to delete the caution imposed on Ms Basu and warned that Britain was not far from practicing "state-sponsored misogyny."
Sadly, Ms Basu's uphill struggle for justice is not an isolated case.
Conference heard that countless sex-crime victims face institutionalised prejudice, with the victim often held partially or wholly responsible on the basis that "her skirt was too short" or that "she had too much to drink."
With an estimated 47,000 rapes a year in Britain, the dismal 5.6 per cent conviction rate is a stark reminder of the scale of the problem.
London mayoral adviser for women and women's issues Annie Marjoram said that the event aimed to "drag the issue into the public eye and stress that rape is state business, not private."
She celebrated the successes of the three groundbreaking rape centres, called "havens," established around London as well as the Metropolitan Police specialist unit the Sapphire Team.
"These should be seen as a gold standard for the rest of Britain," Ms Marjoram said.
As the government looks to develop new legislation on rape, she stressed the need for a public debate on how to best improve conviction rates.
Speakers were particularly scathing about the disproportionate amount of media coverage given over to anomalous stories of women who "cry rape."
And they attacked the justice system for bringing charges against these women while letting rapists go free.
Conference demanded that police and judiciary adopt firm policies against such "nonsensical" charges.
Guardian women's editor Kira Cochrane admitted that the mass media often churns out salacious headlines, reconfirming public prejudices, when reporting rape.
She complained that the news agenda is skewed by a constant quest for fresh, headline-grabbing stories, making it difficult to report on age-old issues such as rape.
The veteran feminist and women's writer challenged journalists to look for "new and interesting ways to put rape on the news agenda."
Alice Vachss, who is one of the most successful sex-crime prosecutors in the US, urged Britain to adopt the US system whereby the jury is vetted for prejudice and prosecutors receive specialist training, with direct access to victims from day one.
By comparison, there are few specially trained prosecutors in Britain and they have no contact with the victim until the day of trial.
The prosecution must pile on the details to build a profile of her mental state and background to "make the victim human," Ms Vachss argued, adding: "The truth lies in the details."
Richard Sumray, who is chairing a government review into rape convictions, admitted that the criminal justice system was letting the victim down and pledged to "change what is wrong with the system."
A 2005 Amnesty International report found that one-in-three respondents believed that women who behaved flirtatiously were partially or wholly responsible for being raped. Around 5 per cent of women and 3 per cent of men held her "totally responsible" if she was drunk.
Mr Sumray acknowledged the need for more trained specialists within the police and judiciary as well as "a significant public-education programme to change prejudiced thinking and influence the way people - and therefore police and the jury - think."
Monday June 4, 2007
The Morning Star
"I WAS gang-raped by three boys last June and left half-naked in a park," Suswati Basu told a one-day conference on Rape, Media and the Criminal Justice System in London's City Hall on Friday.
"When I called the police, a female officer came to the scene and, as soon as she smelt alcohol on me, she judged me," Ms Basu reported, adding: "She was extremely rude and unsympathetic."
She recalled how she was made to feel suicidal by police and the prosection, who treated her case with little sympathy and later cautioned her for "crying rape" while her perpetrators still roamed free.
Ms Basu's lawyer Harriet Wistrich explained that she had to convince the court to delete the caution imposed on Ms Basu and warned that Britain was not far from practicing "state-sponsored misogyny."
Sadly, Ms Basu's uphill struggle for justice is not an isolated case.
Conference heard that countless sex-crime victims face institutionalised prejudice, with the victim often held partially or wholly responsible on the basis that "her skirt was too short" or that "she had too much to drink."
With an estimated 47,000 rapes a year in Britain, the dismal 5.6 per cent conviction rate is a stark reminder of the scale of the problem.
London mayoral adviser for women and women's issues Annie Marjoram said that the event aimed to "drag the issue into the public eye and stress that rape is state business, not private."
She celebrated the successes of the three groundbreaking rape centres, called "havens," established around London as well as the Metropolitan Police specialist unit the Sapphire Team.
"These should be seen as a gold standard for the rest of Britain," Ms Marjoram said.
As the government looks to develop new legislation on rape, she stressed the need for a public debate on how to best improve conviction rates.
Speakers were particularly scathing about the disproportionate amount of media coverage given over to anomalous stories of women who "cry rape."
