Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery in India

Interview with Dave Skivington by Press Gang Member, Howard (Part 1)

In a recent interview with David Skivington, author of the novel Scar Tissue, he recalled that inspiration for his book came from the disturbing experience he had while travelling in India at the age of 18. David recalled that while he and a friend were walking down the street in Calcutta they “were approached by a man [who was] basically offering us young girls for sex.” Shocked and upset by the event, David went on to research the extent to which human trafficking was prevalent in India. The results of his findings inspired him to put pen to paper in the form of Scar Tissue.

Although the event that moved David to write Scar Tissue may be upsetting, it should not come as a surprise. A recent study by the Australian-based rights groups Walk Free found that just under half of the 30 million people enslaved in the world are in India. It should be noted that although not all of the men, women and children enslaved are done so for the purpose of sexual exploitation, this does not make their condition any less horrific. Many of these modern day slaves are born into debt bondage and because of this, or due to the persistence of the caste hierarchy, they are forced to work tirelessly in unsafe conditions in mills, factories and kilns from an early age. Many are coerced through means of sexual violence.

It is widely recognised by both the Indian government and international observers that, while it may not be the only form of enslavement, the trafficking of persons in India for sexual exploitation is widespread. The practice is not only limited to Indian nationals but there are also large numbers of Nepali and Bangladeshi women and children trafficked as India increasingly becomes a destination for trafficked persons as well as a source.

The Indian government has a number of measures in place to try and tackle the issue including the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, the National Advisory Committee to Combat Trafficking, and nation-wide Anti Human Trafficking Units. Despite these measures, it would seem that the prevention of trafficking is limited and the conviction rate of those responsible is poor. Indeed, the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime reports that in 2008, out of the 8512 people against whom prosecution for trafficking in persons commenced, only 1565 were convicted.

The United States’ Department of State ‘Trafficking in Persons Report 2013’ observes that although the Indian government is making significant efforts to ensure the problem of human trafficking is recognised and tackled, it still does not comply with minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. While actions such as the establishment of Anti Human Trafficking Units are commended for being steps in the right direction, they are at the same time criticised for being inefficient, negligent and, at times, existing on paper only.

These figures, and the overall assessment of human trafficking in India, are deeply disturbing. Facts and figures, however, can only go so far in opening people’s eyes to the grotesque nature of the situation. It is for that reason that books such as David Skivington’s ‘Scar Tissue’ serve such a vital purpose. Despite being fiction, it is often the case that the story told is not too far removed from the truth.

This is a truth that everyone should be aware of.

Review of David Skivington’s Scar Tissue coming soon.

For more information on the issue of human trafficking and global slavery see:

http://www.globalslaveryindex.org/

Adam Leake

The great British property scandal

Mark Harper the immigration minister was one of the panellist on  BBC Question Time last week. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03dy8wl/Question_Time_17_10_2013/) so obviously immigration issues were on the agenda.

"Massive effect on public services... housing."

"We cannot take any more... we are full."

"Pressures on public services... housing...  immigration."

In many people's mind the problem of housing shortage and immigration are clearly linked and it therefore becomes all too easy to blame migrants.

But that's dodging the issue. Just for a moment put the immigration issue on one side and simply consider housing.

One of the most devastating impacts of the housing shortage is homelessness. There are 75,000 homeless people in the UK, but for each homeless person there are almost ten empty houses - with an estimated 710,000 empty houses in the UK. (http://www.emptyhomes.com/statistics-2/empty-homes-statistice-201112/). How many more are effectively empty because they are second homes?

Professor Alex Marsh in his personal blog earlier this year highlighted the lack of effective housing policy in what he called, "Aggressive intolerance as a substitute for aggressive housing policy?"

He goes on to highlight that, "overall... immigration is not the key driver of dwelling population imbalance" and notes that credible evidence seemingly has little impact on the immigration debate.

I worry that as we creep nearer to an election politicians will utilise safer, simplistic arguments around immigration rather than be brave enough to challenge the public by debating the real issues and causes for concern such as inequality, unemployment, housing, education and health.

Immigration Bill 2013/14

The Immigration Bill 2013/14 is now available to view on the Home Office website. The Bill aims to make it much more difficult for migrants to settle in the UK with the changes seriously affecting the social and legal rights of asylum seekers.

