The Terrence Higgins Trust has launched a campaign to highlight the needs of migrant HIV sufferers who are being denied public healthcare under current NHS regulations. In April 2004, new NHS charging regulations were introduced to limit HIV treatment. The new regulations were a response to allegations of ‘treatment tourism’ – the idea that people
Theme: Sport
‘How can I leave? I have no legs’ – a Greek campaign for mine survivors
At least sixty overland would-be migrants to Europe have lost their lives to the landmines on Greece’s borders. A campaigner against the mines writes of one small victory in the long struggle for the rights of maimed mine survivors. As representative of a Greek campaign of the Nobel Peace Prize award-winning International Campaign to Ban
Significant deterioration to detainees’ mental health
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has stated that the ‘sense of powerlessness’ experienced by the Belmarsh detainees ‘is likely to cause significant deterioration to [their] mental health’. The College is asking the government to consider these findings when the government ponders its response to the recent House of Lords ruling that the detention of the
Caring for Minority Ethnic elders in Europe
The rapid ageing of Europe’s population has become Europe’s number one issue according to an MEP speaking, on 9 December 2004, at the launch of the Summary Findings from the Minority Elderly Care (MEC) project. The research revealed some shocking facts, including: Thirty-five per cent of elders surveyed in the UK are in poor, or
A matter of fear or death
David Blunkett has blamed campaigners for encouraging an Iraqi asylum seeker to sew up his lips. Naseh Ghafor is a 20-year-old Iraqi man who has been on hunger strike since 8 July. Naseh, who has sewn up his lips, is seriously ill but is refusing treatment because, according to a member of the Sheffield Committee
Scandal of coerced sterilisation of Romani women
As evidence emerges of gross violations of Roma rights – women are being sterilised without their informed consent – Roma leaders like Rudko Kawczynski of the Roma National Congress are asking why Brussels did not make better conditions for the Roma a condition for the accession of the ten central and eastern European countries to
Roger Sylvester – police condemned for black death
It has taken the Sylvester family four years to get an inquest into Roger’s death. A verdict of unlawful killing has been returned. But the last successful prosecution of a police officer involved in a black death was in 1971, despite numerous inquest verdicts of unlawful killing since then. Clapping and shouts of joy, mingled
Action needed to provide for Europe’s minority ethnic elderly
Urgent action is needed to prevent a looming crisis in provision for Europe’s minority ethnic elderly, according to the first report of a major Europe-wide research project, covering ten countries, into the problems of ageing and ethnicity. Launched at the European Parliament, Brussels, on 8 May, the report Minority Elderly Care in Europe shows how,
Inquiry into the death of David ‘Rocky’ Bennett begins
The public part of the inquiry into the death of David ‘Rocky’ Bennett began this week. Rocky Bennett, a 38-year-old Black man, was certified dead in the early hours of Saturday 31 October 1998. He had been a detained patient in the Norvic Clinic, an NHS medium secure unit in Norwich, for three years. His
Tough questions at Climbie meeting
Norman Tutt, Director of Social Services at Ealing Council, faced hostile questioning at a public meeting organised to discuss the public inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbié. Around fifty people attended the meeting held at Ealing Town Hall on 9 December 2002, which was preceded by a vigil on Ealing Broadway. The event was