And they attacked the justice system for bringing charges against these women while letting rapists go free.
Conference demanded that police and judiciary adopt firm policies against such "nonsensical" charges.
Guardian women's editor Kira Cochrane admitted that the mass media often churns out salacious headlines, reconfirming public prejudices, when reporting rape.
She complained that the news agenda is skewed by a constant quest for fresh, headline-grabbing stories, making it difficult to report on age-old issues such as rape.
The veteran feminist and women's writer challenged journalists to look for "new and interesting ways to put rape on the news agenda."
Alice Vachss, who is one of the most successful sex-crime prosecutors in the US, urged Britain to adopt the US system whereby the jury is vetted for prejudice and prosecutors receive specialist training, with direct access to victims from day one.
By comparison, there are few specially trained prosecutors in Britain and they have no contact with the victim until the day of trial.
The prosecution must pile on the details to build a profile of her mental state and background to "make the victim human," Ms Vachss argued, adding: "The truth lies in the details."
Richard Sumray, who is chairing a government review into rape convictions, admitted that the criminal justice system was letting the victim down and pledged to "change what is wrong with the system."
A 2005 Amnesty International report found that one-in-three respondents believed that women who behaved flirtatiously were partially or wholly responsible for being raped. Around 5 per cent of women and 3 per cent of men held her "totally responsible" if she was drunk.
Mr Sumray acknowledged the need for more trained specialists within the police and judiciary as well as "a significant public-education programme to change prejudiced thinking and influence the way people - and therefore police and the jury - think."
Towards equality
Louise Nousratpour
Sunday March 11, 2007
The Morning Star
BRITISH REPORT: LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR listens to women giving inspiration in the fight against sexist and racist oppression.
WOMEN campaigners drew inspiration from revolutionary Venezuela at the weekend as they united for social justice at a north London conference, stressing the link between rape, race and violence and the chronic poverty generated by capitalism.
Saturday's Rape, Race, Prostitution conference, organised by the Global Women's Strike, brought together hundreds of working-class women from all over the world to discuss ways to stamp out rampant violence and gender inequality.
The gathering provided a forum for people to share their accounts of being on the receiving end of violence and brutality and the institutionalised racism and sexism
that women often face when they try to raise their grievances with the British authorities.
It highlighted the achievements of women's active roles in revolutionary Venezuela and upheld its progressive gender laws as a model which campaigners should press the British government to adopt.
GWS speaker Selma James stressed the link between the issues raised and their common root - poverty generated by the capitalist system.
"Behind the scenes of racist attacks, the witch-hunt of Muslims, false arrests, deaths in custody and atrocities of war, are women organising a fightback," she declared.
Scores of militant women speakers showed that this was true. They lambasted the government, judiciary, police and some voluntary agencies for, at best, failing to do their job.
As a result, over 200 women are killed each year by a violent partner or ex-husband,
while rape convictions are shamefully low at 5.3 per cent. In Suffolk, where five prostitutes were recently murdered, it is even lower, at just 1.6 per cent.
Asylum seekers, who fled rape and torture only to be smeared as liars and threatened with deportation by the British government, spoke out against the harsh immigration laws.
Somalian mother of eight Bilan Mohamud spoke of the repeated racial abuse that she and her family had been subjected to by neighbours in north London. Each time they alerted the police, officers treated the matter as a neighbour dispute and arrested her husband for "threatening" the neighbours.
"The attacker punched me in the face and broke my nose, while shouting 'fucking refugee, fucking nigger, go back to your country'‚" she recalled.
Melanie Khan recounted the grotesque violence that her pregnant friend recently suffered at
the hands of Brixton police in south London. She said that officers beat her and subjected her to a vicious sexual assault while she was in custody.
"Now she is the one facing trial for assaulting a police officer," Ms Khan said, asking: "Who do we turn to for help when the police and other authorities show signs of institutional racism and sexism, over and over again?"
Conference demanded stronger, swifter, action, including dismissal against racist and sexist police officers, the judiciary and rogue public bodies.
The audience was urged to pressure their local MPs to sign an early day motion, presented by Labour MP John McDonnell, which aims to improve women's legal rights.