Part one of the Bill, as well as Schedules one and two, enlarges state powers to search individuals and premises, as well as record, use and retain biometrics.  

Part two of the Bill amends the right of appeal, drastically reducing the number of appeal rights that currently exist, form seventeen to four. Under the new Bill an appeal case will only be possible if it involves a human rights claim; where someone says that they need humanitarian or asylum protection; where such protection has been provoked and where someone has the right to remain under EU law. The four categories of appeal do not account for situations where there has been a factual error which has led to the decision.

Time-limited immigration status under the bill will have to make a contribution to the National Health Service, a subject which has been heavily criticised. The Charity Doctors of the World UK have condemned the new laws relating to the access to the NHS as “unethical”, with the danger of penalising those who are most vulnerable. DOTW, while acknowledging that it may make sense for groups like tourists to contribute to health costs, they have stated that there is no economic argument to impose such a levy on these vulnerable groups.

Landlords under the new bill will be liable to a civil penalty of up to £3000 if they rent their premises to residents who do not have legal status. The bill essentially is turning landlords into immigration officers when they are not trained to deal with the complexities of the system, with over 400 types of documentation. Surely the measure to have landlords check the immigration status of residents will just create circumstances where they look to not to rent to anyone who is not British to avoid the risk of being held liable.

Part four introduces stricter investigations into “sham marriages” and civil partnerships and extend powers for information to be shared by, and with, registration officials. Marriages and civil partnerships will be referred to the Home Office to be investigated.

The proposed Immigration Bill 2013/14 will make the UK a much more hostile environment for migrants, a situation which liberty director Shami Chakrabarti has described as a “race relations nightmare waiting to happen”. The changes that the Bill plans to impose are not just “nasty” but also is lacking in ethical or financial justifications. 

On the 22^nd October 2013 there will be a protest against the New Immigration Bill opposite the House of Commons in London at 10:30am. This protest is scheduled for the day of the Bill’s second reading in the House of Commons, and is a demonstration against the infringement on the social and legal rights of migrants. 

Hannah Conway

An Integral Role

The recent Immigration Bill has called into question what role refugees and asylum seekers have in the UK. 

       

The impact that refugees and asylum seekers have had on British culture and public life is often seen through a negative light but the success of Olympians, such as Mo Farah who was originally an asylum seeker from Somalia, who came over to Britain is testament to what allowing refugees to enrich civil life can bring. One of Leeds most famous exports to the world was started by refugees. Marks and Spencer’s started by Michael Marks a Jewish refugee from Russia and Thomas Spencer a cashier from Yorkshire.     

However, there is a negative perception surrounding asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. A sizable proportion of public opinion appears to favour a harsher approach towards asylum seekers and refugees. In my opinion this is because asylum seekers are not allowed to work. The Refugee, Education, Training and advice service in Leeds says that the unemployment of refugees is six times higher than the UK average. Especially amongst politicians on the right-wing of the spectrum the opinion seems to be that immigrants are taking “British jobs”; this is a mistruth. According to the charity Refugee Education Training Advice Service 55% of asylum seekers who arrive in the city do not speak any English, and there are fears that there is a lack of integration from refugees and fears of isolation.  

Interviews . . .     

Solomon arrived in the UK eight years ago from Eritrea after tensions with its larger neighbour Ethiopia escalated into war.   Solomon says that Eritrea his garage was very busy as he said: “I would maybe 200 customers every day back in Eritrea but at my garage in Leeds I see only 3 or 4 people a day. Sometimes I do not see anybody”.   

However, despite the lack of customers Solomon seems full of hope about the future and says he is happy in the UK. He said: “I like the UK apart from the weather as it is too cold here. But now that I’m working it does not feel as bad as when I did not have a job.  It’s a quiet garage at the moment but I have only had it since January. When people her about it they will come.  I am very happy at my work”.      

It took Solomon eight years before he was able to own a business. Considering his experience of 25 years of ownership of a garage in Eritrea it is hard not to feel that his expertise was wasted during those eight years. 

Jack Elliot. 