Conference also tackled the devastating impact of the government's "nazi" anti-terror laws at home and the so-called "war on terror" abroad.
Maryam Ahmad, whose husband is
facing extradition to the US, described the "trauma and terror" suffered by Britain's Muslim community, while Tahrir Swift of the Iraqi and Arab Media Watch highlighted the plight of Iraqi women under occupation.
Get Hotmail, News, Sport and Entertainment from MSN on your mobile.
Sunday March 11, 2007
The Morning Star
BRITISH REPORT: LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR listens to women giving inspiration in the fight against sexist and racist oppression.
WOMEN campaigners drew inspiration from revolutionary Venezuela at the weekend as they united for social justice at a north London conference, stressing the link between rape, race and violence and the chronic poverty generated by capitalism.
Saturday's Rape, Race, Prostitution conference, organised by the Global Women's Strike, brought together hundreds of working-class women from all over the world to discuss ways to stamp out rampant violence and gender inequality.
The gathering provided a forum for people to share their accounts of being on the receiving end of violence and brutality and the institutionalised racism and sexism
that women often face when they try to raise their grievances with the British authorities.
It highlighted the achievements of women's active roles in revolutionary Venezuela and upheld its progressive gender laws as a model which campaigners should press the British government to adopt.
GWS speaker Selma James stressed the link between the issues raised and their common root - poverty generated by the capitalist system.
"Behind the scenes of racist attacks, the witch-hunt of Muslims, false arrests, deaths in custody and atrocities of war, are women organising a fightback," she declared.
Scores of militant women speakers showed that this was true. They lambasted the government, judiciary, police and some voluntary agencies for, at best, failing to do their job.
As a result, over 200 women are killed each year by a violent partner or ex-husband,
while rape convictions are shamefully low at 5.3 per cent. In Suffolk, where five prostitutes were recently murdered, it is even lower, at just 1.6 per cent.
Asylum seekers, who fled rape and torture only to be smeared as liars and threatened with deportation by the British government, spoke out against the harsh immigration laws.
Somalian mother of eight Bilan Mohamud spoke of the repeated racial abuse that she and her family had been subjected to by neighbours in north London. Each time they alerted the police, officers treated the matter as a neighbour dispute and arrested her husband for "threatening" the neighbours.
"The attacker punched me in the face and broke my nose, while shouting 'fucking refugee, fucking nigger, go back to your country'‚" she recalled.
Melanie Khan recounted the grotesque violence that her pregnant friend recently suffered at
the hands of Brixton police in south London. She said that officers beat her and subjected her to a vicious sexual assault while she was in custody.
"Now she is the one facing trial for assaulting a police officer," Ms Khan said, asking: "Who do we turn to for help when the police and other authorities show signs of institutional racism and sexism, over and over again?"
Conference demanded stronger, swifter, action, including dismissal against racist and sexist police officers, the judiciary and rogue public bodies.
The audience was urged to pressure their local MPs to sign an early day motion, presented by Labour MP John McDonnell, which aims to improve women's legal rights.
Conference also tackled the devastating impact of the government's "nazi" anti-terror laws at home and the so-called "war on terror" abroad.
Maryam Ahmad, whose husband is
facing extradition to the US, described the "trauma and terror" suffered by Britain's Muslim community, while Tahrir Swift of the Iraqi and Arab Media Watch highlighted the plight of Iraqi women under occupation.
Get Hotmail, News, Sport and Entertainment from MSN on your mobile.
Horrors beyond words
The 'honour' killing of a Kurdish 17-year old (right) has caused shockwaves worldwide. Now, activists are fighting back. LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR reports.
Sunday May 20, 2007
The Morning Star
AT just 17 years old, Du'a Khalil Aswad was dragged to her death in broad daylight by her male relatives. She was so shocked that she didn't even scream.
In a frenzy of misogynist violence, she was stoned to death in a Kurdish town near Mosul last month in front of hundreds of witnesses, including members of the US-trained Iraqi police force.
"These men killed Aswad, a child, laughing and kicking her. They smashed her face and head and, to humiliate her, they stripped her naked. Yet they seem to have walked free," says Diana Nammi, who is a member of the Iranian Women's Rights Organisation.
The brutal act was a so-called "honour" killing. Aswad's crime was to fall in love with an Arab man not of her own pagan Yazidi faith. She was deemed, therefore, to have brought "shame" on the family name.
Kurdish feminist Houzan Mahmoud, who has received death threats from reactionary jihadist group Ansar al-Islam in northern Iraq, explains that the mobile video of Aswad's murder has been sent to every girl and woman in the area to terrorise them.
"But it has had the opposite effect," she says triumphantly.
As the video of Aswad's barbaric murder was posted across the internet, thousands of men and women across Iraqi Kurdistan rose up in condemnation and demanded justice for Aswad.
"It has brought thousands of men and women out on the streets and we have so far gathered 80,000 signatures for our campaign. We have also seen the publication of hundreds of sympathetic articles and poems," she adds.
Many hold the US-led occupation and the Iraqi regime directly responsible for the soaring rate of rape, murder and other gender-specific violence in the country.
The occupiers are "allowing reactionary groups to flourish," says Amnesty International UK women's rights campaigner Heather Harvey. With it, violence against women in its most severe form is also growing, she added.
There have been many alleged cases of rape and murder of women by Iraqi and occupying forces. Most notorious is the case of 14-year-old Abeer Qassim al-Janabi, who was raped and then murdered, together with her family, by US soldiers in March last year. No-one has ever been convicted for these crimes.
It is estimated that hundreds of women have been murdered in the name of honour since the invasion of Iraq in March 2003. The latest United Nations figures show that over 44 women were killed between January and March 2007. Aswad and at least 12 others have since met the same fate.
"Behind Du'a and behind all the killing is the occupation. We will see hundreds of Du'a as long as there is occupation. There is no state in Iraq to uphold law. The 'authorities' watched Du'a get stoned," warns veteran Kurdish women's activist Surma Hamid.
The US-led forces also stand accused of deliberately supporting reactionary religious and tribal groups to divide and rule the population and undermine their ability to unite against their main enemy.
"We need to get to the heart of the matter and demand an end to the occupation," storms Hamid.
Campaigners are also calling for changes to the law to protect women and bring the perpetrators of violence to justice.
Many women in the region, who, like Aswad, dare to love outside marriage or resist forced matrimony, are staring death in the eye.
But, while lawlessness and rampant violence reigns in Iraq, the Iranian regime has "institutionalised" violence against women by enshrining stoning in law as punishment for disobedient women.
"The fate of Du'a could be mine," says Diba Alikhani of the Iranian Association in Support of Women.
The Islamic regime in Iran has left women with two choices, she argues. "To be a victim or fight back." She and many others have chosen the latter option and they, along with their counterparts in Iraq, now face death threats.
However, International Federation of Women Against Fundamentalism chairwoman Elizabeth Sidney dismisses as racist arguments which single out Islam over "honour" killings, stressing that this kind of misogynist brutality exists in all religions and cultures.
"Having studied many religions, I can tell you that the Christian sect, Mormons, can teach the mullahs - Islamic clergies - a thing or two about gender brutality," stresses Sidney.
In Britain, two women a week are killed by a family member.
Kurdish and Iranian Women's Rights Organisation director Diana Nammi highlights the case of Banaz Mahmoud Babakir Agha, who was the victim of an "honour" killing in Birmingham last year.
"Her murderers fled to Kurdistan and are now roaming free," says Nammi.
Campaigners have labelled the region a safe haven for criminals in the absence of laws to prosecute them. They are calling on the British government to hunt Agha's killers and seek their extradition.
The horrific killing of Aswad has provided the catalyst for an international campaign both to fight "honour" killings and to raise awareness about the plight of women in occupied Iraq.
Kurdish rights activist Ibrahim Karim issues a stark reminder of the challenge that it faces.
"Iraq is run by armed militia men and lawlessness is rampant. The Iraqi government has no authority. The occupation is the key problem."
Murdered in the name of honour
LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR reports from a conference on the silence surrounding "honour killings."
Monday October 16, 2006
The Morning Star
IN April this year, the mutilated body of Banaz Mahmoud Babakir Agha was found stuffed in a suitcase buried in a garden in Birmingham.
Police later recognised that she had been the victim of so-called honour killing.
The 20-year-old Kurd had sought help from the police at least five times, fearing that her life was in danger. But her concerns were ignored.