Volunteering opportunities

DON'T BELIEVE THE TYPE

Do you want to work in journalism?
Press Gang is recruiting volunteers

to tell the real stories of asylum seekers and refugees

Leeds Asylum Seeker Support Network (LASSN) launched Leeds Press Gang in November 2008. The group is made up of volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds including refugees, local workers, students and activists. The aim of the group is to challenge the negative perceptions members of the public have regarding asylum seekers and refugees through sharing positive stories.

We currently have three exciting volunteering opportunities for October 2013 - May 2014

1. Coordinator (1 - 2 days per week) 

2. Editor (approx 5 hours per week) 

3. Reporter ( 3 - 5  hours per month)

What’s involved

·       Bi-monthly meetings to plan our press strategy

·       Interviewing, researching, writing and editing

·       Writing press releases, magazine articles and blog pieces

·       Empowering asylum seekers and refugees to talk with the media

·       It’s important you build up a relationship with us, with the asylum seekers and refugees, and with the media – therefore we are looking for people who are going to stick with us for at least six months

What we provide

·       An opportunity to gain valuable journalistic experience

·       Briefings about asylum issues

·       A chance to work alongside exiled journalist from around the world

·       and meetings with some amazing people!

What next

·       Find out more  http://pressgangleeds.blogspot.co.uk/p/current-oppoortunities.html

·       Please contact us by 1st October

Detained indefinitely

I’ve never been locked up or held against my will, but today I will be visiting people who are locked up without limit. Under the Terrorism Act the police can hold suspected terrorists without charge for up to 14 days. The people I’m visiting are also held without charge under UK/European immigration detention legislation. I’m visiting two women who have both been in detention for around 50 days but there are many people who have been detained for over a year under the same powers. A Freedom of Information request revealed that as of December 2012, 10 people had been locked up solely under the immigration act for over two and a half years each (the longest was 4.4 years and  between them they had clocked up a mind-numbing 32 years behind bars).

I’m nervous about my visit. I’ve had to send my personal details in advance and I’m expecting to be searched, photographed and fingerprinted before I’m allowed through the gates. But the people I’m visiting have not committed a crime, have not been charged with any offence, are not waiting to come to trial and pose no threat to Britain.

Under the powers of the Immigration Act, the government can detain people indefinitely (see Jonas Bochet's article about history and consequences of indefinite detention.) In theory detention should only be used to aid deportation but the experience of many asylum seekers is that detention is used arbitrarily as standard practice often without any rational explanation.

I remember the time when a friend from church was detained. Police and immigration officials arrived at her house in Leeds very early in the morning and hammered away at her door. When she answered she was swiftly bundled into a waiting van without even being allowed to change from her pyjamas.

She was released two days later, once it was pointed out to the authorities that they had made a mistake and detained her despite her ongoing asylum application. She was lucky that no one else had been assigned her room in the shared house in Leeds so she was able to return to the same place. Many people come out of detention and end up in a new town or city away from any community or support they have built up while in the UK.

My friend returned to Leeds with additional emotional scars caused not by her experiences of persecution in Africa but by her treatment here in the UK. Her room and house had now become infused with an extra layer of fear. She would wake, startled with her heart pounding every time a car pulled up and she would jerk awake at any unexplained noise in the night.

Her situation has now improved. She’s been granted refugee status and is busy working at Leeds University having just completed a degree.

I arrive at Yarl’s Wood in the company of Heather from Yarl’s Wood Befrienders. It’s striking that wherever you get asylum seekers you always get support groups and charities springing up ready to mitigate the appalling situations many people face. It clearly demonstrates how many people in Britain believe in justice and value our society for our positive Human Rights.

(c) Google street view

The Immigration Removal Centre (or Immigration Detention Centre as the signs still calls it) is on a business estate a very short marathon length from Bedford along Paula Radcliffe Way. There's not much nearby apart from Milton Ernest, a small thatch-cottaged village. It’s not an easy place to get to. Serco, the private company who hold the detention contract with the home office, do provide a bus to the station every two hours. Yarl’s Wood is sign-posted from the main roads in a rather unusual manner. The sign points to Yarl’s Wood I.D.C. and then has two brown boxes underneath highlight the facilities of Indoor Sky Diving and Indoor Surfing making it look like an I.D.C. is a place of extreme sport rather than captivity.