A conference organised by Iranian and international women's rights groups in south London on Friday stressed that Banaz was just one of thousands of women murdered each year in the name of "honour."
According to the UN, over 5,000 women and girls are killed every year by family members.
But the conference called this a "gross underestimation," citing Afghan women's groups which contend that at least 5,000 a year are dying in that country alone.
Women who resist forced marriage, flee abusive husbands, have sexual relations outside marriage or are even victims of rape are slain by their relatives for bringing "shame" on the family name.
The conference argued that the near-epidemic rise in honour killing and its spread to communities in Europe should be seen in the context of rampant globalisation and the "war on terror."
It rejected attempts to label honour killing as merely cultural without considering the backward political and socio-economic conditions on which such violent patriarchy thrives.
Veteran socialist writer Fateh Sheikh argued that the rise in these crimes were a result of the world "counter-revolutionary offensive" that has been stepped up since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
He explained that the wretched socio-economic conditions that are being imposed on large sections of the world's population had breathed new life into reactionary cultures and traditions that should have long been buried.
Iranian Association for Support of Women speaker Diba Alikhany, a psychologist, gave an eye-witness account of the extent of the problem in parts of Iran.
"Far from being recognised as a crime, honour killing is backed by the authorities as a family's right which should not be interfered with," she explained.
"We campaign to raise awareness among women about their rights through seminars and discussions, while challenging the legal system which condones these crimes of honour."
British-based Iranian and Kurdish Women's Rights Organisation (IKWRO) director Diana Nammi talked of the growing problem in Europe and Britain.
She accused the Establishment of giving lenient sentences to perpetrators on the basis that it is their "culture."
Over 180 women in Britain had sought help with the group in the past year, of which 14 "would have certainly been killed if we had not forced police to provide 24-hour protection," Ms Nammi said.
IKWRO is campaigning to raise awareness within the judicial system.
It is asking the British government to ensure that "service providers and front-line social workers are aware of the crime and have the necessary resources to support the victims."
Ms Nammi addded: "We also need effective legislation to prevent any reduction of charges being made in the name of culture, religion or nationality."
Pregnancy discrimination 'must be halted'
Louise Nousratpour at TUC Conference, Brighton
Thursday May 17, 2007
The Morning Star
CIVIL servants union PCS conference warned on Thursday that women who experience post-natal depression and other pregnancy-related illnesses are not protected by the law against management discrimination and bullying.
Delegates condemned the law's inadequacy to protect women suffering from childbirth-related illnesses beyond their statutory maternity leave period and demanded new legislation to rectify this injustice.
Around one in six women experience post-natal depression.
Cardiff and District delegate Kathrine Williams said that the Department of Work and Pensions, where she works, was receiving an increasing number of complaints from women about workplace discrimination during and after pregnancy.
She warned that employers were ignoring legislation and using sickness absence schemes to put pressure on depressed mothers to return to work or face the sack.
Ms Williams also highlighted the fact that massive cutbacks in the health service directly affected these vulnerable women, pointing out that "many, who are often in imminent danger of harming themselves or others, are having to wait six to eight months just to access an NHS counsellor."
Glasgow Branch delegate Jerry McMahon, whose wife suffered from post-natal depression, agreed that "the law doesn't provide the protection needed."
He also argued that the statutory maternity and paternity leave period should be extended to allow parents time to bond with their new-born child "without the threat of bullying or sacking."
PCS national executive member Sue Bond pledged the union's commitment to push for amendments to the law to protect these women from aggressive employers.
PCS lambasts Trident replacement
Louise Nousratpour at TUC Conference, Bighton
Thursday May 17, 2007
The Morning Star
PCS delegates lambasted government plans to renew Trident nuclear weapons at an estimated cost of £76 billion on Thursday.
The civil servants' conference in Brighton attacked ministers' "shameless lies" about the necessity of privatisation and public-sector cuts to balance the books, while allocating billions to renew Trident nuclear missiles and fund illegal wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Conference was urged to make a link between these issues and campaign with other unions to push for public money to be spend on building a world-class social system at home, not imperialist wars abroad.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka accused the government of having "political priorities" which were anti-working class and tipped in favour of war and big business.
Greater Manchester delegate Dave Vincent said: "It's absolute hypocrisy for the British government to threaten countries like Iran about their nuclear capability when we are about to renew ours.
"The £76 billion would be more usefully spent on education, health and pensions."
Mr Vincent praised the "bravery" of whistle-blower Mordechai Vanunu, who served 18 years in jail for exposing Israel's secret nuclear weapons in 1986, as well as anti-nuclear protesters arrested for blockading Faslane naval base in Glasgow.
Some delegates expressed concerns that abandoning Trident would mean thousands of job losses for members working in Faslane and Coulport naval bases.
But conference promised to dedicate part of the campaign to push for alternative jobs, where these members can use their skills in socially useful sectors.
"The £85 million a year allocated by the Scottish Executive to renew Trident could be used to create over 3,000 jobs in the region," one delegate highlighted.
In a debate on the NHS, Harrow Branch delegate Mark Benjamin warned that over 12,000 jobs had been lost in the health service since April last year as bosses seek to save money.
"The privatisation is wasting the extra money put into the NHS on profiteers rather than patients," he said and encouraged PCS to "visibly" back local and national campaigns by health workers and their unions against these cutbacks and closures.
Public sector ready to hit back
Louise Nousratpour at TUC Conference, Brighton
Wednesday May 16, 2007
The Morning Star
FURIOUS delegates at the Civil Service union PCS conference in Brighton warned the government yesterday that it will face a summer of discontent because of growing anger over privatisation, job cuts and pay.
Conference unanimously endorsed proposals to co-ordinate industrial action where possible with other public-sector unions whose members are also affected by the below-inflation pay offer of just 2 per cent.
On job cuts and privatisation, delegates agreed to intensify the union's campaign and to consult as widely as possible with its 300,000-plus members on further industrial action.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said that the unanimous vote was "for intensifying and escalating the campaign," which has already seen two national strikes this year, as well as other actions short of strike.
"We will now be seeking to hold as many meetings with union branches and activists across the country as possible to discuss the way forward," he said.
Public-sector union UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis sent a message of solidarity, giving his union's full backing for co-ordinated action.
Pointing to new Labour's "relentless drive" to privatise and cut public services, he stressed: "Unions cannot fight these battles alone and PCS and UNISON should be working together to maximise our impact in responding to the attacks on us."
Mr Prentis invited PCS to discuss in the weeks ahead "how we can liaise on developments on pay, so, where there is industrial action, we co-ordinate where possible such action."
Mr Serwotka welcomed the support of UNISON as "very significant" for the campaign.
Education unions NASUWT and the National Union of Teachers have already signalled their support for co-ordinated action, while the UNISON health conference voted to ballot for strike over pay last month and the Communication Workers Union is currently balloting members over the issue.
Mr Serwotka explained that, over the summer, PCS will meet internally and with other unions to take the campaign forward.
This could lead to to mass action, including extended national walkouts and targeted action, by the end of summer.
Delegates heard that civil ser-vants were starting to be hit by compulsory lay-offs under government plans to cut 100,000 jobs, which have left members stres-sed and demoralised and facing violence from irate customers.
About 25 wildlife officers will be laid off this week and officials at the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department for Work and Pensions also face compulsory redundancy.
"PCS stands ready to negotiate," Mr Serwotka stressed, but only if the government halts its attacks on pay and conditions.
"Faced with a cut in living standards, more privatisation than the Major and Thatcher years combined and savage job cuts, delegates today have said they will stand side by side with other public-sector workers and, where possible, co-ordinate industrial action," he said.
"The government can move to quell the discontent running through the civil and public service by starting to value its workforce with fair pay and by recognising that decent public services need public servants to deliver them."
Wednesday May 16, 2007
The Morning Star
FURIOUS delegates at the Civil Service union PCS conference in Brighton warned the government yesterday that it will face a summer of discontent because of growing anger over privatisation, job cuts and pay.
Conference unanimously endorsed proposals to co-ordinate industrial action where possible with other public-sector unions whose members are also affected by the below-inflation pay offer of just 2 per cent.
On job cuts and privatisation, delegates agreed to intensify the union's campaign and to consult as widely as possible with its 300,000-plus members on further industrial action.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said that the unanimous vote was "for intensifying and escalating the campaign," which has already seen two national strikes this year, as well as other actions short of strike.