There are some incredibly ugly and uninviting buildings hiding behind tall fences topped with barbed wire. They're not the detention centre but the Skydiving site and the Red Bull racing team. The Immigration Removal Centre itself is much more attractive with half-brick, half yellow walls and a light grey low-pitched roof giving it the appearance of a modern office block.

Entering the buildings is not such a welcoming experience despite the staff being polite and helpful.

I meekly follow my minder who knows the system. First stop is the visitor’s reception where I am photographed, have my finger prints scanned and my ID checked. I also have to leave all my belongings apart from coins in a locker before I can proceed.

We then walk across the visitor’s centre. I’m still expecting high walls and barbed wire but that’s all hidden around away from visitor's sensibilities. We walk along a short corridor and press a button to alert the guards to our arrival. The door opens and my minder enters. I attempt to follow but am shooed back and told to wait. Moments later the door opens and I’m allowed in. The guard explains that only one person is allowed in at a time to preserve their dignity while being searched. She then searches me and my finger print is scanned again before I’m allowed through the air lock type doors.

The visitors centre itself is a light spacious room that has perhaps been consciously designed to look like a Starbuck’s café. There are large windows on one side looking out onto a small garden with bright murals that attempt to hide the size and blankness of the walls. There are low armchairs sprinkled around coffee tables and in one corner there are vending machines where visitors can treat themselves or the detainee – which explains why I should have kept hold of my coins.

I’m meeting two women detained under the immigration act. Their cases are different but I quickly discover two things they have in common. Despite it being mid-afternoon neither woman has eaten and both of them talked about difficulties sleeping.

The first woman is a couple of months pregnant and it cannot be good for her health to be incarcerated with so little self-determination. She described in limited English how sad she was. I only saw one smile from her, which ironically was when she talked about Gujarat food, before continuing to comment on how the meals provided were not appetising. 

The befriender told me that many pregnant women have real difficulties with food and sleep. Meal times are set and don’t take account of the difficulties caused by morning sickness and don’t provide the flexibility for women to eat when they need rather than when they’re told.

The second women I met spent much of the time with her hands clenched on either side of her neck. Again the smiles were few and mostly reserved for when she talked about how much difference a visit makes to her. She described how, “In the dinner hall you see people crying - you cry. How can you eat?”

Those tears are caused by desperation and depression and previously she has been "on watch" - with someone keeping her in constant sight because of fears of self-harm. This week she is due to present her appeal before a judge but has no solicitor to represent her and no medical report to provide evidence of the physical persecution she has suffered.

I cannot imagine how hard it must be for her to be confined with so much hanging over her.  She’d spent the previous night working on paperwork to fax to the court this morning. She’d expected to sleep for a few hours in the morning but was called for a medical appointment. Having waited in the medical wing for over an hour she was finally informed that the appointment had been cancelled because the medic was off sick – which they could have told her when she first arrived.

(c) Google maps

I’d expected to be intimidated by high walls, barbed wire and a security check that is more onerous than when visiting a prison. The five-metre, razor-topped walls of Yarl’s Wood are safely hidden behind the friendly front face of the building and polite and efficient attitude of staff to me as a visitor.

What I had forgotten about was the impact of meeting people living in such devastating captivity. I met two women who had no control over their lives, who had little hope and were totally isolated with the Yarl’s Wood Befriender as their only visitor. One of them explained that during her asylum claim no one believed her and that meeting the Befriender made such a difference and gave her hope.

I’ve been working with asylum seekers for over six years and I am still astonished by had badly we treat them and how much they are vilified by the press and by politicians. My experience today has only deepened my concern about how the UK treats people who come here looking for protection. I long for the day when politicians are brave enough stand up to immigration and take a lead on promoting British values of fairness and concern for those in need.

If you live near one of the UKs twelve Immigration Removal Centres (Bedford, Gatwick, Heathrow, Strathaven, Hampshire, South Lanarkshire, Oxfordshire, Lincolnshire, Dover, Antrim, Manchester) why not consider volunteering. If you live near Leeds then come and join us at Leeds Asylum Seekers’ Support Network and perhaps you can be the person who brings hope.