"We will now be seeking to hold as many meetings with union branches and activists across the country as possible to discuss the way forward," he said.
Public-sector union UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis sent a message of solidarity, giving his union's full backing for co-ordinated action.
Pointing to new Labour's "relentless drive" to privatise and cut public services, he stressed: "Unions cannot fight these battles alone and PCS and UNISON should be working together to maximise our impact in responding to the attacks on us."
Mr Prentis invited PCS to discuss in the weeks ahead "how we can liaise on developments on pay, so, where there is industrial action, we co-ordinate where possible such action."
Mr Serwotka welcomed the support of UNISON as "very significant" for the campaign.
Education unions NASUWT and the National Union of Teachers have already signalled their support for co-ordinated action, while the UNISON health conference voted to ballot for strike over pay last month and the Communication Workers Union is currently balloting members over the issue.
Mr Serwotka explained that, over the summer, PCS will meet internally and with other unions to take the campaign forward.
This could lead to to mass action, including extended national walkouts and targeted action, by the end of summer.
Delegates heard that civil ser-vants were starting to be hit by compulsory lay-offs under government plans to cut 100,000 jobs, which have left members stres-sed and demoralised and facing violence from irate customers.
About 25 wildlife officers will be laid off this week and officials at the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department for Work and Pensions also face compulsory redundancy.
"PCS stands ready to negotiate," Mr Serwotka stressed, but only if the government halts its attacks on pay and conditions.
"Faced with a cut in living standards, more privatisation than the Major and Thatcher years combined and savage job cuts, delegates today have said they will stand side by side with other public-sector workers and, where possible, co-ordinate industrial action," he said.
"The government can move to quell the discontent running through the civil and public service by starting to value its workforce with fair pay and by recognising that decent public services need public servants to deliver them."
Raise Your Voice
(Written by my father Rebwar - right - and translated from Kurdish)
Raise your voice now!
Don’t let it quiver in the cold
Oh bright-eyed Galaveje wrapped in rags
Come, sing the anthem of “Comrade Shwan” load and clear
So your shorn little lambs shiver no more in the icy gust
Declare:
In this world,
Mum and dad and their fellow wretches
Have knitted so many woollen jackets with their weary fingers
That neither I, nor any other child will suffer from the cold
Declare:
In this world,
There is so much wool and fleece
That neither my little lambs, nor any other will be shorn to shiver in the cold
Yes:
I’ll sing my anthem
And raise my luminous voice
I’ll console my comrade Shwan
Until I string them up
Those witch-eyed pot-bellied brutes
Who stole my woollen jacket
Who fleeced my little tender lambs
I’ll hang them up, annihilate them
Towards Equality
LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR listens to women giving inspiration in the fight against sexist and racist oppression.
Monday March 12, 2007
The Morning Star
WOMEN campaigners drew inspiration from revolutionary Venezuela at the weekend as they united for social justice at a north London conference, stressing the link between rape, race and violence and the chronic poverty generated by capitalism.
Saturday's Rape, Race and Prostitution conference, organised by the Global Women's Strike, brought together hundreds of working-class women from all over the world to discuss ways to stamp out rampant violence and gender inequality.
The gathering provided a forum for people to share their accounts of being on the receiving end of violence and brutality and the institutionalised racism and sexism that women often face when they try to raise their grievances with the British authorities.
It highlighted the achievements of women's active roles in revolutionary Venezuela and upheld its progressive gender laws as a model which campaigners should press the British government to adopt.
GWS speaker Selma James stressed the link between the issues raised and their common root - poverty generated by the capitalist system.
"Behind the scenes of racist attacks, the witch-hunt of Muslims, false arrests, deaths in custody and atrocities of war, are women organising a fightback," she declared.
Scores of militant women speakers showed that this was true. They lambasted the government, judiciary, police and some voluntary agencies for, at best, failing to do their job.
As a result, over 200 women are killed each year by a violent partner or ex-husband, while rape convictions are shamefully low at 5.3 per cent. In Suffolk, where five prostitutes were recently murdered, it is even lower, at just 1.6 per cent.
Asylum seekers, who fled rape and torture only to be smeared as liars and threatened with deportation by the British government, spoke out against the harsh immigration laws.
Somalian mother of eight Bilan Mohamud spoke of the repeated racial abuse that she and her family had been subjected to by neighbours in north London. Each time they alerted the police, officers treated the matter as a neighbour dispute and arrested her husband for "threatening" the neighbours.
"The attacker punched me in the face and broke my nose, while shouting 'fucking refugee, fucking nigger, go back to your country'‚" she recalled.
A woman in the audience, who did not wish to be named, recounted the grotesque violence that her pregnant friend recently suffered at the hands of Brixton police in south London. She said that officers beat her and subjected her to a vicious sexual assault while she was in custody.
"Now she is the one facing trial for assaulting a police officer," she said, asking: "Who do we turn to for help when the police and other authorities show signs of institutional racism and sexism, over and over again?"
Conference demanded stronger, swifter, action, including dismissal against racist and sexist police officers, the judiciary and rogue public bodies.
The audience was urged to pressure their local MPs to sign an early day motion, presented by Labour MP John McDonnell, which aims to improve women's legal rights.
Conference also tackled the devastating impact of the government's "nazi" anti-terror laws at home and the so-called "war on terror" abroad.
Maryam Ahmad, whose husband is facing extradition to the US, described the "trauma and terror" suffered by Britain's Muslim community, while Tahrir Swift of the Iraqi and Arab Media Watch highlighted the plight of Iraqi women under occupation.
Monday March 12, 2007
The Morning Star
WOMEN campaigners drew inspiration from revolutionary Venezuela at the weekend as they united for social justice at a north London conference, stressing the link between rape, race and violence and the chronic poverty generated by capitalism.
Saturday's Rape, Race and Prostitution conference, organised by the Global Women's Strike, brought together hundreds of working-class women from all over the world to discuss ways to stamp out rampant violence and gender inequality.
The gathering provided a forum for people to share their accounts of being on the receiving end of violence and brutality and the institutionalised racism and sexism that women often face when they try to raise their grievances with the British authorities.
It highlighted the achievements of women's active roles in revolutionary Venezuela and upheld its progressive gender laws as a model which campaigners should press the British government to adopt.
GWS speaker Selma James stressed the link between the issues raised and their common root - poverty generated by the capitalist system.
"Behind the scenes of racist attacks, the witch-hunt of Muslims, false arrests, deaths in custody and atrocities of war, are women organising a fightback," she declared.
Scores of militant women speakers showed that this was true. They lambasted the government, judiciary, police and some voluntary agencies for, at best, failing to do their job.
As a result, over 200 women are killed each year by a violent partner or ex-husband, while rape convictions are shamefully low at 5.3 per cent. In Suffolk, where five prostitutes were recently murdered, it is even lower, at just 1.6 per cent.
Asylum seekers, who fled rape and torture only to be smeared as liars and threatened with deportation by the British government, spoke out against the harsh immigration laws.
Somalian mother of eight Bilan Mohamud spoke of the repeated racial abuse that she and her family had been subjected to by neighbours in north London. Each time they alerted the police, officers treated the matter as a neighbour dispute and arrested her husband for "threatening" the neighbours.
"The attacker punched me in the face and broke my nose, while shouting 'fucking refugee, fucking nigger, go back to your country'‚" she recalled.
A woman in the audience, who did not wish to be named, recounted the grotesque violence that her pregnant friend recently suffered at the hands of Brixton police in south London. She said that officers beat her and subjected her to a vicious sexual assault while she was in custody.
"Now she is the one facing trial for assaulting a police officer," she said, asking: "Who do we turn to for help when the police and other authorities show signs of institutional racism and sexism, over and over again?"
Conference demanded stronger, swifter, action, including dismissal against racist and sexist police officers, the judiciary and rogue public bodies.
The audience was urged to pressure their local MPs to sign an early day motion, presented by Labour MP John McDonnell, which aims to improve women's legal rights.
Conference also tackled the devastating impact of the government's "nazi" anti-terror laws at home and the so-called "war on terror" abroad.
Maryam Ahmad, whose husband is facing extradition to the US, described the "trauma and terror" suffered by Britain's Muslim community, while Tahrir Swift of the Iraqi and Arab Media Watch highlighted the plight of Iraqi women under occupation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
